Thursday, April 26, 2007

This Day in Music History: B.J. Thomas and (Hey Won't You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song


On this day in music histroy, April 26, 1975, B. J. Thomas had the #1 hit in the country with (Hey Won't You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song. It is the second longest titled song to have hold the #1 position on the Billboard Charts. The longest titled song belongs to the Stars On 45. It was a record that had people singing a medley of older songs and it had every song that was part of the medley in the title. The title is too long for me to put in here now but when I showcase that song I will have to use the entire title.

B.J.'s song was written by Chips Moman and Larry Butler. Mr. Moman said that there was no inspiration for the song. It was not written about anyone who did either of them wrong. Also, it was not written with B.J. in mind. They had no certain singer in mind. The only reason Mr. Thomas recorded it was because he was offered the song first.

According to his autobiograpy, Home Where I Belong, Mr. Thomas doesn't even remember the recording sessions. In the book he admits that he was heavily addicted to drugs and his lack of memory is probably due to that. He was spending upwards of $3,000 a week on his habit. He says "It's a wonder I'm still alive considering how many times my bodily functions quit and someone had to revive me."

His marriage to his wife Gloria was nearly dissolved when he went to see her and his daugther in Texas. During their seperation Gloria became a Christian after becoming friends with two missionaries who lived nearby. In his book B.J. tells how he became saved on January 28, 1976. B.J. had hit rock bottom and Gloria took him to her friends Jim and Micah Reeves. After talking with them B.J. privately prayed for 20 minutes and gave his life to Christ at midnight. When he was done he looked up at the clock and he said "the memory of seeing that secondhand sweep by the 12 will never leave me."

His life became drug free. He started recording Gospel albums and won four grammys for his Gospel music. Becoming a born again Christian failed to get him secular work but he did release secular albums in 1983 and 1984 with the release of the albums New Looks and The Great American Dream.

No comments: