GRAMMY WTF?  2023 Song Of the Year. More: tomorrow.

The Grammy Awards are one of music’s most prestigious trophies. Since the inaugural ceremony in 1959, winners have spanned a vast array of musical styles and winners as diverse as Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Eminem and Lizzo. There have, however, been some instances where one can’t comprehend the outcomes and omissions. Caffè Lattè looks back on some of the most baffling moments and unsuccessful -yet influential- acts…

GRAMMY WTF?

SONG OF THE YEAR 2023

WINNER:

NOMINATED BETTER CHOICE:

It’s fair to say that Grammy voters are fans of Bonnie Raitt. She has been nominated 30 times and collected a trophy fon 13 of those occasions. Among her bounty is Album Of The Year for ‘Nick Of Time’. In 2023, she collected the Record Of The Year Grammy and 3 other awards. Raitt is an album artist, so it is unfair to judge her output on chart success, but it is valid when it comes to a category like Song Of The Year.

Raitt’s single remained obscure until the ceremony in early 2023. This was in stark contrast to the worthy international hit single “As It Was”, recorded by Harry Styles; one of the most popular releases in recent years.

With “As It Was” Styles finally proved himself to be a serious contender, no longer relying on his legion of fans from his One Direction era. Harry had matured and was basking in solo success.

The single was released in 2022. It reached #1 in America, Britain, across Europe, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The disc ended the year as the top single on the British, Australian and many European charts. “As It Was” still featured high on many Year End Charts for 2023.

Styles received 4 nominations for the song in 2023. The smash hit missed out in all 4 categories. At least, Styles collected a Grammy for Album Of the Year. Again, Grammy voters failed in reflecting pop culture trends and did not recognize one of this decade’s most popular songs.

NEVER WON A GRAMMY AWARD*:

*(excludes life achievement categories)

 

BRENDA LEE

On paper, Brenda Lee seems a no-brainer recipient for a batch of Grammy Awards. She is American, white and was a consistent chart presence on both the pop and country charts during a time when few could match her string of hits. You’d think she would be a perfect choice for conservative Grammy voters.

In 1960, she reached US#1 twice, with “I Want To Be Wanted” and “I’m Sorry”. Her 1958 recording of “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” has returned to the American Top 40 every year since 2015, finally reaching the top in late 2023.

Despite these significant achievements, Brenda Lee has only received 4 Grammy nominations. These were for both her pop and country recordings. To date, a Grammy Award has eluded her; another case of voters not reflecting pop tastes.