Have you ever heard Johnny Cash’s song, “The Chicken in Black”?  It was one of the sillier songs he ever wrote.

The basic premise is Johnny needs a brain transplant, so they give him the brain of a dead bank robber, which makes Johnny start robbing everyone.  Then he requests his old brain back, but it’s been implanted in a chicken who is now a famous country star and has his own TV show, “The Johnny Chicken Show”.

Pretty standard premise.  And apparently the song was doing pretty well, until Waylon Jennings saw Johnny’s yellow spandex in the video and made fun of him.  Johnny then called his label and told them to stop promoting the song.

(You can check out that whole back story, here.)

Well, this song was released 40 years ago and has laid somewhat dormant till then.  That is until some youngin’ discovered it on TikTok, and now everyone is loving this weird old song all over again.

(And if you want to do a deeper dive, here’s a list of other silly songs by the Man in Black.)

• Today in 1952, Hank Thompson took over the #1 position in the Billboard country chart with “The Wild Side Of Life.”
• Today in 1962, Johnny Cash played prestigious Carnegie Hall in New York, supporting on the bill by George Jones, Tompall & The Glaser Brothers and The Carter Family.
• Today in 1975, Gary Stewart received his only #1 single in Billboard with one of the greatest country titles of all-time, “She’s Actin’ Single (I’m Drinkin’ Doubles).”
• Today in 1984, Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless The U.S.A.” was released.
• Today in 1986, The Judds topped #1 in Billboard with “Grandpa (Tell Me ‘Bout The Good Old Days).”
• Today in 1989, Dwight Yoakam’s album, “Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc. Etc.,” was certified platinum.
• Today in 1993, fire heavily damaged Mickey Gilley’s theater in Branson, Missouri.
• Today in 1994, the album, “Ten Feet Tall And Bulletproof,” album by Travis Tritt was released.
• Today in 1994, Lorrie Morgan’s “War Paint” album was released.
• Today in 1994, right before John Berry was about to have surgery to remove a brain tumor, he found out that his single “Your Love Amazes Me” had become his first #1 hit.
• Today in 1994, Willie Nelson was arrested on drug possession charges in Hewitt, Texas, after a police officer found him asleep in his car with a marijuana cigarette in the ashtray. The case was later thrown out of court, the cop was fired, and Willie was…um…on the road again!
• Today in 1995, Reba McEntire became the first woman in 15 years to be named Entertainer of the Year at the 30^th annual Academy of Country Music Awards, broadcasted live on NBC-TV from Los Angeles’ Universal Amphitheatre. She also reclaimed Top Female Vocalist.
• Today in 1997, Barbara Mandrell launched her own jewelry line on the QVC cable TV channel. The “Country Sentiments” line of earrings, rings, bracelets and necklaces range in price from $20 to $125.
• Today in 2000, LeAnn Rimes debuted the song, “I Need You,” on NBC-TV’s “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.”
• Today in 2000, Faith Hill appeared in “Here’s To You Charlie Brown: 50 Great Years!,” the landmark television tribute to the late “Peanuts” creator, Charles Schulz. Faith started working on the project while Charles was still alive and had hoped to meet him. Unfortunately, he passed away before the meeting could take place, but she was told by the show’s producers that the late artist was thrilled that she was participating in the event. In the special, Faith serenaded Charlie Brown about girl trouble with “Poor, Sweet Baby,” a song from 1983’s “Snoopy: The Musical.”
• Today in 2005, Dierks Bentley’s “Modern Day Drifter” album arrived in stores.
• Today in 2008, Carrie Underwood was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry, welcomed by Garth Brooks. She performed “Last name,” “All-American Girl” and “Jesus, Take The Wheel.”
• Today in 2013, Randy Houser’s “Runnin’ Outta Moonlight” video debuted on CMT.
• Today in 2016, Cole Swindell sang “You Should Be Here” at the top of One World Trade Center in New York…becoming the first artist to perform there since it opened.
• Today in 2016, Lauren Alaina admitted in a “Time” magazine interview that she had bulimia in her teens.
• Today in 2017, George Strait threw a party at RCA Studio A in Nashville to introduce his Codigo tequila to the market. Guests included Kix Brooks, Chase Rice and Martina McBride.
• Today in 2017, Vince Gill was on hand as Nashville Mayor Megan Barry declared Ryman Auditorium Day as the former home of the Grand Ole Opry celebrates its 125^th
• Today in 2017, Scotty McCreery self-released his single, “Five More Minutes.” It went on to become his first #1 hit!
• Today in 2018, Chris Stapleton’s “Traveller” album went triple-platinum.
• Today in 2019, Alison Krauss + Union Station got a gold single from the RIAA for “When You Say Nothing At All.”
• Today in 2021, Old Dominion’s Matthew Ramsey was briefly hospitalized after he fell off a ladder while replacing a light bulb. He suffered a cracked rib, a collapsed lung, plus minor scrapes and bruises. His warning to fans on Twitter: “be careful out there & get someone to hold ur ladder.”
• Today in 2021, Jimmie Allen played a benefit for the family of a slain Delaware police officer at Bottle & Cork in Dewey Beach.

