But SOMETIMES, it’s not just me because I be having stuff to talk about, but then some bunny or some BUNNIES send me music facts and I’m not shame to tell y’all the stereotype remains true with me. I do love me a good music fact. BECAUSE I LOVE MUSIC.  

Except country. And that’s not even completely true. What I mean is that I generally hate country music, but in reality what I mean is that I MOSTLY don’t like a certain type of country music sang by a CERTAIN TYPE OF PEOPLE. I’ll leave you to read between the lines. That are probably white*. But are not cocaine. Yes. I have a song for just about everything. No. I am not sorry). Because ALSO, every time I say I DON’T LIKE something, here comes the exception to the rule making me look foolish.

Because here I was getting ready to talk to y’all about one of my favorite songs that I found out was originally a country song! That song? “You’re the First, the Last, My Everything” by Barry White (a live look at me singing this song tbh) was originally a country song written by Peter Radcliffe (“You’re My First, You’re My Last, My In-Between”). It originally went unrecorded for 21 years, before Barry recorded it as a disco song – while retaining most of the musical structure while rewriting the lyrics.

Not today’s fun fact BUT: You’re the First, the Last, My Everything was a top 10 hit on the US Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart, reaching number 2. It was kept out of the number one spot by “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” by Elton John, which. I’ll allow because you guys KNOW how much I love SGT PEPPERS LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND music (IDC IDC!)

Anyway. It didn’t win any awards (aside from being certified gold) and ain’t that a shame, but THEN I started thinking about Black people who won country music awards and DID YOU KNOW that in the year 2023 Tracy Chapman is the FIRST Black artist to win Song of the Year at the CMAs? Thirty-five years after Tracy Chapman’s iconic track was first released, the singer-songwriter won Song of the Year at the Country Music Awards for the Luke Combs cover of “Fast Car.”

In March of 2023, Combs released his version of “Fast Car” on his album “Gettin’ Old.” His rendition also proved to be popular throughout the year, topping Billboard’s “Hot Country Songs” chart in September and peaking at the second spot on the “Hot 100” chart. The cover brought Chapman’s original version back onto the charts, making the song eligible for a Song of the Year nomination. Chapman’s CMA Song of the Year win makes her the first Black songwriter of any gender to win the prestigious prize. This milestone feels even more poignant given the legacy of “Fast Car” as an iconic working-class and lesbian anthem. Although Chapman wasn’t present at the CMAs, Song of the Year presenter Sara Evans read a prepared statement from the musician.

LMAO. I’m just kidding. That’s not Sara Evans and that’s not what she actually said: “I’m sorry I couldn’t join you all tonight,” Chapman said. “It’s truly an honor for my song to be newly recognized after 35 years of its debut. Thank you to the CMAs and a special thanks to Luke and all of the fans of ‘Fast Car.’”

(But I’m pretty sure that T-Pain’s comment is probably more accurate that she could say at the CMAs)

And that, my friends, was today’s BHFOTD. Thanks for tuning in to Briya’s Random Thoughts and Facts. With a special shout out to the lovelies who sent me the Tracy Chapman fact AND the T-Pain clip. You the real MVPs. I owe you both a beer. Just one. That you have to share. See you next week babies!

*Except Friends in Low Places and I Want To Talk About Me. I will sing the sh!t outta both of those at top volume because some songs just gotta be sung loud and I am never sorry.

**Unfriendly reminder that country music is ALSO originated with Black people and if the music industry didn’t label everything made by Black people R&B (or in the olden days “race records”), songs like Everybody’s Talking (4 Tops), I Ain’t Gonna Stand For It (Stevie Wonder), Use Me (Bill Withers), You Dropped A Bomb on Me (The Gap Band) and Stuck on You (Lionel Richie from TUSKEGEE, ALABAMA), would be considered COUNTRY AF. Okay. Bye!