The Grammys' Greatest Misses: 20 Songs That Should Have Taken Home the Gong

Imagine a playlist filled with hits that never quite clinched the Grammy gold. From the enchanting Wall of Sound to the chart-topping singles of recent years, the Grammys have overlooked some of the most iconic songs. Let’s revisit these tunes, from The Ronettes to Bruno Mars, that continue to resonate, regardless of the elusive Grammy recognition.

Table of Contents

1. The Ronettes – “Be My Baby”

The embodiment of girl groups and Phil Spector’s Wall of Sound, “Be My Baby,” a serious contender for the greatest pop single, remains Grammy-less. Despite its eventual induction into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999, the 1964 awards seemed to miss the magic.

2. The Beatles – “I Want to Hold Your Hand”

The Beatles, with multiple Grammy wins to their name, stumbled on their first nomination. “I Want to Hold Your Hand” lost Record of the Year in 1965, falling victim to Astrud Gilberto and Stan Getz’s “The Girl from Ipanema.”

3. The Rolling Stones – “Satisfaction”

The Stones’ signature single, powered by Keith Richards’ riffing and Mick Jagger’s charisma, failed to secure a Grammy win or even a nomination.

4. Rod Stewart – “Maggie May”

Despite being one of Stewart’s enduring songs and his first No. 1 hit, “Maggie May” faced Grammy indifference. It took another 34 years for Stewart to snatch his only Grammy in 2005.

5. Al Green – “Let’s Stay Together”

Al Green’s 1971 signature hit, marking three years of R&B dominance, didn’t grab the Grammy spotlight. Billy Paul and the Temptations walked away with the awards, leaving Green off the list.

6. Loretta Lynn – “Coal Miner’s Daughter”

Loretta Lynn’s anthem of Appalachian self-reliance never made it onto the Grammy radar, despite defining her career and inspiring a best-selling memoir and Oscar-winning biopic.

7. Prince – “Little Red Corvette”

Prince’s 1984 Grammy success overshadowed some of his finest moments, like “Little Red Corvette.” While “1999” earned a nomination, the classic single missed the Grammy acclaim.

8. Michael Jackson – “Thriller”

The epic title track of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” album, along with its blockbuster 14-minute video, surprisingly missed out on the 1984 Grammys despite the King of Pop’s seven other wins.

9. Van Halen – “Jump”

“Jump,” the commercial breakthrough for Van Halen in 1984, defined early-’80s hard rock but failed to secure a Grammy win.

10. Bruce Springsteen – “Born in the U.S.A.”

While “Dancing in the Dark” earned Springsteen his first Grammy, the title track, a pop-cultural phenomenon, lost Record of the Year to “We Are the World” at the 1986 Grammys.

11. George Michael – “Faith”

Despite establishing George Michael as a legitimate star outside Wham! and winning Album of the Year for “Faith” in 1989, none of its four No. 1 hits earned a Grammy.

12. Madonna – “Like a Prayer”

Madonna’s ambitious and controversial “Like a Prayer” didn’t win a Grammy until 1999. Of all her early career songs, this seems like the most significant miss.

13. Sinead O’Connor – “Nothing Compares 2 U”

Sinead O’Connor’s biggest hit was nominated for three Grammys but, due to her protest against materialistic values, she withdrew her name from consideration and won only for “I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got.”

14. Nirvana – “Smells Like Teen Spirit”

Released in 1991, Nirvana’s breakthrough single didn’t stand a chance at the Grammys, as ballots had already been cast by the time it took over the charts.

15. Green Day – “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)”

While Green Day’s catalog lacks an obvious Grammy contender, “Good Riddance” lost to “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” from the 2004 rock opera “American Idiot!” at the 2006 Grammys.

16. Daddy Yankee – “Gasolina”

“Gasolina,” the song that introduced mainstream America to reggaeton, didn’t receive a Grammy nomination. However, it made history by being nominated for Record of the Year at the Latin Grammys.

17. Lady Gaga – “Born This Way”

Despite earning two Grammy nominations, the title track from Lady Gaga’s second album failed to secure a win. The song, affirming support for LGBTQ rights, remains a cultural anthem.

18. Taylor Swift – “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together”

“Red” marked the last stage of Taylor Swift’s transition from country to pop. However, the album received only three Grammy nominations and failed to win any awards.

19. Carly Rae Jepsen – “Call Me Maybe”

Carly Rae Jepsen’s 2013 hit, despite being nominated for Song of the Year and Best Solo Pop Performance, lost to Adele and fun., leaving the catchy tune without a Grammy.

20. Bruno Mars – “Locked Out of Heaven”

Bruno Mars’ crossover hit “Locked Out of Heaven” missed out on Record of the Year and Song of the Year at the 2014 Grammys. While “Get Lucky” and “Royals” took home the trophies, Mars remained 0-2.

In the vast world of music, these songs continue to thrive despite the absence of a Grammy. Whether it’s the timeless melodies or groundbreaking cultural impact, these tunes remain etched in the hearts of music enthusiasts worldwide.