All-Time Grammys: Reference Sheet
“I had to phone someone, so I picked on you. Hey, that’s far out, so you heard him too!”
This is the first in a three-part series that has been constructed for archival purposes here on Saoirse Ronan Deserves an Oscar. For years, I’ve kept spreadsheets about how the Oscars, Emmys, and Grammys would go if I was the only one who voted for them. I loved the exercise so much that I went back into the 1930s, 1950s, and 1950s, respectively, to determine an entire history for each of them, in my view. This is an inherently meaningless practice, but as I found myself referencing the spreadsheets more in my writing, I thought I would transpose them to this website, so that we may always have a reference point and record book for them. I love lists too much not to. This is a completely self-indulgent exercise and you should feel no obligation to read them whatsoever. I just wanted to post them here for easier touchstones going forward, as someone who loves culture and lists in equal measure. (If you happen to have done the same, please share!)
This particular list is for the Grammys. One day, I may unpack my favorite song from each year, but for now, I kept it restricted solely to Album of the Year. In 1964, I moved from three nominees to five for each year. In 2021, I moved from five to six. I also kept it true to my Albums of the Year articles and provided asterisks where my opinions have changed. Again, please feel no obligation to read these, but they are now etched into Saoirse Ronan Deserves an Oscar history — and for good reason.
1950
Auld Lang Syne by Bing Crosby
Ella Sings Gershwin by Ella Fitzgerald
Sing and Dance with Frank Sinatra by Frank Sinatra
1951
Bing and the Dixieland Bands by Bing Crosby
I’ll See You in My Dreams and On Moonlight Bay by Doris Day
Unforgettable by Nat King Cole
1952
Bird and Diz by Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie
Harmony Encores by The Chordettes
Penthouse Serenade by Nat King Cole
1953
The Astaire Story by Fred Astaire
By the Light of the Silvery Moon by Doris Day
New Concepts of Artistry in Rhythm by Stan Kenton
1954
Mr. Sandman by The Chordettes
Sh-Boom by The Crew-Cuts
Songs for Young Lovers by Frank Sinatra
1955
In the Wee Small Hours by Frank Sinatra
Rock Around the Clock by Bill Haley and His Comets
Swingin’ Down Yonder by Dean Martin
1956
Elvis by Elvis Presley
The Man Who Knew Too Much by Doris Day
Songs for Swingin’ Lovers by Frank Sinatra
1957
An Evening with Belafonte by Harry Belafonte
A Jolly Christmas from Frank Sinatra by Frank Sinatra
Loving You by Elvis Presley
1958
Buddy Holly by Buddy Holly
The Everly Brothers by Everly Brothers
King Creole by Elvis Presley
1959
50,000,000 Elvis Fans Can’t Be Wrong by Elvis Presley
Chuck Berry Is on Top by Chuck Berry
That’s All by Bobby Darin
1960
A Date with the Everly Brothers by Everly Brothers
G.I. Blues by Elvis Presley
Nice ’n’ Easy by Frank Sinatra
1961
Blue Hawaii by Elvis Presley
Don’t Play That Song! by Ben E. King
Runaround Sue by Dion
1962
Sherry & 11 Others by The Four Seasons
Surfin’ Safari by The Beach Boys
Twistin’ the Night Away by Sam Cooke
1963
The Andy Williams Christmas Album by Andy Williams
Please Please Me and With The Beatles by The Beatles
Surfin’ U.S.A. by The Beach Boys
1964
Beatles for Sale and A Hard Day’s Night by The Beatles
I Walk the Line by Johnny Cash
Shut Down Volume 2 by The Beach Boys
The Times They Are a-Changin’ by Bob Dylan
Viva Las Vegas by Elvis Presley
1965
Beat & Soul by Everly Brothers
A Charlie Brown Christmas by Vince Guaraldi Trio
Help! and Rubber Soul by The Beatles
