60th GRAMMY Awards Song Of The Year nominees

Song Of The Year nominees, 60th GRAMMY Awards
Photos: WireImage.com

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2018 GRAMMYs Poll: Who Will Win Song Of The Year?

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Bruno Mars, Daddy Yankee, Jay-Z, Julia Michaels, Justin Bieber, Logic, Luis Fonsi, and more are officially the songwriters nominated for Song Of The Year at the 60th GRAMMYs — who will GRAMMY voters choose?
Philip Merrill
GRAMMYs
Jan 23, 2018 - 1:10 pm

The Song Of The Year category at the 60th GRAMMY Awards represents a diverse range of genres, from pop to hip-hop and R&B. Not to mention, these songs all have great stories behind them, from the summer hit of 2017 to Bruno Mars' fourth nomination in the category.

Song Of The Year Nominees | 60th GRAMMY Awards

The nominees include "Despacito," performed and co-written by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee featuring Justin Bieber, was also created by the talents of songwriters Jason "Poo Bear" Boyd, Erika Ender and Marty James Garton. "4:44," performed and written by Jay-Z was co-written by producer No I.D. Julia Michaels' collaborators on "Issues" were Benny Blanco, Mikkel Storleer Eriksen, Tor Erik Hermansen, and Justin Drew Tranter.

"1-800-273-8255," performed by Logic featuring Alessia Cara and Khalid was co-written by the performers along with Arjun Ivatury. In addition to Mars, who performed and co-wrote the nominated track, other songwriters nominated for "That's What I Like" are Christopher Brody Brown, James Fauntleroy, Philip Lawrence, Ray Charles McCullough II, Jeremy Reeves, Ray Romulus, and Jonathan Yip.

Which song do you think GRAMMY voters will choose to win Song Of The Year? Cast your vote now!

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Who will GRAMMY voters choose for Song Of The Year for the 60th GRAMMYs?

The 60th GRAMMY Awards will take place at Madison Square Garden in New York on Jan. 28 airing live on CBS from 7:30–11 p.m. ET/4:30–8 p.m. PT.

 

GRAMMYs
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Who Are The Song Of The Year Nominees? | 60th GRAMMY Awards

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Preview and learn more about this year's Song Of The Year nominees: "Despacito," "4:44," "Issues," "1-800-273-8255," and "That's What I Like"
Renée Fabian
GRAMMYs
Nov 28, 2017 - 5:36 am

There's a little something for everyone among this year's 60th GRAMMY Awards Song Of The Year category nominees, including an infectious Latin remix ("Despacito"), straight hip-hop (Jay-Z's "4:44"), two pop smashes (Julia Michaels' "Issues" and Bruno Mars' "That's What I Like"), and a hip-hop collaboration with an inspirational message ("1-800-273-8255").

Song Of The Year Nominees | 60th GRAMMY Awards

Take a closer look at this year's Song Of The Year nominees and the songwriters who made these unforgettable tracks possible:

"Despacito," Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee Featuring Justin Bieber

Ramón Ayala, Justin Bieber, Jason "Poo Bear" Boyd, Erika Ender, Luis Fonsi & Marty James Garton, songwriters

Fresh off its Latin GRAMMY success, "Despacito" is up for three GRAMMY Awards this year including Song Of The Year for the remixed version of the track. Written by Ramón Ayala, Bieber, Jason "Poo Bear" Boyd, Erika Ender, Fonsi, and Marty James Garton, the Latin crossover hit made it big on the charts and in the hearts of millions of fans. But it turns out one of the biggest hits of the summer was written in an afternoon.

"I woke up one morning with this despacito in my head, and it was pretty much that chorus melody and … that's all I had," Fonsi told E! News. "Then we were at the studio in my house with Erika Ender …  and that's where I said … 'It's a feel-good song and let's just mess around with the word despacito.' That was where we started, and that afternoon we finished the song."

From here, Daddy Yankee added his unforgettable rap verse to the track, and when Bieber heard the track in Colombia and saw fan reactions, he just had to get in on the action. The "Sorry" singer took the time to learn the correct Spanish pronunciations and added his spin on what is now a ubiquitous Latin pop hit.

