The Grammy Award For Song Of The Year is one of the most prestigious accolades in the music industry, recognizing songwriting excellence. Unlike the Record of the Year, which honors the performance and production of a song, Song of the Year specifically celebrates the songwriters and composers. This distinction highlights the craft of songwriting as a crucial element of musical artistry.
This award is presented annually by the Recording Academy to honor artistic achievement, technical proficiency and overall excellence in the recording industry, without regard to album sales or chart position. It’s an award that songwriters covet, as it signifies peer recognition of their lyrical and compositional skills.
Understanding the Grammy Song of the Year Award
The Song of the Year Grammy is awarded to the writer(s) of a song. It acknowledges the artistry and skill behind crafting compelling lyrics and melodies. It’s important to note that this award differs from the Grammy Award for Record of the Year, which recognizes the overall recording, including the performer, producer, and engineers. Song of the Year is solely focused on the composition itself.
Since its inception at the 1st Grammy Awards in 1959, the award has recognized some of the most iconic songs in music history. From classic ballads to genre-defining anthems, the Song of the Year winners represent a diverse range of musical styles and lyrical themes.
Multiple Wins and Notable Facts
While winning the Grammy for Song of the Year once is a monumental achievement, a select few songwriters have achieved this honor multiple times. Henry Mancini was among the first to achieve this feat, winning for “Moon River” and “Days of Wine and Roses”. James Horner later joined this elite group with wins for “Somewhere Out There” and the global phenomenon “My Heart Will Go On.” U2 solidified their songwriting prowess by winning twice, first for “Beautiful Day” and later for “Sometimes You Can’t Make it on Your Own.” These multiple wins underscore the consistent songwriting excellence of these artists.
Interestingly, only one instrumental piece has ever won the Song of the Year Grammy. In 1961, “Theme from Exodus” demonstrated that powerful melodies can transcend lyrics, capturing the award and making history. This win remains a unique moment in the award’s history, celebrating the power of purely musical composition.
2025 Grammy Nominees: The Best Songs of the Year
The anticipation is building for the 67th Annual Grammy Awards, scheduled for February 2, 2025. The nominees for the prestigious Song of the Year award represent the pinnacle of songwriting from the past year. The nominated songs showcase a diverse range of genres and lyrical styles, highlighting the breadth of talent in contemporary music.
The 2025 nominees were:
- A Bar Song (Tipsy) by Shaboozey
- BIRDS OF A FEATHER by Billie Eilish
- Die With A Smile by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars
- Fortnight by Taylor Swift Featuring Post Malone
- Good Luck, Babe! by Chappell Roan
- Not Like Us by Kendrick Lamar – Winner
- Please Please Please by Sabrina Carpenter
- TEXAS HOLD ‘EM by Beyoncé
Ultimately, Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” claimed the coveted Song of the Year award at the 2025 Grammys, solidifying its place among the pantheon of winning songs.
Grammy Award for Song of the Year Winners: A Historical List (1959-2025)
Below is a comprehensive list of every Song of the Year Grammy winner, starting from the award’s inception in 1959 up to the most recent ceremony in 2025. This list serves as a historical record of songwriting excellence recognized by the Recording Academy.
This extensive list provides a valuable resource for music enthusiasts and those interested in the history of popular music and songwriting. Explore the list, listen to these award-winning songs, and appreciate the artistry behind the Grammy Award for Song of the Year.
Grammy Award Winner lists: Record of the Year | Album of the Year
External link: Grammy Awards official site
