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GRAMMY Rewind: Watch Bob Dylan Accept His GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award In 1991

Bob Dylan (L), Jack Nicholson (R)

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GRAMMY Rewind: Watch Bob Dylan Accept His GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award In 1991

At the 33rd GRAMMYs Awards show, alongside presenter Jack Nicholson, a bemused Dylan responds to the honor by cryptically paraphrasing a Biblical psalm

GRAMMYs/Feb 19, 2021 - 11:45 pm

Bob Dylan has a long history of accepting awards in an offbeat fashion, but his acceptance of the GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award in 1991 has to be his most inscrutable—and memorable. 

As a starstruck Jack Nicholson introduces him, a purple-suited, fedoraed Dylan anxiously undulates in place; when he receives the honor, he stares at it for several seconds, thought after incredulous thought flashing across his visage.

"Well, um, all right—yeah," he finally allows. "Well, my daddy, he didn't leave me too much, you know? He was a very simple man and he didn't leave me a lot. But what he did tell me was this. He did say, 'Son…' He said..." (An awkward silence, a few scattered giggles.) "He said so many things, you know?" (Uproarious laughter.)

The yuks don't last long. "He said, you know, it's possible to become so defiled in this world that your own mother and father will abandon you," Dylan deadpans. "And if that happens, God will always believe in your own ability to mend your own ways. Thank you!" 

What did that paraphrase of Psalm 27:10 mean in the context of the GRAMMYs? Bob knows. Watch the classically weird and profound Dylan moment above and check out more GRAMMY Rewinds here.

GRAMMY Rewind: 25th Annual GRAMMY Awards

GRAMMY Rewind: Beyoncé Strives For Accountability And Change After Winning A GRAMMY For 'Lemonade' In 2017
Beyoncé at the 2017 GRAMMY Awards.

Photo: Dan MacMedan/WireImage

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GRAMMY Rewind: Beyoncé Strives For Accountability And Change After Winning A GRAMMY For 'Lemonade' In 2017

As Beyoncé accepted the GRAMMY for Best Urban Contemporary Album in 2017, she stressed that it's vital to "learn from the past and recognize our tendencies to repeat our mistakes."

GRAMMYs/Mar 24, 2023 - 04:20 pm

At the height of America's tense political climate, Beyoncé's Lemonade brought confidence to Black women nationwide silenced by misogynoir. It was a celebration of unapologetic femininity and southern culture while also taking back the power in relationships stained by infidelity and generational trauma. As Beyoncé explained in her 2017 GRAMMY acceptance speech, the intention of Lemonade was "to give a voice to our pain, our struggles, our darkness, and our history."

In this episode of GRAMMY Rewind, we turn back the clock to the evening Beyoncé made her empowering speech after winning Best Urban Contemporary Album at the 59th GRAMMY Awards. Fresh off of her iconic, nine-minute performance of Lemonade's vulnerable deep cuts, "Love Drought" and "Sandcastles," Beyoncé was glowing as she took the stage to accept her golden gramophone.

"Thank you to everyone who worked so hard to beautifully capture the profundity of deep southern culture," Beyoncé proudly praised before acknowledging her husband, kids, and fans.

"It's important to me to show images to my children that reflect their beauty, so they can grow up in a world where they look in the mirror... and have no doubt that they're beautiful, intelligent and capable," Beyoncé said. "This is something that I want for every child of every race. And I feel it's vital that we learn from the past and recognize our tendencies to repeat our mistakes."

Press play on the video above to watch the entirety of Beyoncé's thoughtful acceptance speech for Best Urban Contemporary Album at the 2017 GRAMMY Awards, and keep checking back to GRAMMY.com for more new episodes of GRAMMY Rewind.

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GRAMMY Rewind: The Chicks Give A Tear-Filled Speech For Their Industry-Altering Song Of The Year Win In 2007
The Chicks at the 2007 GRAMMYs.

Photo: Vince Bucci/Getty Images

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GRAMMY Rewind: The Chicks Give A Tear-Filled Speech For Their Industry-Altering Song Of The Year Win In 2007

The Chicks were full of emotions after winning a golden gramophone for "Not Ready to Make Nice," the song made in response to the criticism they faced in 2003.

GRAMMYs/Mar 17, 2023 - 05:00 pm

Flashback to 2003, the Chicks frontwoman Natalie Maines made her infamous statement advocating for peace against the invasion in Iraq. The seemingly unthreatening comment quickly led to nationwide backlash, including a boycott of the Chicks by country music's fans, radio stations and musicians.