"It says a lot about where Latin music is nowadays and where our culture is," Fonsi said. "We're breaking barriers down. I think that's the biggest win out of all of this."

"4:44," Jay-Z

Shawn Carter & Dion Wilson, songwriters

An eight-time nominee for the 60th GRAMMY Awards, Jay-Z paired with Dion Wilson — aka producer No. I.D. — to pen "4:44," the title track off his Album Of The Year-nominated project.

The song, which touches on infidelity, the way he has treated women in the past and the birth of his twin children, per Billboard, "throws all pride out the window and uses the nearly three-minute confessional to apologize for his wrongdoing, addressing Beyoncé's miscarriage and his absence."

Jay-Z doesn't shy away from the personal on this album, and "4:44" is arguably the centerpiece. In fact, for Hov, the song is the pinnacle moment of his entire album.

"'4:44' is … the crux of the album, just right in the middle of the album. And I woke up, literally, at 4:44 in the morning … to write this song," Jay-Z told iHeartRadio. "It's the title track because it's such a powerful song, and I just believe one of the best songs I've ever written."

"Issues," Julia Michaels

Benny Blanco, Mikkel Storleer Eriksen, Tor Erik Hermansen, Julia Michaels & Justin Drew Tranter, songwriters

Michaels has worked as a songwriter for other artists, including Selena Gomez, Bieber, Fifth Harmony, Gwen Stefani, and many others. But "Issues," written with collaborators Benny Blanco, Mikkel Storleer Eriksen, Tor Erik Hermansen, and Justin Drew Tranter, marks her first foray as a performer.

The impetus behind her move from behind-the-scenes to the front of the stage (and now first-time GRAMMY nominee) came because this song — which Michaels wrote about a fight she had with a boyfriend — felt too intimate for somebody else to sing.

Julia Michaels On Writing "Issues"

"When I had written it, someone else was going to sing it, and I just thought, 'This feels so weird. This is my life,'" Michaels told GRAMMY.com. "I've never had something so personal want to be sung before by somebody else. And I just thought, 'I can't. I can't do that. I can't give this song to somebody.'"

"1-800-273-8255," Logic Featuring Alessia Cara & Khalid

Alessia Caracciolo, Sir Robert Bryson Hall II, Arjun Ivatury & Khalid Robinson, songwriters

Each songwriter behind this inspirational and life-saving track — Logic, Alessia Cara, Khalid, and Arjun Ivatury — are first-time nominees for  "1-800-273-8255." (The song's video is also up for Best Music Video.)

Titled after the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline phone number, this track sheds light on mental health by creating an emotional dialog between a suicidal caller and a crisis worker who helps the caller find a glimmer of hope by song's end.

Logic decided to write a song that deals with this difficult subject because of the feedback he got from fans — he was frequently told on tour that his music had saved his fans' lives. He wasn't trying to save anybody's life, but he wondered what would happen if he purposely set out to do so. Enter "1-800 …"

Rapper Logic on mental health

"Who really wants to write a song about suicide," Logic said about the impactful song with a hopeful message. "But I was like f*** it, I'm gonna do it, I'm gonna make this sh** an anthem."

"That's What I Like," Bruno Mars

Christopher Brody Brown, James Fauntleroy, Philip Lawrence, Bruno Mars, Ray Charles McCullough II, Jeremy Reeves, Ray Romulus & Jonathan Yip, songwriters

No stranger to the Song Of The Year category, "That's What I Like" — from his Album Of The Year-nominated 24K Magic — marks Mars' fourth career nod in the category. He was previously nominated for the tracks "F*** You" (2010), "Grenade" (2011) and "Locked Out Of Heaven" (2013).

Composed with songwriters Christopher Brody Brown, James Fauntleroy, Philip Lawrence, Ray Charles McCullough II, Jeremy Reeves, Ray Romulus, and Jonathan Yip, Mars' sultry "That's What I Like" is about living the high life with his lady — a condo in Manhattan, lobster tail for dinner, Cadillacs, strawberry champagne on ice, the works.

Combining hip-hop, soul and smooth R&B that goes down just like that perfectly chilled champagne, Rolling Stone said this hit song "brings the silky vibes of 12 Play-era R. Kelly into the boom of modern trap."

