Previously
know as the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (N.A.R.A.S.,
or the Academy), the Grammys is a one of the oldest and most
established awards ceremony, but who are the members of the Academy anyway? The Academy is comprised of
vocalists, conductors, songwriters, composers, engineers, producers,
instrumentalists, arrangers, art directors, album notes writers, narrators, and
music video artists and technicians.
Record companies do not vote, so it’s the individuals, and not the
labels, that give the recognition.
Unlike other award shows, the
Grammys commits to several initiatives. With programs like the GRAMMYs on the Hill, GRAMMY U,
MusiCares, and GRAMMY in the Schools, the Academy gives back
and supports great music in many genres.
There are currently 29 fields (Pop, Gospel, Classical, etc.) and 78
categories within those fields.
I’ve been asked, on many
occasions, what is the difference between Record of the Year, and Song
of the Year. According to the Grammys
web page, in the FAQ section (http://www.grammy.org/grammy-awards/voting/faqs),
the “The Record Of The Year category recognizes the artist’s performance
as well as the overall contributions of the producer(s), recording engineer(s)
and/or mixer(s) if other than the artist. The Song Of The Year category
recognizes the songwriter(s).”
As a writer, I am more
sympathetic to the Song of the Year category, although I acknowledge
that the whole process of producing a record is crucial to the success of a
song. Now, more than ever, in this age
of name recognition of producers, recording studios, and engineers, a lot of
the great music that we hear would not be possible if it weren’t for them.
With this Seven Song Itch, I
am looking back at the last six Song of the Year awards with my current
prediction for this year’s award. Here
are the live versions from previous broadcasts and other live
performances.
1. U2-"Sometimes You
Can't Make It on Your Own", Songwriters: Lyrics by Bono, Music by U2—48th
Grammy Awards
2. Dixie Chicks-"Not
Ready to Make Nice", Songwriters: Martie Maguire, Natalie Maines, Emily
Robison & Dan Wilson—49th Grammy Awards
3. Amy Winehouse
"Rehab", Songwriter: Amy Winehouse—50th Grammy Awards
4. Coldplay-"Viva la
Vida", Songwriters: Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion &
Chris Martin—51st Grammy Awards
5. Beyoncé -"Single
Ladies (Put a Ring on It)", Songwriters: Thaddis Harrell, Beyoncé Knowles,
Terius Nash & Christopher Stewart—52nd Grammy Awards
6. Lady Antebellum-"Need
You Now", Songwriters: Dave Haywood, Josh Kear, Charles Kelley &
Hillary Scott– 53rd Grammy Awards
7. Adele-"Rolling in the
Deep", Songwriters: Adele & Paul Epworth – 54th Grammy
Awards (my prediction)
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