The Grammy award for Song of the Year is awarded to a single or for one track from an album. This award goes to the composer, not the performing artist for the winning song.
Three composers have won the award on more than one occasion: Henry Mancinci for Moon River and Days of Wine and Roses, James Horner for Somewhere Out There and My Heart Will Go On, and U2 for Beautiful Day and Sometimes You Can’t Make it on Your Own.
The Theme from Exodus which won the award in 1961 is the only instrumental song to win the award.
YearRecord of the Year (2020s)Performing ArtistBuy2022Leave the Door OpenSilk Sonic2021I Can’t BreatheH.E.R.2020Bad GuyBillie EilishYearSong of the Year (2010s)Performing ArtistBuy2019This Is AmericaChildish Gambino2018That’s What I LikeBruno Mars2017HelloAdele2016Thinking Out LoudEd Sheeran2015Stay With MeSam Smith2014RoyalsLorde2013We Are YoungFun. Featuring Janelle Monae2012Rolling in the DeepAdele2011Need You NowLady Antebellum2010Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)BeyoncéYearSong of the Year (2000s)Performing ArtistBuy2009Viva la VidaColdplay2008RehabAmy Winehouse2007Not Ready to Make NiceDixie Chicks2006Sometimes You Can’t Make it on Your OwnU22005DaughtersJohn Mayer2004Dance with My FatherLuther Vandross2003Don’t Know WhyNorah Jones2002Fallin’Alicia Keys2001Beautiful DayU22000SmoothRob Thomas and SantanaYearSong of the Year (1990s)Performing ArtistBuy1999My Heart Will Go OnCeline Dion1998Sunny Came HomeShawn Colvin1997Change the WorldEric Clapton1996Kiss From a RoseSeal1995Streets of PhiladelphiaBruce Springsteen1994A Whole New WorldPeabo Bryson & Regina Belle1993Tears in HeavenEric Clapton1992UnforgettableNatalie Cole and Nat King Cole1991From a DistanceBette Midler1990Wind Beneath My WingsBette MidlerYearSong of the Year (1980s)Performing ArtistBuy1989Don’t Worry, Be HappyBobby McFerrin1988Somewhere Out ThereLinda Ronstadt & James Ingram1987That’s What Friends Are ForDionne Warwick & Friends1986We are the WorldUSA for Africa1985What’s Love Got to Do with ItTina Turner1984Every Breath You TakeThe Police1983Always on My MindWillie Nelson1982Bette Davis EyesKim Carnes1981SailingChristopher Cross1980What a Fool BelievesThe Doobie BrothersYearSong of the Year (1970s)Performing ArtistBuy1979Just the Way You AreBilly Joel1978Evergreen (Love Theme from A Star is Born)Barbara Streisand1977I Write the SongsBarry Manilow1976Send in the ClownsJudy Collins1975The Way We WereBarbara Streisand1974Killing Me Softly with His SongRoberta Flack1973The First Time Ever I Saw Your FaceRoberta Flack1972You’ve Got a FriendJames Taylor & Carole King1971Bridge Over Troubled WaterSimon & Garfunkel1970Games People PlayJoe SouthYearSong of the Year (1960s)Performing ArtistBuy1969Little Green ApplesO.C. Smith1968Up, Up and AwayThe 5th Dimension1967MichelleThe Beatles1966The Shadow of Your SmileTony Bennett1965Hello, Dolly!Louis Armstrong1964Days of Wine and RosesHenry Mancini1963What Kind of Fool Am ISammy Davis Jr.1962Moon RiverHenry Mancini1961Theme of ExodusVarious Artists1960The Battle of New OrleansJohnny HortonYearSong of the Year (1950s)Performing ArtistBuy1959Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu (Volare)Domenico Modugno