• Today in 1975, John Denver’s single, “Thank God I’m A Country Boy,” topped the country charts.
• Today in 1989, Keith Whitley was found dead of alcohol poisoning in his Nashville home. Sadly, his career had just hit an all-time high. He was survived by his wife, Lorrie Morgan.
• Today in 1989, Dwight Yoakam scored his first platinum certification for the album, “Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc.”
• Today in 1989, after dropping out of Northeast Louisiana University, Tim McGraw moves to Nashville. On his first day in town, he heard “Indian Outlaw,” which was destined to become his first hit. He also met songwriter Craig Wiseman, who ultimately wrote several future hits for Tim.
• Today in 1992, Brooks & Dunn’s “Neon Moon” hit #1 on the Billboard country singles chart.
• Today in 1994, Billy Ray Cyrus’ wife, Leticia (aka Tish), gave birth to the couple’s second child – Braison Chance – in Nashville.
• Today in 1997, the “Academy Of Country Music-101 Greatest Country Hits” album was certified platinum.
• Today in 2000, Steve Wariner’s album, “Faith in You,” was released. The project featured “Katie Wants a Fast One,” Steve’s duet with Garth The Judds’ album, “Judds Reunion: Live” and Craig Morgan’s “Something To Write Home About” also hit stores.
• Today in 2001, after nine long years, Toby Keith hollered a resounding, “How do you like me now!?,” as he accepted his very first Academy of Country Music award in the Album of the Year category. He also won in the Top Male Category. Other winners included Dixie Chicks as Entertainers of the Year, Faith Hill as Top Female Vocalist with Lee Ann Womack and Sons of the Desert winning in the Vocal Event, Single and Song of the Year categories. Brooks & Dunn snagged Top Duo honors while Rascal Flatts scored their first ACM in the Top New Vocal Duo or Group category. Other special moments included Glen Campbell presenting Kenny Rogers with the Career Achievement Award and a stunned Barbara Mandrell accepting the Pioneer Award. Prior to the invitation to join her sister, Louise, on stage — Barbara had no idea that she was going to receive the honor.
• Today in 2002, Vince Gill and his wife, Amy Grant, had about 300-thousand reasons to be happy. The happy couple raised $300,000 with the help of their famous friends at the 10^th annual Vinny Pro-Celebrity Golf event, The event, which took place at the Legends Club of Tennessee, wrapped up that week and has raised nearly $3-million since 1993 for Tennessee Junior Golf and youth programs across Tennessee.
• Today in 2005, barefoot Kenny Chesney married actress Renee Zellweger in the Virgin Islands. Zellweger filed for an annulment four months later claiming “fraud.” While the gossip columns went nuts, Chesney later explained that the term was simply a legal technicality.
• Today in 2010, Blake Shelton proposed to Miranda Lambert in the woods near her home in Tishomingo, Oklahoma. They married in 2011…and surprised the world when they announced they were divorced in 2015.
• Today in 2012, Lyle Lovett and Sheryl Crow performed “I’ll Never Fall In Love Again” for President Barack Obama at the White House as Burt Bacharach and Hal David were honored with the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. The same night, Lee Ann Womack offered up “I Hope You Dance” for numerous politicians and their spouses at the Washington Hilton in an event honoring first lady Michelle Obama.
• Today in 2013, Carrie Underwood’s “Before He Cheats” was certified quadruple-platinum by the RIAA. On the same day, Josh Turner’s single, “Why Don’t We Just Dance,” went platinum and Miranda Lambert’s “Famous In A Small Town” went gold.
• Today in 2014, Hunter Hayes played 10 concerts in 10 cities in a 24-hour period, beginning with a “Good Morning, America” performance in New York City, which included his performance of “Invisible.”
• Today in 2015, Little Big Town’s “Girl Crush” kicked off a 13-week run at the top of the “Billboard” country singles chart.
• Today in 2016, Josh Turner’s “Hometown Girl” hit the airwaves.
• Today in 2016, Keith Urban threw out the ceremonial first pitch and announced the starting lineups in Los Angeles at Dodger Stadium. The New York Mets defeated the Dodgers, 4-2.
• Today in 2016, The Library of Congress announce the establishment of the Marty Stuart Collection, which was made up of hundreds of hours of audio-visual material amassed by Stuart. Included is footage from the Grand Ole Opry, “The Johnny Cash Show” and “The Marty Stuart Show,” plus home movies of Lester Flatt’s band.
• Today in 2017, Josh Abbott had a first date in Texas with Taylor Parnell…who became his wife 14-months later.
• Today in 2017, “Women’s Wear Daily” reported that the Federal Trade Commission had written letters to a number of celebrities – including Luke Bryan and Lucy Hale – warning them that they need to indicate a financial relationship when they advertise products online.
• Today in 2017, Sturgill Simpson snagged three nominations to lead the list of finalists in the Americana Honors & Awards – Artist of the Year; Song of the Year, for “All Around You”; and Album, for “A Sailor’s Guide To Earth.”
• Today in 2017, Maren Morris performed “I Could Use A Love Song” as a musical guest on NBC’s “The Voice,” featuring celebrity coaches Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani.
• Today in 2018, Florida Georgia Line held a benefit for Hurricane Irma victims at the San Carlos Theater in Key West. They shared the stage with Morgan Wallen and RaeLynn.
• Today in 2018, Chris Stapleton made a surprise appearance during Justin Timberlake’s concert at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. The pair duet on “Tennessee Whiskey.”

