A Grammy Award stands out as a significant milestone in a musician’s career; however, winning the coveted “Album of the Year” award is truly exceptional. While numerous artists have been honored multiple times with Grammy statues, only a select group of talented musicians have received the top honor since the first grand music event was held in 1959.
In more contemporary years, artists such as Harry Styles, Billie Eilish, Taylor Swift, Jon Batiste, Kacey Musgraves, Bruno Mars, Adele, Beck, Daft Punk, and Mumford & Sons have been named Album of the Year. This award, however, can trace its roots back to Henry Mancini’s first win for The Music From Peter Gunn, a victory that bested industry veterans like Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, and Pyotr Tchaikovsky. Interestingly, Sinatra is one of the few artists who have won Album of the Year more than once, a club also shared by Tom Coyne, Stevie Wonder, and Paul Simon.
As a devoted music enthusiast, I’m always thrilled to see exceptional artists being recognized for their incredible work. Recently, two phenomenal women, Adele and Taylor Swift, have made history by becoming the only females to win the prestigious award more than once. Adele’s wins were for her albums 21 and 25, while Taylor won for Folklore, Fearless, and 1989. Remarkably, at just 20 years old, Taylor surpassed Alanis Morissette to become the youngest winner in this category with her album, Fearless. Currently, Harry Styles holds the title of Album of the Year for his 2023 masterpiece, Harry’s House.
This year, the contenders for the album of the year honor include “World Music Radio” by Jon Batiste, “the record” by boygenius, “Endless Summer Vacation” by Miley Cyrus, “Did You Know That There’s A Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd” by Lana Del Rey, “The Age Of Pleasure” by Janelle Monáe, “GUTS” by Olivia Rodrigo, “Midnights” by Taylor Swift, and “SOS” by SZA. The victor will be announced during the 66th Grammy Awards ceremony on Sunday when the awards are presented.
Read about more of the past album of the year champs below.
This story was originally published on Feb. 14, 2016.
1959: The Music From Peter Gunn
Artist: Henry Mancini
Producer: Simon Rady
Other Grammy Wins: Best Arrangement
1960: Come Dance With Me!
Artist: Frank Sinatra
Producer: Dave Cavanaugh
Other Grammy Wins: Best Vocal Performance (Male)
1961: The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart
Artist: Bob Newhart
Other Grammy Wins: Best Comedy Performance (Musical), Best New Artist
1962: Judy at Carnegie Hall
Artist: Judy Garland
Other Grammy Wins: Best Solo Vocal Performance (Female)
1963: The First Family
Artist: Vaughn Meader
Producers: Bob Booker, Earle Doud and George Foster
Other Grammy Win: Best Comedy Performance
1964: The Barbra Streisand Album
Artist: Barbra Streisand
Producer: Mike Berniker
Other Grammy Wins: Best Vocal Performance (Female)
1965: Getz/Gilberto
Artist: Joao Gilberto & Stan Getz
Producer: Creed Taylor
Additional Grammy Achievements:
* Record of the Year for “The Girl From Ipanema”
* Best Instrumental Jazz Performance (Small Group or Soloist with Small Group)
1966: September of My Years
Artist: Frank Sinatra
Producer: Sonny Burke
Other Grammy Wins: Best Vocal Performance (Male) (“It Was A Very Good Year”)
1967: A Man and His Music
Artist: Frank Sinatra
Producer: Sonny Burke
Previous Grammy Awards Won: Record of the Year and Best Pop Male Vocal Performance for the song “Strangers In The Night”
or
Previous Grammy Successes: Record of the Year and Best Male Pop Vocal Performance for the track “Strangers In The Night
1968: Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
Artist: Beatles
Producer: George Martin
Other Grammy Wins: Best Contemporary Album
1969: By the Time I Get to Phoenix
Artist: Glen Campbell
Producer: Al De Lory
1970: Blood, Sweat and Tears
Artist: Blood, Sweat and Tears
Producer: James William Guercio
Previous Grammy Awards: Best Contemporary Instrumental Performance (“Variations on a Theme by Eric Satie”)
1971: Bridge Over Troubled Water
Artist: Simon and Garfunkel* Paul Simon & Art Garfunkel
Producers: Roy Halee & Simon and Garfunkel
Additional Grammy Awards: Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Modern Song, and Best Vocalist Arrangement (“Bridge Over Troubled Water”)
1972: Tapestry
Artist: Carole King
Producer: Lou Adler
Other Award Wins:
* Record of the Year (“It’s Too Late”)
* Song of the Year (“You’ve Got a Friend”)
* Best Female Pop Vocal Performance
* Some other awards won were:
+ Record of the Year for “It’s Too Late”
+ Song of the Year for “You’ve Got a Friend”
+ Best Female Pop Vocal Performance
Or you could use a bullet point list:
* Awards won:
+ Record of the Year (“It’s Too Late”)
+ Song of the Year (“You’ve Got a Friend”)
+ Best Female Pop Vocal Performance
1973: The Concert for Bangladesh
Participants include George Harrison, Billy Preston, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Klaus Voormann, Leon Russell, Ravi Shankar and Ringo Starr in this group.
