I Did It All

Tracy Chapman · Our Bright Future [2008]

A Cosmopolitan a Manhattan

Call me one

Pour a round for me and my friends

Cape Cod Sea Breeze Long Island Ice Teas

I won't go there or drink it if you paid me



When they come to waylay me

When they close in for the capture

I did it all

I did it all

For the love and the laughter

I did it all

I did it all

I did it all



Slept in late

Stayed up for days

Partied hard

Lived my twenties in haze

Smoked second-hand in crowded bars

With the A-list of B-list movie stars



When they come to arrest me

Pat me down and undress me

I'll confest without miranda

Strike a pose for the tabloid cameras

I did it all

I did it all

I did it all



I did it all

I didn't ask permission

I did it all

What kind of life

Is not an exhibition

I did it all

Crash and burn

And then you know you're living

I did it all

Some pain a few tears after

I did it all

To the last line of the final chapter

I did it all

I did it all



My heat is a wound that festers

Seduced my share in silk and polyester

Oh my great loves

And my few losses

I'll tell it all

When my little black book is published



When they come to interview me

For my made for TV movie

Say I'm the bitch who was a bastard

Who did it all for the love and laughter

I did it all

I did it all

I did it all

I Did It All

Tracy Chapman's 'I Did It All' appears on her 2008 album 'Our Bright Future,' marking a return to her signature acoustic style after a period of electronic experimentation. The track reflects on themes of personal growth and the complexities of relationships, characteristic of Chapman's introspective songwriting. While the song does not reach the chart heights of her earlier hits like 'Fast Car,' it maintains her commitment to socially conscious lyrics and melodic simplicity. Released during a time when Chapman was navigating her career beyond her debut era, the recording serves as a testament to her enduring ability to craft poignant narratives about life's journey. The song stands as a bridge between her folk roots and her later work, showcasing her continued relevance in the music industry.