There have been 65 album of the yr winners because the Grammy Awards started, with some changing into staples within the ceremony's legacy. The race for the largest honor of the evening is all the time tight, and Selecting a recording academy will not be all the time met with favorable reactions. A number of occasions, the outcomes resulted in bedlam. Lately, this has principally occurred when a distinct artist beat Beyoncé. Regardless of being the blackest artist in Grammy historical past, Beyoncé by no means acquired album of the yr. Nevertheless, the Grammys have honored a handful of different legendary artists with the award.
In 1992, Whitney Houston gained album of the yr for The bodyguardmaking her solely the second black lady to take residence the award. In 2010, Taylor Swift Grew to become Youngest Recipient Ever Till Billie Eilish Took Over That title in 2020. Nevertheless, some unimaginable artists like Mariah Carey, Elton John, and Prince by no means acquired the award regardless of making a huge effect on the music business. Whereas there have been some dangerous decisions, there have additionally been occasions when the Grammys bought it proper, leading to some iconic wins. Under are the ten greatest, from cultural to musical influence.
10
Taylor Swift: 1989
Swift gained on the 2016 Grammy Awards
On the 2016 Grammys, Taylor Swift took residence her second Album of the Yr Trophy. Whereas she confronted some worthy opponents, there was no denying 1989 It was the largest album of the yr. It was exhausting to activate a pop radio station with out listening to one in all Swift's 1989 singles. This was additionally the time that Swift pulled her music from Spotify, so 1989The success was principally non-streaming, though it stays on Apple Music. After dropping album of the yr to his earlier album, CrimsonSwift made a drastic change, abandoning the nation and diving head first into pop.
It was an enormous danger, as no different nation artist had ever efficiently crossed over into pop music. Swift, nonetheless, took it and pulled it off, as she usually does. Earlier than the awards, Kanye West had launched his tune "Well-known," which ended their transient friendship and continued their decades-long feud. Swift took the chance to reward ladies for his or her exhausting work and remind them to by no means let a person take credit score for his or her success. Swift gained the award twice extra, changing into the artist with essentially the most album wins of the yr. Her 1989 Win, nonetheless, was essentially the most memorable.
9
The Beatles: Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Membership Band
The Beatles gained on the 1968 Grammys
The Beatles grew to become a phenomenon after they arrived on the music scene, sparking hysteria referred to as BeatleMania. It wasn't till their eighth studio album within the late '60s, nonetheless, that they'd take residence album of the yr. SGT. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Membership Band It included tracks equivalent to "With a Little Assist From My Pals" and "Lucy within the Sky With Diamonds".
The 2 tracks would change into a few of his best-known hits. The Beatles' Album of the Yr win additionally marked The primary time a rock album took residence the coveted award. It was lengthy overdue, as they already had eleven #1 albums earlier than lastly profitable album of the yr.
8
Alanis Morisette: Little Jagged Tablet
Morisette gained on the 1996 Grammys
Earlier than Taylor Swift and Olivia Rodrigo made waves with their offended songs, Alanis Morrisette took the world by storm along with her celebration of feminine rage titled Small lumpy tablet. The album included her best-known tune to this point, "You Should Know", which Swift and Rodrigo carried out along with her on their respective excursions. Girls have been shamed for his or her anger all through historical past, however with Small lumpy tabletLike this, Morisette inspired ladies to embrace their anger.
The album would encourage a Broadway musical in 2019 and change into the blueprint for different singer-songwriters who wish to specific their bitter feelings by means of music. Now this can be a extra frequent theme in trendy music, however it won't be as prevalent if it wasn't Small lumpy tablet. That cultural influence undoubtedly makes this a memorable album of the yr, particularly seeing as the way it paved the way in which for different artists like Morrisette to realize an identical feat.
7
Bob Dylan: Time Out of Thoughts
Dylan gained on the 1998 Grammy Awards
Bob Dylan was a pioneer in folks music. He was additionally fearless when it comes to experimenting with new sounds, irrespective of how a lot it angered his followers. A whole stranger It takes the viewers by means of the primary time Dylan carried out his rock-inspired album, which didn't go down effectively with the group.
Regardless of his legacy, It wasn't till 1998 that Dylan gained his first album of the yr for one in all his solo albums. Dylan's victory was lengthy overdue and deserved, as Trip of thoughts It had a number of legendary tracks, together with "Make You Really feel My Love". The tune could be coated a number of occasions, most notably by Adele for her 2008 album, 19.