Mars has stated that tracks like "That's What I Like" are all about his penchant for delivering feel-good vibes for his fans. "We're creating this positive vibe and everyone's dancing and it feels like we're all in love," Mars told PBS. "I'm creating my America. I'm creating what I want to feel every day."

The 60th GRAMMY Awards will take place at Madison Square Garden in New York on Jan. 28, 2018, airing live on CBS from 7:30–11 p.m. ET/4:30–8 p.m. PT.

 

Bruno Mars Wins Song Of The Year
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Bruno Mars Wins Song Of The Year | 2018 GRAMMYs

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The Hawaiian native takes home Song Of The Year for "That's What I Like" at the 60th GRAMMY Awards
Philip Merrill
GRAMMYs
Jan 28, 2018 - 7:11 pm

Feeling the 24K Magic, Bruno Mars' successful progress through the categories he's been nominated in at the 60th GRAMMY Awards picked up another one at Song Of The Year for "That's What I Like."

Christopher Brody Brown and Philip Lawrence co-write with Mars under the name Shampoo Press & Curl. The other winning songwriters for Mars' hit tonight in this category are James Fauntleroy and production team "The Sterotypes" — Ray Charles McCullough II, Jeremy Reeves, Ray Romulus and  Jonathan Yip.

For additional "Finesse" on stage at the 60th GRAMMY Awards, Mars was joined by Cardi B for a reprise of their 148-million-views hit remix.

The Album Of The Year GRAMMY Award wrapped up the night and wrapped up Bruno Mars' complete rampage through his six nominated categories — now six wins.

Attention Music Fans: Take The GRAMMY Challenge NOW On KIK And Facebook Messenger

'2018 GRAMMY Nominees' album
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'2018 GRAMMY Nominees' Album, Featuring 21 Hits, Available Now

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Get your copy of the genre-spanning compilation featuring 60th GRAMMY nominees Bruno Mars, Jay-Z, Lady Gaga, Pink, Kesha, Kenny Chesney, and more
Tim McPhate
GRAMMYs
Jan 12, 2018 - 6:30 am

Available now, the 2018 GRAMMY Nominees album features a 21-deep track listing reflecting the world's top recording artists and emerging talent.

The collection commemorating the 60th GRAMMY Awards nominees includes Album Of The Year nominees Childish Gambino, Jay-Z, Kendrick Lamar, Lorde, and Bruno Mars; and Song Of The Year nominees Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee featuring Justin Bieber, Logic featuring Alessia Cara and Khalid, and Julia Michaels, among others. See the full track listing below.

1. Bruno Mars, "24K Magic"
2. Kelly Clarkson, "Love So Soft"
3. Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee Feat. Justin Bieber, "Despacito" (Remix)
4. Kendrick Lamar, "HUMBLE."
5. Lorde, "Green Light"
6. Childish Gambino, "Redbone"
7. Jay-Z, "The Story Of O.J."
8. Zedd & Alessia Cara, "Stay"
9. Lady Gaga, "Million Reasons"
10. Imagine Dragons, "Thunder"
11. Portugal. The Man, "Feel It Still" 
12. The Chainsmokers & Coldplay, "Something Just Like This" 
13. P!nk, "What About Us"
14. Logic Feat. Alessia Cara & Khalid, "1-800-273-8255"
15. Julia Michaels, "Issues"
16. Kesha, "Praying"
17. Chris Stapleton, "Broken Halos"
18. Little Big Town, "Better Man"
19. Thomas Rhett Feat. Maren Morris, "Craving You"
20. Lady Antebellum, "You Look Good"
21. Kenny Chesney, "All The Pretty Girls"  

Pick at your copy at any of the below links:

A portion of album proceeds benefits the year-round work of the GRAMMY Museum and MusiCares — two charitable organizations founded by the Recording Academy that focus on music education programs and critical assistance for music people in need.

The 60th Annual GRAMMY Awards will be broadcast live on CBS Jan. 28 at 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT.

Janelle Monáe at the GRAMMYs

Janelle Monáe

Photo: Jeff Kravitz/Getty Images

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Bruno Mars, Alessia Cara, Time's Up: 12 Big Moments At The 2018 GRAMMYs

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With the milestone 60th GRAMMY Awards are in the books — here are 12 moments that made the Madison Square Garden homecoming a night to remember
Kathy Iandoli
GRAMMYs
Jan 28, 2018 - 10:14 pm

For any music lover, GRAMMY Sunday is very much like the Super Bowl or World Series to a sports fanatic.

