"The songs are not necessarily autobiographical. A lot of songs are a combination of influences. It might be some part of my life, or something I've felt, or something somebody's told me. It all comes together"

In this quote, Tracy Chapman is attending to the common misconception that a songwriter's work is a direct and actual reflection of their individual life. She clarifies that her songs are not strictly autobiographical, suggesting they need to not be interpreted solely as representations of her own life experiences. Instead, Chapman stresses that her songwriting process is complex and affected by a range of sources.

The expression "a combination of impacts" recommends that her creative process is eclectic and draws from varied motivations. This might range from her individual experiences and emotions to those relayed to her by other individuals. This indicates that her work is both introspective and compassionate, acknowledging her own life while also resonating with the universal human experience.

By stating "it may be some part of my life, or something I've felt, or something someone's told me", Chapman indicate the amalgamation of subjective experience and narrative storytelling in her music. Her songs could stem from direct experiences ('some part of my life'), feelings she has personally encountered ('something I've felt'), or stories she's heard from others ('something someone's informed me'). This technique allows her music to explore a wider spectrum of human feeling and experience, going beyond the boundaries of her private perspective.

The final sentence, "It all comes together", illustrates the seamless integration of these diverse aspects to develop a cohesive artistic expression. Chapman's songwriting can hence be seen as a tapestry woven from the threads of various experiences and emotions. The unity of these components shows her skill in crafting tunes that are both individual and universally relatable.

In essence, Chapman is highlighting the complexity and depth of songwriting as an art form. Her work is not limited by the actual restrictions of autobiography but is rather enhanced by a tapestry of multiple impacts, allowing her songs to speak to a larger audience.