• Today in 1976, The Man in Black donned a black robe: Johnny Cash receives an honorary Doctorate of Human Letters from San Diego’s National University. San Diego mayor Pete Wilson declares Johnny Cash Day.
• Today in 1982, Willie Nelson’s “Always On My Mind” was at #1 on “Billboard’s” country singles chart.
• Today in 1995, Lee Roy Parnell released “A Little Bit of You.”
• Today in 1999, Martina McBride played herself in a cameo appearance on CBS-TV’s “Early Show.” The show was about a guy named Gary, who magically gets tomorrow’s paper a day early so he can prevent tragedies from occurring. In the episode, he read in “the paper” that Martina would be seriously injured while rehearsing with her band, so he raced to the concert hall to save her.
• Today in 2000, Brad Paisley made his “Tonight Show” debut.
• Today in 2000, Reba McEntire snagged the top spot on “Billboard’s” Liquid Audio chart with the single, “We’re So Good Together.” It was her first foray into downloadable music.
• Today in 2004, “You’ll Think Of Me” took Keith Urban to the top of the “Billboard” country singles chart.
• Today in 2005, Mindy McCready was taken to a Nashville hospital after ex-boyfriend William McKnight broke into her home, beat and choked her. McKnight was later charged with attempted murder. They soon reconciled and a year later, she gave birth to their son, Zander. They split again, of course, and sadly in spite of her attempts to get her life together, she ultimately committed suicide on February 17, 2013.
• Today in 2012, Lady Antebellum performed “Wanted You More” on the season finale of NBC’s “The Voice.” One of Blake Shelton’s team members, Jermaine Paul, is voted the winner.
• Today in 2017, former Chicago Cubs catcher David Ross waltzed to “Humble And Kind” as a contestant on ABC’s “Dancing With The Stars,” receiving nine out of 10 points from each of the four judges, including Julianne Hough.

• Today in 1949, Hank Williams made his first appearance at #1 on the Billboard country singles chart with “Lovesick Blues.”
• Today in 1991, Travis Tritt’s “Here’s A Quarter (Call Someone Who Cares)” was released.
• Today in 1993, Lee Roy Parnell’s single, “Tender Moment,” hit #1.
• Today in 1994, Clint Black topped the charts with his single, “A Good Run Of Bad Luck.”
• Today in 1996, the album, “Politics, Religion and Her,” by Sammy Kershaw was released.
• Today in 1997, Clint Black’s album, “Put Yourself In My Shoes,” was certified triple platinum.
• Today in 1997, the album, “The Coast Is Clear,” by Tracy Lawrence was certified gold.
• Today in 1998, Eddie Rabbitt succumbed to lung cancer after being diagnosed with the disease one year earlier. He was 56.
• Today in 2002, Kellie Coffey’s debut album, “When You Lie Next To Me,” arrived in stores.
• Today in 2002, Toby Keith’s “Courtesy Of The Red, White And Blue (The Angry American)” was released.
• Today in 2007, Brad Paisley and wife Kimberly Williams-Paisley were featured among “People” magazine’s ‘100 Most Beautiful People,’ as were Barbara Mandrell, Carrie Underwood, LeAnn Rimes, Reese Witherspoon, Oprah Winfrey, Nicole Kidman and Miley Cyrus.
• Today in 2010, Carrie Underwood’s “Undo It” video debuted on CMT.
• Today in 2011, Miranda Lambert, Kix Brooks and Travis Tritt attended the Kentucky Derby at Louisville’s Churchill Downs, where Animal Kingdom won. Also present: Laura Bell Bundy, Randy Owen, Eddie Montgomery and Linda Davis.
• Today in 2012, Jake Owen married Lacey Buchanan in Vero Beach, Florida. The couple’s first dance at the reception is to “Can’t Help Falling In Love.”
• Today in 2016, Lady Antebellum performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” in a rainstorm before the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville. Nyquist won the race, attended by Joey Fatone, Eddie Montgomery, Travis Tritt, Will Chase, Tanya Tucker and The Supremes’ Mary Wilson.
• Today in 2017, Lady Antebellum sang the national anthem and Phil Vassar performed during intermission when the Nashville Predators defeat the St. Louis Blues, 3-1, at the Bridgestone Arena, propelling team to the NHL’s Western Conference finals for the first time in its history.