The 2024 Grammy Awards celebrated the best in music, and among the most coveted accolades is the Song of the Year. This prestigious award recognizes songwriting excellence, and this year, the honor went to Billie Eilish for her poignant and introspective track, “What Was I Made For?” featured in the blockbuster film Barbie.
Lizzo presented SZA with the best R&B song prize at the Grammy Awards 2024.
Eilish’s win for Song of the Year was a highlight of the evening, underscoring the emotional resonance and lyrical depth of “What Was I Made For?”. The song, co-written with her brother Finneas O’Connell, stood out amongst a competitive field of nominees, each representing the pinnacle of songwriting in the past year.
The nominees for Song Of The Year Grammy 2024 showcased a diverse range of styles and lyrical themes, reflecting the breadth of contemporary music. Alongside Billie Eilish’s winning track, the category included:
- Dua Lipa – Dance the Night: A vibrant and infectious disco-pop anthem also from the Barbie soundtrack, showcasing Lipa’s signature dancefloor flair.
- Jon Batiste – Butterfly: A soulful and uplifting ballad from Batiste, known for his genre-bending musicality and heartfelt lyrics.
- Lana Del Rey – A&W: An experimental and sprawling track from Del Rey, exploring themes of American identity and personal reflection with her characteristic cinematic style.
- Miley Cyrus – Flowers: An empowering and self-love anthem that dominated charts globally, marking a confident new chapter in Cyrus’s musical journey.
- Olivia Rodrigo – Vampire: A dramatic and angsty pop-rock ballad from Rodrigo, capturing the raw emotions of heartbreak and betrayal.
- SZA – Kill Bill: A darkly comedic and unconventional R&B track from SZA’s critically acclaimed album SOS, blending themes of revenge and obsession.
- Taylor Swift – Anti-Hero: A self-aware and introspective pop song from Swift’s Midnights album, delving into themes of insecurity and public perception.
While “What Was I Made For?” ultimately claimed the Song of the Year Grammy, each nominated song represented a significant contribution to the musical landscape of 2023, reflecting diverse artistic visions and resonating with audiences worldwide.
Beyond Song of the Year, the 2024 Grammy Awards recognized excellence across numerous genres and categories. Taylor Swift made history by winning Album of the Year for Midnights, becoming the first artist to win the award four times. Miley Cyrus also celebrated a major win, taking home Record of the Year for her empowering hit “Flowers”.
Here’s a recap of some of the other notable winners at the 2024 Grammy Awards:
Major Grammy Award Winners 2024:
- Album of the Year: Taylor Swift – Midnights
- Record of the Year: Miley Cyrus – “Flowers”
- Best New Artist: Victoria Monét
- Best Pop Solo Performance: Miley Cyrus – “Flowers”
- Best Pop Duo/Group Performance: SZA Featuring Phoebe Bridgers – “Ghost in the Machine”
- Best Pop Vocal Album: Taylor Swift – Midnights
- Best R&B Song: SZA – “Snooze”
- Best R&B Performance: Coco Jones – “ICU”
- Best R&B Album: Victoria Monét – Jaguar II
- Best Rap Song: Killer Mike ft André 3000, Future and Eryn Allen Kane – “Scientists & Engineers”
- Best Rap Performance: Killer Mike ft André 3000, Future and Eryn Allen Kane – “Scientists & Engineers”
- Best Melodic Rap Performance: Lil Durk feat J Cole – “All My Life”
- Best Rap Album: Killer Mike – Michael
- Best Dance/Electronic Recording: Skrillex, Fred again.. & Flowdan – “Rumble”
- Best Dance/Electronic Album: Fred again.. – Actual Life 3 (January 1 – September 9 2022)
- Best Pop Dance Recording: Kylie Minogue – “Padam Padam”
- Best Rock Performance: Boygenius – “Not Strong Enough”
- Best Rock Song: Boygenius – “Not Strong Enough”
- Best Rock Album: Paramore – This Is Why
- Best Alternative Album: Boygenius – The Record
- Best Alternative Performance: Paramore – “This Is Why”
- Best Música Urbana Album: Karol G – Mañana Será Bonito
- Best African Music Performance: Tyla – “Water”
- Best Folk Album: Joni Mitchell – Joni Mitchell at Newport
- Best Country Album: Lainey Wilson – Bell Bottom Country
- Best Country Solo Performance: Chris Stapleton – “White Horse”
- Best Country Song: Chris Stapleton – “White Horse”
- Best Americana Album: Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit – Weathervanes
- Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album: Laufey – Bewitched
- Producer of the Year, Non-Classical: Jack Antonoff
- Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical: Theron Thomas
- Best Music Video: The Beatles – “I’m Only Sleeping”
- Best Song Written For Visual Media: Billie Eilish – “What Was I Made For?”
- Best Compilation Soundtrack For Visual Media: Various artists – Barbie The Album
- Best Score Soundtrack Album For Visual Media: Ludwig Göransson – Oppenheimer
The 2024 Grammy Awards not only celebrated the year’s biggest musical achievements but also showcased the diverse talent and artistry shaping the future of music. Billie Eilish’s Song of the Year win for “What Was I Made For?” stands as a testament to the power of poignant songwriting and its ability to connect with audiences on a deeply emotional level. This year’s ceremony was a reminder of the Grammys’ continued importance in recognizing and honoring the craft of music creation, from songwriting to performance and production.
