Here’s a trivia question for you: Who was the first person to win the Grammy for Album of the Year? It was legendary composer Henry Mancini, who won for the soundtrack to the television show “Peter Gunn.” Let’s take a look back at all of the albums that have claimed this coveted prize in music history.
The attributes of what makes a great album always vary but a well made album will always be viewed as a work of art. Great albums can just be an amazing collection of songs that flow together musically or they can be songs that collectively make a statement. The albums that have won Album of the Year have encompassed all of these areas. They have ranged from some of the most revered classics, from “Sgt. Pepper” by The Beatles and “Thriller” by Michael Jackson, to the biggest achievements in recent years, from “Supernatural” by Santana to “21” by Adele and “1989” by Taylor Swift.
Among the milestones over the years The Beatles’ “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” was the first rock album to win, Glen Campbell‘s “By the Time I Get to Phoenix” was the first country album, Lauryn Hill‘s “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” was the first hip-hop album, Arcade Fire‘s “The Suburbs” was the first indie rock album, and Daft Punk‘s “Random Access Memories” was the first electronic dance music album.
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‘Harry’s House’ Harry Styles (2023)
Image Credit: CBS He came into these awards with six nominations and left with two trophies. His upset wins for Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album were the second and third wins of his career.
2023 Album of the Year Nominees:
“Good Morning Gorgeous,” Mary J. Blige
“Harry’s House, Harry Styles
“In These Silent Days,” Brandi Carlile
“Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers,” Kendrick Lamar
“Music of the Spheres,” Coldplay
“Renaissance,” Beyonce
“Special,” Lizzo
“30,” Adele
“Un Verano Sin Ti,” Bad Bunny
“Voyage,” ABBA -
‘We Are’ Jon Batiste (2022)
Image Credit: Brian Friedman for Variety He became the first Black winner since Herbie Hancock in 2008. He went into the awards with the most nominations (11) and also came away with the most wins (five). These were the first Grammys of his career.
2022 Album of the Year Nominees:
“Back of My Mind,” H.E.R.
“Donda,” Kanye West
“Evermore,” Taylor Swift
“Happier Than Ever,” Billie Eilish
“Justice,” Justin Bieber
“Love for Sale,” Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga
“Montero,” Lil Nas X
“Planet Her,” Doja Cat
“Sour,” Olivia Rodrigo
“We Are,” Jon Batiste -
‘Folklore’ Taylor Swift (2021)
Image Credit: Cliff Lipson/CBS Swift made history as the first woman ever to win Album of the Year three times after previously prevailing for “Fearless” (2010) and “1989” (2016). But it was an unusual victory in that it was the only award she won out of her six nominations.
2021 Album of the Year Nominees:
“Chilombo,” Jhene Aiko
“Black Pumas (Deluxe Edition),” Black Pumas
“Everyday Life,” Coldplay
“Djesse Vol. 3,” Jacob Collier
“Women in Music Pt. III,” HAIM
“Future Nostalgia,” Dua Lipa
“Hollywood’s Bleeding,” Post Malone
“Folklore,” Taylor Swift -
‘When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?’ Billie Eilish (2020)
Image Credit: CBS At age 18, Billie Eilish made history as the youngest Album of the Year winner of all time. And she followed Christopher Cross to become only the second artist to win Album of the Year, Record of the Year (“Bad Guy”), Song of the Year (“Bad Guy”) and Best New Artist all in the same year. She also won a fifth award: Best Pop Album.
2020 Album of the Year Nominees:
“I, I,” Bon Iver
“Norman F*cking Rockwell,” Lana Del Rey
“When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?,” Billie Eilish
“Thank U, Next,” Ariana Grande
“I Used to Know Her,” H.E.R.
“7,” Lil Nas X
“Cuz I Love You,” Lizzo
“Father of the Bride,” Vampire Weekend -
“Golden Hour” Kacey Musgraves (2019)
Image Credit: CBS Kacey Musgraves’s third album, “Golden Hour,” was the fifth country album to win Album of the Year. The singer-songwriter won all four of her nominations for the critically acclaimed collection, including Best Country Album, Best Country Solo Performance (“Butterflies”) and Best Country Song (“Space Cowboy”). This was the first year of the Grammys’ expansion of the general field categories to eight nominees.
2019 Album of the Year Nominees:
“Invasion of Privacy,” Cardi B
“By the Way, I Forgive You,” Brandi Carlile
“Scorpion,” Drake
“H.E.R.,” H.E.R.
“Beerbongs and Bentleys,” Post Malone
“Dirty Computer,” Janelle Monae
“Golden Hour,” Kacey Musgraves
“Black Panther,” Various Artists -
“24K Magic” Bruno Mars (2018)
Image Credit: Charles Sykes/Invision/AP/REX/Shutterstock It was a clean sweep for Bruno Mars, who won Album of the Year for the first time for “24K Magic,” his third disc. He won six awards out of six nominations, and when you include the win for Best Engineered Album that brings the total wins for “24K Magic” to a remarkable seven.
2018 Album of the Year Nominees:
“Awaken, My Love!,” Childish Gambino
“4:44,” Jay-Z
“Damn,” Kendrick Lamar
“Melodrama,” Lorde
“24K Magic,” Bruno Mars -
“25” Adele (2017)
Image Credit: CBS After Taylor Swift made history by becoming the first woman to win Album of the Year twice as a lead album artist in 2016, Adele achieved the same feat in 2017, prevailing for “25” just five years after she won for “21.” Her first victory was widely considered undeniable, but this second victory was more divisive. She defeated “Lemonade” by Beyonce in a result so controversial that even Adele admited that Beyopnce should have won.
2017 Album of the Year Nominees:
“Lemonade,” Beyonce
“Purpose,” Justin Bieber
“A Sailor’s Guide to Earth,” Sturgill Simpson
“25,” Adele
“Views,” Drake -
“1989” Taylor Swift (2016)
Image Credit: Jim Smeal/REX/Shutterstock Swift became the first woman to win Album of the Year twice and managed to do it by the age of 26. The album brought several big singles including “Shake it Off,” “Blank Space,” “Style” and “Bad Blood.” Swift’s album spent 11 weeks at number one on the Billboard charts and was easily the biggest selling album of the year. The album also sits on Billboard’s all-time 200 at #64 having sold almost ten million copies. She also took home the Grammys for Pop Vocal Album and Music Video for “Bad Blood.”
2016 Album of the Year Nominees:
“Sound & Color” Alabama Shakes
“To Pimp a Butterfly” Kendrick Lamar
“Traveller” Chris Stapleton
“1989” Taylor Swift
“Beauty Behind the Madness” The Weeknd -
“Morning Phase” Beck (2015)
Image Credit: Capitol Records Beck was so startled when he was named the winner that he almost brought Kanye West back on stage after he tried to crash Beck’s acceptance speech. The stripped down folk rock album prevailed over Beyoncé’s self-titled album that had been widely expected to win. Beck also took home the trophy for Rock Album and the album also won the prize for Engineered Album – Non-Classical. Beck was also nominated for Rock Performance and Rock Song for “Blue Moon.”
