Grammy Award for Best Rock Song

Last updated
Grammy Award for Best Rock Song
BoygeniusKingstonEarly240823 (20 of 45).jpg
"Not Strong Enough" by Boygenius is the most recent recipient
Awarded forHigh-quality rock music songs
CountryUnited States
Presented by National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences
First awarded1992
Currently held by Boygenius — "Not Strong Enough" (2024)
Website grammy.com

The Grammy Award for Best Rock Song is an honor presented at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards, [1] to recording artists for quality songs in the rock music genre. Honors in several categories are presented at the ceremony annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to "honor artistic achievement, technical proficiency and overall excellence in the recording industry, without regard to album sales or chart position". [2]

Contents

The award, reserved for songwriters, was first presented to English musician Sting in 1992. According to the category description guide for the 52nd Grammy Awards, the award honors new songs (containing both melody and lyrics) or songs "first achieving prominence" during the period of eligibility. Songs containing prominent samples or interpolations are not eligible. [3]

The award goes to the songwriter. If the song contains samples or interpolations of earlier songs, the publisher and the original songwriter(s) can apply for a Winners Certificate. [4]

Bruce Springsteen, Dave Grohl and Pat Smear hold the record for the most wins, having won four awards each. Springsteen also holds the record for most nominations with nine. Other winners of multiple awards include the other members of Foo Fighters (Taylor Hawkins, Nate Mendel and Chris Shiflett) with three wins, and Alanis Morissette and the bands Red Hot Chili Peppers and U2, each with two. Award-winning songs have been performed by American artists more than any other nationality, though they have also been performed by musicians or groups originating from Canada, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. There have been four instances in which one artist or group was nominated for two works in the same year: the group Aerosmith was nominated for both "Cryin'" and "Livin' on the Edge" in 1994, Melissa Etheridge received nominations for "Come to My Window" and "I'm the Only One" in 1995, Jakob Dylan of the Wallflowers won for "One Headlight" and was also nominated for "The Difference" in 1998, and U2 was nominated for the songs "Elevation" and "Walk On" in 2002. Chad Smith also received two nominations in 2023, receiving songwriting credits for the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Ozzy Osbourne songs nominated. Coldplay holds the record for the most nominations without a win, with four.