Watch: Unforgettable 60th GRAMMY Moments

The only difference being, while sports teams typically find out who will be the final competition within a week or two of the showdown, GRAMMY nominations arrive months prior to the big show. The ceremony is arguably a culmination of all of that energy and anticipation. The 60th GRAMMY Awards was no different, as James Corden returned to host the Music's Biggest Night.

Returning to Madison Square Garden for the first time in 15 years, the milestone telecast proved to be a celebration that broke down barriers — with the wins, performances, and acceptance speeches showing that the power of music can literally change the world.

Of course, the GRAMMYs' return to the Big Apple was cause enough for excitement. (Cut to Tony Bennett and John Legend singing "New York, New York" before presenting Best Rap/Sung Performance). And there was Bruno Mars netting six wins and nearly doubling his career output to 11 in one fell swoop. But there was plenty of excitement to go around.

Whether you were there, watching on TV or live streaming, here are 12 moments from the 60th GRAMMY Awards that made it a night to remember.

1. Kendrick Lamar, U2, Dave Chappelle Open With An Army

Kendrick Lamar has a steady track record of impactful performances on the GRAMMYs, and this time he opened the ceremony with a groundbreaking performance before winning the first award of the evening for Best Rap/Sung Performance ("LOYALTY." with Rihanna). Opening with "XXX" before an American flag backdrop and U.S. soldiers marching, the rapper was joined by U2's Bono and The Edge. A war simulation followed before Dave Chappelle hit the stage to punctuate segues in between heated musical vignettes performed by Lamar. It was history in the making, much like everything he touches.

2. Lady Gaga's Tearjerker Performance with Mark Ronson

"This is for love and compassion …even when you can't understand," Lady Gaga uttered before a white piano wrapped in lace as she opened her performance with "Joanne." Mark Ronson assisted on guitar as the acoustic set segued into another moving ballad, "Million Reasons." The emotional performance was poignant, but most importantly showed Gaga's unreal vocal range. It's OK if you shed a tear while watching. We were all cutting onions when it happened.

3. James Corden Rapping For Jay-Z

If you watch "The Late Late Show With James Corden" or are tuned into any episode of his "Carpool Karaoke" series, you'll know that Corden was the perfect return host for this year's telecast. On the eve of the show, Jay-Z was honored at the Pre-GRAMMY Gala and Corden informed the crowd, but began riddling off his knowledge of Jay-Z facts — including Jay’s former apartment address of 560 State Street in Brooklyn. Corden then launched into spitting a few bars for an amused Mr. Carter. "You call it the Big Apple, I call it the Concrete Jungle where dreams are made of …just something I made up," Corden joked.

4. Bruno Mars And Cardi B's #TBT Performance Of "Finesse (Remix)"

A few weeks back — when the video for Bruno Mars' remix to "Finesse" featuring Cardi B hit the internet — we were all bit by the nostalgia bug. The video (directed by Mars himself) was not only a clear nod to the sketch comedy series "In Living Color," but it was also a Polaroid of a bygone era of ‘90s R&B and hip-hop—complete with bright colors. Cardi B donned a legendary Cross Colours bucket hat with Mars dancing onstage like a New Jack Swing-era frontman before a dance-off to House Of Pain’s "Jump Around." It was #ThrowbackThursday on a Sunday night.

5. Alessia Cara Claims Best New Artist

"I've been pretend winning GRAMMYs since I was a kid in the shower," Alessia Cara said with a shaky voice before a towering microphone as she accepted her first GRAMMY. While the Canadian was already considered a strong candidate for the award, the competition was fierce — including SZA and newcomer Julia Michaels. But as Cara continued into her speech, she acknowledged and showed support for her peers, which included her fellow nominees and indie acts. "Support real music and real artists," she said. Then she thanked her fans, because there will be no more pretend GRAMMYs in the shower from now on.

