Grammy Question

[PoppyJ]

I was looking at the Grammy categories and cannot figure out for the life of me the difference between Album of the Year and Record of the Year. Anybody know?

[Grace]

An album is all the songs on the whole album. A "record" is one single (one specific song).

[Ralph]

And I know this question is going to come up:

RECORD OF THE YEAR - goes to the performer and producer.
SONG OF THE YEAR - goes to the songwriter.

[RobinC]

I found this at http://www.grammy.com/awards/grammy/process.aspx

What is the difference between Record Of The Year and Song Of The Year?
The Record Of Year category honors the artist and the producer(s), recording engineer(s) and/or mixer(s) if other than the artist. This category is for a commercially released single, or track from a current year's album. The Song Of The Year category recognizes a songwriter for a single or track that was first released or if it first achieved prominence during the eligibility year.

[RobinC]

I also found this...

Faster than you can say "And the award goes to... ," we sped to the official Grammy web site and found your answer. The winners page lists this year's award recipients as well as the criteria for each award.
Record of the Year is awarded for a single or for one track from an album. This award goes to the performing artist and the producer, recording engineer, and/or mixer for that song. Album of the Year is awarded for a whole album, and the award is presented to the artist, producer, and recording engineer for that album. So, in this context, "record" means one song and "album" means the whole collection of songs on a CD or LP.

But if "record" really means "song," what's the Song of the Year award for? The Grammy's frequently asked questions page has the answer. Record of the Year is given to the artist who performs the song and the people who produce the track. Song of the Year is also awarded for a single or individual track, but the recipient of this award is the songwriter who dreamed up the song in the first place.

While some artists -- like 2001 Song of the Year winner Alicia Keys -- write their own songs, not all do. For example, in 1999 Itaal Shur and Rob Thomas won the Song of the Year award for "Smooth," which appeared on the album Supernatural by Santana. Guitarist Carlos Santana and his band performed that song with singer Rob Thomas, but they didn't receive the Grammy. However, they did win nine other Grammys that year, including Record of the Year (for "Smooth") and Album of the Year (for Supernatural).

[Jazzmatazz49]

It doesn't matter...I'm not going to have heard of most of the songs or artists. It's a sure sign I'm way, way over the hill.

[lisas3575]

Slightly off topic, but I've been giggling over this since it was quoted in yesterday's Oregonian. :D :D :D (Robin, did you see The Edge?)


"And what's up with the Sting fetish? Sting could f@rt in a Ziploc and you guys would give it five nominations... P.S. If Sting farted into a Ziploc, would it get Song of the Year or Record of the Year?"
-- an open letter to the Grammys from GQ magazine

[RobinC]

Yes, I saw this in yesterday's paper. It made me giggle too. :D

Originally posted by lisas3575
Slightly off topic, but I've been giggling over this since it was quoted in yesterday's Oregonian. :D :D :D (Robin, did you see The Edge?)

[PoppyJ]

Thanks everyone. It all makes sense now.