PROTEST SONGS

TALKING 'BOUT A REVOLUTION- Tracy Chapman (1988)

[Hook 1]

Don't you know

They're talkin' bout a revolution

It sounds like a whisper

Don't you know

They're talkin' about a revolution

It sounds like a whisper

[Verse ]

While they're standing in the welfare lines

Crying at the doorsteps of those armies of salvation

Wasting time in the unemployment lines

Sitting around waiting for a promotion

[Hook 1]

Don't you know

They're talkin' bout a revolution

It sounds like a whisper

Don't you know

They're talkin' bout a revolution

It sounds like a whisper

Poor people gonna rise up

And get their share

Poor people gonna rise up

And take what's theirs

[Bridge]

Don't you know

You better run, run, run, run,run,run,run,run,run,run,run

Oh I said you better run, run

Run,run,run,run,run,run,run,run,run,run

[Hook 2]

It's finally the tables are starting to turn

Talkin' bout a revolution

It's finally the tables are starting to turn

Talkin' bout a revolution oh no

Talkin' bout a revolution oh

[Verse]

While they're standing in the welfare lines

Crying at the doorsteps of those armies of salvation

Wasting time in the unemployment lines

Sitting around waiting for a promotion

[Hook 1]

Don't you know

Talkin' bout a revolution

It sounds like a whisper

And finally the tables are starting to turn

Talkin' bout a revolution

It's finally the tables are starting to turn

Talkin' bout a revolution, oh no

Talkin' bout a revolution, oh no

Talkin' bout a revolution, oh no

Meaning/Conclusion

TALKING 'BOUT A REVOLUTION is a Marxist song. Tracy sings about people wasting their lives for government assistance to have better jobs. The people in this song are whispering about change which is talking about a revolution. She says that these people are oppressed, kept from reaching the economic status of their friends. The only way they have to improve their lives is working for their bosses. The author is fighting against capitalsm and when it says “I said you better run, run, run,” she is making reference to the rich people that would be taken out.  Finally, poor people are goimg to rise up, get their share and take what's theirs. Then, the tables will turn, as she sings. That's why Tracy Chapman is saying You better run, run, run, run,run,run,run,run,run,run,run.

To conclude this short analysis of the song, I'd say that this song is a clear example of a rebel song. As I said before, this song is complaining about the economic system and that's why she wants to change it. Poor people and society need a big change, Marxism.