History of the Grammys, Part 4: A Decade Study

Here we are at Part 4 of our Grammys series! This week we're diving into the '90s, which as I'm sure you can guess are weird and wonderful just like they were on the Billboard post. As with the previous posts, I'll only be highlighting the winners of the awards for Record of the Year (which is awarded to the performer and production team of a single song if other than the performer) and Song of the Year (which is awarded to the songwriter or songwriters of a single song). Let's jump in and start listening!

1989

The 31st Annual Grammy Awards were held February 22nd, 1989 in Los Angeles, California. Hosted by comedian Billy Crystal, the televised awards honored musical achievements from the year 1988.

Record & Song of the Year - Don't Worry, Be Happy by Bobby McFerrin (written by R. McFerrin)

This is a song both my husband and I have loved our entire lives - he actually claims that it's one of his top 3 favorite songs of all time, which is pretty high praise coming from him. Featured on McFerrin's 1988 album Simple Pleasures, this was the first a capella song to ever hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Inspired by a poster of Indian mystic Meher Baba's famous expression "Don't worry, be happy," McFerrin wrote this song for the 1988 film Cocktail (starring Tom Cruise & Bryan Brown) and it became a hit after that, with him taking home 3 Grammys in 1989 - Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. A lot of people think that Bob Marley has done a cover of this song, but seeing as he died in 1981 that would've been a little difficult fo him to do. The song has, however, been covered through the years by artists such as The Katsimiha Brothers and Cas Haley as well as others.

Here’s a little song I wrote, you might want to sing it note for note/Don’t worry, be happy/In every life, we have some trouble, but when you worry, you make it double/Don’t worry, be happy/Don’t worry, be happy now/Don’t worry, be happy/Don’t worry, be happy/Don’t worry, be happy/Don’t worry, be happy

1990

The 32nd Annual Grammy Awards were held February 21st, 1990 in Los Angeles, California. Hosted by comedian Gary Shandling, the televised awards honored musical achievements from the year 1989.

Record & Song of the Year - Wind Beneath My Wings by Bette Midler (written by J. Silbar, L. Henley)

Is this song iconic? Yes. Is it ok to cringe while listening to some of the lyrics? Also yes. I know the sentiment of the song overall is sweet and wonderful, but there are times for me personally where it just feels like a way to inflate the narrator's ego. Featured on the soundtrack to the 1988 film Beaches (starring Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey), Midler's version is actually a cover of the song written by Jeff Silbar and Larry Henley back in 1982. The Midler cover has easily become the most recognizable and iconic, winning she and producer Arif Martin Record of the Year and Silbar & Henley Song of the Year in 1990. Other notable covers of this song include the original by Kamahl from 1982, Lou Rawls in 1983, and Gary Morris in 1983.

It must have been cold there in my shadow/To never have sunlight on your face/You were content to let me shine, that’s your way/You always walked a step behind/So I was the one with all the glory/While you were the one with all the strength/A beautiful face without a name for so long/A beautiful smile to hide the pain/Did you ever know that you’re my hero/And everything I would like to be/I can fly higher than an eagle/For you are the wind beneath my wings

1991

The 33rd Annual Grammy Awards were held February 20th, 1991 in New York City, New York. Hosted by comedian Gary Shandling, the televised awards honored musical achievements from the year 1990.

Record of the Year - Another Day in Paradise by Phil Collins (written by P. Collins)

This song sounds so classically 90s that there's no way that anyone could classify it as being from another decade. Featured on Collins' 1989 album ...But Seriously, this song ended up being his 7th (and most recent) #1 single on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was nominated for four Grammys in 1991, walking away with Record of the Year for Collins and producer Hugh Padgham. Some of the most well known covers of this song include those by Brandy & Ray J, Jam Tronik, and Copeland.