Recipients

Sting became the first award recipient in 1992 for the song "The Soul Cages". Sting ThePolice 2007.jpg
Sting became the first award recipient in 1992 for the song "The Soul Cages".
Eric Clapton, 1993 award recipient for the song "Layla", performing in 2017 Eric Clapton - Royal Albert Hall - Wednesday 24th May 2017 EricClaptonRAH240517-30 (34987232355) (cropped).jpg
Eric Clapton, 1993 award recipient for the song "Layla", performing in 2017
Members of the 1994 award-winning band Soul Asylum in 2010 Soul Asylum 3.jpg
Members of the 1994 award-winning band Soul Asylum in 2010
Four-time award winner Bruce Springsteen, performing in 1988 Bundesarchiv Bild 183-1988-0719-38, Bruce Springsteen, Konzert in der DDR.jpg
Four-time award winner Bruce Springsteen, performing in 1988
Two-time award recipient Alanis Morissette, performing in 2014 Alanis Morissette 5-19-2014.jpg
Two-time award recipient Alanis Morissette, performing in 2014
1997 award recipient Tracy Chapman at the 2009 Cactus Festival in Bruges, Belgium Tracy Chapman 3.jpg
1997 award recipient Tracy Chapman at the 2009 Cactus Festival in Bruges, Belgium
Jakob Dylan, 1998 award winner for the song "One Headlight" and member of The Wallflowers, performing in 2007 Jakob Dylan.jpg
Jakob Dylan, 1998 award winner for the song "One Headlight" and member of The Wallflowers, performing in 2007
Jack White and Meg White of the 2004 award-winning band The White Stripes Jack & Meg, The White Stripes.jpg
Jack White and Meg White of the 2004 award-winning band The White Stripes
Members of the two-time award-winning band U2, performing on the Joshua Tree Tour 2017. From left to right: Larry Mullen, Jr. (drumming), the Edge, Bono, and Adam Clayton U2 on Joshua Tree Tour 2017 Brussels 8-1-17.jpg
Members of the two-time award-winning band U2, performing on the Joshua Tree Tour 2017. From left to right: Larry Mullen, Jr. (drumming), the Edge, Bono, and Adam Clayton
From left to right, Matthew, Caleb, and Nathan Followill of the 2010 award-winning band Kings of Leon, performing in 2007 Kings of leon.JPG
From left to right, Matthew, Caleb, and Nathan Followill of the 2010 award-winning band Kings of Leon, performing in 2007
2019 recipient St. Vincent performing at Glastonbury (2022) Glastonbury2022 Annie Erin Clark aka St. Vincent (cropped).jpg
2019 recipient St. Vincent performing at Glastonbury (2022)
2020 recipient Gary Clark Jr. performing in 2013 Gary Clark, Jr. 2013.jpg
2020 recipient Gary Clark Jr. performing in 2013
YearRecipient(s)WorkPerforming artist(s)Nominees
(Performer(s) in parentheses)		Ref.
1992 Sting "The Soul Cages" Sting [5]
1993 Eric Clapton
Jim Gordon 		"Layla" ( Unplugged version) Eric Clapton [6]
1994 Dave Pirner "Runaway Train" Soul Asylum [7]
1995 Bruce Springsteen "Streets of Philadelphia" Bruce Springsteen
[8]
1996 Alanis Morissette
Glen Ballard 		"You Oughta Know" Alanis Morissette [9]
1997 Tracy Chapman "Give Me One Reason" Tracy Chapman [10]
1998 Jakob Dylan "One Headlight" The Wallflowers
[11]
1999 Alanis Morissette "Uninvited" Alanis Morissette [12]
2000 Flea
John Frusciante
Anthony Kiedis
Chad Smith 		"Scar Tissue" Red Hot Chili Peppers [13]
2001 Scott Stapp
Mark Tremonti 		"With Arms Wide Open" Creed
[14]
2002 Charlie Colin
Rob Hotchkiss
Pat Monahan
Jimmy Stafford
Scott Underwood		"Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)" Train [15]
2003 Bruce Springsteen "The Rising" Bruce Springsteen
[16]
2004 Jack White "Seven Nation Army" The White Stripes
[17]
2005 Bono
Adam Clayton
The Edge
Larry Mullen, Jr. 		"Vertigo" U2 [18]
2006 Bono
Adam Clayton
The Edge
Larry Mullen, Jr. 		"City of Blinding Lights" U2 [19]
2007 Flea
John Frusciante
Anthony Kiedis
Chad Smith 		"Dani California" Red Hot Chili Peppers [20]
2008 Bruce Springsteen "Radio Nowhere" Bruce Springsteen [21]
2009 Bruce Springsteen "Girls in Their Summer Clothes" Bruce Springsteen [22]
2010 Caleb Followill
Jared Followill
Matthew Followill
Nathan Followill 		"Use Somebody" Kings of Leon [23]
2011 Neil Young "Angry World" Neil Young [24]
2012 Dave Grohl
Taylor Hawkins
Nate Mendel
Chris Shiflett
Pat Smear 		"Walk" Foo Fighters [25]
2013 Dan Auerbach
Brian Burton
Patrick Carney 		"Lonely Boy" The Black Keys
2014 Dave Grohl
Paul McCartney
Krist Novoselic
Pat Smear 		"Cut Me Some Slack" Paul McCartney and Nirvana [26]
2015 Hayley Williams
Taylor York 		"Ain't It Fun" Paramore
[27]
2016 Zac Cockrell
Heath Fogg
Brittany Howard
Steve Johnson		"Don't Wanna Fight" Alabama Shakes
[24]
2017 David Bowie "Blackstar" David Bowie [24]
2018 Dave Grohl
Taylor Hawkins
Rami Jaffee
Nate Mendel
Chris Shiflett
Pat Smear 		"Run" Foo Fighters
[28]
2019 Jack Antonoff
Annie Clark 		"Masseduction" St. Vincent
[29]
2020 Gary Clark Jr. "This Land"Gary Clark Jr.
2021 Brittany Howard "Stay High"Brittany Howard
 [30]
2022 Dave Grohl
Taylor Hawkins
Rami Jaffee
Nate Mendel
Chris Shiflett
Pat Smear 		"Waiting on a War" Foo Fighters [31]
2023 Brandi Carlile
Phil Hanseroth
Tim Hanseroth 		"Broken Horses" Brandi Carlile
[32]
2024 Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus "Not Strong Enough" Boygenius [33]
2025 [34]