2015 Album of the Year Nominees:
“Morning Phase” Beck
“Beyoncé” Beyoncé
“x” Ed Sheeran
“In the Lonely Hour” Sam Smith
“G I R L” Pharrell Williams -
“Random Access Memories” Daft Punk (2014)
Image Credit: MediaPunch/REX/Shutterstock Dance music finally managed to get some respect in the top categories when the longtime French electronic dance music duo (seen performing with Pharrell Williams at the ceremony) claimed the top prize for their tribute to the music styles of the 1970s and 80s. The group (Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo) claimed three other prizes that night: Record of the Year and Pop Duo/Group Performance for “Get Lucky” (with Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers) and Dance/Electronica Album. The record also picked up the trophy for Engineered Album – Non-Classical. The album spent two weeks on top of the Billboard 200 and has sold over three million copies worldwide.
2014 Album of the Year Nominees:
“The Blessed Unrest” Sara Bareilles
“Random Access Memories” Daft Punk
“Good Kid, M.A.A.D City” Kendrick Lamar
“The Heist” Macklemore and Ryan Lewis
“Red” Taylor Swift -
“Babel” Mumford & Sons (2013)
Image Credit: Paul Buck / Epa/REX/Shutterstock The alternative folk rock band were thought to be out front for this award but as the evening progressed, it looked more and more unlikely that they would prevail. They lost both Rock Performance and Rock Song to The Black Keys for “Lonely Boy” and lost the Americana Album prize to Bonnie Raitt for “Slipstream.” But the band pulled it out in the end and got a bookend for the only other prize they won that night Long Form Music Video as one of the bands that participated in “Big Easy Express.” The album spent five weeks at number one on the Billboard 200 and finished #7 in the year-end chart. To date, “Babel” has sold almost four million copies.
2013 Album of the Year Nominees:
“El Camino” The Black Keys
“Some Nights” fun.
“Babel” Mumford & Sons
“Channel Orange” Frank Ocean
“Blunderbuss” Jack White -
“21” Adele (2012)
Image Credit: Mark J. Terrill/AP/REX/Shutterstock Even before the nominations were announced, it was basically a foregone conclusion that Adele was going to rule that year’s Grammys. She won six trophies total, tying the record that Beyoncé had set two years earlier for the most wins by a woman in one year. She won Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Short Form Music Video for “Rolling in the Deep,” Pop Solo Performance for “Someone Like You” and Pop Vocal Album. The album spent 24 weeks at number one and sits on top of Billboard’s all-time 200 bestsellers having sold 35 million copies all around the world.
2012 Album of the Year Nominees:
“21” Adele
“Wasting Light” Foo Fighters
“Born This Way” Lady Gaga
“Doo-Wops & Hooligans” Bruno Mars
“Loud” Rihanna -
“The Suburbs” Arcade Fire (2011)
Image Credit: Jae C. Hong/AP/REX/Shutterstock Arcade Fire had become a staple of indie rock when this album came out to great acclaim, but not many people saw this win coming. The surprise was even greater when you consider that they lost their only other nominations, for Alternative Music Album and Rock Performance by a Duo or Group, to The Black Keys. The album did spend a week on top of the Billboard 200 and finished the year at #80 on the year-end chart.
2011 Album of the Year Nominees:
“The Suburbs” Arcade Fire
“Recovery” Eminem
“Need You Now” Lady Antebellum
“The Fame Monster” Lady Gaga
“Teenage Dream” Katy Perry -
“Fearless” Taylor Swift (2010)
Image Credit: Andrew Gombert / EPA/REX/Shutterstock Swift’s win here at the age of 20 made her the youngest person to win Album of the Year as the main credited artist (Billie Eilish broke that record 10 years later). She claimed three other Grammys that evening: Country Album, Country Song and Female Country Performance, the latter two being awarded for “White Horse.” Swift also managed to get nominations for Record and Song of the Year for “You Belong with Me.” The album was the biggest seller of the year, spending 11 weeks on top of the Billboard 200. It’s currently ranked by Billboard as the fourth highest selling album and has sold almost nine million copies around the world.
2010 Album of the Year Nominees:
“I Am…Sasha Fierce” Beyoncé
“The E.N.D.” The Black Eyed Peas
“Big Whiskey and the Groogrux King” Dave Matthews Band
“The Fame” Lady Gaga
“Fearless” Taylor Swift -
“Raising Sand” Robert Plant & Alison Krauss (2009)
Image Credit: Jim Smeal/BEI/REX/Shutterstock Plant and Krauss seemed like an unlikely pair to put out an album together, but their collaboration on Americana covers chosen by T Bone Burnett was one of the year’s major successes. In addition to the top album prize, Plant and Krauss also took home Contemporary Folk/Americana Album, Record of the Year for “Please Read the Letter,” Pop Collaboration with Vocals for “Rich Woman” and Country Collaboration with Vocals for “Killing the Blues.”
2009 Album of the Year Nominees:
“Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends” Coldplay
“Year of the Gentleman” Ne-Yo
“Raising Sand” Robert Plant & Alison Krauss
“In Rainbows” Radiohead
“Tha Carter III” Lil Wayne -
River: The Joni Letters” Herbie Hancock (2008)
Image Credit: Jim Smeal/BEI/REX/Shutterstock Herbie Hancock was as surprised as everyone else when he claimed the top prize of the evening, especially after Amy Winehouse had swept up all the other trophies she was nominated for. “River” became the first jazz album to win this prize since “Getz/Gilberto” 43 years earlier. The jazz tribute to the music of Joni Mitchell also claimed the honor for Contemporary Jazz Album. Several of the album’s featured artists were also credited with the honor including Norah Jones, Corinne Bailey Rae, Leonard Cohen, Luciana Souza, Tina Turner and even Joni Mitchell herself.
2008 Album of the Year Nominees:
“Echoes, Silence Patience & Grace” Foo Fighters
“These Days” Vince Gill
“River: The Joni Letters” Herbie Hancock
“Graduation” Kanye West
“Back to Black” Amy Winehouse -
“Taking the Long Way” The Dixie Chicks (2007)
Image Credit: Str / EPA/REX/Shutterstock After being subjected to enormous protests and boycotts from the country music community for comments critical of then-President George W. Bush, the trio bounced back with this album about overcoming the criticism. They received five trophies in all that year including: Country Album and Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Country Performance by a Duo or Group for “Not Ready to Make Nice.” The album’s producer, Rick Rubin, also claimed Producer of the Year. The album spent two weeks at number one, was the 16th highest selling of the year and sold more than three million copies.
