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It was ladies’ night at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards, with Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus, Billie Eilish, SZA and more all taking home trophies.
Swift won her 14th career Grammy for album of the year for “Midnights,” making history as the only person to have ever won that award four times, beating both three-time winners Frank Sinatra and Stevie Wonder. The award was presented by Celine Dion, of whom Swift is an outspoken fan. Swift also won for best pop vocal album.
During her thank-you speech, Swift announced that her new album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” would be out April 19. Swift’s win of that award was announced by U2, live from Las Vegas’ Sphere, where the group has been performing since September. Prior to announcing the award, they performed their song “Atomic City,” accompanied by the Sphere’s astounding visuals.
Cyrus won record of the year and pop solo performance of the year for her hit song “Flowers” off her album “Endless Summer Vacation,” which she performed during the broadcast wearing vintage Bob Mackie. Those marked Cyrus’ first and second Grammys and the star was clearly excited about the wins.
The biggest winner of the night was Phoebe Bridgers, taking home three Grammys with her indie supergroup boygenius and one solo Grammy, but none of those awards were shown during the broadcast.
SZA was the night’s most-nominated performer with nine overall. She ended up winning best R&B Song for “Snooze,” which she performed on-stage. The award was presented by SZA’s long time and Grammy-winning friend, Lizzo. SZA won three awards overall, second only to Bridgers.
Song of the year, which awards songwriting, went to Billie Eilish and her brother and creative partner Finneas for “What Was I Made For?” the theme song from Barbie. The song also won a Grammy for best song written for visual media, and is nominated for an Academy Award for best original song. The Barbie soundtrack won a Grammy earlier in the day for best compilation soundtrack for visual media. With this win, Billie Eilish and Finneas join an elite group of 12 songwriters who have won this award twice, and only Eilish and Adele have won song of the year twice.
Other female winners were Karol G for best musica urbana and Lainey Wilson, who scored the Grammy for best country album for “Bell Bottom Country.” Victoria Monet was named best new artist, beating out Noah Kahan, Coco Jones, The War and the Treaty, Fred Again, Gracie Abrams, Fred Again, Ice Spice and Jelly Roll. At 34, Monet is also the oldest person to ever win this award; the previous oldest was Sheryl Crow at age 33. Women have won the best new artist Grammy every year since 2018 when Alessia Cara took the honor.
Highlights of the evening were Tracy Chapman making a rare public appearance to perform her song “Fast Car” with Luke Combs, whose cover of the 1989 hit was 2023’s fifth biggest song. Chapman won the Grammy for best pop vocal performance of “Fast Car” in 1989. The Grammy audience received Chapman with rapturous applause both before and after the performance.
Folk music legend Joni Mitchell performed “Both Sides Now” with Brandi Carlile and won the Grammy for best folk album, “Joni Mitchell at Newport.” The performance marked the 80-year-old’s first time performing at the music awards show.
Color Purple star Fantasia Barrino channelled her inner Tina Turner with a rocking rendition of “Proud Mary” (is there any other kind?), after being introduced in a rousing speech by Color Purple executive producer and Tina Turner superfan, Oprah Winfrey.
Billy Joel, who has sold out Madison Square Garden more than 150 times in his long career in music, made a heralded appearance at the Grammys, playing his new song, “Turn the Lights Back On,” and then playing the show out with “You May Be Right.”
See all of Sunday’s winners here.
Tags: grammys