"Give Me One Reason" is a song written and performed by American singer-songwriter Tracy Chapman. It was included on her fourth studio album, New Beginning (1995), and was released as a single in various territories between November 1995 and March 1997, her first since 1992's "Dreaming on a World". The song is Chapman's biggest US hit, reaching number three on the Billboard Hot 100. It is also her biggest hit in Australia, where it reached number three as well, and it topped the charts of Canada and Iceland. Elsewhere, the song reached number 16 in New Zealand, but it underperformed in the United Kingdom, peaking at number 95 in March 1997.
Chapman first performed "Give Me One Reason" during her 1988 tour, seven years before its release. She also performed the song on the December 16, 1989, episode of Saturday Night Live. Chapman earned the Grammy Award for Best Rock Song for the track, and it was also nominated for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Female Rock Vocal Performance at the Grammy Awards of 1997. A version of this song featuring Eric Clapton was included on the 1999 compilation album A Very Special Christmas Live. A music video was released to promote the single.
Critical reception Alan Jones from Music Week wrote, "Less intense and somewhat looser than her benchmark hit Fast Car, it perfectly mixes her folksy style with traditional R&B qualities, intelligent lyrics and that edgy distinctive voice. Compelling listening." Pitchfork said the song was, "strutting along a plucked, head-nodding guitar melody and Chapman’s grainy alto. Centering on an imbalanced relationship, each verse grows more frustrated from a lack of reciprocity; then the band kicks in and the pleading in her voice becomes cathartic, begging for a reason to stay while knowing it won’t come." In June 2026, CBS News included the song in its list of the 250 essential American songs of the past 250 years, one of two Chapman songs to make the list.
Track listings
US CD and cassette single "Give Me One Reason" – 4:31 "The Rape of the World" – 7:07
UK CD single "Give Me One Reason" (radio edit) – 4:08 "Talkin' 'bout a Revolution" (LP version) – 2:38 "All That You Have Is Your Soul" (LP version) – 5:16 "Fast Car" (LP version) – 4:58
European and Australian CD single "Give Me One Reason" (single edit) – 3:59 "The Rape of the World" (LP version) – 7:07 "House of the Rising Sun" – 2:00
Australian cassette single "Give Me One Reason" (single edit) – 3:59 "House of the Rising Sun" – 2:00
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (1995–1997)PeakpositionIceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)1US Cash Box Top 1002
Year-end charts Chart (1996)PositionAustralia (ARIA)15Canada Top Singles (RPM)4Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)4Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)3New Zealand (RIANZ)35US Billboard Hot 1006US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)13US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)1US Top 40/Mainstream (Billboard)5US Triple A (Billboard)19
Decade-end charts Chart (1990–1999)PositionCanada (Nielsen SoundScan)96
Certifications
Release history RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)AustraliaNovember 20, 1995ElektraUnited StatesFebruary 27, 1996Contemporary hit radioMarch 19, 1996United KingdomMarch 10, 1997
Cover versions In 2015, Kelly Clarkson covered the song for SiriusXM, garnering over 2.5 million views. She again covered the song for her talk show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, in 2021. The band Ruth covered the song on their 2009 digitally released The Covers EP. In 2021, Black Stone Cherry released two versions of the song on the deluxe edition of their album The Human Condition. Their versions peaked at number 25 on Billboards Mainstream Rock Airplay chart.
References