2007 Album of the Year Nominees:
“Taking the Long Way” The Dixie Chicks
“St. Elsewhere” Gnarls Barkley
“Continuum” John Mayer
“Stadium Arcadium” Red Hot Chili Peppers
“FutureSex/LoveSounds” Justin Timberlake -
“How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb” U2 (2006)
Image Credit: REED SAXON/AP/REX/Shutterstock U2 added eight more Grammys to their already impressive career total with their eleventh studio album. In addition to their win for Best Album, at this ceremony the group claimed: Rock Album, Rock Song for “City of Blinding Lights,” Song of the Year and Rock Performance by a Duo/Group, both for “Sometimes You Can’t Make It on Your Own.” The previous year, they took home three trophies for the album’s opening track, “Vertigo”: Rock Song, Rock Performance by a Duo/Group and Short Form Music Video. The album debuted at number one and would go on to sell more than 10 million copies.
2006 Album of the Year Nominees:
“The Emancipation of Mimi” Mariah Carey
“Chaos and Creation in the Backyard” Paul McCartney
“Love. Angel. Music. Baby.” Gwen Stefani
“How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb” U2
“Late Registration” Kanye West -
“Genius Loves Company” Ray Charles (2005)
Image Credit: Concord Records/Hear Music The last album that Ray Charles ever completed, a collection of duets, was released three months after he passed away. The album sold very well thanks in large part to Starbucks. The coffee chain accounted for almost 30% of the domestic sales. Charles won four other posthumous awards on Grammy night: Record of the Year and Pop Collaboration with Vocals (both for “Here We Go Again” with Norah Jones), Pop Vocal Album and Gospel Performance (“Heaven Help Us All” with Gladys Knight). The album also scored wins for Engineered Album – Non-Classical, Surround Sound Album and Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalists.
2005 Album of the Year Nominees:
“Genius Loves Company” Ray Charles
“American Idiot” Green Day
“The Diary of Alicia Keys” Alicia Keys
“Confessions” Usher
“The College Dropout” Kanye West -
“Speakerboxxx/The Love Below” OutKast (2004)
Image Credit: MARK J. TERRILL/AP/REX/Shutterstock Rap music finally broke through in the Album of the Year category when Big Boi and Andre 3000’s combined solo albums took home the award. Along with the top award the group also claimed the prizes for Rap Album and Urban/Alternative Performance for their smash hit “Hey Ya!” The album also brought us the songs “The Way You Move” and “Roses.” It debuted at number one and would spend a total of seven weeks there and finish the year at #29 in Billboard’s year-end chart. To date “Speakerboxxx/The Love Below” has sold over 11 million copies and is listed on Billboard’s all-time 200 at #112.
2004 Album of the Year Nominees:
“Under Construction” Missy Elliott
“Fallen” Evanescence
“Speakerboxxx/The Love Below” OutKast
“Justified” Justin Timberlake
“Elephant” The White Stripes -
“Come Away With Me” Norah Jones (2003)
Image Credit: KATHY WILLENS/AP/REX/Shutterstock Norah Jones became one of Grammy’s biggest winners with her major label debut. Her win for Album of the Year came after she claimed four other trophies: Pop Vocal Album, Best New Artist, Female Pop Vocal Performance and Record of the Year, the latter two for “Don’t Know Why.” The album took home three other awards: Producer of the Year (Arif Mardin), Engineered Album – Non-Classical and Song of the Year for Jesse Harris. “Come Away” spent 164 weeks on the Billboard charts with four of those coming in at number one. With over 26 million copies sold all over the world, the album is also ranked #26 on Billboard’s all time sellers.
2003 Album of the Year Nominees:
“Home” The Dixie Chicks
“The Eminem Show” Eminem
“Come Away With Me” Norah Jones
“Nellyville” Nelly
“The Rising” Bruce Springsteen -
“Soundtrack to ‘O Brother, Where Art Thou?’” Various Artists (2002)
Image Credit: REED SAXON/AP/REX/Shutterstock The soundtrack to the Coen Brothers’ film triumphing here was quite an accomplishment considering the album had almost no presence on radio, nothing on television and pretty much gained notoriety through word of mouth. The tribute to Depression-era American roots music also won the trophy for Compilation Soundtrack Album. Other trophies associated with the album included Male Country Vocal Performance for “O Death” by Dr. Ralph Stanley, Country Collaboration with Vocals for “I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow” by The Soggy Bottom Boys and Producer of the Year for T Bone Burnett (pictured with filmmakers Joel and Ethan Coen). The album spent 112 weeks on the Billboard 200 with two of those weeks coming in at number one. It finished at #23 in the year-end 200 and is ranked #101 on Billboard’s all-time bestsellers with eight million copies having been sold.
2002 Album of the Year Nominees:
“Acoustic Soul” India.Arie
“Love and Theft” Bob Dylan
“Stankonia” OutKast
“All That You Can’t Leave Behind” U2
“Soundtrack to ‘O Brother, Where Art Thou?’” Various Artists -
“Two Against Nature” Steely Dan (2001)
Image Credit: MARK J. TERRILL/AP/REX/Shutterstock In one of the biggest upsets in recent memory, Donald Fagen and Walter Becker’s first album in twenty years managed to take down Eminem’s controversial sophomoric effort. The duo accepted their awards in their traditional low-key and not caring about anything manner. The group had been nominated in the category twice before: “Aja” in 1977 and “Gaucho” in 1980. Fagen earned two nods as a solo artist as well: “The Nightfly” in 1982 and “Kamakiriad” in 1993. They also claimed the prizes for Pop Vocal Album and Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo/Group for “Cousin Dupree.” The album also claimed Best Engineered Recording – Non-Classical.
2001 Album of the Year Nominees:
“Midnite Vultures” Beck
“The Marshall Mathers LP” Eminem
“Kid A” Radiohead
“You’re the One” Paul Simon
“Two Against Nature” Steely Dan -
“Supernatural” Santana (2000)
Image Credit: REED SAXON/AP/REX/Shutterstock Carlos Santana (pictured with producer Clive Davis) had won so many trophies by the end of the ceremony that he said he would have to get a U-Haul to take them all home. Santana claimed eight trophies to tie Michael Jackson’s record for the most Grammy wins at a single ceremony. The album also won Rock Album and the hit single “Smooth” with Rob Thomas took home honors for Record of the Year and Pop Collaboration with Vocals. It also won Pop Performance by a Duo/Group with Vocals for “Maria Maria” (with Wyclef Jean and The Product G&B), Pop Instrumental Performance for “El Farol,” Rock Performance by a Duo/Group for “Put Your Lights On” (with Everlast) and Rock Instrumental Performance for “The Calling” (with Eric Clapton). The album spent 12 weeks at number one on the Billboard 200, was ranked #20 on the top sellers of the year, #30 on Billboard’s all-time bestsellers and has sold over 30 million copies.