Highway 61 Revisited by Bob Dylan
The Paul Simon Songbook by Paul Simon
1966
Aftermath by The Rolling Stones
If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears by The Mamas and the Papas
Pet Sounds by The Beach Boys
Revolver by The Beatles
Strangers in the Night by Frank Sinatra
1967
Happy Together by The Turtles
Magical Mystery Tour and Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles
Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn, & Jones Ltd. by The Monkees
Their Satanic Majesties Request by The Rolling Stones
Wildflowers by Judy Collins
1968
Cheap Thrills by Big Brother and the Holding Company
The Graduate by Simon & Garfunkel
Lady Soul by Aretha Franklin
Reflections by Diana Ross and the Supremes
The White Album by The Beatles
1969
Abbey Road by The Beatles
David Bowie by David Bowie
From Elvis in Memphis by Elvis Presley
Let It Bleed by The Rolling Stones
Odessa by Bee Gees
1970
Bridge Over Troubled Water by Simon & Garfunkel
Cosmo’s Factory by Creedence Clearwater Revival
Elton John by Elton John
Ladies of the Canyon by Joni Mitchell
Let It Be by The Beatles
1971
American Pie by Don McLean
Blessed Are… by Joan Baez
Blue by Joni Mitchell
Hunky Dory by David Bowie
Ram by Paul and Linda McCartney
1972
Burning Love by Elvis Presley
Can’t Buy a Thrill by Steely Dan
Harvest by Neil Young
The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars by David Bowie
Rocky Mountain High by John Denver
1973
Aerosmith by Aerosmith
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road by Elton John
Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. by Bruce Springsteen
Living in the Material World by George Harrison
Piano Man by Billy Joel
1974
Diamond Dogs by David Bowie
Fulfillingness’ First Finale by Stevie Wonder
Jolene by Dolly Parton
Natty Dread by Bob Marley
Waterloo by ABBA
1975
ABBA by ABBA
Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen
Fleetwood Mac by Fleetwood Mac
Frampton by Peter Frampton
A Night at the Opera by Queen
1976
Arrival by ABBA
Hotel California by Eagles
Part 3 by KC and the Sunshine Band
Songs in the Key of Life by Stevie Wonder
Station to Station by David Bowie
1977
Bat Out of Hell by Meat Loaf
Heroes by David Bowie
Rumours by Fleetwood Mac
Saturday Night Fever by Bee Gees
The Stranger by Billy Joel
1978
52nd Street by Billy Joel
The Best of Earth, Wind, & Fire, Vol. 1 by Earth, Wind, & Fire
Darkness on the Edge of Town by Bruce Springsteen
More Songs About Buildings and Food by Talking Heads
Son of a Son of a Sailor by Jimmy Buffett
1979
The B-52s by The B-52s
Bad Girls by Donna Summer
Christopher Cross by Christopher Cross
Damn the Torpedoes by Tom Petty
Voulez-Vous by ABBA
1980
Glass Houses by Billy Joel
Hi Infidelity by REO Speedwagon
Remain in Light by Talking Heads
Super Trouper by ABBA
Xanadu by Olivia Newton-John and Electric Light Orchestra
1981
4 by Foreigner
Business as Usual by Men at Work
Face Value by Phil Collins
Made in America by The Carpenters
Mistaken Identity by Kim Carnes
1982
Mirage by Fleetwood Mac
The Nylon Curtain by Billy Joel
Rio by Duran Duran
Thriller by Michael Jackson
Toto IV by Toto
1983
Cargo by Men at Work
Frontiers by Journey
An Innocent Man by Billy Joel
Let’s Dance by David Bowie
War by U2
1984
Born in the U.S.A. by Bruce Springsteen
Purple Rain by Prince
Stop Making Sense by Talking Heads
The Unforgettable Fire by U2
The Works by Queen
1985
Brothers in Arms by Dire Straits
Hounds of Love by Kate Bush
Hunting High and Low by a-Ha
In Square Circle by Stevie Wonder
No Jacket Required by Phil Collins
1986
Lifes Rich Pageant by R.E.M.
