Baby Can I Hold You

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Luciano Pavarotti, Tracy Chapman

About Baby Can I Hold You

"Baby Can I Hold You" is the third single released by the American contemporary folk artist Tracy Chapman, released in late 1988. The song reached the top 50 in the United States, unlike its predecessor, "Talkin' 'bout a Revolution", but it failed to become Chapman's second top 40 hit, peaking at #48. It did, however, give her a second chart entry on the US Adult Contemporary charts, peaking at #19 in early 1989. Given the commercial decline Chapman suffered following the release of her second album Crossroads, "Baby Can I Hold You" also became her last top 50 hit until 1996's "Give Me One Reason". In July 1990 the song reached #1 in Portugal. The song created buzz in popular media during November 2018 when it was discovered that "Sorry" by Nicki Minaj was an unauthorized interpolation of "Baby Can I Hold You". Neil Diamond recorded the song for his 1989 album, The Best Years of Our Lives, and became the first of many artists to cover the song. In 1989 the song was notably covered by Jamaican reggae singer Sanchez, and the version became a staple in dance clubs internationally and is still widely played on America urban radio stations. Boyzone's version (December 1997) peak at #2 in the UK charts. Chapman subsequently re-recorded the song, in 2000, as a duet with Luciano Pavarotti for the CD Pavarotti and Friends for Cambodia and Tibet. And it was re-released as a single in promotion of the hits package Collection. 


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Tracy Chapman

Tracy Chapman (born March 30, 1964) is an American singer-songwriter, best known for her singles "Fast Car", "Talkin' 'bout a Revolution", "Baby Can I Hold You", "Crossroads", "Give Me One Reason" and "Telling Stories". She is a multi-platinum and four-time Grammy Award-winning artist. more »

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4 facts about this song

Tracy Chapman
1. "Baby Can I Hold You" is a song written and released by Tracy Chapman in 1988. It is off her self-titled debut album, "Tracy Chapman". 2. This song is considered a classic in the Folk genre, showcasing Chapman's profound writing and emotive vocal skills. 3. It peaked at number 50 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in December 1988 but gained more recognition internationally over time. 4. Chapman has stated that she wrote "Baby Can I Hold You" when she was in college, and the song reflects the fear of rejection that most people feel in relationships.
Boyzone
5. Irish boyband Boyzone covered the song in 1997 for their album "A Different Beat." 6. Their rendition of "Baby Can I Hold You" was a hit, peaking at No.2 on the UK Singles Chart. 7. It is one of Boyzone's most significant songs, having contributed to their international success. 8. The band performed their version in a live duet with Tracy Chapman herself during the Prince's Trust Concert in 2004.
Luciano Pavarotti
9. In 2005, Pavarotti (a popular Italian operatic tenor) performed a rendition of "Baby Can I Hold You" in a charity concert in Modena, Italy, with Chapman. 10. The live duet was released on the "Pavarotti & Friends" for Cambodia and Tibet charity album. 11. This performance marked the blending of different music genres, as Pavarotti was traditionally a classical artist, and Tracy a folk and contemporary musician.
Sanchez
12. Reggae artist Kevin Anthony Jackson, better known by his stage name Sanchez, also covered "Baby Can I Hold You." 13. Sanchez's cover was sampled in the 2001 single "Sorry" by UK garage duo Monsta Boy, which peaked at number 25 on the UK Singles Chart. 14. His version provided a unique reggae twist to the classic song, and is well-liked among reggae music lovers. 15. Sanchez is recognized for his high-pitched voice and ability to effortlessly switch between reggae and love songs like "Baby Can I Hold You."

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    Baby Can I Hold You

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1989

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