2000 Album of the Year Nominees:
“Millennium” Backstreet Boys
“Fly” The Dixie Chicks
“When I Look in Your Eyes” Diana Krall
“Supernatural” Santana
“FanMail” TLC -
“The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” Lauryn Hill (1999)
Image Credit: BEI/REX/Shutterstock Lauryn Hill’s solo debut became the defining musical achievement of the year and Grammy rewarded her properly for it. The album spent four weeks on top of the Billboard 200, was the 24th biggest seller that year and has sold nearly 20 million copies all around the world. Among the hit singles the album produced were “Doo Wop (That Thing),” “Ex-Factor” and “Everything is Everything.” Hill won four additional awards that evening: Best New Artist, R&B Album, Female R&B Vocal Performance and R&B Song, the latter two for “Doo Wop.” In 2014 it was added to the National Recording Registry and it made the Rolling Stone list of the 500 greatest albums at #314.
1999 Album of the Year Nominees:
“The Globe Sessions” Sheryl Crow
“Version 2.0” Garbage
“The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” Lauryn Hill
“Ray of Light” Madonna
“Come on Over” Shania Twain -
“Time Out of Mind” Bob Dylan (1998)
Image Credit: MARK LENNIHAN/AP/REX/Shutterstock When the Nobel laureate released his thirtieth studio album, he had not put out an album in seven years and his previous effort, “Under the Red Sky,” was widely panned. But Dylan (pictured with album producer Daniel Lanois) bounced back with this effort that was widely hailed as one of the best of his career. It spent 29 weeks on the Billboard 200, peaking at number ten. Dylan also took home trophies for Contemporary Folk Album and Male Rock Vocal Performance for “Cold Irons Bound.” Among the other singles that came from this album were “Love Sick” and “Not Dark Yet.” Rolling Stone ranked the album at #410 on its list of the 500 greatest albums ever made.
1998 Album of the Year Nominees:
“The Day” Babyface
“This Fire” Paula Cole
“Time Out of Mind” Bob Dylan
“Flaming Pie” Paul McCartney
“OK Computer” Radiohead -
“Falling Into You” Celine Dion (1997)
Image Credit: : KATHY WILLENS/AP/REX/Shutterstock Celine was already known to some in the U.S. in 1996 but this album took her to the stratosphere and her star has not come down since. Along with this award, she also claimed the prize for Pop Album and was nominated in Record of the Year for “Because You Loved Me.” Other hit songs that came off this record were “It’s All Coming Back to Me Now,” “All By Myself” and the title track “Falling Into You.” The album was a massive success that spent three weeks at number one, was the third biggest seller of the year and is currently at #21 on Billboard’s all-time bestsellers having sold over 32 million copies around the world.
1997 Album of the Year Nominees:
“Odelay” Beck
“Falling Into You” Celine Dion
“The Score” The Fugees
“Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness” The Smashing Pumpkins
“‘Waiting to Exhale’ Original Soundtrack Album” Various Artists -
“Jagged Little Pill” Alanis Morissette (1996)
Image Credit: ERIC DRAPER/AP/REX/Shutterstock The angry girl from Canada took the music world by force that year and the Grammys couldn’t help but notice it. “Pill” also took the prize for Rock Album and the song “You Oughta Know” claimed the prizes for Rock Song and Female Rock Vocal Performance. In addition to the infamous song about an ex-lover, the album had several other hit singles including “Ironic,” “Hand in my Pocket,” “You Learn” and “Head Over Feet.” It spent 12 weeks at number one, was the 14th biggest seller of 1995 and topped the year-end charts the following year and is currently at #7 in the all-time biggest sellers having sold over 33 million copies worldwide.
1996 Album of the Year Nominees:
“Daydream” Mariah Carey
“HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I” Michael Jackson
“Jagged Little Pill” Alanis Morissette
“Relish” Joan Osborne
“Vitalogy” Pearl Jam -
“MTV Unplugged” Tony Bennett (1995)
Image Credit: MARK J. TERRILL/AP/REX/Shutterstock The idea of Bennett doing a concert that was “unplugged” did seem weird to him. “I’ve always been unplugged,” he joked. Nonetheless, the live recording of his MTV special showcasing American Standards, struck a chord with the Recording Academy as he also took home the Grammy for Traditional Pop Vocal Performance. While the album was not a chart-topper, one of the songs, “Moonglow” featuring k.d. lang, did get some traction as a single.
1995 Album of the Year Nominees:
“MTV Unplugged” Tony Bennett
“The Three Tenors in Concert 1994” José Carreras, Plácido Domingo & Luciano Pavarotti with Zubin Mehta
“From the Cradle” Eric Clapton
“Longing in Their Hearts” Bonnie Raitt
“Seal” Seal -
“The Bodyguard: Original Soundtrack Album” Whitney Houston (1994)
Image Credit: MIKE ALBANS/AP/REX/Shutterstock It was no surprise that Houston (pictured right with producer David Foster) was the big winner at that year’s Grammys. The film soundtrack spent an astonishing 20 weeks on top of the charts and was the biggest selling album of that year. To date the album has sold over 45 million copies and is ranked at #23 on Billboard’s all time sellers. The album’s signature song, “I Will Always Love You,” would also win Record of the Year and Female Pop Vocal Performance. Among the other hits that came off this album were “I Have Nothing,” “Run to You” and “I’m Every Woman.”
1994 Album of the Year Nominees:
“Kamakiriad” Donald Fagen
“‘The Bodyguard’ Original Soundtrack Album” Whitney Houston
“River of Dreams” Billy Joel
“Automatic for the People” R.E.M.
“Ten Summoner’s Tales” Sting -
“Unplugged” Eric Clapton (1993)
Image Credit: DOUGLAS C. PIZAC/AP/REX/Shutterstock Clapton’s recording of his MTV special at Bray Studios in England dominated that night’s awards with six wins. Along with its win here the album also won Male Rock Vocal Performance, the acoustic version of “Layla” took home Rock Song and the emotional “Tears in Heaven” (written in the aftermath of the accidental falling death of his four-year-old son) claimed Record of the Year, Song of the Year (with co-writer Will Jennings) and Male Pop Vocal Performance. At one point in the evening, host Garry Shandling remarked that “If you’re up against Eric Clapton in any other categories, I’d go home now.” The album spent three weeks at number one on the Billboard 200, was the 36th biggest seller that year, has sold over 26 million copies and is at #79 on Billboard’s all time sellers.
1993 Album of the Year Nominees:
“Unplugged” Eric Clapton
“Ingénue” k.d. lang
“Diva” Annie Lennox
“Achtung Baby” U2
“‘Beauty and the Beast’ Original Motion Picture Soundtrack” Various Artists -
“Unforgettable… with Love,” Natalie Cole (1992)
Image Credit: MediaPunch/REX/Shutterstock Cole released this album that contained covers of that had been originally performed by her late father, Nat King Cole. The album also took the prize for Engineered Album – Non-Classical and the hit single, “Unforgettable,” performed with her late father took the prizes for Record of the Year, Song of the Year (for original songwriter Irving Gordon), Traditional Pop Vocal Performance and Arrangement Accompanying Vocals. The album spent five weeks at number one on the Billboard 200, was ranked #18 on Billboard’s year-end chart the following year and is ranked #154 on Billboard’s all time sellers.
