Grammy Award for Best Rock Song

Honor presented to recording artists for quality rock songs From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Grammy Award for Best Rock Song is an honor presented at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards,[1] to recording artists for quality songs in the rock music genre. Honors in several categories are presented at the ceremony annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to "honor artistic achievement, technical proficiency and overall excellence in the recording industry, without regard to album sales or chart position".[2]

Awarded forHigh-quality rock music songs
CountryUnited States
First award1992
Quick facts Awarded for, Country ...
Grammy Award for Best Rock Song
"As Alive as You Need Me to Be" by Nine Inch Nails is the most recent recipient
Awarded forHigh-quality rock music songs
CountryUnited States
Presented byNational Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences
First award1992
Currently held byNine Inch Nails — "As Alive as You Need Me to Be" (2026)
Websitegrammy.com
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The award, reserved for songwriters, was first presented to English musician Sting in 1992. According to the category description guide for the 52nd Grammy Awards, the award honors new songs (containing both melody and lyrics) or songs "first achieving prominence" during the period of eligibility. Songs containing prominent samples or interpolations are not eligible.[3]

The award goes to the songwriter. If the song contains samples or interpolations of earlier songs, the publisher and the original songwriter(s) can apply for a Winners Certificate.[4]

Bruce Springsteen, Dave Grohl and Pat Smear hold the record for the most wins, having won four awards each. Springsteen also holds the record for most nominations with nine. Other winners of multiple awards include the other members of Foo Fighters (Taylor Hawkins, Nate Mendel and Chris Shiflett) with three wins, and Alanis Morissette and the bands Red Hot Chili Peppers and U2, each with two. Award-winning songs have been performed by American artists more than any other nationality, though they have also been performed by musicians or groups originating from Canada, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. There have been four instances in which one artist or group was nominated for two works in the same year: the group Aerosmith was nominated for both "Cryin'" and "Livin' on the Edge" in 1994, Melissa Etheridge received nominations for "Come to My Window" and "I'm the Only One" in 1995, Jakob Dylan of the Wallflowers won for "One Headlight" and was also nominated for "The Difference" in 1998, and U2 was nominated for the songs "Elevation" and "Walk On" in 2002. Chad Smith also received two nominations in 2023, receiving songwriting credits for the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Ozzy Osbourne songs nominated. Coldplay holds the record for the most nominations without a win, with four.

Recipients

A man in a white shirt standing behind a microphone stand and holding a guitar
Sting became the first award recipient in 1992 for the song "The Soul Cages".
A man on a stage wearing a blue shirt. He is holding a blue guitar behind a microphone.
Eric Clapton, 1993 award recipient for the song "Layla", performing in 2017
Five men on a stage; three in the forefront are holding guitars, while two in the background are behind a drum set and other equipment. Speakers, microphone stands and other equipment are also visible.
Members of the 1994 award-winning band Soul Asylum in 2010
Black and white image of a man holding a guitar, wearing a dark vest and a cross hanging from a necklace
Four-time award winner Bruce Springsteen, performing in 1988
A woman wearing a black leather jacket smiling behind a microphone
Two-time award recipient Alanis Morissette, performing in 2014
A woman with dreadlocks standing behind a microphone stand. She is wearing a leather jacket and playing a guitar.
1997 award recipient Tracy Chapman at the 2009 Cactus Festival in Bruges, Belgium
A man wearing a red and black-striped shirt, a black jacket, dark jeans and a hat; he is standing behind a microphone stand on a stage and playing a guitar
Jakob Dylan, 1998 award winner for the song "One Headlight" and member of The Wallflowers, performing in 2007
On the left, a man in red pants and a black T-shirt with black hair down to his chin holding a red guitar. On the right, a woman wearing a white shirt with black polka dots standing behind a red microphone stand.
Jack White and Meg White of the 2004 award-winning band The White Stripes
Four men on a stage, all wearing black clothing. Two are playing guitars, one is sitting behind a drum set, and one is singing into a microphone stand.
Members of the two-time award-winning band U2, performing on the Joshua Tree Tour 2017. From left to right: Larry Mullen Jr. (drumming), the Edge, Bono, and Adam Clayton
Three men on a stage, two in the forefront standing behind microphone stands and playing guitars and the third in the background sitting behind a drum set.
From left to right, Matthew, Caleb, and Nathan Followill of the 2010 award-winning band Kings of Leon, performing in 2007
2019 recipient St. Vincent performing at Glastonbury (2022)
2020 recipient Gary Clark Jr. performing in 2013
2024 recipient St. Vincent performing in 2018