Music from the Edge of Heaven by Wham!
Raising Hell by Run-D.M.C.
True Colors by Cyndi Lauper
True Stories by Talking Heads
1987
Appetite for Destruction by Guns N’ Roses
The Joshua Tree by U2
No Protection by Starship
Tango in the Night by Fleetwood Mac
Whitney by Whitney Houston
1988
Brian Wilson by Brian Wilson
Naked by Talking Heads
Rattle and Hum by U2
Tracy Chapman by Tracy Chapman
Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1 by Traveling Wilburys
1989
Cuts Both Ways by Gloria Estefan
Full Moon Fever by Tom Petty
Like a Prayer by Madonna
The Little Mermaid by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken
Mother’s Milk by Red Hot Chili Peppers
1990
Back from Hell by Run-D.M.C.
Behind the Mask by Fleetwood Mac
Edge of the Century by Styx
Have You Seen Me Lately by Carly Simon
Unison by Céline Dion
1991
Achtung Baby by U2
Blood Sugar Sex Magik by Red Hot Chili Peppers
Cooleyhighharmony by Boyz II Men
Out of Time by R.E.M.
Time, Love, and Tenderness by Michael Bolton
1992
Automatic for the People by R.E.M.
Bigger, Better, Faster, More! by 4 Non Blondes
Céline Dion by Céline Dion
Erotica by Madonna
Us by Peter Gabriel
1993
Aurora Gory Alice by Letters to Cleo
Black Tie White Noise by David Bowie
Jurassic Park by John Williams
River of Dreams by Billy Joel
Zooropa by U2
1994
CrazySexyCool by TLC
Illmatic by Nas
Merry Christmas by Mariah Carey
Monster by R.E.M.
Wildflowers by Tom Petty
1995
Big Red Car by The Wiggles
Jagged Little Pill by Alanis Morissette
One Hot Minute by Red Hot Chili Peppers
Tragic Kingdom by No Doubt
What’s the Story, Morning Glory? by Oasis
1996
Crash by Dave Matthews Band
Falling into You by Céline Dion
New Adventures in Hi-Fi by R.E.M.
Sheryl Crow by Sheryl Crow
Tidal by Fiona Apple
1997
Backstreet Boys by Backstreet Boys
The Colour and the Shape by Foo Fighters
Come on Over by Shania Twain
The Mollusk by Ween
Pop by U2
1998
Believe by Cher
Dizzy Up the Girl by The Goo Goo Dolls
Faith by Faith Hill
Stunt by Barenaked Ladies
Up by R.E.M.
1999
…Baby One More Time by Britney Spears
Californication by Red Hot Chili Peppers
Millennium by Backstreet Boys
Ricky Martin by Ricky Martin
Things Fall Apart by The Roots
2000
All That You Can’t Leave Behind by U2
A Day Without Rain by Enya
No Strings Attached by NSYNC
Oops!… I Did It Again by Britney Spears
Parachutes by Coldplay
2001
Drops of Jupiter by Train
Escape by Enrique Iglesias
Going Somewhere by Colin Hay
Laundry Service by Shakira
This Is Where I Came In by Bee Gees
2002
By the Way by Red Hot Chili Peppers
Let Go by Avril Lavigne
A Rush of Blood to the Head by Coldplay
Songs About Jane by Maroon 5
Waiting for My Rocket to Come by Jason Mraz
2003
Elephant by The White Stripes
Fallen by Evanescence
In the Zone by Britney Spears
Michael Bublé by Michael Bublé
Testify by Phil Collins
2004
Abbatoir Blues by Nick Cave
Around the Sun by R.E.M.
