Yahoo LifestyleThe Grammy award-winning best song from the year you were born
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Every year, the Grammys celebrates the music industry's top artists and tracks.
Musicians like Adele, Whitney Houston, Bruno Mars, and Billie Eilish have all won the Grammy for record of the year.
The Grammys annually honors some of the best songs and music videos of the past year, chosen by members of The Recording Academy.
Among all the awards given out during the show, categories like record of the year, album of the year, and song of the year often generate buzz.
The difference between record of the year and song of the year is that the former refers to "the artist's performance as well as the overall contributions of the producer(s), recording engineer(s) and/or mixer(s) if other than the artist" and the latter "recognizes the songwriter(s)."
Keep reading this list to see which track received a Grammy for record of the year on the year that you were born.
1959: "Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu (Volare)" — Domenico Modugno
AP
Domenico Modugno's popular track was the first winner of the Grammy for record of the year. Listen to the winning song here.
1960: "Mack the Knife" — Bobby Darin
AP
The song was also nominated for best male vocal performance. You can listen to "Mack the Knife" here.
1961: "The Theme from 'A Summer Place'" — Percy Faith and His Orchestra
AP
Faith won his first Grammy in 1961. "The Theme from 'A Summer Place'" also earned two nominations for best arrangement and best performance by an orchestra. You can listen to the song here.
1962: "Moon River" — Henry Mancini
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At the fourth Grammys, Mancini won awards for record of the year, song of the year, and best arrangement with "Moon River." He won two additional awards for the "Breakfast at Tiffany's" soundtrack. You can listen to "Moon River" here.
1963: "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" — Tony Bennett
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for NARAS
Tony Bennett won his first of many Grammys in 1963, beginning with the awards for record of the year and best male solo vocal performance for "I Left My Heart in San Francisco." Listen to the song here.
1964: "Days of Wine and Roses" — Henry Mancini
Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Henry Mancini won three awards at the sixth Grammys for "Days of Wine and Roses": record of the year, song of the year, and best background arrangement (behindn vocalist or instrumentalist). Listen to the award-winning track here.
1965: "The Girl From Ipanema" — Stan Getz and Astrud Gilberto
AP
In addition to winning record of the year, the two artists also won album of the year and best instrumental jazz performance (small group or soloist with small group) for "Getz/Gilberto."
You can listen to "The Girl From Ipanema" here.
1966: "A Taste of Honey" — Herb Alpert and The Tijuana Brass
Stuart Ramson/AP
"A Taste of Honey" won three awards at the eighth Grammys: record of the year, best non-jazz instrumental performance, and best instrumental arrangement.
You can listen to the song here.
1967: "Strangers in the Night" — Frank Sinatra
AP
Sinatra won three awards that year: record of the year for "Strangers in the Night," album of the year for "A Man and His Music," and best male vocal performance for "Strangers in the Night."
You can listen to the winning song here.
1968: "Up, Up, and Away" — 5th Dimension
PoPsie Randolph/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
"Up, Up, and Away" won four awards at the 10th Grammys: best performance by a vocal group, best contemporary single, best contemporary group performance (vocal or instrumental), and record of the year. Listen to the song here.
1969: "Mrs. Robinson" — Simon and Garfunkel
Pier Paolo Cito/AP
The award-winning track is from the duo's 1968 album "The Graduate." You can listen to "Mrs. Robinson" here.
1970: "Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In (The Flesh Failures)" — 5th Dimension
Marty Lederhandler/AP
In addition to winning record of the year, the song also won the Grammy for best contemporary vocal performance by a group. You can listen to the song here.
1971: "Bridge Over Troubled Water" — Simon and Garfunkel
AP
The duo, comprised of Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel, won record of the year and album of the year. Listen to the song here.
1972: "It's Too Late" — Carole King
Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
King was a big winner at the 14th Grammys, snagging four total awards: record of the year, album of the year, song of the year, and best female pop vocal performance.
Listen to "It's Too Late" here.
