Wanted to share

You may not know anything about Tracy Chapman or her music. Her debut album (back in 1988) was raw inner city stories, simple words, simple melodies and full of emotion. I have the CD; I've had it for years.  Her second album was more complex, less auto-biographical, not so raw nor so popular. I think I used to have that one as well.

So it was a surprise to find her song recorded on a Celtic Spirit album I have on my laptop. (They got the lyrics wrong, too - something so simple...) While I was checking the lyrics, I stumbled across this. 

While I don't particularly like the duet, I have listened to the song for years and this is moving tribute to what she wrote.  She sings on the right side of your screen, and I find her beautiful! 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MM8_XNj76g

For those who cannot view online video, I'll tell you the rest of the story at the link you can't see - she is performing a very simple song in a duet with Luciano Pavarotti, who is singing his part in Italian.  There is a full orchestral accompaniment (they were true to her original melody; it's well done) and she grins ear to ear while he's singing her song in Italian.  And they're performing an outdoor concert for thousands of people clapping along to a very basic rhythm. Only the last note is in harmony - it's all very simple, and a lovely tribute to her composition!

"Peforming live at Pavarotti and Friends for Cambodia and Tibet, 2000."

And here are the original lyrics:

Sorry
Is all that you cant say
Years gone by and still
Words dont come easily
Like sorry like sorry

Forgive me
Is all that you cant say
Years gone by and still
Words dont come easily
Like forgive me forgive me

But you can say baby
Baby can I hold you tonight
Maybe if I told you the right words
At the right time youd be mine

I love you
Is all that you cant say
Years gone by and still
Words dont come easily
Like I love you I love you