Multiple wins

Multiple nominations

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grammy Award for Song of the Year</span> Honor presented at the Grammy Awards

The Grammy Award for Song of the Year is an honor presented at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards. The Song of the Year award is one of the four most prestigious categories at the awards, presented annually since the 1st Grammy Awards in 1959. According to the 54th Grammy Awards description guide, the award is presented:

to honor artistic achievement, technical proficiency and overall excellence in the recording industry, without regard to album sales or chart position.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grammy Award for Record of the Year</span> Award presented by National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences

The Grammy Award for Record of the Year is presented by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to "honor artistic achievement, technical proficiency and overall excellence in the recording industry, without regard to sales or chart position." The Record of the Year award is one of the four "General Field" categories at the awards presented annually since the 1st Annual Grammy Awards in 1959.

For commercially released singles or tracks of new vocal or instrumental recordings. Tracks from a previous year's album may be entered provided the track was not entered the previous year and provided the album did not win a Grammy. Award to the artist(s), producer(s), recording engineer(s) and/or mixer(s) if other than the artist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grammy Award for Album of the Year</span> American music industry award

The Grammy Award for Album of the Year is an award presented by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to "honor artistic achievement, technical proficiency and overall excellence in the recording industry, without regard to album sales, chart position, or critical reception." Commonly known as "The Big Award", Album of the Year is the most prestigious award category at the Grammy Awards, and is one of the four general field categories alongside Best New Artist, Record of the Year and Song of the Year that have been presented annually since the 1st Annual Grammy Awards in 1959.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album</span> Honor presented to recording artists for quality alternative music albums

The Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album is an award presented to recording artists for quality albums in the alternative genre at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards. Honors in several categories are presented at the ceremony annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to "honor artistic achievement, technical proficiency and overall excellence in the recording industry, without regard to album sales or chart position". In 2023, it was joined by a companion category, Best Alternative Music Performance.

The Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album is an award presented at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards, to recording artists for quality works in the reggae music genre. Honors in several categories are presented at the ceremony annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to "honor artistic achievement, technical proficiency and overall excellence in the recording industry, without regard to album sales or chart position".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grammy Award for Best Rap Album</span> Honor presented to recording artists for quality rap albums

The Grammy Award for Best Rap Album is an award presented to recording artists for quality albums with rapping at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards. Honors in several categories are presented at the ceremony annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to "honor artistic achievement, technical proficiency and overall excellence in the recording industry, without regard to album sales or chart position".

The Grammy Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media is the Grammy Awards awarded to songs written for films, television, video games or other visual media.

The Grammy Award for Best Dance/Electronic Recording is an award presented at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards, to recording artists for works containing quality vocal performances in the dance music and/or electronic music genres. Honors in several categories are presented at the ceremony annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to "honor artistic achievement, technical proficiency and overall excellence in the recording industry, without regard to album sales or chart position".

The Grammy Award for Best New Age, Ambient or Chant Album is presented to recording artists for quality albums in the new-age music genre at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards. Honors in several categories are presented at the ceremony annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to "honor artistic achievement, technical proficiency and overall excellence in the recording industry, without regard to album sales or chart position".

The Grammy Award for Best Music Film is an annual accolade for performers, directors, and producers of quality videos or musical programs. It is presented at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony established in 1958 when it was called the Gramophone Awards.

The Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Album is an award presented at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards, to recording artists for releasing albums in the Latin pop genre. Honors in several categories are presented at the ceremony annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to "honor artistic achievement, technical proficiency and overall excellence in the recording industry, without regard to album sales or chart position".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance</span> Honor presented to recording artists for quality metal performances

The Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance is an award presented at the Grammy Awards to recording artists for works containing quality performances in the heavy metal music genre. The Grammy Awards is an annual ceremony, where honors in several categories are presented by The Recording Academy of the United States to "honor artistic achievement, technical proficiency and overall excellence in the recording industry, without regard to album sales or chart position". The ceremony was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards.

The Grammy Award for Best Latin Rock or Alternative Album is an award presented at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards, to recording artists for releasing albums in the Latin rock and/or alternative genres. Honors in several categories are presented at the ceremony annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to "honor artistic achievement, technical proficiency and overall excellence in the recording industry, without regard to album sales or chart position".