1992 Album of the Year Nominees:
“Unforgettable… with Love,” Natalie Cole
“Heart in Motion,” Amy Grant
“Luck of the Draw,” Bonnie Raitt
“Out of Time,” R.E.M.
“The Rhythm of the Saints,” Paul Simon -
“Back on the Block,” Quincy Jones and Various Artists (1991)
Image Credit: SUSAN RAGAN/AP/REX/Shutterstock Quincy Jones released his first studio album in eight years and collaborated with some of the most talented names in music: Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis, Ice-T, Chaka Khan, Luther Vandross, Ray Charles and many more. Jones took home an additional five trophies that evening: Jazz Fusion Performance and Arrangement on an Instrumental (both for “Birdland”), Rap Duo/Group Performance (“Back on the Block”), Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocals (“The Places You Find Love”) and Producer of the Year. The album finished at #33 in Billboard’s year-end chart.
1991 Album of the Year Nominees:
“Mariah Carey,” Mariah Carey
“…But Seriously,” Phil Collins
“Back on the Block,” Quincy Jones and Various Artists
“Please Hammer Don’t Hurt ‘Em,” MC Hammer
“Wilson Phillips,” Wilson Phillips -
“Nick of Time” Bonnie Raitt (1990)
Image Credit: KATHY WILLENS/AP/REX/Shutterstock Raitt gave us something to talk about (even that song didn’t come out for another two years) when she picked up four awards that evening. In addition to Best Album she also claimed prizes for Female Rock Vocal Performance for the album, Female Pop Vocal Performance for the song “Nick of Time” and Traditional Blues Recording for “I’m in the Mood” with John Lee Hooker. “Nick of Time” spent three consecutive weeks at number one on the Billboard charts, finished at #55 in year-end sales and sell over five million copies. On Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 greatest albums, “Nick of Time” is ranked at #230.
1990 Album of the Year Nominees:
“The Raw and the Cooked” Fine Young Cannibals
“The End of the Innocence” Don Henley
“Full Moon Fever” Tom Petty
“Nick of Time” Bonnie Raitt
“Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1” Traveling Wilburys -
“Faith” George Michael (1989)
Image Credit: David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock George Michael’s debut album established him as more than the hot guy from Wham! who rocked short shorts. The album brought classic singles including “Faith,” “I Want Your Sex,” “One More Try” and “Father Figure.” The latter song was also nominated for Male Pop Vocal Performance. “Faith” spent 12 weeks at the top of the charts and was the highest selling album that year. It went on to sell over 25 million copies all over the world, be ranked at #81 on Billboard’s all-time bestsellers and ranked at #471 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 greatest albums.
1989 Album of the Year Nominees:
“Tracy Chapman” Tracy Chapman
“Simple Pleasures” Bobby McFerrin
“Faith” George Michael
“…Nothing Like the Sun” Sting
“Roll with It” Steve Winwood -
“The Joshua Tree” U2 (1988)
Image Credit: MARK LENNIHAN/AP/REX/Shutterstock “The Joshua Tree” may have been U2’s fifth album but it was the one that firmly established them as one of the biggest rock bands in the world. It spent nine weeks at the top of the charts and was the sixth biggest seller of the year. Among the hit songs off this album were “Where the Streets Have No Name,” “With or Without You” and “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For,” the latter earning nominations for Record and Song of the Year. They also won the award for Rock Vocal Performance by Duo/Group. To date the album has sold over 25 million copies, was added to the National Recording Registry in 2013, at #127 on Billboard’s all-time bestsellers and ranked by Rolling Stone at #27 on their list of the 500 greatest albums.
1988 Album of the Year Nominees:
“Whitney” Whitney Houston
“Bad” Michael Jackson
“Trio” Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt & Emmylou Harris
“Sign o’ the Times” Prince
“The Joshua Tree” U2 -
“Graceland” Paul Simon (1987)
Image Credit: Lennox McLendon/AP/REX/Shutterstock Simon’s eclectic blend of many different genres, including pop, rock, Cajun/zydeco and African music, only picked up this one award that night but it was a welcomed one. The album would finish the following year, 1987, as the second highest selling album of that year. It spawned several hits including the title track, which won Record of the Year in 1987, “The Boy in the Bubble,” “Under African Skies” and “You Can Call Me Al.” To date “Graceland” has sold 15 million copies worldwide, named to the National Recording Registry in 2007 and ranked by Rolling Stone at #71 in their 500 greatest albums.
1987 Album of the Year Nominees:
“So” Peter Gabriel
“Control” Janet Jackson
“Graceland” Paul Simon
“The Broadway Album” Barbra Streisand
“Back in the High Life” Steve Winwood -
“No Jacket Required” Phil Collins (1986)
Image Credit: Lennox McLendon/AP/REX/Shutterstock Collins third studio album would also win Male Pop Vocal Performance and Producer of the Year along with Hugh Padgham. Among the hit songs that came on this record included “Sussudio,” “Take Me Home,” “One More Night” and “Don’t Lose My Number.” It spent seven weeks at number one, was the sixth highest seller of 1985, sold over 25 million copies worldwide and is ranked on Billboard’s all-time bestsellers at #130.
1986 Album of the Year Nominees:
“No Jacket Required” Phil Collins
“Brothers in Arms” Dire Straits
“Whitney Houston” Whitney Houston
“The Dream of the Blue Turtles” Sting
“We Are the World” USA for Africa -
“Can’t Slow Down” Lionel Richie (1985)
Image Credit: Nick Ut/AP/REX/Shutterstock Richie’s (pictured right with Tina Turner) second studio album prevailed despite being up against one of the strongest lineups that this category has ever seen. He also took home Producer of the Year along with James Anthony Carmichael. Some of the hits off the album included “Hello,” “All Night Long,” “Stuck on You” and “Running with the Night.” The record spent three weeks on top of Billboard’s album chart and would stay in the top ten for 59 weeks including the entirety of 1984, becoming the third highest selling of the year. It’s sold over 20 million copies and is ranked on Billboard’s all-time bestsellers at #48.
1985 Album of the Year Nominees:
“She’s So Unusual” Cyndi Lauper
“Purple Rain” Prince & The Revolution
“Can’t Slow Down” Lionel Richie
“Born in the U.S.A.” Bruce Springsteen
“Private Dancer” Tina Turner -
“Thriller” Michael Jackson (1984)
Image Credit: AP/REX/Shutterstock The King of Pop set a Grammy record here with eight wins throughout the night. The album also took home Male Pop Vocal Performance. “Beat It” won Record of the Year and Male Rock Vocal Performance, “Billie Jean” won Male R&B Vocal Performance and R&B Song and Jackson, along with Quincy Jones, claimed the prize for Producer of the Year. The record would spend a total of 37 weeks on top of the Billboard charts and sell over 35 million copies, becoming the bestselling album at the time. Since then, “Thriller” would be named to the National Recording Registry in 2008, be ranked at #20 on Rolling Stone’s 500 greatest albums and be placed third on Billboard’s all-time bestsellers.
