She did win. For writing the song. First black female to win the award. |
Absolutely agree! |
She did win a prize - Song of the Year which is the songwriting prize. Similar to how the Grammys have Song of the Year for the songwriter(s) and Record of the Year for the performer(s), the CMAs have Song of the Year and Single of the Year. Chapman was nominated for Grammys in both those categories BITD and won the CMA award last night - Combs also won but for the different award. |
Did she attend to accept the award? |
No I agree I guess- I am not necessarily knocking his version (maybe a little) but just pointing out that he didn’t make it his own in any way. He just did a carbon copy of her- in my opinion- much deeper performance of it. What he did add- the increased instrumentals/ bass/ etc- I thought made it sound less soulful and more poppy which I think contrasts with how I personally feel the song speaks to me. But my kids love the country version so I’m having to get used to hearing it in the car |
True |
No but this is the statement she sent: “I’m sorry I couldn’t join you all tonight. It’s truly an honor for my song to be newly recognized after 35 years of its debut. Wow. Thank you to the CMAs and a special thanks to Luke (Combs) and to all of the fans of ‘Fast Car.’” |
Her performance sounds far more “pop” like to me. Almost like a Broadway showtune in certain parts. |
Chapman’s one album was a huge hit because of that one song. Had she not released Give Me One Reason, she would have been a one hit wonder (albeit a big one).
Her net worth is $8M. She isn’t the musical genius everyone thinks she is. She made one fabulous song that transcends age and race…and another so-so song that you sometimes hear in the grocery store. I’m sure she’s thrilled that Combs covered her song and she’s getting money and relevance. |
You think Chapman singing "Fast Car" sounds like a show tune? What? No. |
His version is way way better. I liked the song when it came out but his version works better. |
Tracy Chapman's voice is much richer. I prefer her, but appreciate that her wonderful song has had a resurgence.
As for 11:38's post about her almost being a one-hit wonder, what about "Talkin' About a Revolution" and her gorgeous rendition of "Stand By Me"? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XL6C3vY0jM Show tunes these are not! |
I don't get this how do you win an award in 2023 for an older non-country song? What am I missing here? |
She wins as the songwriter. The song is eligible based on his cover being released this year, but this particular award goes to the person who wrote the song. Like Willie Nelson's version of "You Were Always on My Mind" won the same award in the 80s and that award (and the analogous categories at the Grammys) went to the songwriters, even though that song has been recorded probably dozens of times before Willie got to it. |
If you knew the album, you would also know that there is a song called Mountains o’ Things on it. It outlines the perils of using things as a marker of significance in life. Between that song, Fast Car and Talking bout a revolution which was written in response Regan’s portraying black women as welfare queens. It is fairly clear her motives for the entire record far transcend the money she is pulling in. Shy many not be a musical genius, but her using her musical ability for political commentary is something that most singers don’t have these days. Even the song going from being sung by and about black people to a country song with a majority white listening population is art following politics. More and more whites are feeling unemployed and displaced as our economy shifts to service based industries. It is still a politically charged song, even in its reuse. |