Eye to the Telescope by KT Tunstall
Hot Fuss by The Killers
How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb by U2
2005
All That We Needed by Plain White Ts
In Between Dreams by Jack Johnson
Mr. A-Z by Jason Mraz
Music of the Sun by Rihanna
X&Y by Coldplay
2006
Eyes Open by Snow Patrol
FutureSex/LoveSounds by Justin Timberlake
A Girl Like Me by Rihanna
Stadium Arcadium by Red Hot Chili Peppers
Taylor Swift by Taylor Swift
2007
Audio Day Dream by Blake Lewis
Dreaming Out Loud by OneRepublic
Everytime We Touch by Cascada
Good Girl Gone Bad by Rihanna
Jonas Brothers by Jonas Brothers
2008
19 by Adele
Fearless by Taylor Swift
A Little Bit Longer by Jonas Brothers
Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends by Coldplay
We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things. by Jason Mraz
2009
All I Ever Wanted by Kelly Clarkson
Crazy Love by Michael Bublé
Incredibad by The Lonely Island
Noble Beast by Andrew Bird
Waking Up by OneRepublic
2010
Body Talk by Robyn
Loud by Rihanna
My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West
Speak Now by Taylor Swift
Teenage Dream by Katy Perry
2011
21 by Adele
Christmas by Michael Bublé
Never Trust a Happy Song by Grouplove
Planet Pit by Pitbull
Talk That Talk by Rihanna
2012
Love Is a Four Letter Word by Jason Mraz
Overexposed by Maroon 5
Red by Taylor Swift
Some Nights by Fun.
Unapologetic by Rihanna
2013
The 20/20 Experience by Justin Timberlake
Because the Internet by Childish Gambino
Beyoncé by Beyoncé
Midnight Memories by One Direction
Pure Heroine by Lorde
2014
1989 by Taylor Swift
Four by One Direction
Ghost Stories by Coldplay
Hozier by Hozier
Yes! by Jason Mraz
2015
25 by Adele
A Head Full of Dreams by Coldplay
Emotion by Carly Rae Jepsen
Pageant Material by Kacey Musgraves
To Pimp a Butterfly by Kendrick Lamar
2016
Anti by Rihanna
Blackstar by David Bowie
The Getaway by Red Hot Chili Peppers
Lemonade by Beyoncé
A Very Kacey Christmas by Kacey Musgraves
2017
Harry Styles by Harry Styles
Melodrama by Lorde
Reputation by Taylor Swift*
Gone Now by Bleachers*
Songs of Experience by U2
*Beauty and the Beast by Alan Menken and Run the Jewels 3 by Run the Jewels
2018
Black Panther by Kendrick Lamar
Dirty Computer by Janelle Monáe
Golden Hour by Kacey Musgraves*
Know by Jason Mraz
Man of the Woods by Justin Timberlake
*A Star Is Born by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper
2019
Fine Line by Harry Styles
Happiness Begins by Jonas Brothers
Heard It in a Past Life by Maggie Rogers*
Lover by Taylor Swift
Thank U, Next by Ariana Grande
*Amidst the Chaos by Sara Bareilles
2020
Folklore and Evermore by Taylor Swift
Letter to You by Bruce Springsteen
Look for the Good by Jason Mraz
Manic by Halsey
Punisher by Phoebe Bridgers
2021
30 by Adele
If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power by Halsey
Solar Power by Lorde
Sour by Olivia Rodrigo
Star-Crossed by Kacey Musgraves
Voyage by ABBA
2022
Harry’s House by Harry Styles
Laurel Hell by Mitski
The Loneliest Time by Carly Rae Jepsen
Midnights by Taylor Swift
Panorama by Hayley Kiyoko
SOS by SZA
Just the Winners:
1950: Sing and Dance with Frank Sinatra by Frank Sinatra
