It's hard to believe it's been 20 years since Tracy Chapman drove onto the scene in her "Fast Car." Back then she was a breath of fresh air, injecting the pop world with an earthy, folk-rock sensibility. Since, she has consistently released quality albums that make the mind think and the heart feel, including another top 10 smash on the Billboard Hot 100(1996's "Give Me One Reason"), in the midst of grunge no less. Chapman's new single previews her optimistically titled CD "Our Bright Future" (Nov. 11) and finds the singer in pop lullaby mode, reminiscing on simpler times when she would sing along with the radio to her lover. This is exactly the type of song that Jason Mraz would score big with at pop radio, with its sunny, adhesive "doo-doo-doos" and accessible toe-tapping rhythm section. At best, this will score big at triple A and AC and reintroduce the fine talent to new listeners. TV placement, anyone? —Chris Williams