She calls out to the man on the street/"Sir, can you help me/It’s cold and I’ve nowhere to sleep/Is there something you can tell me"/He walks on, doesn’t look back/He pretends he can’t hear her/He starts to whistle as he crosses the street/She’s embarrassed to be there/Oh, think twice/It’s just another day for you and me in paradise/Oh, think twice/It’s just another day for you, you and me in paradise/Just think about it

Song of the Year - From a Distance by Bette Midler (written by J. Gold)

While this song may not be as immediately recognizable as Wind Beneath My Wings, it has a few things in common similar to Midler's other Grammy winning performance in that it was written a few years before and is the most popular cover of the song out there. Written in 1985 by Julie Gold, the song was originally recorded in 1987 by Nanci Griffith. Midler recorded the song for her 1990 album Some People's Lives, and it ended up peaking at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and winning Gold the Song of the Year Grammy. The song has also been recorded by the likes of Donna Summer, John Barrowman, and David Archuleta.

From a distance, the world looks blue and green and the snow capped mountains white/From a distance, the ocean meets the stream and the eagle takes to flight/From a distance, there is harmony and it echoes through the land/It’s the voice of hope, it’s the voice of peace, it’s the voice of every man/From a distance, we all have enough and no one is in need/And there are no guns, no bombs and no disease, no hungry mouths to feed/From a distance, we are instruments marching in a common band/Playing songs of hope, playing songs of peace, they are the songs of every man/God is watching us/God is watching us/God is watching us/From a distance

1992

The 34th Annual Grammy Awards were held February 25th, 1992 in New York City, New York. Hosted by comedian Whoopi Goldberg, the televised awards honored musical achievements from the year 1991.

Record & Song of the Year - Unforgettable by Natalie Cole with Nat King Cole (written by I. Gordon)

I don't know about anyone else, but this virtual duet between father and daughter tends to catch me in my feels when I hear it. Originally performed by Nat King Cole in 1951, the song was reworked and rerecorded as a "duet" by Cole's daughter Natalie in the '90s for her 1991 album Unforgettable...with Love. The duet version peaked at #14 on the Billboard Hot 100 and walked away with 3 Grammys in 1992: Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance. This song has been around longer than the others on this post, so it's had time to be covered be more people, including but not limited to Andrea Bocelli & Lisa Kelly, Captain & Tennille, Sammy Davis Jr., Roberta Flack, Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, Merle Haggard, Peggy Lee, Johnny Mathis, Kenny Rogers, and Sia.

Unforgettable in every way/And forevermore, that's how you'll stay/That's why, darling, it's incredible/That someone so unforgettable/Thinks that I am unforgettable, too

1993

The 35th Annual Grammy Awards were held February 24th, 1993 in Los Angeles, California. Hosted by comedian Gary Shandling, the televised awards honored musical achievements from the year 1992.

Record & Song of the Year - Tears in Heaven by Eric Clapton (written by E. Clapton, W. Jennings)

Eric Clapton is another definitively 90s artist that makes perfect sense to be here on this list. Featured both on Clapton's 1992 album Unplugged and the soundtrack for the 1991 film Rush (starring Jason Patric & Jennifer Jason Leigh), this emotional track was inspired by the loss of Clapton's four year old son Conor. The song peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and ended up with 3 Grammys in 1993: Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. In addition to a big ensemble performance of this song to raise money for tsunami victims in 2005, notable covers of Tears in Heaven include those by Stevie Wonder and Loona.

Would you know my name if I saw you in heaven/Would it be the same if I saw you in heaven/I must be strong and carry on/‘Cause I know I don’t belong here in heaven/Would you hold my hand if I saw you in heaven/Would you help me stand if I saw you in heaven/I’ll find my way through night and day/‘Cause I know I just can’t stay here in heaven

1994

The 36th Annual Grammy Awards were held March 1st, 1994 in New York City, New York. Hosted by comedian Gary Shandling, the televised awards honored musical achievements from the year 1993.