1990s

More information Year, Song ...
Year Song Songwriter(s) Artist(s)
1992
[5]
"The Soul Cages" Sting Sting
"Been Caught Stealing" Eric Avery and Perry Farrell Jane's Addiction
"Can't Stop This Thing We Started" Bryan Adams and Mutt Lange Bryan Adams
"Enter Sandman" Kirk Hammett, James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich Metallica
"Learning to Fly" Tom Petty Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
"Silent Lucidity" Chris DeGarmo Queensrÿche
1993
[6]
"Layla" (Unplugged Version) Eric Clapton and Jim Gordon Eric Clapton
"Digging in the Dirt" Peter Gabriel Peter Gabriel
"Human Touch" Bruce Springsteen Bruce Springsteen
"Jeremy" Eddie Vedder and Jeff Ament Pearl Jam
"Smells Like Teen Spirit" Kurt Cobain Nirvana
1994
[7]
"Runaway Train" Dave Pirner Soul Asylum
"Are You Gonna Go My Way" Lenny Kravitz and Craig Ross Lenny Kravitz
"Cryin'" Steven Tyler, Joe Perry and Taylor Rhodes Aerosmith
"I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)" Jim Steinman Meat Loaf
"Livin' on the Edge" Steven Tyler, Joe Perry and Mark Hudson Aerosmith
1995
[8]
"Streets of Philadelphia" Bruce Springsteen Bruce Springsteen
"All Apologies" Kurt Cobain Nirvana
"Black Hole Sun" Chris Cornell Soundgarden
"Come to My Window" Melissa Etheridge Melissa Etheridge
"I'm the Only One"
1996
[9]
"You Oughta Know" Alanis Morissette and Glen Ballard Alanis Morissette
"Dignity" Bob Dylan Bob Dylan
"Downtown" Neil Young Neil Young
"Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me" Bono U2
"Hurt" Trent Reznor Nine Inch Nails
1997
[10]
"Give Me One Reason" Tracy Chapman Tracy Chapman
"Cry Love" John Hiatt John Hiatt
"6th Avenue Heartache" Jakob Dylan The Wallflowers
"Stupid Girl" Duke Erikson, Shirley Manson, Steve Marker and Butch Vig Garbage
"Too Much" Carter Beauford, Stefan Lessard, Dave Matthews, LeRoi Moore and Boyd Tinsley Dave Matthews Band
"Wonderwall" Noel Gallagher Oasis
1998
[11]
"One Headlight" Jakob Dylan The Wallflowers
"Bitch" Meredith Brooks and Shelly Peiken Meredith Brooks
"Crash into Me" Dave Matthews Dave Matthews Band
"Criminal" Fiona Apple Fiona Apple
"The Difference" Jakob Dylan The Wallflowers
1999
[12]
"Uninvited" Alanis Morissette Alanis Morissette
"Bitter Sweet Symphony" Richard Ashcroft, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards The Verve
"Celebrity Skin" Billy Corgan, Eric Erlandson and Courtney Love Hole
"Closing Time" Dan Wilson Semisonic
"Have a Little Faith in Me" John Hiatt John Hiatt
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2000s