Producers: George Harrison & Phil Spector
1974: Innervisions
Artist: Stevie Wonder
Producer: Stevie Wonder
Previous Grammy Awards: Best Pop Vocal Performance for “You Are the Sunshine of My Life”, Best R&B Vocal Performance (Male category) and Best Rhythm and Blues Song (“Superstition”)
1975: Fulfillingness First Finale
Artist: Stevie Wonder
Producer: Stevie Wonder
Other Grammy Awards: Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance, Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance, and the honor for Best Rhythm and Blues Song (“Living for the City”)
Or, in a more conversational tone:
Additional Grammy Wins: The best male performance in pop music, the best male vocal performance in R&B, and the best rhythm and blues song of “Living for the City” were all awarded to him.
1976: Still Crazy After All These Years
Artist: Paul Simon
Producers: Paul Simon, Phil Ramone
Other Grammy Win: Best Pop Vocal Performance (Male)
1977: Songs in the Key of Life
Artist: Stevie Wonder
Producer: Stevie Wonder
Additional Grammy Awards: Best Producer of the Year, Best Pop Vocal Performance for Males, Best R&B Vocal Performance (in the male category) for “I Wish”
Or simply:
Additional Grammy Wins: Best Male Producer, Best Pop Male Vocal Performance, Best R&B Vocal Performance (Male) for “I Wish”
Both versions maintain the original information but are easier to read and understand.
1978: Rumours
Artist: Fleetwood Mac
Producers: Fleetwood Mac, Ken Caillat & Richard Dashut
1979: Saturday Night Fever Soundtrack
Artist: Bee Gees
Producers: Ably Galuten, Arif Mardin, The Bee Gees (Barry Gibb, Maurice Gibb, Robin Gibb), Bill Oakes, Bobby Martin, Eddie Broadway, David Shire, Freddie Perren, Harry Wayne Casey, K.G. Productions, Karl Richardson, Ralph MacDonald, Richard Finch, Ron Kersey, Thomas J. Valentino & William Salter
* Denotes performers who are also producers
(Note: The Bee Gees and David Shire are listed separately as they contributed both as performers and producers)
Other Grammy Wins: Best Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group, Producer of the Year
1980: 52nd Street
Artist: Billy Joel
Producer: Phil Ramone
Other Grammy Wins: Best Pop Vocal Performance (Male)
1981: Christopher Cross
Artist: Christopher Cross
Producer: Michael Omartian
Previous Grammy Awards: Category wins include Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Arrangement Accompanying Vocalists for “Sailing”, as well as the title of Best New Artist.
1982: Double Fantasy
Artist: John Lennon & Yoko Ono
Producer: Jack Douglas, John Lennon & Yoko Ono
1983: Toto IV
Artist: Toto
Producer: Bobby Kiumbal, Steve Lukather, David Paich, Jeff Porcaro, Michael Porcaro, Steve Porcaro
Other Grammy Wins: Record of the Year (“Rosanna”), Producer of the Year
1984: Thriller
Artist: Michael Jackson
Producer: Michael Jackson & Quincy Jones
Additional Grammy Awards: Record of the Year and Best Male Rock Vocal Performance for “Beat It”, Best New Artist, Best Male Pop Vocal Performance for “Thriller”, Best R&B Vocal Performance (Male) and Best Rhythm & Blues Song (“Billie Jean”), Best Recording for Children (“E.T. The Extra Terrestrial”), and Producer of the Year (Non-Classical).