1973: "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" — Roberta Flack
Mark J. Terrill/AP
The original track was actually written by Ewan MacColl and appeared on Flack's "First Take" album. You can listen to "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" here.
1974: "Killing Me Softly With His Song" — Roberta Flack
Harold Filan/AP
At the 16th Grammys, Flack's "Killing Me Softly With His Song" won awards for record of the year and best female pop vocal performance.
You can listen to the song here.
1975: "I Honestly Love You" — Olivia Newton-John
At the 17th Grammys, Olivia Newton-John's "I Honestly Love You" received awards for record of the year and best female pop vocal performance. Listen to the track here.
1976: "Love Will Keep Us Together" — Captain & Tennille
"Love Will Keep Us Together" was released by American duo Captain & Tennille in 1975. The song won a Grammy for record of the year in 1976 and also received a nomination for best pop vocal performance by a duo, group, or chorus. Listen to the song here.
1977: "This Masquerade" — George Benson
George Benson won his first Grammy awards in 1977 for record of the year, best pop instrumental performance, and best R&B instrumental performance. Listen to "This Masquerade" here.
1978: "Hotel California" — Eagles
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In a book written by Marc Eliot, the band discussed the inspiration behind the Grammy award-winning track.
"The concept had to do with taking a look at all the band had gone through, personally and professionally, while it was still happening to them," Don Henley said to Eliot.
Listen to "Hotel California" here.
1979: "Just the Way You Are" — Billy Joel
Scott Roth/Invision/AP
"Just the Way You Are" earned Billy Joel two Grammys in 1979 — one for record of the year and one for song of the year. He has five Grammy wins, three hall of fame awards, and received the Grammy legend award in 1991. Listen to the track here.
1980: "What A Fool Believes" — The Doobie Brothers
At the 22nd Grammys, The Doobie Brothers won awards for record of the year and best pop vocal performance by a duo, group, or chorus. Listen to "What A Fool Believes" here.
1981: "Sailing" — Christopher Cross
AP Photo
In 1981, Christopher Cross received Grammy awards for record of the year, album of the year, song of the year, best new artist, and best arrangement accompanying vocalist(s).
Cross was also the first artist in Grammys history to win all four general categories in the same night. Listen to "Sailing" here.
1982: "Bette Davis Eyes" — Kim Carnes
Rick Diamond/Getty Images for CMHOF
Kim Carnes won a Grammy for record of the year in 1982 with her popular track "Bette Davis Eyes." In 1981, "Bette Davis Eyes " also peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Listen to the track here.
1983: "Rosanna"— Toto
AP
Toto's "Rosanna" won the Grammy award for record of the year in 1983. The song also won Grammys for best instrumental arrangement accompanying vocals and best vocal arrangement for two or more voices. Watch the official music video for "Rosanna" here.
1984: "Beat It" — Michael Jackson
Doug Pizac/AP
At the 26th Grammys, Michael Jackson received awards for record of the year, album of the year, best male pop vocal performance, best male rock vocal performance, best male R&B vocal performance, and best rhythm and blues song. Watch the official video for "Beat It" here.
1985: "What's Love Got to Do With It" — Tina Turner
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In 1985, Tina Turner received Grammy awards for record of the year, best female pop vocal performance, and best female rock vocal performance. Watch the music video for "What's Love Got to Do With It" here.
1986: "We Are the World" — USA For Africa (Various Artists)
Mario Anzuoni-Pool/Getty Images
"We Are the World" was written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie and produced by Quincy Jones. A new version of the song was also recorded in 2010 to benefit relief efforts following the earthquake in Haiti. Listen to the original, Grammy award-winning song here.
1987: "Higher Love" — Steve Winwood
Pizzello/AP Photo
At the 29th Grammys, Steve Winwood's "Higher Love" received awards for record of the year and best male pop vocal performance. Listen to the winning track here.
1988: "Graceland" — Paul Simon
Paul Simon received his first Grammy wins in 1969 at the 29th Grammys. He also won the award for record of the year. Listen to "Graceland" here.