1984 Album of the Year Nominees:
“Let’s Dance” David Bowie
“Thriller” Michael Jackson
“An Innocent Man” Billy Joel
“Synchronicity” The Police
“‘Flashdance’ Soundtrack” Various Artists -
“Toto IV” Toto (1983)
Image Credit: AP/REX/Shutterstock Toto winning this prize was the cap off to a huge round of victories they achieved at the 1982 Grammy ceremony. The band claimed Producer of the Year, their album also won the prize for Engineered Recording, Non-Classical and their hit single “Roseanna” claimed Record of the Year, Vocal Arrangement for Two or More Voices and Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalists. The album also contained the hit song “Africa” as well as “Make You Believe” and “I Won’t Hold You Back” and finished at #41 on Billboard’s year-end chart.
1983 Album of the Year Nominees:
“American Fool” John Cougar
“The Nightfly” Donald Fagen
“The Nylon Curtain” Billy Joel
“Tug of War” Paul McCartney
“Toto IV” TotoToto Band members of Toto pose after winning six Grammys during the 25th Annual Grammy Awards presentation in Los Angeles, Ca., . Among the awards are record of the year for “Rosanna,” album of the year for “Toto IV,” and best instumental arrangement accompanying vocals for “Rosana.” From left are, Jeff Porcaro, Steve Porcaro, Michael Porcaro, Dave Paich, Dave Herngate, Bobby Kimball and Steve Lukather
GRAMMYS TOTO, LOS ANGELES, USA -
“Double Fantasy” John Lennon & Yoko Ono (1982)
Image Credit: Capitol Records The initial reviews of John Lennon’s first studio album in seven years were not very good but Lennon’s murder three weeks after its release forced critics to view the album in a different way. Among the singles off this record were “(Just Like) Starting Over,” “Woman” and “Watching the Wheels.” The album was also nominated for Male Pop Vocal Performance and Record of the Year for “Starting Over.” The album spent eight weeks on top of the charts and was the second biggest seller of the year.
1982 Album of the Year Nominees:
“Mistaken Identity” Kim Carnes
“Breakin’ Away” Al Jarreau
“The Dude” Quincy Jones
“Double Fantasy” John Lennon & Yoko Ono
“Gaucho” Steely Dan -
“Christopher Cross” Christopher Cross (1981)
Image Credit: Anonymous/AP/REX/Shutterstock Cross (pictured left with producer Mike Omartian) became one of Grammy’s biggest winners with his sweep in 1980 that also included Best New Artist and Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist, Record and Song of the Year for “Sailing.” Among the other songs that originated on this album were “Ride Like the Wind” and “Never Be the Same.” The album sold over five million copies and finished the year-end Billboard chart at #17.
1981 Album of the Year Nominees:
“Christopher Cross” Christopher Cross
“Glass Houses” Billy Joel
“The Wall” Pink Floyd
“Trilogy: Past Present Future” Frank Sinatra
“Guilty” Barbra Streisand -
“52nd Street” Billy Joel (1980)
Image Credit: AP/REX/Shutterstock The Piano Man claimed this award and Male Pop Vocal Performance for his sixth studio album and was also nominated for Song of the Year for “Honesty.” The aforementioned track also joined “My Life” and “Big Shot” as some of the major releases to come off this record. It spent eight weeks on top of the Billboard 200 and was the biggest seller of the year. Rolling Stone name the album #354 on their list of the 500 greatest albums and on Billboard’s all-time 200 it ranks at #191.
1980 Album of the Year Nominees:
“Minute by Minute” The Doobie Brothers
“52nd Street” Billy Joel
“The Gambler” Kenny Rogers
“Bad Girls” Donna Summer
“Breakfast in America” Supertramp -
“‘Saturday Night Fever’: The Original Movie Soundtrack” The Bee Gees/Various Artists (1979)
Image Credit: BEI/REX/Shutterstock No album better captured the disco phenomenon than the soundtrack to the infamous 1977 film that launched the career of John Travolta. The album contained five songs that would reach number one on the Billboard charts. Four of them were by the Bee Gees (“You Should Be Dancing,” “How Deep is Your Love,” “Night Fever” and “Stayin’ Alive.” The other, “If I Can’t Have You” was by Yvonne Elliman. The album won three other trophies that year: Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group, Arrangement of Voices for “Stayin’ Alive” and Producer of the Year for Barry Gibb, Albhy Galuten and Karl Richardson. “How Deep is Your Love” claimed the prize for Pop Performance by a Group the previous year. While none of the iconic songs would earn Oscar nominations, the album was the biggest seller of all time until being bested by “Thriller” by Michael Jackson. It spent 24 consecutive weeks atop the Billboard charts, sold 15 million copies, was added to the National Recording Registry in 2013, ranked at #132 on Rolling Stone’s 500 greatest albums and is ranked 43 on Billboard’s all-time bestselling albums.
1979 Album of the Year Nominees:
“‘Saturday Night Fever’: The Original Movie Soundtrack” The Bee Gees/Various Artists
“Running on Empty” Jackson Browne
“Even Now” Barry Manilow
“Some Girls” The Rolling Stones
“‘Grease’ Original Soundtrack Album” Various Artists -
“Rumours” Fleetwood Mac (1978)
Image Credit: AP/REX/Shutterstock Amidst broken relationships that occurred following their debut album, Fleetwood Mac was able to put together one of the most critically and commercially successful albums ever made. “Rumours” spent an astonishing 31 weeks on top of the Billboard charts and was easily the bestselling album of 1977. Among the singles the album produced were “Don’t Stop,” “Go Your Own Way” and “Dreams.” The album has sold over 45 million copies worldwide and was ranked #26 on Rolling Stone’s 500 greatest albums list.
1978 Album of the Year Nominees:
“Hotel California” The Eagles
“Rumours” Fleetwood Mac
“Aja” Steely Dan
“JT” James Taylor
“‘Star Wars’ Soundtrack” John Williams conducting The London Symphony Orchestra -
“Songs in the Key of Life” Stevie Wonder (1977)
Image Credit: Mclendon/AP/REX/Shutterstock “Songs in the Key of Life” is generally considered to be one of the crowning achievements of Wonder’s spectacular career. The ambitious double album spent 14 total weeks on top of the charts and produced singles like “Isn’t She Lovely,” “I Wish” and “Sir Duke.” Wonder won three other trophies that night: Male Pop Vocal Performance, R&B Male Vocal Performance for “I Wish” and Producer of the Year. The following year the album would finish second in Billboard’s year-end 200 and would later be inducted into the National Recording Registry and rank at #57 on Rolling Stone’s 500 greatest albums.