Record of the Year - I Will Always Love You by Whitney Houston (written by D. Parton)

I believe this is without a doubt one of the most iconic songs to come out of the 1990s. Originally written and recorded by actual angel Dolly Parton in 1973, Houston famously covered this song for the soundtrack to the 1992 film The Bodyguard (starring Houston & Kevin Costner). Revisiting some facts from our Billboard posts, this song spent 14 weeks at #1 on the Hot 100 and became the song of the year for 1993. Houston went home in 1994 with two Grammys for this song: Record of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female. Apart from Houston and Parton, other prolific covers of this song include those by Kristin Chenoweth (in which she duetted with Parton), LeAnn Rimes, Kenny Rogers, Beyoncé, and Michael Bolton.

If I should stay/I would only be in your way/So I’ll go, but I know/I’ll think of you every step of the way/And I will always love you/I will always love you

Song of the Year - A Whole New World by Peabo Bryson & Regina Belle (written by A. Menken, T. Rice)

As a lifelong Disney fan, I LOVE seeing Disney songs win big awards like this because the composers totally deserve it. Featured on Bryson's 1994 album Through the Fire, Belle's 1993 album Passion, and the soundtrack to the 1992 masterpiece Aladdin (starring Scott Weinger & Robin Williams), this song is the "official" theme song of the film. A Whole New World peaked at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and has been certified Gold by the RIAA. Notable covers of this Disney karaoke staple include the film version by Brad Kane & Lea Salonga, Lea Salonga & Jose Mari Chan, and Zayn Malik & Zhavia Ward.

I can show you the world, shining, shimmering, splendid/Tell me, princess, now when did you last let your heart decide/I can open your eyes, take you wonder by wonder/Over, sideways, and under on a magic carpet ride/A whole new world, a new fantastic point of view/No one to tell us no or where to go or say we’re only dreaming/A whole new world, a dazzling place I never knew/But now from way up here, it’s crystal clear that now I’m in a whole new world with you

1995

The 37th Annual Grammy Awards were held March 1st, 1995 in Los Angeles, California. Hosted by comedian Paul Reiser, the televised awards honored musical achievements from the year 1994.

Record of the Year - All I Wanna Do by Sheryl Crow (written by B. Bottrell, K. Gilbert, W. Cooper, S. Crow, D. Baerwald)

To me, this song gives off massive 90s and summertime vibes. Featured on Crow's 1993 album Tuesday Night Music Club, several lyrics are adaptations from the Wyn Cooper poem Fun. Known as Crow's breakthrough hit, she took home two Grammys in 1995 (Record of the Year and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance) and peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100. To date, the most notable cover version was done by Amy Studt in 2004 after she was asked directly by Crow to record it.

"All I want to do is have a little fun before I die," says the man next to me out of nowhere/It’s apropos of nothing, he says his name is William but I’m sure he’s Bill or Billy or Mac or Buddy/And he’s plain ugly to me and I wonder if he’s ever had a day of fun in his whole life/We are drinking beer at noon on Tuesday in the bar that faces the giant car wash/And the good people of the world are washing their cars on their lunch breaks/Hosing and scrubbing as best they can in skirts and suits/They drive their shiny Datsuns and Buicks back to the phone company, the record store, too/Well, they’re nothing like Billy and me/‘Cause all I wanna do is have some fun/I got a feeling I’m not the only one/All I wanna do is have some fun/I got a feeling I’m not the only one/all I wanna do is have some fun/Until the sun comes up over Santa Monica Boulevard

Song of the Year - Streets of Philadelphia by Bruce Springsteen (written by B. Springsteen)

Rock legend Bruce Springsteen took home the Song of the Year award in 1994 for Streets of Philadelphia. Featured on the soundtrack to the 1993 film Philadelphia (starring Tom Hanks & Denzel Washington), the song peaked at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100. Springsteen also went home with four Grammys for this song: Song of the Year, Best Rock Song, Best Rock Vocal Performance Solo, and Best Song Written Specifically for a Motion Picture or Television. Popular covers of this song include artists such as Melissa Etheridge, The Fray, and Sir Elton John.