But more importantly, Maines' progressive endorsement prompted a conversation surrounding America's conservative expectations for country artists. Maines' courage to speak out was an inspiration to the next generation of women in country, including Taylor Swift and Kacey Musgraves, who credit the Chicks for empowering them to publicly claim their liberal beliefs.

In this episode of GRAMMY Rewind, we fast forward four years after the career-changing controversy to the 2007 GRAMMYs, when the trio won Song of the Year alongside folk singer/songwriter Dan Wilson for "Not Ready to Make Nice," the track made in response to the massive criticism they faced.

"This is overwhelming," said Emily Strayer, holding back tears. "Thank you, Dan, for writing with us … It was very important that you [understood] what we were trying to get across. Thank you for helping us to get all of this out and into a song."

Before heading off the stage, Maines took the time to express appreciation for her bandmates: "For the first time in my life, I'm speechless. Thank you, Martie and Emily, for sticking by me. I told you I'd take it to the GRAMMYs!" Maines joked. (The trio were the big winners that night, also taking home the GRAMMYs for Record Of The Year, Album Of The Year, Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal and Best Country Album.)

Press play on the video above to watch The Chicks' complete acceptance speech for Song of the Year at the 2007 GRAMMY Awards, and keep checking back to GRAMMY.com for more new episodes of GRAMMY Rewind.

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GRAMMY Rewind: Whoopi Goldberg Delivers A Fittingly Joke-Filled Speech At The 1986 GRAMMYs
Whoopi Goldberg at the 1986 GRAMMYs.

Photo: CBS via Getty Images

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GRAMMY Rewind: Whoopi Goldberg Delivers A Fittingly Joke-Filled Speech At The 1986 GRAMMYs

Whoopi Goldberg brought her comedy skills to the GRAMMY stage when she won Best Comedy Recording, which marked a historic GRAMMY moment.

GRAMMYs/Mar 10, 2023 - 06:00 pm

Almost 40 years ago, Whoopi Goldberg made history as the first Black woman to win Best Comedy Recording at the 1986 GRAMMYs — and marked her first step into achieving EGOT status, which she later accomplished in 2002.

In this episode of GRAMMY Rewind, we travel back to the night Goldberg received this trailblazing award for her one-woman Broadway show. The stand-up comedian fittingly warmed up her acceptance speech with a few jokes: "I'm going to have to get a job after this," she laughed before taking a quick-witted stab at the orchestra's untimely playing. "Make me move!"

She went on to thank Geffen Records, her colleagues, her longtime supporter Mike Nichols, and her family for inspiring and assisting her throughout the production of the record. Goldberg also took a moment to acknowledge her "date," 12-time GRAMMY Award winner Paul Simon, who wasn't able to escort her to the ceremony after falling ill.

"I want to say it's a very nice, wonderful honor to get something as nice as this," Goldberg concluded. "Thank you all, and good night!"

Press play on the video above to watch Whoopi Goldberg's full acceptance speech for Best Comedy Recording at the 28th GRAMMY Awards, and keep checking back to GRAMMY.com for more episodes of GRAMMY Rewind.

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GRAMMY Rewind: Irene Cara Thanks Her Family And Friends For 'Flashdance' Win At The 1984 GRAMMYs
Irene Cara at the 1984 GRAMMYs.

Photo: Bob Riha, Jr./Getty Images

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GRAMMY Rewind: Irene Cara Thanks Her Family And Friends For 'Flashdance' Win At The 1984 GRAMMYs

Irene Cara was speechless as she made her way to the stage to accept her award for "Flashdance … What a Feeling" at the 26th GRAMMY Awards.

GRAMMYs/Mar 3, 2023 - 06:00 pm

From its star-studded cast to its timeless music, there's no questioning that Flashdance is one of the most iconic and influential films to emerge from the early '80s. Musical dramas decorated the year following its release, including Footloose and Prince's Purple Rain, which credited Flashdance as its inspiration. So, it was no surprise when the film's soundtrack made a sweep at the 1984 GRAMMY Awards ceremony.

In this episode of GRAMMY Rewind, we flashback to the night Irene Cara won Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for Flashdance's titular song. The triple-threat singer, actress and dancer was stunned as she made her way to the stage to accept the award: "Are you sure? I can't believe this," she squealed to the presenters.

After acknowledging the film's producers, actors and musicians, she thanked her parents, who encouraged her to begin performing. "My mother and father, who started it all for me many years ago — you know I can't visit them if I don't say that," Cara joked. "I love you all, thank you!"

Press play on the video above to watch Irene Cara's full acceptance speech for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the 26th GRAMMY Awards, and keep checking back to GRAMMY.com for more episodes of GRAMMY Rewind.

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