1985: Can’t Slow Down
Artist: Lionel Richie
Producer: James Anthony Carmichael & Lionel Richie
Other Grammy Wins: Producer of the Year (Non-Classical
1986: No Jacket Required
Artist: Phil Collins
Producer: Hugh Padgham & Phil Collins
Other Grammy Wins: Best Pop Vocal Performance, Producer of the Year (Non-Classical)
1987: Graceland
Artist: Paul Simon
Producer: Paul Simon
1988: Joshua Tree
Artist: U2
Producer: Brian Eno & Daniel Lanois
Other Grammy Wins: Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal
1989: Faith
Artist: George Michael
Producer: George Michael
1990: Nick of Time
Artist: Bonnie Raitt
Producer: Don Was
Previous Grammy Awards: “Best Female Pop Vocal Performance” for “Nick of Time”, “Best Rock Vocal Performance” for “Nick of Time”, and “Best Traditional Blues Recording” for “I’m in the Mood.”
Won “Best Female Pop Vocal Performance” for “Nick of Time”, bagged two “Best Rock Vocal Performance” awards for “Nick of Time”, and received “Best Traditional Blues Recording” award for “I’m in the Mood.
1991: Back on the Block
Artist: Quincy Jones
Producer: Quincy Jones
Additional Grammy Awards: Best Duo or Group Rap Performance, Best Jazz Fusion Performance, Best Instrumental Arrangement (“Birdland”), Producer of the Year (Non-Classical), and Best Instrumental Arrangement with Vocals
Or in a more conversational tone:
Some more Grammy wins for us include: Best Rap Performance by a Group or Duo, Best Jazz Fusion Performance, an award for “Birdland” in the Instrumental Arrangement category, Producer of the Year (Non-Classical), and Best Instrumental Arrangement that includes Vocals.
1992: Unforgettable with Love
Artist: Natalie Cole
Producers: Andre Fischer, David Foster & Tommy LiPuma
Other Grammy Wins: Record of the Year & Best Traditional Pop Performance (“Unforgettable”)
1993: Unplugged
Artist: Eric Clapton
Producer: Russ Titelman
Achieved Grammy Awards in These Categories: Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Pop Vocal Performance for “Tears in Heaven”, Best Rock Vocal Performance (for males), and Best Rock Song for “Layla
1994: The Bodyguard Soundtrack
Artist: Whitney Houston
Songwriters/Producers: Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, BeBe Winans, David Cole, David Foster, Antonio “L.A.” Reid, Narada Michael Walden, and Robert Clivilles
Song creators/producers: Babyface, BeBe Winans, David Cole, David Foster, L.A. Reid, Narada Michael Walden, and Robert Clivilles (in this case, “creators” refers to their role in writing the songs and “producers” refers to their role in recording and arranging the music)
Previous Grammy Awards: Record of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Performance (Female Category) for “I Will Always Love You”
Achieved Grammy Honors in the Past: Record of the Year and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for “I Will Always Love You
1995: MTV Unplugged — Tony Bennett
Artist: Tony Bennett
Producer: David Kahne
Other Grammy Wins: Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance
1996: Jagged Little Pill
Artist: Alanis Morissette
Producer: Glen Ballard
Previous Grammy Awards: Winning for Best Rock Album, Best Female Rock Vocal Performance (“You Oughta Know”), and Best Rock Song in that category.
1997: Falling Into You
Artist: Celine Dion
Contributors: Aldo Nova, Billy Steinberg, Dan Hill, David Foster, Humberto Gatica, Jean-Jacques Goldman, Jeff Bova, Jim Steinman, John Jones, Ric Wake (also known as Richard W. Fikentscher), Rick Hahn, Rick Nowels, Roy Bittan and Steven Rinkoff.
Other Grammy Wins: Best Pop Album
1998: Time Out of Mind
Artist: Bob Dylan
Producer: Daniel Lanois
Under the category of other Grammy Awards, he won:
– Best Male Rock Vocal Performance for “Cold Irons Bound”
– Best Contemporary Folk Album (Award)
1999: The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill
Artist: Lauryn Hill
Producer: Lauryn Hill
Additional Grammy Awards: Best New Artist, Best R&B Vocal Performance for a Female (for “Doo Wop”), Best Rhythm & Blues Song (“Doo Wop”), and Best R&B Album
Or simply:
Further Grammy Victories: Best New Artist, Best Female R&B Performance (“Doo Wop”), Best Rhythm & Blues Song (“Doo Wop”), and Best R&B Album for “Doo Wop
2000: Supernatural
Artist: Santana
The Producer(s) are: Alex Gonzales, Art Hodge, Charles Goodan, Clive Davis, Dante Ross, Dust Brothers, Fher Olvera, Jerry “Wonder” Duplessis, KC Porter, Lauryn Hill, Matt Serletic, Stephen M. Harris and Wyclef Jean (collectively)
Or in a more conversational way: The producers on this project are Alex Gonzales, Art Hodge, Charles Goodan, Clive Davis, Dante Ross, the Dust Brothers, Fher Olvera, Jerry “Wonder” Duplessis, KC Porter, Lauryn Hill, Matt Serletic, Stephen M. Harris and Wyclef Jean.
