Unveiling the glamour and prestige of the Grammy Songs Of The Year award, we delve into 14 intriguing facts. From its inception to its most controversial moments, this exploration promises to enrich your understanding of this coveted music industry accolade.
1959
In 1959, Grammy judges inaugurated Song Of The Year – and it’s become one of the most sought-after prizes at the ceremony.
- The first song of the year was in Italian
- Domenico Modugno’s Volare, and it reached the top of the Billboard charts in 1958
- It’s also thrown up some mystifying decisions
Seven’s up for songwriters
The most songwriters in this year’s nominations are five – for Hard Place by H.E.R. and Someone You Loved by Lewis Capaldi.
- Several of the pop world’s biggest artists have never been recognised – or even nominated. The Rolling Stones, Madonna, David Bowie and Queen have never even been nominated, while Prince’s one nomination was for Sinead O’Connor’s version of Nothing Compares To You.
Jimmy Webb’s surprising win
By the Time I Get to Phoenix is regarded as one of the classic songs of the 1960s, made even more memorable by the honeyed tones of the late Glen Campbell
- The Grammy panel rightly gave it a nomination for best song in 1967, but the song was beaten by Up, Up And Away – also written by Webb
- Thus, The 5th Dimension’s ode to hot-air ballooning made it into the Grammy history books, instead of the greatest essay of romantic longing
Little Green Apples beats the Beatles
Bobby Russell’s song was originally recorded by country legend Roger Miller, but it’s confessional approach meant other singers soon covered it.
- The Beatles only won once for their song Michelle off the album Rubber Soul, which was never released as a single and never topped the charts.
