Brian Falduto dolls up a Dolly Parton classic in latest video release
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Brian Falduto the ‘gay kid from School of Rock’ has dropped his newest single release, “Why’d You Come in Here Looking Like That” exclusively on Out Traveler.
Following the usual modus operandi for the Hollywood child actor turned country crooner: it’s the same old country love song, but it’s gay.
This time Falduto covers Dolly Parton’s beloved classic “Why’d You Come in Here Lookin’ Like That.” His version adds a modern twist that while humorous, also carries real significance to Falduto and a large segment of country music fans that have long felt ignored by the genre.
“As far as I'm concerned, we all belong in country music,” he asserts. “White, black, straight, gay…country music is about storytelling and it's time we hear some new stories.”
The “Why’d You Come in Here Lookin’ Like That” video was filmed in NYC at Hill Country BBQ. It was directed by Brian Falduto and styled by Brendan McCann. Hollywood actor Dan Amboyer (Younger and Uncoupled) plays the charming, cheatin’ cowboy.
“I love that Brian is taking a classic Dolly song and flipping it, making it his own,” Amboyer says from his NYC home. He is excited to play a part in Brian Falduto’s mission to make country music more LGBTQ+ inclusive. “There’s a perception that gays are urban-centric and that country music isn’t for us,” Dan Amboyer continues. “But that’s not my experience. My husband grew up on a cattle ranch. I grew up with pet chickens and pulling bullfrogs out of creeks.”
IMAGES COURTESY PARAMOUNT PICTURES/BRIAN FALDUTO
Brian Falduto in the classic 'School of Rock' and today
Falduto first gained fame playing the role of Fancy Pants in the Jack Black cult classic film School of Rock. The intense focus on the effeminate mannerisms he displayed as an adolescent would have a major impact on Brian’s coming to terms with his sexuality as a teen and young adult.
“Mine is a story of what happens when society attaches a label on something they don’t understand in order to avoid their own discomfort,” he reflects today.
Brian later penned a pivotal essay about his sexual awakening in The Advocate and he now travels the country performing and speaking at Pride events, sharing himself vulnerably and offering hope to people in the early stages of their coming out.
In 2023, Brian released his first country music song, "Same Old Country Love Song.” It was greeted with a flood of positive encouragement and excitement and would become an LGBTQ+ country music anthem. Subsequent releases followed including “Hottest Guy Here”, “Big Boys Club, and “Skip the Step.”
courtesy
In his live shows, Brian Falduto often mixes his original material with cover tracks. Dolly’s work is always a favorite because of her consistent support of the LGBTQ+ community.
He tells Out Traveler he is especially drawn to tongue-in-cheek songs like “Why’d You Come in Here Lookin’ Like That” because they are similar to his current catalog. His version of Dolly’s beloved classic doesn’t delineate too far from the original, but it does contain some rootsier, folkier elements that color the song differently.
The biggest alteration from Dolly’s version is Brian’s queer storyline. “People forget this song is about a player,” he laughs. “The cowboy is charming but doesn’t treat his lover so right.”
Also, in its production, Brian draws inspiration from the Cam song, Diane. “Tonally, ‘Diane’ is similar to ‘Why’d You Come in Here Lookin’ Like That’ so I’d say my version marries the two,” Falduto explains to Out Traveler.
Brian admits that he can relate to the song. “In my twenties I was always chasing attractive but unavailable men who were incapable of an authentic connection.” (Anyone interested in learning more about Brian’s dalliances can listen to “One More,” a single he released earlier this year chronicling a flirtatiously romantic encounter.)
Brian Falduto’s “Why’d You Come in Here Lookin’ Like That” is available on Spotify, Apple Music, and all streaming platforms. You can watch the video on YouTube on Tuesday, April 16.
Visit BrianFalduto.com
