Kelly Clarkson Gives Stunning Performance of Tracy Chapman’s ‘Give Me One Reason’

Tracy Champman is known for hits like “Give Me One Reason” and “Fast Car,” but many fans don’t realize that her first debut album, “Tracy Chapman,” became a multi-platinum hit worldwide when it was released. This album alone earned her six Grammy Award nominations and received the Grammy for Album of the Year. In addition to the Album of the Year Grammy, Tracy also won the Grammy that year for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for “Fast Car,” and Best New Artist. Her second album, “Crossroads,” was nearly as successful. Since her first two albums, Tracy has released six more studio albums, and “New Beginning,” her fourth album, went multi-platinum and won her a Grammy Award for Best Rock Song. The song that won? “Give Me One Reason.”

Tracy began her love of making music at a young age, but her childhood had challenges. Her parents divorced when she was only four years old and she was raised by a single mom and the family lived on welfare. Tracy’s mom bought her a ukulele when she saw that her three-year-old little girl loved music, and Tracy started writing songs and playing the guitar when she was eight years old. Interestingly, Tracy says that the country TV show “Hee Haw” inspired her to play the guitar. Growing up in a segregated Cleveland, Ohio, Tracy was subjected to riots and racial unrest. Like many creative types who are different, Tracy experienced racially motivated assaults and bullying.

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Although she loved music, Tracy actually went to college to study something else entirely and graduated from Tufts University with a degree in Anthropology and African Studies. However, Brian Koppelman’s dad heard her playing on stage one night and helped her get signed to Elektra Records. “Give Me One Reason” was written by Tracy and released in 1995 with her “New Beginning” album. This beautiful song is her biggest hit so far, and it reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song has also been her biggest hit in the U.K. and Australia and reached the number one spot in Canada and Iceland.

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In the video below, watch Kelly Clarkson sing this beautiful and haunting song. “Give Me One Reason” is the perfect song for Kelly Clarkson’s voice. Beautifully done.