The Grammy Award for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals was an honor presented at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards, to recording artists for quality pop songs on which singers collaborate. Awards in several categories are distributed annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to "honor artistic achievement, technical proficiency and overall excellence in the recording industry, without regard to album sales or chart position."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance</span> Award

The Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance is an honor presented at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards, to recording artists for quality songs on which rappers and singers collaborate. Honors in several categories are presented at the ceremony annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to "honor artistic achievement, technical proficiency and overall excellence in the recording industry, without regard to album sales or chart position".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grammy Award for Best Rap Song</span> Award

The Grammy Award for Best Rap Song is an honor presented at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards, to recording artists for quality songs in the rap music genre. Honors in several categories are presented at the ceremony annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to "honor artistic achievement, technical proficiency and overall excellence in the recording industry, without regard to album sales or chart position".

The Latin Grammy Award for Album of the Year is an honor presented annually at the Latin Grammy Awards, a ceremony that recognizes excellence and creates a wider awareness of cultural diversity and contributions of Latin recording artists in the United States and internationally. The award is given to the performers, producers, audio engineers and mastering engineers for vocal or instrumental albums with 51 percent of new recorded songs. Albums of previously released recordings, such as reissues, compilations of old recordings and greatest hits albums packages are not eligible. Due to the increasing musical changes in the industry, from 2012 the category includes 10 nominees, according to a restructuration made by the academy for the four general categories: Song of the Year, Record of the Year, Best New Artist and Album of the Year. Beginning in 2018, songwriters are eligible for the accolade if 33% of the playing time are composed by them.

The Latin Grammy Award for Best Rock Song is an honor presented annually at the Latin Grammy Awards, a ceremony that recognizes excellence and creates a wider awareness of cultural diversity and contributions of Latin recording artists in the United States and internationally. The award is reserved to the songwriters of a new song containing at least 51% of the lyrics in Spanish. Instrumental recordings or cover songs are not eligible. Songs in Portuguese may be entered in the Brazilian field.

The Latin Grammy Award for Best Rock Solo Vocal Album was an honor presented annually at the Latin Grammy Awards, a ceremony conducted by the Latin Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences to "recognize excellence and create a wider awareness of the cultural diversity" and contributions of Latin recording artists in the United States and internationally. According to the category description guide for the 2009 Latin Grammy Awards, the award was given to vocal rock, hard rock or metal albums containing at least 51 percent of newly recorded material. It was given to a male or female artist.

The Latin Grammy Award for Best Tropical Song is an honor presented annually at the Latin Grammy Awards, a ceremony that recognizes excellence and creates a wider awareness of cultural diversity and contributions of Latin recording artists in the United States and internationally. The award is reserved to the songwriters of a new song containing at least 51% of the lyrics in Spanish. Instrumental recordings or cover songs are not eligible. Songs in Portuguese may be entered in the Brazilian field.