6
Carole King: Tapestry
King gained on the 1972 Grammy Awards
Carole King is among the most prolific singers and songwriters in music historical past, appearing as an inspiration to those that would pursue her. Tapestry It was a deep album, with tracks like "It Is Toy," which took residence report of the yr, and "You Get A Pal," which took residence tune of the yr. The tune of the yr win even made her the primary lady to win the award.
In 2014, TapestryThe monitor "Stunning" impressed the Broadway musical about her life, and she or he would return to the Grammys that yr to carry out the tune with Sara Bareilles. King was solely the third lady to win album of the yr, signifying how impactful the album was and what its legacy could be. 26 years after his victory, Tapestry was inducted into the Grammy Corridor of Fame.
5
STEVIE WOLLHE: INNERVISIONS
Marvel gained on the 1974 Grammys
In 1974, Stevie Marvel gained album of the yr with "Innervisions" and have become the primary black artist to take residence the award. The group erupted in applause as Cher offered Marvel with the golden trophy. Marvel gave a robust speech, hoping his music would proceed to affect a greater future.
The singer would win the award two extra occasions, changing into one of many three artists with essentially the most wins till Taylor Swift broke the report in 2024. Nevertheless, his first win will all the time be his most iconic, because it broke limitations for black artists who would come after from him. This simply makes Marvel's win among the best in Grammy historical past.
4
Frank Sinatra: a person and his music
Sinatra gained on the 1967 Grammys
Frank Sinatra was the second artist to win album of the yr in 1960. Nevertheless, he broke a particular report in 1967 along with his win for A person and his music. The album not solely made Sinatra the primary artist to win the award 3 times, however it was additionally The primary time an artist has consecutively gained album of the yr. The Chairman of the Board gained in 1966 for his album September of my years Earlier than profitable once more on the following ceremony.
To today, Sinatra and Stevie Marvel are the one artists to win album of the yr two years in a row. A person and his music was composed primarily of covers of beforehand launched Sinatra songs and acted as a celebration of his revolutionary profession. The beforehand launched songs made the victory extra spectacular, as Sinatra didn't even must launch new music for the academy to rejoice his work.
3
Lauryn Hill: The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill
Hill gained on the 1999 Grammys
Lauryn Hill was the third black lady to win album of the yr on the Grammys. A part of what made the second so particular was that Whitney Houston offered her with the award, encouraging the group to cheer on Hill's huge win. The miseducation of Lauryn Hill was Hill's first and solely solo album, Making her acquire an excellent better achievement, particularly since she confronted some huge names.
Hill beat Madonna, Sheryl Crow and Shania Twain Together with his victory, then it was fairly profound. In her acceptance speech, she highlighted how particular it was to win for a hip-hop album, whereas Houston cheered excitedly within the background. The miseducation of Lauryn Hill was one of the vital acclaimed albums of 1998 and stays extremely praised to today.
2
Fleetwood Mac: rumors
Fleetwood Mac gained on the 1978 Grammys
Fleetwood Mac's rumored album is #7 on the charts Rolling StoneOne of the best albums of all time listing. The publication referred to it as the perfect breakup album ever launched, and Grammy voters appeared to agree that it was glorious. The album is flooded with iconic breakup tracks, with the 2004 remastered model together with the legendary Fleetwood Mac monitor "Silver Springs."
Rumors It stays one of many best-selling albums of all time, with all 4 of its singles launched within the high 10 of the Billboard Sizzling 100. The album has an unimaginable custom with all of the behind-the-scenes breakup drama, which solely provides to its legacy. Nevertheless, Even with out the tales, the tune stands by itself and was effectively publicizing the largest honor of the Grammys evening. Just one different Album of the Yr wins does this iconic album higher.
1
Michael Jackson: Thriller
Jackson gained on the 1984 Grammys
One album of the yr winner stands out among the many 64 others, and that's Michael Jackson's motion film. The album stays the best-seller of all time and was a pivotal second in Jackson's profession. Just like Taylor Swift's pivot to pop music, Jackson was annoyed when Off the wall It was not nominated for album of the yr. The one nominations he acquired had been for his single "Don't Cease 'Til You Get Sufficient". Jackson was additionally annoyed with being boxed into the R&B style, so He got down to change into the king of pop. Evidently, he achieved past his wildest desires.
motion filmThe win represented all of the exhausting work Jackson had put into his profession. The singer accepted the award in his beautiful jacket and iconic sparkly glove, taking the stage with legendary producer Quincy Jones. motion film was the blueprint for each pop album that got here after itand Michael Jackson remains to be the blueprint for contemporary pop stars. Whereas the Grammys will proceed handy out its album of the yr trophy to a number of extra excited recipients, it will likely be exhausting to beat the legacy of Michael Jackson's motion film.