1977 Album of the Year Nominees:
“Breezin’” George Benson
“Chicago X” Chicago
“Frampton Comes Alive!” Peter Frampton
“Silk Degrees” Boz Scaggs
“Songs in the Key of Life” Stevie Wonder -
“Still Crazy After All These Years” Paul Simon (1976)
Image Credit: Anonymous/AP/REX/Shutterstock Simon’s fourth solo effort reached number one late in 1975 and, in addition to Best Album, earned Simon (pictured right with producer Phil Ramone) the prize for Male Pop Vocal Performance. Hits that came off this album included the album’s title track, “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover” and “Gone at Last.” When he accepted the trophy, he thanked Stevie Wonder, the winner of the previous two years, for not releasing an album during eligibility.
1976 Album of the Year Nominees:
“One of These Nights” The Eagles
“Between the Lines” Janis Ian
“Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy” Elton John
“Heart Like a Wheel” Linda Ronstadt
“Still Crazy After All These Years” Paul Simon -
“Fulfillingness’ First Finale” Stevie Wonder (1975)
Image Credit: AP/REX/Shutterstock “Fulfillingness’ First Finale” was Wonder’s (pictured second from right with unidentified guests) first album to reach number one on the overall Billboard charts where it stayed for two weeks. Hit singles off the album included “You Haven’t Done Nothin’” and “Boogie on Reggae Woman,” the latter of which scored Wonder the Grammy for Male R&B Vocal Performance. He also won Male Pop Vocal Performance for the album.
1975 Album of the Year Nominees:
“Back Home Again” John Denver
“Caribou” Elton John
“Band on the Run” Paul McCartney & Wings
“Court and Spark” Joni Mitchell
“Fulfillingness’ First Finale” Stevie Wonder -
“Innervisions” Stevie Wonder (1974)
Image Credit: HF/AP/REX/Shutterstock Stevie Wonder’s (pictured right with Alice Cooper) sixteenth studio album contained several major hits including “Higher Ground,” “Living for the City” and “Don’t You Worry ‘bout a Thing.” Only three days after the album was released, Wonder was in a serious car accident with a log truck that left him in a coma for four days, prompting him to cancel a tour he was planning to promote the record. “Living for the City” would win the Grammy for R&B Song the following year. It peaked on the Billboard charts at #4 and Rolling Stone would list it at #24 in their 500 greatest albums.
1974 Album of the Year Nominees:
“Killing Me Softly” Roberta Flack
“The Divine Miss M” Bette Midler
“Behind Closed Doors” Charlie Rich
“There Goes Rhymin’ Simon” Paul Simon
“Innervisions” Stevie Wonder -
“The Concert for Bangladesh” George Harrison & Friends (1973)
Image Credit: Marty Lederhandler/AP/REX/Shutterstock Harrison (pictured left with Ravi Shankar) helped to organize this concert that took place over two nights in August of 1971 at Madison Square Garden. The concert was to benefit the people of Bangladesh which had been ravaged by war and disaster. The concert event raised over $243,000 for UNICEF and the subsequent album, singles and documentary film have raised over $17 million for UNICEF to aid Bangladesh and other troubled areas. The “Friends” credited in the Album of the Year win were Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Billy Preston, Leon Russell, Ravi Shankar, Ringo Starr and Klaus Voormann.
1973 Album of the Year Nominees:
“Moods” Neil Diamond
“The Concert for Bangladesh” George Harrison & Friends
“American Pie” Don McLean
“Nilsson Schmilsson” Nilsson
“‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ (Original Broadway Cast Recording” Various Artists -
“Tapestry” Carole King (1972)
Image Credit: Ian Dickson/REX/Shutterstock King won a total of four trophies that year that also included Record of the Year for “It’s Too Late,” Song of the Year for “You’ve Got a Friend” and Pop Vocal Performance, Female. The album spent 15 consecutive weeks on top of the Billboard 200 and is listed at #10 on Billboard’s All Time 200. It was added to the National Recording Registry in 2003 and Rolling Stone listed it at #36 in their 500 greatest albums of all time.
1972 Album of the Year Nominees:
“Carpenters” The Carpenters
“All Things Must Pass” George Harrison
“Shaft” Isaac Hayes
“Tapestry” Carole King
“‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ (London Production)” Various Artists -
“Bridge Over Troubled Water” Simon & Garfunkel (1971)
Image Credit: AP/REX/Shutterstock The singer-songwriter duo claimed top album along with Record of the Year for the title track and Best Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist. The singles off the album also included “Cecilia” and “El Condor Pasa (If I Could).” It was the biggest selling album of the year, spending ten weeks on top of the Billboard charts, and is also ranked in Billboard’s All Time 200 at #188. In Rolling Stone’s 500 greatest albums, “Bridge” is ranked at #51.
1971 Album of the Year Nominees:
“Close to You” The Carpenters
“Chicago” Chicago
“Déjà Vu” Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young
“Elton John” Elton John
“Bridge Over Troubled Water” Simon & Garfunkel
“Sweet Baby James” James Taylor -
“Blood, Sweat & Tears” Blood, Sweat & Tears (1970)
Image Credit: Dave Pickoff/AP/REX/Shutterstock This was the second album from the band Blood, Sweat & Tears (lead singer David Clayton-Thomas pictured left with presenter Louis Armstrong), which also won the prize for Contemporary Instrumental Performance for “Variations on a Theme by Erik Satie.” The singles from the album included “You’ve Made Me So Very Happy,” “And When I Die” and “Spinning Wheel.” It spent a collective seven weeks at the number one position on the Billboard 200 and is ranked on the All Time Billboard 200 at #53.
1970 Album of the Year Nominees:
“Abbey Road” The Beatles
“Blood, Sweat & Tears” Blood, Sweat & Tears
“At San Quentin” Johnny Cash
“Crosby, Stills & Nash” Crosby, Stills & Nash
“The Age of Aquarius” The 5th Dimension -
“By the Time I Get to Phoenix” Glen Campbell (1969)
Image Credit: Harold Matosian/AP/REX/Shutterstock Campbell’s (pictured right with Jose Feliciano) album only took the one award in 1968 but the previous year, the title single won Vocal Performance, Male and Contemporary Male Solo Vocal Performance. The album also contained the hit song “Hey Little One” and the Paul Simon penned “Homeward Bound.” In 2004 it was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
1969 Album of the Year Nominees:
“Magical Mystery Tour” The Beatles
“By the Time I Get to Phoenix” Glen Campbell
“Feliciano!” José Feliciano
“A Tramp Shining” Richard Harris
“Bookends” Simon & Garfunkel -
“Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” The Beatles (1968)
Image Credit: Daily Mail /REX/Shutterstock The iconic recording became the first rock and roll album to win this prize and also took the Grammy for Contemporary Album. It spent an unbelievable 15 consecutive weeks at #1 on the Billboard 200 and is ranked #54 on Billboard’s All Time 200. Among the singles the album spawned included the title track, “With a Little Help From My Friends,” “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” and “A Day in the Life.” The album was added to the National Recording Registry in 2004 and was ranked as the greatest album of all time by “Rolling Stone.”
