Tracy Chapman wins CMA “song of the year” for “Fast Car”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

Adding to this that the absolutely funniest version of this phenomenon to me is that T.S. Eliot got two posthumous Tony Awards for Cats.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

This is even more confusing. Who is "he?" What cover are you talking about?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

This is even more confusing. Who is "he?" What cover are you talking about?

Luke Combs's cover.

[Anonymous]

Why do people not like the OG song?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

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.

I’m Gen X.

I know the album and the political climate at the time.

Talkin Bout a Revolution was played on repeat at the coffee houses back in the day.

It only made it to 75 on the music charts. It wasn’t a hit. Not even close.

And I also remember the backlash Chapman encountered when she bought herself a nice home and a fancy car after making money from the album. She was labeled a sellout and hypocrite. I don’t think that was fair, but it happened…and this was long before social media or TMZ.

What’s she been doing for the last 30 years? Made any great music?

She made one amazing song that transcends race and age. And she made another catchy song. Plus some other songs that were played in coffee houses and venues that hosted poetry slams. That’s not bad. In fact, it’s quite an accomplishment.

But she was never Dylan. I’m not sure she was really trying to be. I applaud her efforts to shine a light on issues in a positive way. I wish others would.

[Anonymous]

Great win for Song of the Year (to Chapman); not really sure why Combs would nab the single of the year as well. But the CMA awards defy logic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

This is even more confusing. Who is "he?" What cover are you talking about?

Luke Combs's cover.

THANK YOU, I didn't know who Luke Comb is since I don't listen to country music so I looked it up. What a beautiful voice and remake. Amazing, song he did an wonderful job, It might be better as a country song if that's even possible...

[Anonymous]

Also the link in case anyone else is interested:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUpA9J7mS2Y

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

This is even more confusing. Who is "he?" What cover are you talking about?

Luke Combs's cover.

THANK YOU, I didn't know who Luke Comb is since I don't listen to country music so I looked it up. What a beautiful voice and remake. Amazing, song he did an wonderful job, It might be better as a country song if that's even possible...

said no one ever before this moment in time

[Anonymous]

I think he did a fine job singing it, I just can't reconcile that story with a male voice. Maybe it's my own bias coming out, but it just feels like such a uniquely female experience, it doesn't seem as authentic coming from a guy. So I get a bit of a disconnect listening to it.

But I get that a lot of people love the new version, and I'm thrilled to see the song getting renewed attention. It's such a beautiful, haunting tale yet so hopeful and strong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

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.

I’m Gen X.

I know the album and the political climate at the time.

Talkin Bout a Revolution was played on repeat at the coffee houses back in the day.

It only made it to 75 on the music charts. It wasn’t a hit. Not even close.

And I also remember the backlash Chapman encountered when she bought herself a nice home and a fancy car after making money from the album. She was labeled a sellout and hypocrite. I don’t think that was fair, but it happened…and this was long before social media or TMZ.

What’s she been doing for the last 30 years? Made any great music?

She made one amazing song that transcends race and age. And she made another catchy song. Plus some other songs that were played in coffee houses and venues that hosted poetry slams. That’s not bad. In fact, it’s quite an accomplishment.

But she was never Dylan. I’m not sure she was really trying to be. I applaud her efforts to shine a light on issues in a positive way. I wish others would.

Ok- I didn’t realize people thought she was Dylan. Had no clue anyone thought of her in that way. But I agree that she doesn’t want to be. She wanted creative freedom, not Beyoncé, Taylor, madonna level of stardom.

I personally respect that a whole lot more than if a song is catchy and a ‘hit.” Because she stood for something and took her own risks, not the record labels determined steps.

https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/tracy-chapman-being-in-the-public-eye-is-uncomfortable-for-me-1.2433200

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

This is even more confusing. Who is "he?" What cover are you talking about?

Luke Combs's cover.

THANK YOU, I didn't know who Luke Comb is since I don't listen to country music so I looked it up. What a beautiful voice and remake. Amazing, song he did an wonderful job, It might be better as a country song if that's even possible...

said no one ever before this moment in time

Pretty much the whole thread thinks he did a great job, which thread are you reading PP?

[Anonymous]

https://www.spiked-online.com/2023/07/18/the-woke-erasure-of-tracy-chapman/amp/

This guy’s take on Chapman’s success in the 80s and Combs’ success with the cover is spot on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

Pro tip: Chapman wrote Give Me One Reason at the same time as she wrote all of the other songs on her debut, it was just left off the album.

Anyway, everyone who thinks Fast Car is the only worthwhile thing she did should go listen to Change, or The Promise, or All That You Have Is Your Soul, or her cover of Stand By Me, or Sing For You, which was a standard lullaby when our kids were little.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

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.

I’m Gen X.

I know the album and the political climate at the time.

Talkin Bout a Revolution was played on repeat at the coffee houses back in the day.

It only made it to 75 on the music charts. It wasn’t a hit. Not even close.

And I also remember the backlash Chapman encountered when she bought herself a nice home and a fancy car after making money from the album. She was labeled a sellout and hypocrite. I don’t think that was fair, but it happened…and this was long before social media or TMZ.

What’s she been doing for the last 30 years? Made any great music?

She made one amazing song that transcends race and age. And she made another catchy song. Plus some other songs that were played in coffee houses and venues that hosted poetry slams. That’s not bad. In fact, it’s quite an accomplishment.

But she was never Dylan. I’m not sure she was really trying to be. I applaud her efforts to shine a light on issues in a positive way. I wish others would.

Ok- I didn’t realize people thought she was Dylan. Had no clue anyone thought of her in that way. But I agree that she doesn’t want to be. She wanted creative freedom, not Beyoncé, Taylor, madonna level of stardom.

I personally respect that a whole lot more than if a song is catchy and a ‘hit.” Because she stood for something and took her own risks, not the record labels determined steps.

https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/tracy-chapman-being-in-the-public-eye-is-uncomfortable-for-me-1.2433200

Nobody thinks she is Dylan.

Rather, she seemingly tried to be Dylan. Her catalog is heavy on politics and social justice. But her songs just don’t resonate. Go listen to Subcity and read the lyrics. She’s trying really hard to make a political statement, but she falls short.

Sure, her overnight success afforded her the freedom to do whatever she wanted to do. And her legacy is Fast Car and Talkin Bout a Revolution. Those two songs earned her perpetual invites to any and all social justice gigs.

She went to a private prep school and graduated from Tufts. Her father connected her to Elektra Records and her first single made her a global star. Quick and easy success followed by what, exactly?

I’m actually going to listen to her entire catalog of music this weekend. I’ll see if there are any hidden gems. The songs I’ve listened to for the last 30 minutes are completely forgettable.