Achievements at the Grammys: Wins for Record of the Year, Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals (for “Smooth”), Best Pop Instrumental Performance (“El Farol”), Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals (“Put Your Lights On”), Best Rock Instrumental Performance (“The Calling”), and Best Rock Album.
Or, for a more conversational tone:
Some Grammy Awards I’ve won: Record of the Year, Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals (for “Smooth”), Best Pop Instrumental Performance (“El Farol”), Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals (“Put Your Lights On”), Best Rock Instrumental Performance (“The Calling”), and Best Rock Album.
2001: Two Against Nature
Artist: Steely Dan
Producers: Donald Fagen & Walter Becker
Additional Grammy Awards: “Cousin Dupree” in the category Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals, and Best Vocal Pop Album
Winning the Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals for “Cousin Dupree”, as well as the Best Vocal Pop Album award.
2002: O Brother, Where Art Thou?
Artist: Alison Krauss & Union Station
Producer: T Bone Burnett (pictured)
Additional Grammy Awards:
1. “The Lucky One” won the category of Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.
2. The award for Best Bluegrass Album was given to an unspecified album (no title provided).
2003: Come Away With Me
Artist: Norah Jones
Producers: Arif Mardin, Craig Street, and Jay Newland & Norah Jones
Additional Grammy Awards: Recording of the Year and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for “Don’t Know Why”, title of Best New Artist, and Best Pop Vocal Album as well.
2004: Speakerboxxx/The Love Below
Artist: OutKast
Producers: Andre 3000, Big Boi & Carl Mo
Other Grammy Wins: Best Rap Album, Best Urban/Alternative Performance (“Hey Ya!”)
2005: Genius Loves Company
Artist: Ray Charles (award accepted by Joe Adams, manager of the late singer)
Producers: Don Mizell, Herbert Waltl, John R. Burk, Phil Ramone and Terry Howard
Achievements at the Grammys: Winning Record of the Year and Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals for “Here We Go Again”, Best Pop Vocal Album, Best Engineered Album (excluding Classical), Best Surround Sound Album, and Best Gospel Performance.
2006: How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb
Artist: U2
Producer: Brian Eno, Chris Thomas, Daniel Lanois, Flood, Jacknife Lee & Steve Lillywhite
Additional Grammy Awards: Song of the Year and Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for “Sometimes You Can’t Make It on Your Own”, Best Rock Album, and Best Rock Song for “City of Blinding Lights
2007: Taking the Long Way
Artist: Dixie Chicks
Producer: Rick Rubin
As a gamer, I’ve also got some shiny trophies under my belt! They are for “Best Country Album”, “Record of the Year”, and “Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal” for the track “Not Ready to Make Nice”.
2008: River — The Joni Letters
Artist: Herbie Hancock
Producers: Larry Klein, Herbie Hancock
Other Grammy Wins: Best Contemporary Jazz Album
2009: Raising Sand
Artist: Alison Krauss & Robert Plant
Producer: T Bone Burnett
Achievements at the Grammys: Winning the Best Contemporary Folk/Americana Album, Record of the Year for “Please Read the Letter”, and Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals for “Rich Woman
2010: Fearless
Artist: Taylor Swift
Producers: Nathan Chapman & Taylor Swift
Awards Won at the Grammys: Category of Best Country Album, Best Performance by a Female Country Singer (“White Horse” – Best Country Song) and Best Country Vocal Performance by a Female Artist for the same song.
2011: The Suburbs
Artist: Arcade Fire
Performers/Creators: Arcade Fire (consisting of William Butler, Win Butler, Régine Chassagne, Jeremy Gara, Timothy Kingsbury, Sarah Neufeld, Richard Reed Parry), along with Markus Dravs.
2012: 21
Artist: Adele
Producer: Adele, Dan Wilson, Fraser T. Smith, Jim Abbiss, Paul Epworth, Rick Rubin & Ryan Tedder
As a gamer, I’d put it like this: “I’ve snatched some pretty cool awards too, you know! They include Best Pop Vocal Album, Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Short Form Music Video for ‘Rolling in the Deep’, and Best Pop Solo Performance for ‘Someone Like You’. It feels like I’m leveling up my gaming avatar with these trophies!
