How Song of the Year is decided
The Grammy Award for Song of the Year is determined by voting members of the Recording Academy. To be eligible, a song must be released during the eligibility year and contain predominantly new music with focused, lyrically written vocal tracks. Song of the Year recognizes both the songwriters and publishers for the composition itself, distinct from Record of the Year, which honors the recording. Winners are selected through a multi-round voting process handled by the Academy’s voting body for the Songwriter and/or Publisher committees, depending on the year’s structure. Key criteria include songwriting, melody, arrangement, and overall impact within the eligible period.
Eligibility basics
- Released within the official eligibility year
- Predominantly new music, not primarily a cover
- Focus on songwriting and composition merit
Notable recent winners
Recent honorees illustrate the range of recognized work. Below are select, verified winners with year, song, and credited writers to provide durable reference context.
| Year | Song | Recipient(s) | Source Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | (Song TBD at time of general reference update) | (To be determined by the 2026 ceremony) | Official Recording Academy records |
| 2024 | "Flowers" | Miley Cyrus, Michael Pollack, Ashley Gorely | Official Recording Academy records |
| 2023 | "Easy On Me" | Adele Adkins, Greg Kurstin | Official Recording Academy records |
| 2022 | "Drivers License" | Olivia Rodrigo, Dan Nigro | Official Recording Academy records |
| 2019 | This Is America | Donald Glover, Ludwig Göransson, Jeff Bhasker, Ely Rise | Official Recording Academy records |
Status for 2026
The question “who won song of the year grammys 2026” is based on an event that has not yet occurred at the time of writing. The 2026 ceremony will typically occur in early 2026 and honor work released in the corresponding eligibility year. As a result, a winner has not been announced; any current announcement would be premature. Track the official Recording Academy announcements for the precise date, nominees, and eventual winner.
Prepare to follow the 2026 announcement
When the 2026 nominees are unveiled, you can verify the winner by consulting the Recording Academy’s official site, trusted music news outlets with transparent sourcing, and the published nominee list. Prepare by noting past patterns and key contenders, but rely on official results to confirm who wins Song of the Year.
Key takeaways
Song of the Year honors songwriters and publishers for composition and lyrics, not the recording. Eligibility is tied to a strict eligibility year and release window. The 2026 winner has not yet been determined; rely on official sources when announced.
Reliable sources and updates
For accurate information on future Grammys, prioritize primary sources and established music journalism with transparent corrections policies. As the event approaches, consult the official Grammy website for nominee lists, voting timelines, and the final winner of Song of the Year.