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GRAMMY Rewind: 51st Annual GRAMMY Awards
Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, Raising Sand

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GRAMMY Rewind: 51st Annual GRAMMY Awards

Plant and Krauss win Album and Record Of The Year, and Adele wins Best New Artist against these nominees

GRAMMYs/Oct 23, 2021 - 12:38 am

Music's Biggest Night, the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards, will air live from Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, Feb. 12 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CBS.

Leading up to the telecast, we will take a stroll down music memory lane with GRAMMY Rewind, highlighting the "big four" categories — Album Of The Year, Record Of The Year, Song Of The Year, and Best New Artist — from past awards shows. In the process, we'll examine the winners and the nominees who just missed taking home the GRAMMY, while also shining a light on the artists' careers and the eras in which the recordings were born.

Join us as we take an abbreviated journey through the trajectory of pop music from the 1st Annual GRAMMY Awards in 1959 to last year's 53rd Annual GRAMMY Awards. Today, the GRAMMY Awards remember a year in which Robert Plant and Alison Krauss raised sand and gold.

51st Annual GRAMMY Awards
Feb. 8, 2009

Album Of The Year
Winner: Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, Raising Sand
Coldplay, Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends
Lil Wayne, Tha Carter III
Ne-Yo, Year Of The Gentleman
Radiohead, In Rainbows

The unlikely pairing of Plant and Krauss on Raising Sand spawned an impressive six GRAMMYs, including Album and Record Of The Year. Plant had won his lone GRAMMY as a solo artist 10 years prior, and his legendary band, Led Zeppelin, was bestowed a Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005. GRAMMY gold was nothing new to Krauss, who has racked up an impressive 26 wins to date. While Coldplay's No. 1 album Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends would not make the grade here, it picked up Best Rock Album honors. The band won their first GRAMMY in 2001 for Best Alternative Music Album for their debut, Parachutes. New Orleans rapper Lil Wayne solidified himself as one of the genre's premier artists. Tha Carter III sold more than 1 million copies in its first week in June 2008. In scoring a nod, Ne-Yo proved he was not only a gentleman, but also a triple threat as a singer, songwriter and producer. His Top 10 hit "Miss Independent" won two GRAMMY Awards, including Best R&B Song. Radiohead's In Rainbows didn't have enough color to win here, but it garnered Best Alternative Music Album honors, an award the British group is up for again this year for King Of Limbs.

Record Of The Year
Winner: Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, "Please Read The Letter"
Adele, "Chasing Pavements"
Coldplay, "Viva La Vida"
Leona Lewis, "Bleeding Love"
M.I.A., "Paper Planes"

Originally recorded by Plant with Led Zeppelin bandmate Jimmy Page 10 years prior, "Please Read The Letter" was rebooted, featuring subdued vocals from the rock veteran and the unique country/bluegrass stylings of the angelic-voiced Krauss. The duo was aided in the studio by 10-time GRAMMY-winning producer T Bone Burnett. Adele's "Chasing Pavements" was inspired by a meeting with a boyfriend turned ugly, and her subsequent solitary walk down the street. Her style recalled classic singer/songwriters such as Carole King and recent neo-soul artists such as Jill Scott. "Viva La Vida" ("Long Live Life") soared with a grand orchestral arrangement and interpretive lyrics ripe with Biblical allusions, and resonated with listeners in selling more than 3 million copies. With a voice compared to Whitney Houston, Lewis parlayed winning the British talent show "The X Factor" to international stardom. "Bleeding Love" was the best-selling song in the United States in 2008. Born Mathangi Arulpragasam, M.I.A. burst onto the scene with her viral "Paper Planes," which features a sample of the Clash's "Straight To Hell." A very-pregnant M.I.A. performed on the GRAMMY telecast with an all-star team featuring Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, T.I., and Kanye West.

Song Of The Year
Winner: Coldplay, "Viva La Vida"
Adele, "Chasing Pavements"
Sara Bareilles, "Love Song"
Estelle Featuring Kanye West, "American Boy"
Jason Mraz, "I'm Yours"

Penned by bandmates Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion, and Chris Martin, "Viva La Vida" became Coldplay's first No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. The UK alt-rockers first won a General Field GRAMMY in 2003 for Record Of The Year for "Clocks." Adele partnered with producer/arranger Eg White for the introspective "Chasing Pavements." Her debut album 19 featured a cover of Bob Dylan's "Make You Feel My Love," which was featured on Dylan's Album Of The Year-winning Time Out Of Minda decade earlier. Northern California-born songwriter/pianist Bareilles wrote "Love Song" in less than 1 hour following a request from her producer Eric Rosse for a single. The song became a hit, ultimately selling more than 3 million copies. West partnered with fellow GRAMMY winners John Legend and will.i.am, among others, to write "American Boy." The song became Estelle's big breakthrough and a Top 10 hit. Mraz's reggae-inspired "I'm Yours" peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100. The Virginia-native would win his first two GRAMMYs a year later, including Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals for "Lucky" with Colbie Caillat.

