Taylor Swift wins Song of the Year at CMAs, but another band accepts

One of the most prestigious honors at the annual Country Music Association Awards is the Song of the Year. This year, the accolade went to the 2016 single “Better Man,” which was made famous by Little Big Town.

However, the Song of the Year award goes to the songwriter, not the performing artist, so Taylor Swift — who wrote “Better Man” — was the recipient of the honor.

As the story goes, Swift wrote the song and, given its harmonies, thought of her friends in Little Big Town as prime candidates for it. Swift isn’t one to let her compositions go to other performers, which makes this a very special instance.

Swift was not able to attend the show, so the members of Little Big Town accepted the award on her behalf.

“We didn’t write this,” clarified the group’s Karen Fairchild. “We’re really grateful Phillip [Sweet] checked his email one night, and that song was in his email!”

“She couldn’t be here tonight — but Taylor, wherever you are, thank you for this song and loving songs, and loving Nashville,” Fairchild concluded.

As for Swift, she was in New York City preparing for her eagerly anticipated upcoming appearance on Saturday Night Live, but she took a moment to post her gratitude to social media.

“In NYC for SNL rehearsals. I LOVE YOU @littlebigtown and CMAs,” she tweeted.

The 2017 CMA Awards were aired live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Nov. 8. Little Big Town additionally won the Vocal Duo of the Year award at the 2017 CMA Awards.