1989: "Don't Worry Be Happy" — Bobby McFerrin
Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images
In 1989, Bobby McFerrin's "Don't Worry Be Happy" won Grammys for record of the year, song of the year, and best male pop vocal performance. Watch the official music video here.
1990: "Wind Beneath My Wings" — Bette Midler
Bette Midler won her first Grammy in 1974 for best new artist. In 1990, "Wind Beneath My Wings won the award for record of the year and peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Listen to the song here.
1991: "Another Day in Paradise" — Phil Collins
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Phil Collins received his first award at the 27th Grammys, and has scored a total of eight awards over the years. Watch the official music video for "Another Day in Paradise" here.
1992: "Unforgettable" — Natalie Cole (With Nat "King" Cole)
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In addition to winning record of the year, Natalie Cole won Grammys for album of the year and best traditional pop performance. Listen to "Unforgettable" here.
1993: "Tears in Heaven" — Eric Clapton
Douglas C. Pizac/AP
At the 35th Grammys, Eric Clapton received awards for record of the year, album of the year, song of the year, best male pop vocal performance, best male rock vocal performance, and best rock song. Listen to "Tears in Heaven" here.
1994: "I Will Always Love You" — Whitney Houston
Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You" received two Grammys in 1994 — one for record of the year and another for best female pop vocal performance. In 2012, there was an hour-long Grammy special that aired on CBS in honor of Houston. Listen to "I Will Always Love You" here.
1995: "All I Wanna Do" — Sheryl Crow
Michael Loccisano/Getty Images
At the 37th Grammys, Sheryl Crow won her first awards for record of the year, best new artist, and best female pop vocal performance. Listen to "All I Wanna Do" here.
1996: "Kiss From a Rose" — Seal
Reed Saxon/AP
At the 38th Grammys, Seal scored awards for record of the year, song of the year, and best male pop vocal performance. "Kiss From A Rose" also peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1995. Listen to the song here.
1997: "Change the World" — Eric Clapton
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Clapton added to his Grammy wins in 1997 when he received awards for record of the year, best male pop vocal performance, and best rock instrumental performance. Listen to "Change the World" here.
1998: "Sunny Came Home" — Shawn Colvin
Richard Drew/AP
In an interview with The Huffington Post, Colvin explained that the Grammy award-winning track was inspired by the cover art for her 1996 album, "A Few Small Repairs." Listen to "Sunny Came Home" here.
1999: "My Heart Will Go On" (Love Theme From "Titanic") — Celine Dion
Reed Saxon/AP
Dion's iconic track from "Titanic" earned her two Grammys in 1999 — one for record of the year and another for best female pop vocal performance. Listen to the award-winning song here.
2000: "Smooth" — Santana featuring Rob Thomas
Rob Thomas co-wrote "Smooth" after finishing a tour with Matchbox Twenty, and he initially wanted George Michael to sing it. "Smooth" won awards for record of the year, best pop collaboration with vocals, and song of the year in 2000. Watch the music video for "Smooth" here.
2001: "Beautiful Day" — U2
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U2 has accumulated more than 20 Grammys and made their first appearance at the 30th Grammy Awards. In 2001, they won three Grammys for record of the year, song of the year, and best rock performance by a duo or group with vocal. Listen to "Beautiful Day" here.
2002: "Walk On" — U2
In addition to winning record of the year in 2002, they also won best pop performance by a duo or group with vocal, best rock performance by a duo or group with vocal, and best rock album. Listen to the track here.
2003: "Don't Know Why" — Norah Jones
Norah Jones attended her first Grammy Awards show in 2003. That year, Jones won her first five Grammys for record of the year, best pop vocal album of the year, best female pop vocal performance, and album of the year. Watch the music video for "Don't Know Why" here.
2004: "Clocks" — Coldplay
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Coldplay won an award for record of the year at the 46th annual Grammys in February 2004. Listen to the Grammy-winning record here.
