Grammy Award for Song of the Year - Definition and Overview

The Song of the Year is one of the two most prestigious awards in the Grammies, if not in all of the music industry. It has been awarded since 1959 to the composer (not the performer) of the song in question. It is always the case that one or more recordings are nominated for both Song of the Year and Record of the Year, and one recording may be awarded both awards. Years reflect the year in which the Grammy Awards were handed out, for music released in the previous year.

2000s

• Grammy Awards of 2004
  • Richard Marx and Luther Vandross for "Dance With My Father" performed by Luther Vandross
• Grammy Awards of 2003
  • Jesse Harris for "Don't Know Why" performed by Norah Jones*
• Grammy Awards of 2002
  • Alicia Keys for "Fallin'"
• Grammy Awards of 2001
  • U2 for "Beautiful Day"*
• Grammy Awards of 2000
  • Itaal Shur & Rob Thomas for "Smooth" performed by Santana featuring Rob Thomas*

1990s

• Grammy Awards of 1999
  • James Horner & Will Jennings for "My Heart Will Go On" performed by Céline Dion*
• Grammy Awards of 1998
  • John Leventhal & Shawn Colvin for "Sunny Came Home" performed by Shawn Colvin*
• Grammy Awards of 1997
  • Gordon Kennedy, Wayne Kirkpatrick & Tommy Sims for "Change the World" performed by Eric Clapton & Babyface / Wynonna*
• Grammy Awards of 1996
  • Seal for "Kiss From a Rose"*
• Grammy Awards of 1995
  • Bruce Springsteen for "Streets of Philadelphia"
• Grammy Awards of 1994
  • Alan Menken & Tim Rice for "A Whole New World (Aladdin's Theme)" performed by Regina Belle & Peabo Bryson
• Grammy Awards of 1993
  • Eric Clapton & Will Jennings for "Tears in Heaven" performed by Eric Clapton*
• Grammy Awards of 1992
  • Irving Gordon for "Unforgettable" performed by Natalie Cole with Nat King Cole*
• Grammy Awards of 1991
  • Julie Gold for "From a Distance" performed by Bette Midler
• Grammy Awards of 1990
  • Larry Henley & Jeff Silbar for "Wind Beneath My Wings" performed by Bette Midler*

1980s

• Grammy Awards of 1989
  • Bobby McFerrin for "Don't Worry, Be Happy"*
• Grammy Awards of 1988
  • James Horner, Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil for "Somewhere Out There" performed by James Ingram & Linda Ronstadt
• Grammy Awards of 1987
  • Burt Bacharach & Carole Bayer Sager for "That's What Friends Are For" performed by Elton John, Gladys Knight, Dionne Warwick & Stevie Wonder
• Grammy Awards of 1986
  • Lionel Richie & Michael Jackson for "We Are the World" performed by USA for Africa*
• Grammy Awards of 1985
  • Terry Britten & Graham Lyle for "What's Love Got to Do With It" performed by Tina Turner*
• Grammy Awards of 1984
  • Sting for "Every Breath You Take" performed by The Police
• Grammy Awards of 1983
  • Wayne Carson, Johnny Christopher & Mark James for "Always on My Mind" performed by Willie Nelson
• Grammy Awards of 1982
  • Jackie DeShannon & Donna Weiss for "Bette Davis Eyes" performed by Kim Carnes*
• Grammy Awards of 1981
  • Christopher Cross for "Sailing"*
• Grammy Awards of 1980
  • Kenny Loggins & Michael McDonald for "What a Fool Believes" performed by The Doobie Brothers*

1970s

• Grammy Awards of 1979
  • Billy Joel for "Just the Way You Are"*
• Grammy Awards of 1978
  • Barbra Streisand & Paul Williams for "Love Theme From A Star is Born (Evergreen)" performed by Barbra Streisand
  • Joe Brooks for "You Light Up My Life" performed by Debby Boone
• Grammy Awards of 1977
  • Bruce Johnston for "I Write the Songs" performed by Barry Manilow
• Grammy Awards of 1976
  • Stephen Sondheim for "Send in the Clowns" performed by Judy Collins
• Grammy Awards of 1975
  • Alan Bergman, Marilyn Bergman & Marvin Hamlisch for "The Way We Were" performed by Barbra Streisand
• Grammy Awards of 1974
  • Charles Fox & Norman Gimbel for "Killing Me Softly With His Song" performed by Roberta Flack*
• Grammy Awards of 1973
  • Ewan MacColl for "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" performed by Roberta Flack *
• Grammy Awards of 1972
  • Carole King for "You've Got a Friend"
• Grammy Awards of 1971
  • Paul Simon for "Bridge Over Troubled Water" performed by Simon & Garfunkel*
• Grammy Awards of 1970
  • Joe South for "Games People Play"

1960s

• Grammy Awards of 1969
  • Bobby Russell for "Little Green Apples" performed by Roger Miller / O.C. Smith
• Grammy Awards of 1968
  • Jimmy L. Webb for "Up, Up and Away" performed by 5th Dimension*
• Grammy Awards of 1967
  • John Lennon & Paul McCartney for "Michelle" performed by The Beatles
• Grammy Awards of 1966
  • Johnny Mandel & Paul Francis Webster for "The Shadow of Your Smile" (Love Theme From The Sandpiper) performed by Tony Bennett
• Grammy Awards of 1965
  • Jerry Herman for "Hello, Dolly!" performed by Louis Armstrong
• Grammy Awards of 1964
  • Henry Mancini & Johnny Mercer for "Days of Wine and Roses" performed by Henry Mancini
• Grammy Awards of 1963
  • Leslie Bricusse & Anthony Newley for "What Kind of Fool Am I" performed by Anthony Newley
• Grammy Awards of 1962
  • Henry Mancini & Johnny Mercer for "Moon River" performed by Henry Mancini*
• Grammy Awards of 1961
  • Ernest Gold for "Theme From Exodus"
• Grammy Awards of 1960
  • Jimmy Driftwood for "The Battle of New Orleans"

1950s

• Grammy Awards of 1959
  • Domenico Modugno for "Nel Blu Dipinto di Blu"*

*indicates this recording also won Record of the Year.