References

General
Specific
  1. ↑ "Grammy Awards at a Glance". Los Angeles Times . Archived from the original on March 9, 2012. Retrieved April 24, 2010.
  2. ↑ "Overview". National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Archived from the original on October 27, 2009. Retrieved November 11, 2010.
  3. ↑ "52nd OEP Category Description Guide" (PDF). National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. p. 2. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 27, 2009. Retrieved November 15, 2010.
  4. ↑ "Grammy Blue Book (edition 2021)" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2020-06-10. Retrieved 2020-06-13.
  5. ↑ "Nominees announced for Grammy Awards". TimesDaily . Vol. 123. Florence, Alabama. January 8, 1992. p. 10B. Archived from the original on March 13, 2016. Retrieved November 17, 2010.
  6. ↑ "The 35th Grammy Awards Nominations". Los Angeles Times. January 8, 1993. p. 3. Archived from the original on May 14, 2012. Retrieved December 12, 2010.
  7. ↑ "General Categories". Los Angeles Times. January 7, 1994. p. 3. Archived from the original on May 14, 2012. Retrieved December 12, 2010.
  8. ↑ "The 37th Grammy Nominations". Los Angeles Times. January 6, 1995. p. 3. Archived from the original on October 28, 2014. Retrieved December 12, 2010.
  9. ↑ "List of Grammy nominees". CNN. January 4, 1996. Archived from the original on December 7, 2012. Retrieved November 11, 2010.
  10. ↑ "The Complete List of Nominees". Los Angeles Times. January 8, 1997. p. 3. Archived from the original on November 4, 2012. Retrieved December 12, 2010.
  11. ↑ "List of Grammy award nominations". CNN. January 6, 1998. Archived from the original on May 28, 2010. Retrieved December 9, 2010.
  12. ↑ "1999 Grammy Nominees". NME . IPC Media. November 27, 1998. Archived from the original on October 11, 2012. Retrieved November 11, 2010.
  13. ↑
  14. ↑ Boucher, Geoff (January 4, 2001). "Grammys Cast a Wider Net Than Usual". Los Angeles Times. p. 5. Archived from the original on May 14, 2012. Retrieved December 10, 2010.
  15. ↑ "Complete list of Grammy nominations". The Seattle Times . The Seattle Times Company. January 4, 2002. Archived from the original on December 4, 2011. Retrieved December 10, 2010.
  16. ↑ D'Angelo, Joe (February 23, 2003). "Norah Jones Sweeps Grammys, Boss Wins Three, Avril Shut Out". MTV News. Archived from the original on June 13, 2018. Retrieved February 11, 2019.
  17. ↑ "Complete list of Grammy nominations". The Seattle Times. The Seattle Times Company. December 5, 2003. Archived from the original on December 4, 2011. Retrieved December 10, 2010.
  18. ↑ "Grammy Award nominees in top categories". USA Today . Gannett Company. February 7, 2005. Archived from the original on October 19, 2012. Retrieved November 11, 2010.
  19. ↑ "Complete list of Grammy Award nominations". USA Today. Gannett Company. December 8, 2006. Archived from the original on October 18, 2012. Retrieved December 9, 2010.
  20. ↑ Kaufman, Gil (December 7, 2006). "Mary J. Blige, Chili Peppers Top Grammy Nominations List". MTV. Archived from the original on April 26, 2010. Retrieved December 9, 2010.
  21. ↑ "2008 Grammy Award Winners and Nominees". The New York Times . February 9, 2008. Archived from the original on July 3, 2015. Retrieved November 17, 2010.
  22. ↑ "Complete List of Nominees for the 51st Annual Grammy Awards". E! Online. December 3, 2008. Archived from the original on November 19, 2023. Retrieved December 9, 2010.
  23. ↑ Partridge, Kenneth (December 2, 2009). "Nominees for 2010 Grammy Awards Announced -- Full List". Spinner.com. Archived from the original on March 6, 2012. Retrieved November 16, 2010.
  24. 1 2 3 "Nominees And Winners – GRAMMY.com". National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Archived from the original on December 5, 2010. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
  25. ↑ Ward, Kate (February 12, 2012). "Grammys 2012: Winners' list". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on February 12, 2019. Retrieved February 11, 2019.
  26. ↑ "56th Annual GRAMMY Awards / 2013 / GRAMMY.com". Archived from the original on 2014-12-30. Retrieved 2023-07-01.
  27. ↑ "57th Grammy Nominees". Los Angeles Times . Archived from the original on November 13, 2015. Retrieved December 5, 2014.
  28. ↑ "60th Grammy Nominees". Grammy.com. Archived from the original on 28 November 2017. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
  29. ↑ "Grammy.com, 7 December 2018". Archived from the original on 7 December 2018. Retrieved 14 December 2018.
  30. ↑ "2021 Nominations List" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2020-11-29. Retrieved 2020-11-28.
  31. ↑ "2022 GRAMMYs Awards: Complete Nominations List". GRAMMY.com. 2021-11-23. Archived from the original on 2021-11-25. Retrieved 2021-12-07.
  32. ↑ "2023 GRAMMY Nominations: See The Complete Nominees List". GRAMMYs. 2022-11-15. Archived from the original on 2022-11-16. Retrieved 2022-11-15.
  33. ↑ "2024 GRAMMY Nominations: See The Full Nominees List | GRAMMY.com". www.grammy.com. Archived from the original on 2023-11-10. Retrieved 2023-11-12.
  34. ↑ "2025 GRAMMYs: See The Full Nominations List". The Recording Academy . 8 November 2024. Retrieved 8 November 2024.

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.