1951: I’ll See You in My Dreams and On Moonlight Bay by Doris Day
1952: Penthouse Serenade by Nat King Cole
1953: The Astaire Story by Fred Astaire
1954: Songs for Young Lovers by Frank Sinatra
1955: Rock Around the Clock by Bill Haley and His Comets
1956: Songs for Swingin’ Lovers by Frank Sinatra
1957: Loving You by Elvis Presley
1958: The Everly Brothers by Everly Brothers
1959: Chuck Berry Is on Top by Chuck Berry
1960: G.I. Blues by Elvis Presley
1961: Runaround Sue by Dion
1962: Surfin’ Safari by The Beach Boys
1963: Please Please Me and With The Beatles by The Beatles
1964: Beatles for Sale and A Hard Day’s Night by The Beatles
1965: A Charlie Brown Christmas by Vince Guaraldi Trio
1966: Pet Sounds by The Beach Boys
1967: Magical Mystery Tour and Sgt. Pepper’s by The Beatles
1968: The White Album by The Beatles
1969: Abbey Road by The Beatles
1970: Let It Be by The Beatles
1971: Blue by Joni Mitchell
1972: The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust by David Bowie
1973: Goodbye Yellow Brick Road by Elton John
1974: Waterloo by ABBA
1975: Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen
1976: Songs in the Key of Life by Stevie Wonder
1977: Rumours by Fleetwood Mac
1978: 52nd Street by Billy Joel
1979: Bad Girls by Donna Summer
1980: Super Trouper by ABBA
1981: Business as Usual by Men at Work
1982: Toto IV by Toto
1983: Cargo by Men at Work
1984: Born in the U.S.A. by Bruce Springsteen
1985: No Jacket Required by Phil Collins
1986: Lifes Rich Pageant by R.E.M.
1987: The Joshua Tree by U2
1988: Rattle and Hum by U2
1989: Full Moon Fever by Tom Petty
1990: Unison by Celine Dion
1991: Out of Time by R.E.M.
1992: Automatic for the People by R.E.M.
1993: River of Dreams by Billy Joel
1994: Wildflowers by Tom Petty
1995: Jagged Little Pill by Alanis Morissette
1996: Tidal by Fiona Apple
1997: Backstreet Boys by Backstreet Boys
1998: Dizzy Up the Girl by The Goo Goo Dolls
1999: Californication by Red Hot Chili Peppers
2000: Parachutes by Coldplay
2001: Going Somewhere by Colin Hay
2002: Songs About Jane by Maroon 5
2003: Michael Bublé by Michael Bublé
2004: Hot Fuss by The Killers
2005: Mr. A-Z by Jason Mraz
2006: Stadium Arcadium by Red Hot Chili Peppers
2007: Good Girl Gone Bad by Rihanna
2008: We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things. by Jason Mraz
2009: Waking Up by OneRepublic
2010: Speak Now by Taylor Swift
2011: Christmas by Michael Bublé
2012: Love Is a Four Letter Word by Jason Mraz
2013: Pure Heroine by Lorde
2014: 1989 by Taylor Swift
2015: 25 by Adele
2016: Blackstar by David Bowie
2017: Melodrama by Lorde
2018: Know by Jason Mraz
2019: Happiness Begins by Jonas Brothers
2020: Folklore and Evermore by Taylor Swift
2021: Sour by Olivia Rodrigo
2022: Midnights by Taylor Swift
Statistics:
Wins
The Beatles (9)
Taylor Swift (5)
Jason Mraz (4)
Frank Sinatra, R.E.M. (3)
Elvis Presley, The Beach Boys, David Bowie, ABBA, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Men at Work, U2, Tom Petty, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Michael Bublé, Lorde (2)