Best New Artist
Winner: Adele
Duffy
Jonas Brothers
Lady Antebellum
Jazmine Sullivan

With her soulful voice, Adele beat out a stable of talented newcomers to take home Best New Artist. In garnering three General Field category nominations, it capped off an impressive GRAMMY debut for the teenage British songstress, who is up for six awards this year." Hailing from a tiny Welsh village, Duffy combined touches of retro and modern soul for her debut album, Rockferry, which won for Best Pop Vocal Album. R&B/neo-soul artist Sullivan garnered an impressive five nominations on the strength of her debut Fearless, while drawing comparisons to GRAMMY winners such as Mary J. Blige and Lauryn Hill. Similar to Hanson a decade prior, Jonas Brothers made the cut, riding a roller coaster from the Disney Channel to platinum-selling albums. The trio performed with a former teen idol, Stevie Wonder, on the telecast. Rounding out the nominees was country sensation Lady Antebellum, marking the fifth consecutive year a country artist was nominated for Best New Artist. Though losing out here, the Nashville-based trio would win their first GRAMMY the following year.

Come back to GRAMMY.com tomorrow as we revisit last year's 52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards.

Follow GRAMMY.com for our inside look at GRAMMY news, blogs, photos, videos, and of course nominees. Stay up to the minute with GRAMMY Live. Check out the GRAMMY legacy with GRAMMY Rewind. Keep track of this year's GRAMMY Week events, and explore this year's GRAMMY Fields. Or check out the collaborations at Re:Generation, presented by Hyundai Veloster. And join the conversation at Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

GRAMMY Rewind: Watch Tina Turner Win Her First Solo GRAMMY In 1985 For "What's Love Got To Do With It?"
Tina Turner at the 1985 GRAMMYs.

Photo: CBS via Getty Images

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GRAMMY Rewind: Watch Tina Turner Win Her First Solo GRAMMY In 1985 For "What's Love Got To Do With It?"

Relive the moment Tina Turner won a golden gramophone for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female — an opportunity she had been waiting for "for such a long time."

GRAMMYs/Mar 15, 2024 - 05:04 pm

During her remarkable 83 years of life, the late Tina Turner received eight GRAMMY awards, a GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award, and three introductions into the GRAMMY Hall of Fame.

In this episode of GRAMMY Rewind, we travel to 1985, when Turner won a golden gramophone for one of her many iconic hits, "What's Love Got to Do with It?," in the Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female, category.

"I've been waiting for this opportunity for such a long time," she said in her acceptance speech. "I have to thank many people. And all of you that I don't get to thank, you must know that it's in my mind."

Among those "many people," Turner praised Graham Lyle and Terry Britten, who wrote the track; John Carter, her A&R "who played a wonderful part" in relaunching her career with Capitol Records in the '80s; and Roger Davies, her manager, "a great man who has done a great job with her career."

Later that night, "What's Love Got To Do With It?" helped Turner win Record Of The Year; she also took home Best Rock Vocal Performance, Female, for "Better Be Good to Me." Though the 1985 ceremony marked Turner's first solo awards, she first won a GRAMMY in 1972 alongside her ex-husband, Ike Turner, for their recording of "Proud Mary."

Press play on the video above to watch Tina Turner's full acceptance speech for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female, and remember to check back to GRAMMY.com for more new episodes of GRAMMY Rewind.

10 Essential Tina Turner Songs From the '70s: How Her Forgotten Era Set The Stage For A Dramatic Debut As A Solo Performer

GRAMMY Rewind: Watch The Chicks Take 'Home' Best Country Album In 2003
The Chicks at the 2003 GRAMMYs.

Photo: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

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GRAMMY Rewind: Watch The Chicks Take 'Home' Best Country Album In 2003

Revisit the Chicks' heartfelt acceptance speech after their sixth studio album, 'Home,' won Best Country Album at the 45th GRAMMY Awards — one of their three golden gramophones from the night.

GRAMMYs/Mar 8, 2024 - 06:00 pm

When the Chicks walked into the 45th Annual GRAMMY Awards, they already had four GRAMMYs to their name. But like Natalie Maines cheered at the start of their speech for Best Country Album, "No, this never gets old."

In this episode of GRAMMY Rewind, relive the moment when the trio and Maines' father shared the stage to accept the golden gramophone for their sixth album, Home.