I was bruised and battered, I couldn’t tell what I felt/I was unrecognizable to myself/I saw my reflection in a window, I didn’t know my own face/Oh brother, are you gonna leave me wasting away/On the streets of Philadelphia/I walked the avenue ’til my legs felt like stone/I heard the voices of friends vanished and gone/At night, I could hear the blood in my veins/It was just as black and whispering as the rain/On the streets of Philadelphia

1996

The 38th Annual Grammy Awards were held February 28th, 1996 in Los Angeles, California. Hosted by comedian Ellen DeGeneres, the televised awards honored musical achievements from the year 1995.

Record & Song of the Year - Kiss From a Rose by Seal (written by H. Samuel)

Guys...what is this song? This song is just so bizarre from start to finish, but that's such a 90s thing to have happened that I guess it makes some sort of sense. Featured on Seal's 1994 album Seal II, the soundtrack to the 1994 film The NeverEnding Story III: Escape from Fantasia (starring Jason James Richter & Melody Kay), and the soundtrack to the 1995 film Batman Forever (staring Val Kilmer & Tommy Lee Jones), Seal actually didn't like this song when he first wrote it in 1987, stating he was embarrassed by it and not revisiting it until he was recording Seal II in the mid-90s. The song took home 3 Grammys in 1996 (Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Male Pop Vocal Performance) and peaked at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Notable covers of the song include those by Trinití, Straight No Chaser, and Dan Avidan & Super Guittar Bros.

There used to be a greying tower alone on the sea/You became the light on the dark side of me/Love remained a drug, that’s the high and not the pill/But did you know that when it snows/My eyes become large and the light that you shine can be seen/Baby, I compare you to a kiss from a rose on the grey/Ooh, the more I get of you, the stranger it feels, yeah/Now that your rose is in bloom/A light hits the gloom on the grey

1997

The 39th Annual Grammy Awards were held February 26th, 1996 in New York City, New York. Hosted by comedian Ellen DeGeneres, the televised awards honored musical achievements from the year 1996.

Record & Song of the Year - Change the World by Eric Clapton (written by G. Kennedy, T. Sims, W. Kirkpatrick)

Eric Clapton returned to win more Grammys in '97 with his single Change the World. Featured on the soundtrack to the 1996 film Phenomenon (starring John Travolta & Kyra Sedgwick), this is now recognized as one of Clapton's signature songs. It brought home 3 Grammys in 1997 (Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Male Pop Vocal Performance) and peaked at #19 on the Billboard Hot 100. Notable covers of this song include those by Wynonna Judd, Alto Reed, and Elaine Paige.

If I could reach the stars/I’d pull one down for you/Shine it on my heart/So you could see the truth/That this love I have inside/Is everything it seems/But for now, I find it’s only in my dreams that I can/Change the world/I would be the sunlight in your universe/You would think my love was really something good/Baby, if I could change the world

1998

The 40th Annual Grammy Awards were held February 25th, 1997 in New York City, New York. Hosted by actor Kelsey Grammer, the televised awards honored musical achievements from the year 1997.

Record & Song of the Year - Sunny Came Home by Shawn Colvin (written by J. Leventhal, S. Colvin)

I only knew one Shawn Colvin song prior to this week, but I ended up really enjoying this one when I listened to it. Featured on her 1996 album A Few Small Repairs, Colvin saw this song peak at #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and win two of the three Grammys it was nominated for. I couldn't find any cover versions of this song, but you should 100% listen to the original because it's a great example of storytelling lyricism and it's just a good, chill little song.

Sunny came home to her favorite room/Sunny sat down in the kitchen/She opened a book and a box of tools/Sunny came home with a mission/She says days go by, I’m hypnotized/I’m walking on a wire/I close my eyes and fly out of my mind/Into the fire

Whether this was a blast from the past or a new ear-opening experience, I hope you found some good music on here today. Happy listening, and see ya'll next week!