The Nominees: Song Of The Year
H.E.R.'s surprising Grammy success throughout her career came to a head last year with her shocking Song of the Year win. Can the reigning winner make it two years in a row?
We're just three weeks away from the 2022 Grammys, which means it's time to preview another general category at the ceremony. In case you missed it, here is my breakdown of the Best New Artist field. Next award up in our pre-Grammys bonanza: Song of the Year!
Song of the Year is one of two awards to serve as a prize for a song in a general capacity, rather than a genre field (like Best Pop Performance, or Best Rap Song, etc.). The other, of course, is Record Of The Year. Annually, the inevitable question from reasonable people-- myself included --is, what is the difference between the two? To be honest, I've never really known a good answer, so, from the horse's mouth: "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)." Essentially, I think what this is saying is that Record Of The Year is more a trophy for the general production of a song, while Song Of The Year is more about the bare-bones music and lyrics.
Of course, it isn't necessarily that simple, because 6 times in the last decade, including just a couple years ago with Billie Eilish's "bad guy," the same single won both awards. There's a good chance that phenomenon could happen again, as this year, 70% of the field are also nominees for Record of the Year.
All that being said, here are the nominees for SOTY, in order from least to most likely to win, according to odds from GoldDerby.com.
"Peaches" - Justin Bieber featuring Daniel Caesar and Giveon
Odds: 20-1
Peak Chart Position (General): 1st
Daniel's Music Ranking: 9/10
Daniel's Lyrics Ranking: 4/10
Even with the star power he has, I don't think many people, myself included, expected Juston Bieber to have such a big night of Grammy nominations. But it's true, in addition to a surprising Album of the Year nod for Justice, its lead single "Peaches" got the double nom for Record and Song of the Year. Honestly, if any of Bieber's songs deserve a Grammy nod, it's this one. "Peaches" isn't anything mindblowing, and its lyrics, while sweet and heartfelt, are pretty simple and saccharine. But it was among one of the most addictive hits in 2021, in no small part because of how perfectly Bieber's, Daniel Caesar's, and Giveon's honeyed vocals play off the smooth tropical groove.
"A Beautiful Noise" - Alicia Keys and Brandi Carlile
Odds: 20-1
Peak Chart Position (General): 8th
Daniel's Music Ranking: 6/10
Daniel's Lyrics Ranking: 6/10
It seems like the Grammys are good for at least one simple piano ballad nominee every year, and "A Beautiful Noise" plays that role this year. If you're like me and had never heard this song, it debuted during Every Vote Counts: A Celebration of Democracy back in October 2020, just before the presidential election. And, well, it sounds like a song written for a TV special about democracy. I appreciate the inspirational tone of this song, and will never complain about seeing Alicia Keys and Brandi Carlile sharing the stage, but truthfully, there's nothing too special about this track, especially by the lofty standards set by these two queens.
"Bad Habits" - Ed Sheeran
Odds: 18-1
Peak Chart Position (General): 8th
Daniel's Music Ranking: 7/10
Daniel's Lyrics Ranking: 7/10
Upon release, Ed Sheeran's "Bad Habits" was almost universally described by music critics as a song that sounds as if was written for The Weeknd, and this observation was offered both as a compliment and a criticism. Having listened to it in full for the first time in preparation for this piece, I must say I fully agree with all sentiments; it DOES scream Weeknd, and that's both a good and bad thing. I appreciate the change in direction, both musically and lyrically, from the typically cloying Sheeran, and I'll admit, I was grooving to the verse in particular. But I wasn't as wild about the beat switch in the chorus, and I also just felt like this didn't really fit the artist; it felt a little like Taylor Swift in her Reputation era. So, though it's not a bad song by any means, especially given that it's not even close to Ed's most popular single, it's a bit of an odd nominee.
"Right On Time" - Brandi Carlile
Odds: 15-1
Peak Chart Position (General): 50th
Daniel's Music Ranking: 6/10
Daniel's Lyrics Ranking: 8/10
Who had Brandi Carlile being a triple nominee for Song and Record of the Year in the year 2022 on their Grammy predictions? I know I didn't, but the folk rock icon has sure gotten a lot of Grammy love late in her career, with 16 of her 17 career noms coming in the last three years. In addition to her collaboration with Alicia Keys in this category, Brandi is a double nominee for Song and Record with this track. "Right On Time" isn't too much of a departure from Brandi Carlile's usual stuff; case in point, this bears some similarity to her 2019 doubly-nominated "The Joke." Musically, it's fairly straightforward, but nobody does a strumming, banging crescendo better than Brandi does, and as always, the lyrics are refreshingly vulnerable and thoughtful.
"Kiss Me More" - Doja Cat featuring SZA
Odds: 15-1
Peak Chart Position (General): 4th
Daniel's Music Ranking: 9/10
Daniel's Lyrics Ranking: 5/10
I was not at all surprised to see "Kiss Me More" earn a double nod at these Grammys. Nor was I unhappy: if you read my 'Mid-Year Grammys' piece back in July, you'll know I am a big fan of this hit. My only surprise is that it actually never topped the charts; it seemed to be everywhere on the radio. It was so ubiquitous that Doja herself got tired of it! Anyways, it lyrically isn't anything profound, though I do appreciate the sentiment behind just wanting some sweet, affectionate kissy time vs. more sexy time. But what made me fall in love with the song, and evidently Grammy voters as well, is the addicting backing guitar and beat, coupled with SZA's gorgeous voice and Doja showing off a rare softer side in her vocals.
"MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)" - Li'l Nas X
Odds: 14-1
Peak Chart Position (General): 1st
Daniel's Music Ranking: 8/10
Daniel's Lyrics Ranking: 7/10
Had it not been for Olivia Rodrigo, Li'l Nas X likely would have been the buzziest artist of 2021. After taking the industry by storm with "Old Town Road" three years ago, the rapper and singer took control of pop culture media by storm when he dropped this song, the lead single and titular track of his later-to-come album, MONTERO. That album is up for Album of the Year, and unsurprisingly, given its chart-topping success, this track is a double nominee as well. The last Hip-Hop song to win this award was also the only one to win, Childish Gambino's "This Is America" in 2019. Though thematically much different, this nomination feels very similar, in that much of the reception to it centered more around the music video than anything else. The video, intended to be provocative, featured Li'l Nas X dancing on a pole that led to the depths of Hell, then giving what appeared to be Satan a lap dance, and unsurprisingly this touched off a firestorm of controversy with conservative Christian figures and circles. As such, it's a bit difficult to extrapolate the song from the video. To be clear, just like "This Is America," it's not that it's not a good song; with clever and vivid lyricism pertaining to 'falling in lust' with someone, and a catchy hook over a Spanish-guitar beat, it really is a great track. It would make a highly unorthodox winner, but a good one.
"Fight For You" - H.E.R.
Odds: 13-1
Peak Chart Position (General): n/a
Daniel's Music Ranking: 7/10
Daniel's Lyrics Ranking: 8/10
For the fourth consecutive year, H.E.R., the wonderfully talented R&B artist notches at least one major Grammy category nod, despite still being a relative unknown to the mainstream. H.E.R.'s continued 'favored' child' status by the Grammys is equal parts surprising and confusing, and those sentiments came to a head last year, when the artist's protest song "I Can't Breathe" beat out the likes of Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish and Megan Thee Stallion for Song of the Year. But lest you thought Grammy success was a flash in the pan for the 24-year old, she isn't going anywhere. She's back with another Album of the Year nod this year, as well as a chance to defend her crown in this category, with a song from the Academy Award-winning Judas And The Black Messiah. It's a smooth, albeit pretty basic song musically, and it had little to no radio play, so that would seemingly make it a longshot, right? Well, hold on one of those Academy Awards the movie won was for Best Original Song, for this very track. And with lyrics that perfectly fit the theme of that politically-driven, timely film, bet against H.E.R. at your own risk
"Leave The Door Open" - Silk Sonic
Odds: 12-1
Peak Chart Position (General): 1st
Daniel's Music Ranking: 10/10
Daniel's Lyrics Ranking: 6/10
Almost exactly a year ago, just before the 2021 Grammys, the Internet was shook by the revelation that pop star Bruno Mars and rapper/singer/drummer Anderson.Paak would be releasing a collaboration R&B album, under the name Silk Sonic. "Leave The Door Open" was the single that accompanied this news, and unsurprisingly, fans of the two beloved artists gobbled it right up, spiking it to the top of the charts, and successfully petitioning the Grammys to add a Silk Sonic performance to their ceremony at the 11th hour. Despite being over a year old, given how much the Recording Academy love both of these artists, this song is a real threat to win. Anderson.Paak was a 4-time Grammy winner and 7-time nominee even before this year, which may not sound like much, but arguably outweighs his mainstream popularity, and Bruno Mars was a 28-time nominee, and most recently swept Album, Record and Song of the Year at the 2018 ceremony. Also making it a formidable contender is the fact that it's just a really great song. Like any great R&B track, the lyrics are a little corny but very sensual, and the music and vocals are just inch-perfectly smooth.
"Happier Than Ever" - Billie Eilish
Odds: 11-1
Peak Chart Position (General): 11th
Daniel's Music Ranking: 10/10
Daniel's Lyrics Ranking: 8/10
Billie Eilish has been one of the biggest names in pop music ever since her breakthrough success in 2019, so there was always going to be a goodly amount of hype for her newest album, Happier Than Ever. But, at least in my opinion, the singles she had released over the year-plus preceding the album's release hadn't had nearly as much smash potential as "bad guy," "when the party's over," or "bury a friend" off her last album. That all changed with the release of the titular track, released on the same day in July 2021 as her album of the same name. "Happier Than Ever" is arguably Billie's best song to do; it's certainly her most mature, both musically and lyrically. As always, her words are heartaching and vulnerable, but the story told her is as poetic as is blunt. And though it might at first blush, it might seem a more traditional song, it really is a very ambitious track, progressing from soft piano ballad to full on rock song, with no real chorus and an A-A-A-B-C-D-E melody. Given that this is considered the 'songwriter's award,' and it's among the best work from one of the best young songwriters out there, it's no secret "Happier Than Ever" has a very real shot at delivering Billie major Grammy #6.
"drivers license" - Olivia Rodrigo
Odds: 10-1
Peak Chart Position (General): 1st
Daniel's Music Ranking: 8/10
Daniel's Lyrics Ranking: 8/10
If you read the preview of Best New Artist, or if you listened to the radio at any point in the last year, you know all about Olivia Rodrigo, so I'll spare you the full recap of her almost overnight success. This song, though, was indisputably the vehicle behind that success. "drivers license" was the #1 song almost immediately upon release, and stayed near the top of the charts almost the entire year, and it's not hard to see why; the piano ballad about heartbreak has always been a recipe for mass appeal, especially one that balloons with a powerful bridge. I'll confess, it took me a while to come around on "drivers license"; I think for all the hype it had already received by the time I listened to it, it felt pretty basic and traditional. But the more I listened to Olivia Rodrigo, the more I realized that's just it; she's not out to change the game musically, she's just playing and writing good, honest, and stripped-back songs. Even without this single's wild success, it's not hard to see why that style might appeal to the Recording Academy and make it a frontrunner. But its wild success sure doesn't hurt, either.
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