2005: "Here We Go Again" — Ray Charles and Norah Jones
After winning five Grammys in 2003, Norah Jones returned to the stage in 2005 to receive three more awards. She won awards for record of the year, best female pop vocal performance, and best pop collaboration with vocals. Listen to the duet here.
2006: "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" — Green Day
"Boulevard of Broken Dreams" is from Green Day's "American Idiot" album, which won the award for best rock album at the 47th Grammys. Listen to the song here.
2007: "Not Ready to Make Nice" — Dixie Chicks
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At the 49th Grammys, the Dixie Chicks won awards for record of the year, album of the year, bet country performance by a duo or group with vocal, and best country album. Listen to "Not Ready to Make Nice" here.
2008: "Rehab" — Amy Winehouse
Getty
"Rehab" is from Amy Winehouse's sophomore album, "Back to Black." In addition to record of the year, the track also won the award for song of the year. Watch the official music video here.
2009: "Please Read the Letter" — Robert Plant and Alison Krauss
Robert Plant and Alison Krauss were the recipients of a combined five awards at the 51st Grammys — record of the year, album of the year, best country collaboration with vocals, best pop collaboration with vocals, and best contemporary folk/americana album. Listen to "Please Read the Letter" here.
2010: "Use Somebody" — Kings Of Leon
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"Use Somebody" won awards for record of the year and best rock performance by a duo or group with vocals at the 52nd Grammy Awards. Watch the official music video for the winning track here.
2011: "Need You Now" — Lady Antebellum
Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
In addition to winning record of the year, Lady Antebellum also won Grammys for best country performance by a duo or group with vocals, best country album, song of the year, and best country song. Listen to "Need You Now" here.
2012: "Rolling in the Deep" — Adele
AP
"Rolling in the Deep" is one of the most-recognized songs from Adele's sophomore album, "21," and also won the award for song of the year at the 54th Grammy Awards. Listen to the track here.
2013: "Somebody That I Used to Know" — Gotye featuring Kimbra
AP
Gotye and Kimbra's "Somebody That I Used to Know" earned them Grammys for record of the year and best pop duo/group performance in 2013. Listen to the song here.
2014: "Get Lucky" — Daft Punk featuring Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers
Kevork Djansezian/Getty
Daft Punk received the award for record of the year in 2014. "Get Lucky" also peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2013. Listen to the song here.
2015: "Stay With Me" (Darkchild Version) — Sam Smith
Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
"Stay With Me" is from Sam Smith's debut album, 'The Lonely Hour." At the 57th Grammys, Smith won awards for record of the year, song of the year, and best pop vocal album. Watch the music video for the winning track here.
2016: "Uptown Funk" — Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars
Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
"Uptown Funk" was released as a single in November 2014, topped music charts for weeks, and reached diamond status. The hit was also performed at the 2016 Super Bowl halftime show. Listen to the Grammy award-winning song here.
2017: "Hello" — Adele
Joern Pollex/Getty Images for September Managemen
"Hello" was the first track Adele released from her most recent album, "25," and it smashed plenty of records. The music video also became one of the most-watched on YouTube, with over two billion views. Watch the video here.
2018: "24K Magic" — Bruno Mars
Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for NARAS
At the 60th Grammys, Mars received awards for record of the year, album of the year, song of the year, best R&B performance, and best R&B album.
He also took the stage to perform "Finesse" with Cardi B.
2019: "This Is America" — Childish Gambino
John Salangsang/Invision/AP
At the 2019 Grammys, Childish Gambino's "This Is America" made history after winning song of the year and record of the year. The wins were also notable because it marked the first time that a hip-hop song beat the competition in those major categories.
Watch the music video for "This Is America" here.
2020: "Bad Guy" — Billie Eilish
Chris Pizzello/AP
Billie Eilish made history at the 2020 Grammys, becoming the second person ever to win awards in all four major categories during the same year.
Eilish won five of the six awards she was nominated for at the 62nd Grammys: best pop vocal album, best new artist, song of the year, album of the year, and record of the year.
Watch the music video for "Bad Guy" here.
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