1968 Album of the Year Nominees:
“My Cup Runneth Over” Ed Ames
“Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” The Beatles
“It Must Be Him” Vicki Carr
“Ode to Billie Joe” Bobbie Gentry
“Francis Albert Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim” Frank Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim -
“A Man and His Music” Frank Sinatra (1967)
Image Credit: Dezo Hoffmann/REX/Shutterstock Sinatra quickly topped his own record for most Grammys for Album of the Year when he won his third trophy before the awards had celebrated their tenth anniversary. That year also saw Sinatra take the prizes for Record of the Year and Vocal Performance, Male for “Strangers in the Night.”
1967 Album of the Year Nominees:
“What Now My Love” Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass
“Revolver” The Beatles
“‘Dr. Zhivago’ Soundtrack” Maurice Jarre
“A Man and His Music” Frank Sinatra
“Color Me Barbra” Barbra Streisand -
“September of My Years” Frank Sinatra (1966)
Image Credit: Dezo Hoffmann/REX/Shutterstock At the age of 50, Sinatra became the first artist to win Album of the Year twice with this 1965 release. He would also take home the Grammy for Vocal Performance, Male for “It Was a Very Good Year.”
1966 Album of the Year Nominees:
“My World” Eddy Arnold
“Help!” The Beatles
“September of My Years” Frank Sinatra
“My Name is Barbra” Barbra Streisand
“‘The Sound of Music’ Soundtrack” Various Artists -
“Getz/Gilberto” Stan Getz & João Gilberto (with Astrud Gilberto & Antonio Carlos Jobim) (1965)
Image Credit: Verve Records The jazz album marked the first time that the top album prize was awarded to an act from outside the United States. The album’s lead single, “The Girl From Ipanema,” claimed the Record of the Year prize and the album took Instrumental Jazz Performance – Small Group as well. “Rolling Stone” would rank the album at #447 on their list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.
1965 Album of the Year Nominees:
“Getz/Gilberto” Stan Getz & João Gilberto (with Astrud Gilberto & Antonio Carlos Jobim)
“Cotton Candy” Al Hirt
“The Pink Panther” Henry Mancini
“People” Barbra Streisand
“‘Funny Girl’ Original Broadway Cast” Various Artists -
“The Barbra Streisand Album” Barbra Streisand (1964)
Image Credit: AP/REX/Shutterstock The legend’s debut album landed with a bang. It peaked at #8 on the Billboard charts and also earned Streisand (pictured left with fellow winner Louis Armstrong) a Grammy for Female Vocal Performance. The album was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2006.
1964 Album of the Year Nominees:
“Honey in the Horn” Al Hirt
“The Singing Nun” The Singing Nun
“The Barbra Streisand Album” Barbra Streisand
“Bach’s Greatest Hits” The Swingle Singers
“‘Days of Wine and Roses’ and Other TV Requests” Andy Williams -
“The First Family” Vaughn Meader (1963)
Image Credit: AP/REX/Shutterstock The comedy album satirizing the Kennedy administration and his family became one of the biggest selling albums of all time upon its release. By the time a second volume came out, the album had sold over seven million copies and spent 12 consecutive weeks atop the Billboard 200. The album was added to the National Recording Registry at the Library of Congress in 2014. Interestingly, the live album was recorded the same night as President Kennedy’s speech on the Cuban Missile Crisis.
1963 Album of the Year Nominees:
“I Left My Heart in San Francisco” Tony Bennett
“Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music” Ray Charles
“Jazz Samba” Stan Getz & Charlie Byrd
“The First Family” Vaughn Meader
“My Son, the Folk Singer” Alan Sherman -
“Judy at Carnegie Hall” Judy Garland (1962)
Image Credit: AP/REX/Shutterstock Garland (pictured left with “Judgement at Nuremburg” co-star Maximilian Schell) became the first woman to take this prize when she won it. The album spent 13 consecutive weeks on top of the Billboard 200 and also lead to a Grammy for Solo Vocal Performance, Female. The album was named to the Library of Congress’s National Recording Registry, honoring significant recordings in U.S. history, in 2003.
1962 Album of the Year Nominees:
“Genius + Soul = Jazz” Ray Charles
“The Nat King Cole Story” Nat King Cole
“Judy at Carnegie Hall” Judy Garland
“‘West Side Story’ Soundtrack” Various Artists
“Great Band with Great Voices” Si Zentner & the Johnny Mann Singers -
“The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart” Bob Newhart (1961)
Image Credit: Associated Newspapers/REX/Shutterstock Bob Newhart was one of the true pioneering forces of comedy albums and his win for “Button-Down Mind” stands as a testament to that. Not only is the album very funny, but the win in this category is generally regarded as a very deserving one. The album spent 14 weeks at number one on the Billboard 200 and Newhart would also win Grammys that year for Best New Artist and Comedy Performance (Spoken Word) for his follow up, “The Button-Down Mind Strikes Back!”
1961 Album of the Year Nominees:
“Belafonte Returns to Carnegie Hall” Harry Belafonte
“Wild is Love” Nat King Cole
“Puccini: Turandot” Erich Leinsdorf
“The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart” Bob Newhart
“Brahms: Concerto No. 2 in B-Flat” Sviatoslav Richter
“Nice ‘n’ Easy” Frank Sinatra -
“Come Dance with Me!” Frank Sinatra (1960)
Image Credit: Anonymous/AP/REX/Shutterstock This album proved to be the most successful one Sinatra (pictured left with director Frank Capra) ever released as it spent over two years on the Billboard charts. In addition to the win for top album, Frank received the Grammy for Vocal Performance, Male and Billy May won for Best Arrangement.
1960 Album of the Year Nominees:
“Belafonte at Carnegie Hall” Harry Belafonte
“Victory at Sea, Vol. 1” Russell Bennett
“Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 3” Van Cliburn
“More Music From ‘Peter Gunn’” Henry Mancini
“Come Dance with Me!” Frank Sinatra -
“The Music From ‘Peter Gunn’” Henry Mancini (1959)
Image Credit: Harold P. Matosian/AP/REX/Shutterstock The very first winner of Album of the Year came for the soundtrack to Blake Edwards’s private detective show that ran from 1958 until 1961. The theme from the show became iconic for its mixture of jazz and rock and roll themes and the album became the number one album of that year. It also earned Mancini (pictured far left with his wife Ginny, Ginger Mercer and Johnny Mercer) another Grammy for Best Arrangement and featured a young John Williams on piano.
1959 Album of the Year Nominees:
“Tchaikovsky: Concerto No. 1 B-Flat Minor, Op. 23” Van Cliburn
“Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Irving Berlin Songbook” Ella Fitzgerald
“The Music From ‘Peter Gunn’” Henry Mancini
“Come Fly with Me” Frank Sinatra
“Frank Sinatra Sings for Only the Lonely” Frank Sinatra