"We are so attached to this album and really proud of it," Maines shared. "It's our first co-producing effort, and we did it with my dad, Lloyd Maines. So, I want to check the record books and find out how many fathers and daughters have won GRAMMYs together."

"We want to say we are so glad we kissed and made up with Sony because they've done so many wonderful things with this record — a record that's acoustic and not very mainstream," Martie Maguire chimed. "Yet, it's winning GRAMMYs and topping the charts. We really credit the Columbia New York team."

Before closing out the speech, Emily Strayer and Maines praised the rest of their team in Nashville, and, of course, the fans: "We thought this would just be a project we gave away on the internet."

That same night, the Chicks — who at the time still went by the Dixie Chicks; they changed their name in 2020 — also won Best Country Instrumental Performance for "Lil' Jack Slade" and Best Duo/Group Country Vocal Performance for "Long Time Gone." As of press time, the Chicks have won 12 GRAMMYs, including four Best Country Album wins.

Press play on the video above to hear the Chicks' complete acceptance speech for Best Country Album at the 2003 GRAMMY Awards, and check back to GRAMMY.com for more new episodes of GRAMMY Rewind.

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GRAMMY Rewind: Watch Doja Cat & SZA Tearfully Accept Their First GRAMMYs For "Kiss Me More"
(L-R) Doja Cat and SZA at the 2022 GRAMMYs.

Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

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GRAMMY Rewind: Watch Doja Cat & SZA Tearfully Accept Their First GRAMMYs For "Kiss Me More"

Relive the moment the pair's hit "Kiss Me More" took home Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, which marked the first GRAMMY win of their careers.

GRAMMYs/Mar 1, 2024 - 06:11 pm

As Doja Cat put it herself, the 2022 GRAMMYs were a "big deal" for her and SZA.

Doja Cat walked in with eight nominations, while SZA entered the ceremony with five. Three of those respective nods were for their 2021 smash "Kiss Me More," which ultimately helped the superstars win their first GRAMMYs.

In this episode of GRAMMY Rewind, revisit the night SZA and Doja Cat accepted the golden gramophone for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance — a milestone moment that Doja Cat almost missed.

"Listen. I have never taken such a fast piss in my whole life," Doja Cat quipped after beelining to the stage. "Thank you to everybody — my family, my team. I wouldn't be here without you, and I wouldn't be here without my fans."

Before passing the mic to SZA, Doja also gave a message of appreciation to the "Kill Bill" singer: "You are everything to me. You are incredible. You are the epitome of talent. You're a lyricist. You're everything."

SZA began listing her praises for her mother, God, her supporters, and, of course, Doja Cat. "I love you! Thank you, Doja. I'm glad you made it back in time!" she teased.

"I like to downplay a lot of s— but this is a big deal," Doja tearfully concluded. "Thank you, everybody."

Press play on the video above to hear Doja Cat and SZA's complete acceptance speech for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the 2022 GRAMMY Awards, and check back to GRAMMY.com for more new episodes of GRAMMY Rewind.

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GRAMMY Rewind: Watch Baby Keem Celebrate "Family Ties" During Best Rap Performance Win In 2022
Baby Keem (left) at the 2022 GRAMMYs.

Photo: Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images

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GRAMMY Rewind: Watch Baby Keem Celebrate "Family Ties" During Best Rap Performance Win In 2022

Revisit the moment budding rapper Baby Keem won his first-ever gramophone for Best Rap Performance at the 2022 GRAMMY Awards for his Kendrick Lamar collab "Family Ties."

GRAMMYs/Feb 23, 2024 - 05:50 pm

For Baby Keem and Kendrick Lamar, The Melodic Blue was a family affair. The two cousins collaborated on three tracks from Keem's 2021 debut LP, "Range Brothers," "Vent," and "Family Ties." And in 2022, the latter helped the pair celebrate a GRAMMY victory.

In this episode of GRAMMY Rewind, turn the clock back to the night Baby Keem accepted Best Rap Performance for "Family Ties," marking the first GRAMMY win of his career.

"Wow, nothing could prepare me for this moment," Baby Keem said at the start of his speech.

He began listing praise for his "supporting system," including his family and "the women that raised me and shaped me to become the man I am."

Before heading off the stage, he acknowledged his team, who "helped shape everything we have going on behind the scenes," including Lamar. "Thank you everybody. This is a dream."

Baby Keem received four nominations in total at the 2022 GRAMMYs. He was also up for Best New Artist, Best Rap Song, and Album Of The Year as a featured artist on Kanye West's Donda.

Press play on the video above to watch Baby Keem's complete acceptance speech for Best Rap Performance at the 2022 GRAMMYs, and check back to GRAMMY.com for more new episodes of GRAMMY Rewind.

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