RECORD OF THE YEAR
After getting shut out of the 2020 nominations, The Weeknd said he won’t allow his recordings to be entered in the Grammy process going forward, but artists have
been known to change their minds. “Save Your Tears,” which received a smash remix with Ariana Grande, would be a strong contender here. The song topped the Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks in May. Last year, 1,463 songs were entered in this
category — here is this year’s shortlist of likely candidates.
BTS “Butter”
Fans worldwide were hoping “Dynamite” would be nominated in this category last year. Although it wasn’t, the group has an even longer-running No. 1 hit now vying for a nod with its snazzy smash that is, as the song suggests, “smooth like butter” and features a co-writing/co-production credit from Columbia Records chairman/CEO Ron Perry.
Billie Eilish
“Therefore I Am” or “Your Power”
This would be Eilish’s third consecutive nod in this category. “Therefore I Am” (boosted by a video of Eilish running through a deserted mall, a defining image of 2020) reached No. 2 on the Hot 100; the cinematic ballad “Your Power” hit No. 10.
Giveon
“Heartbreak Anniversary”
The sleeper hit, released in February 2020 but not entered in this category last year, has climbed as high as No. 16 on the Hot 100. Giveon could also be nominated in this category as a featured artist on Justin Bieber’s pop/R&B smash “Peaches,” which also features Daniel Caesar.
Lil Nas X
“Montero (Call Me by Your Name)”
This would be the rapper’s second nod in this category. “Old Town Road (Remix),” his megahit pairing with Billy Ray Cyrus, was nominated two years ago. “Montero” debuted atop the Hot 100, boosted by shock value and a buzzy video, and has stayed near the top of the chart since its release.
Dua Lipa Featuring DaBaby “Levitating (Remix)”
This would be the second year in a row that both of these artists were nominated in this category: Lipa was nominated last year for “Don’t Start Now,” and DaBaby got the nod for “Rockstar” (featuring Roddy Ricch). “Levitating” reached No. 2 on the Hot 100, which ties “Don’t Start Now” as Lipa’s highest-charting hit.
Olivia Rodrigo “drivers license”
This well-observed, deeply personal ballad is a good bet to get Rodrigo her first record of the year nod. The song topped the Hot 100 for eight weeks, longer than any other single released in this eligibility period — though “Butter” is catching up fast.
Silk Sonic
“Leave the Door Open”
This swanky ballad, an affectionate homage to the Philadelphia soul sound that was in its heyday before Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak (aka Silk Sonic) were born, would constitute Mars’ sixth nod in this category and .Paak’s first. “Leave the Door Open” topped the Hot 100 for two weeks.
Kali Uchis “Telepatía”
This gorgeous, bilingual single took the scenic route to crossover success: It cracked the top 30 on the Hot 100 in its 17th week. Uchis, a guest on songs by Tyler, The Creator and Daniel Caesar, scored her biggest solo hit once “Telepatía” took off on TikTok in early 2021.