2013: Babel
Artist: Mumford & Sons
Producer: Markus Dravs
Other Grammy Wins: Best Long Form Music Video (“Big Easy Express”)
2014: Random Access Memories
Artist: Daft Punk
Music Producers: Thomas Bangalter, Julian Casablancas, Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo, DJ Falcon, and Todd Edwards
OR
The Team Behind the Production: Thomas Bangalter, Julian Casablancas, Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo, DJ Falcon, and Todd Edwards (all played a role in producing the music)
Additional Grammy Awards: “Best Dance/Electronica Album”, “Best Engineered Album (Non-Classical)”, as well as “Record of the Year” and “Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group” for the song “Get Lucky”.
2015: Morning Phase
Artist: Beck
Producer: Beck Hansen
Other Grammy Wins: Best Rock Album, Best Engineered Album (Non-Classical)
2016: 1989
Artist: Taylor Swift
Music Producers: Max Martin, Taylor Swift (co-producer), Jack Antonoff, Nathan Chapman, Imogen Heap, Greg Kurstin, Mattman & Robin, Ali Payami, Shellback, Ryan Tedder, Noel Zancanella.
The music production team comprises Max Martin, Taylor Swift (also serving as co-producer), Jack Antonoff, Nathan Chapman, Imogen Heap, Greg Kurstin, Mattman & Robin, Ali Payami, Shellback, Ryan Tedder, Noel Zancanella.
Other Grammy Wins: Pop Vocal Album, Music Video (“Bad Blood”)
2017: 25
Artist: Adele
Music Producers: Danger Mouse, Samuel Dixon, Paul Epworth, Greg Kurstin, Max Martin, Ariel Rechtshaid, Shellback, the duo known as The Smeezingtons, and Ryan Tedder.
Additional Grammy Awards:
* Best Pop Vocal Album
* Song of the Year for “Hello”
* Record of the Year for “Hello”
* Best Pop Solo Performance for “Hello
2018: 24K Magic
Artist: Bruno Mars
Producer: Shampoo Press & Curl, The Stereotypes, Emile Haynie, Jeff Bhasker
Additional Grammy Victories:
– Best Album in the R&B Category (“24K Magic”)
– Record of the Year Award (“That’s What I Like”)
– Song of the Year Honor (“That’s What I Like”)
– Best Performance in the R&B Category (“That’s What I Like”)
2019: Golden Hour
Artist: Kacey Musgraves
Producer: Ian Fitchuk, Kacey Musgraves & Daniel Tashian, producers
Additional Grammy Awards: Best Album in the Country Category (for “Best Country Album”), Best Country Song (“Space Cowboy”), and Best Individual Country Performance (“Butterflies”)
Or simply:
Additional Grammy Wins: Best Country Album, Best Country Song (“Space Cowboy”), Best Solo Country Performance (“Butterflies”)
Or in a more conversational tone:
More Grammy Prizes: The Best Country Album, the Best Country Song “Space Cowboy”, and the Best Individual Country Performance “Butterflies” were also won!
2020: When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?
Artist: Billie Eilish
Producer: Finneas O’Connell
Additional Grammy Accolades: Winning Record of the Year (“Bad Guy”), Song of the Year (“Bad Guy”), the title of Best New Artist, Best Pop Vocal Album, and both Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical and Producer of the Year — Non-Classical (for Finneas)
2021: Folklore
Artist: Taylor Swift
Producer: Joe Alwyn, Jack Antonoff, Aaron Dessner & Taylor Swift
2022: We Are
Artist: Jon Batiste
Producers: Jon Batiste, Mikey Freedom Hart, DJ Khalil, King Garbage, Kizzo, Sunny Levine, Nate Mercereau, David Pimentel, Ricky Reed, Autumn Rowe, Jahaan Sweet and Nick Waterhouse collaborated on the production.
Additional Grammy Awards: Best performance in the American Roots category (“Cry”), Best song in the American Roots category (“Cry”), Best score soundtrack for visual media (Soul), and Best music video (“Freedom”)
OR
More Grammy Victories: Winning Best American Roots Performance for “Cry”, Best American Roots Song for “Cry”, Best Score Soundtrack For Visual Media with Soul, and Best Music Video for “Freedom”
Both versions maintain the original meaning while being easy to read and naturally phrased.
2023: Harry’s House
Artist: Harry Styles
Producers: Tyler Johnson, Kid Harpoon and Sammy Witte
Other Grammy wins: Best Pop Vocal Album; Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical
2024: Midnights
Artist: Taylor Swift
Producers: Jack Antonoff and Taylor Swift
Other Grammy wins: Best Pop Vocal Album
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2025-02-02 22:31