Doris Day, Nat King Cole, Fred Astaire, Bill Haley and His Comets, Everly Brothers, Chuck Berry, Dion, Vince Guaraldi Trio, Joni Mitchell, Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Fleetwood Mac, Donna Summer, Toto, Phil Collins, Celine Dion, Alanis Morissette, Fiona Apple, Backstreet Boys, The Goo Goo Dolls, Coldplay, Colin Hay, Maroon 5, The Killers, Rihanna, OneRepublic, Adele, Jonas Brothers, Olivia Rodrigo (1)
Nominations
The Beatles (12)
U2, Taylor Swift (10)
Elvis Presley, David Bowie (9)
Frank Sinatra, Billy Joel, R.E.M., Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jason Mraz, Rihanna (7)
ABBA, Coldplay (6)
Bruce Springsteen, Fleetwood Mac, Talking Heads (5)
Doris Day, The Beach Boys, Adele, Kacey Musgraves (4)
Everly Brothers, The Rolling Stones, Bee Gees, Stevie Wonder, Tom Petty, Phil Collins, Celine Dion, Britney Spears, Michael Bublé, Justin Timberlake, Jonas Brothers, Lorde, Harry Styles (3)
Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole, The Chordettes, Bob Dylan, Simon & Garfunkel, Elton John, Joni Mitchell, Queen, Men at Work, Madonna, Alan Menken, Backstreet Boys, Run-D.M.C., Maroon 5, OneRepublic, Beyoncé, One Direction, Kendrick Lamar, Carly Rae Jepsen, Halsey (2)
Ella Fitzgerald, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Fred Astaire, Stan Kenton, The Crew-Cuts, Bill Haley and His Comets, Dean Martin, Buddy Holly, Harry Belafonte, Chuck Berry, Bobby Darin, Ben E. King, Dion, The Four Seasons, Sam Cooke, Andy Williams, Johnny Cash, Paul Simon, Vince Guaraldi Trio, The Mamas and the Papas, The Turtles, The Monkees, Judy Collins, Big Brother and the Holding Company, Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross and the Supremes, Credence Clearwater Revival, Paul McCartney, Linda McCartney, Don McLean, Joan Baez, Steely Dan, Neil Young, John Denver, Aerosmith, George Harrison, Dolly Parton, Bob Marley, Peter Frampton, Eagles, KC and the Sunshine Band, Meat Loaf, Earth, Wind, & Fire, Jimmy Buffett, The B-52s, Donna Summer, Christopher Cross, REO Speedwagon, Olivia Newton-John, Electric Light Orchestra, Foreigner, The Carpenters, Kim Carnes, Duran Duran, Michael Jackson, Toto, Journey, Prince, Dire Straits, Kate Bush, a-Ha, Cyndi Lauper, Wham!, Guns N’ Roses, Starship, Whitney Houston, Brian Wilson, Tracy Chapman, Traveling Wilburys, Gloria Estefan, Howard Ashman, Styx, Carly Simon, Boyz II Men, Michael Bolton, 4 Non Blondes, Peter Gabriel, Letters to Cleo, John Williams, TLC, Nas, Mariah Carey, The Wiggles, Alanis Morissette, No Doubt, Oasis, Dave Matthews Band, Sheryl Crow, Fiona Apple, Foo Fighters, Shania Twain, Ween, Cher, The Goo Goo Dolls, Faith Hill, Barenaked Ladies, Ricky Martin, The Roots, Enya, NSYNC, Train, Enrique Iglesias, Colin Hay, Shakira, Avril Lavigne, The White Stripes, Evanescence, Nick Cave, KT Tunstall, The Killers, Plain White Ts, Jack Johnson, Snow Patrol, Blake Lewis, Cascada, Kelly Clarkson, Andrew Bird, The Lonely Island, Robyn, Katy Perry, Kanye West, Grouplove, Pitbull, Fun, Childish Gambino, Hozier, Bleachers, Run the Jewels, Janelle Monae, Lady Gaga, Bradley Cooper, Maggie Rogers, Ariana Grande, Sara Bareilles, Phoebe Bridgers, Olivia Rodrigo, Mitski, SZA, Hayley Kiyoko (1)