Alessia Cara: 2018 GRAMMYs Backstage Interview

6. Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee Bring On More "Despacito"

Over the course of 2017, the infectious "Despacito" hasn't left our brains. Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee hit the stage to perform the diamond-certified single and brought former Miss Universe Zuleyka Rivera in two. Rivera also appeared in the music video, but took center stage to dance amid a mock club scene. "That is a catchy song. I've never heard that song before," Corden deadpanned after the performance.

7. "Subway Carpool Karaoke"

Corden's viral "Carpool Karaoke" series made a cameo during the evening. How could it not? This time, however, it was a special "Subway Carpool Karaoke," featuring Corden, Sting and Shaggy. The former Police frontman couldn't even get through "Every Breath You Take" before being shushed by a construction worker on the train. And Shaggy barely sang "It Wasn't Me" before another passenger hushed even Corden. Then a fight broke out on the train and Corden got a bloody nose. It was a dangerous karaoke scene. You had to be there.

James Corden Subway Carpool Karaoke | 2018 GRAMMYs

8. Janelle Monáe Says #TimesUp, Kesha Sings #MeToo

All one has to do is read the news in recent months to know that injustice to women is no longer an option across industries. As Janelle Monáe introduced Kesha's performance of "Praying," she delivered a powerful speech hooked to the sexual harassment initiative Time's Up. "We are also daughters, wives, mothers, sisters, humans," Monáe told the crowd. "We come in peace, but we mean business." When Kesha hit the stage, her performance was that much more intense, especially understanding all she's been through in the music industry. With Cyndi Lauper, Camila Cabello, Bebe Rexha, Julia Michaels, and Andra Day joining on background vocals, the performance ended with the women hugging and in tears. They weren't alone.

Janelle Monaé's "Time's Up" Speech

9. Elton John, Miley Cyrus Transcend Generations Onstage

Elton John's "Tiny Dancer" is one of those classic songs that can bring you immediately back to a moment or an era (or a movie scene, like that bus ride in Almost Famous). However, tonight a new moment was made with Miley Cyrus. With John seated at his piano, he opened the song and Cyrus joined to help carry the song home. While the "Wrecking Ball" singer is no stranger to classic music — especially given her godmother is Dolly Parton — this performance was particularly special. Call it onstage chemistry, or call it bridging the gap, but this "Tiny Dancer" performance was one for the ages.

10. Ben Platt, Patti LuPone Wow With Broadway Style

This special Leonard Bernstein-Andrew Lloyd Webber tribute kicked off properly, as Ben Platt from "Dear Evan Hansen" gave the audience a rousing dose of "Somewhere" from the former's "West Side Story." But as James Corden could barely stand as he introduced Patti LuPone, we soon found out why. LuPone delivered a riveting rendition of “Don't Cry For Me Argentina" from Evita. Posted at a podium, just as the musical/movie depicts, she belted like it was her first time singing the song and it was our first time hearing it.

11. Logic, Khalid, Alessia Cara Bring Hope

There's a reason why "1-800-273-8255" was nominated for Song Of The Year. The powerful track comes with a real message of suicide prevention. When the trifecta of Logic, Khalid, and Alessia Cara hit the stage to perform the monumental hit single, there was no denying the magic. Performing on opposite stages before an army of survivors in "You Are Not Alone" shirts, Logic addressed the crowd and closed the performance with a speech pointing out many societal injustices — from the treatment of women to neighbors from other countries. There are no weak individuals, per Logic, just people waiting to realize the power of their voice.

12. Bruno Mars' Magical Evening: 6 For 6

Bruno Mars emerged above the stiff competition in Album Of The Year, taking home the final GRAMMY of the evening for 24K Magic. The nod topped off a GRAMMY sweep for the Hawaii native, with Mars winning all six categories for which he was nominated. He also earned R&B Album, Record Of The Year for "24K Magic," Best R&B Performance, Best R&B Song and Song Of The Year for "That's What I Like." As he explained in his Album Of The Year speech, Mars' mission was to spread love and he did just that — even shouting out previous greats like Babyface who paved the way for him.

(Kathy Iandoli has penned pieces for Pitchfork, VICE, Maxim, O, Cosmopolitan, The Village Voice, Rolling Stone, Billboard, and more. She co-authored the book Commissary Kitchen with Mobb Deep's late Albert "Prodigy" Johnson, and is a professor of music business at select universities throughout New York and New Jersey.)

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