# Talkin' 'bout a Revolution

"Talkin' 'bout a Revolution" is the second single from American singer-songwriter Tracy Chapman's self-titled debut album. The politically aware song peaked at No. 75 in the United States as opposed to its predecessor, "Fast Car" which reached No. 6. It also charted in several other countries, reaching the top 40 in Austria, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, and New Zealand.
This song was in Chapman's repertoire while she was studying at Tufts University, before the start of her professional music career, and was among several demos of her songs she had recorded for her college radio station WMFO for copyright purposes, in exchange for the station's right to play her songs. Fellow Tufts student Brian Koppelman showed his father Charles Koppelman, who ran SBK Publishing, a tape of this song that he had smuggled from the station, leading Chapman to sign with the record company.
The song received heavy radio play in Tunisia in 2011 during the Tunisian Revolution. The song was also used as an unofficial theme for Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders' 2016 presidential campaign, played before speeches at his campaign rallies.
After five years of no public appearances, Chapman recorded a performance of the song to air on Late Night with Seth Meyers on the eve of the 2020 United States elections. She changed the lyrics at the end to "Talkin' 'bout a revolution, Go Vote"

## Charts

| Chart (1988) | Peak position |
| Australia (ARIA) | 66 |
| Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) | 29 |
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) | 36 |
| Canada Top Singles (RPM) | 42 |
| Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) | 78 |
| France (SNEP) | 22 |
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) | 21 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100) | 18 |
| New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) | 32 |
| UK Singles (OCC) | 85 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 75 |
| US Adult Contemporary (Billboard) | 45 |
| US Alternative Airplay (Billboard) | 24 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard) | 78 |
| US Mainstream Rock (Billboard) | 22 |

## Certifications

| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
| Denmark (IFPI Danmark) | Gold | 45,000$^‡$ |
| Italy (FIMI) | Gold | 50,000$^‡$ |
| United Kingdom (BPI) | Gold | 400,000$^‡$ |
| $^‡$ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |||

## Cover versions

The song was first covered by the group Living Colour, who not only performed the song on occasion on various tours but released a live version in the compilation album What's Your Favorite Color (1995). The German punk band, Ausbruch, recorded their cover version of the song on the album, Auf Alte Zeiten (1994). English punk band Leatherface released their cover version of the song on their EP "Compact and Bijou" in 1992.
In 1989 there was a cover version from Pliers of Chaka Demus & Pliers and the Firehouse Crew released, it was later re-released as Revolution Sounds.
It was subsequently covered by singer Ben Jelen on the Russell Simmons/Babyface-produced all-star compilation Wake Up Everybody in 2004. This song was also covered by Reel Big Fish on their 2005 album We're Not Happy 'Til You're Not Happy and Chamberlain as a B-side to "Five Year Diary". In 2010, this song was translated into Cree and covered by Art Napoleon on his album Creeland Covers. In February 2011, Israeli band Shmemel covered the song and added a verse inspired by the Arab Spring revolutions, with the new song being given the title "Talking About an Arab Revolution".
Clarence Bekker, of Playing for Change, sang a cover version to commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. Day, 2017.