More information Year, Song ...
Year Song Songwriter(s) Artist(s)
2000
[13]
"Scar Tissue" Flea, John Frusciante, Anthony Kiedis and Chad Smith Red Hot Chili Peppers
"Angels Would Fall" Melissa Etheridge and John Shanks Melissa Etheridge
"The Promise" Bruce Springsteen Bruce Springsteen
"Room at the Top" Tom Petty Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
"Special" Duke Erikson, Shirley Manson, Steve Marker and Butch Vig Garbage
2001
[14]
"With Arms Wide Open" Scott Stapp and Mark Tremonti Creed
"Again" Lenny Kravitz Lenny Kravitz
"Bent" Rob Thomas Matchbox Twenty
"Californication" Flea, John Frusciante, Anthony Kiedis and Chad Smith Red Hot Chili Peppers
"Kryptonite" Brad Arnold, Todd Harrell and Matt Roberts 3 Doors Down
2002
[15]
"Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)" Charlie Colin, Rob Hotchkiss, Pat Monahan, Jimmy Stafford and Scott Underwood Train
"Elevation" Bono, Adam Clayton, The Edge and Larry Mullen Jr. U2
"Jaded" Marti Frederiksen and Steven Tyler Aerosmith
"Walk On" Bono, Adam Clayton, The Edge and Larry Mullen Jr. U2
"Yellow" Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion and Chris Martin Coldplay
2003
[16]
"The Rising" Bruce Springsteen Bruce Springsteen
"All My Life" Dave Grohl, Taylor Hawkins, Nate Mendel and Chris Shiflett Foo Fighters
"Hero" Chad Kroeger Chad Kroeger featuring Josey Scott
"I Stand Alone" Sully Erna Godsmack
"When I'm Gone" Brad Arnold, Todd Harrell, Chris Henderson and Matt Roberts 3 Doors Down
2004
[17]
"Seven Nation Army" Jack White The White Stripes
"Bring Me to Life" David Hodges, Amy Lee and Ben Moody Evanescence
"Calling All Angels" Charlie Colin, Patrick Monahan, Jimmy Stafford and Scott Underwood Train
"Disorder in the House" Jorge Calderón and Warren Zevon Bruce Springsteen and Warren Zevon
"Someday" Chad Kroeger, Mike Kroeger, Ryan Peake and Ryan Vikedal Nickelback
2005
[18]
"Vertigo" Bono, Adam Clayton, The Edge and Larry Mullen Jr. U2
"American Idiot" Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt and Tré Cool Green Day
"Fall to Pieces" Duff, Dave Kushner, Slash, Matt Sorum and Scott Weiland Velvet Revolver
"Float On" Isaac Brock, Dann Gallucci, Eric Judy and Benjamin Weikel Modest Mouse
"Somebody Told Me" Brandon Flowers, Dave Keuning, Mark Stoermer and Ronnie Vannucci Jr. The Killers
2006
[19]
"City of Blinding Lights" Bono, Adam Clayton, The Edge and Larry Mullen Jr. U2
"Best of You" Dave Grohl, Taylor Hawkins, Nate Mendel and Chris Shiflett Foo Fighters
"Beverly Hills" Rivers Cuomo Weezer
"Devils & Dust" Bruce Springsteen Bruce Springsteen
"Speed of Sound" Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion and Chris Martin Coldplay
2007
[20]
"Dani California" Flea, John Frusciante, Anthony Kiedis and Chad Smith Red Hot Chili Peppers
"Chasing Cars" Nathan Connolly, Gary Lightbody, Jonny Quinn and Tom Simpson Snow Patrol
"Lookin' for a Leader" Neil Young Neil Young
"Someday Baby" Bob Dylan Bob Dylan
"When You Were Young" Brandon Flowers, Dave Keuning, Mark Stoermer and Ronnie Vannucci Jr. The Killers
2008
[21]
"Radio Nowhere" Bruce Springsteen Bruce Springsteen
"Come On" Lucinda Williams Lucinda Williams
"Icky Thump" Jack White The White Stripes
"It's Not Over" Chris Daughtry, Gregg Wattenberg, Mark Wilkerson and Brett Young Daughtry
"The Pretender" Dave Grohl, Taylor Hawkins, Nate Mendel and Chris Shiflett Foo Fighters
2009
[22]
"Girls in Their Summer Clothes" Bruce Springsteen Bruce Springsteen
"House of Cards" Colin Greenwood, Jonny Greenwood, Ed O'Brien, Phil Selway and Thom Yorke Radiohead
"I Will Possess Your Heart" Ben Gibbard, Nick Harmer, Jason McGerr and Chris Walla Death Cab for Cutie
"Sex on Fire" Caleb Followill, Jared Followill, Matthew Followill and Nathan Followill Kings of Leon
"Violet Hill" Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion and Chris Martin Coldplay
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2010s

More information Year, Song ...
Year Song Songwriter(s) Artist(s)
2010
[23]
"Use Somebody" Caleb Followill, Jared Followill, Matthew Followill and Nathan Followill Kings of Leon
"The Fixer" Matt Cameron, Stone Gossard, Mike McCready and Eddie Vedder Pearl Jam
"I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight" Bono, Adam Clayton, The Edge and Larry Mullen Jr. U2
"21 Guns" Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt and Tré Cool Green Day
"Working on a Dream" Bruce Springsteen Bruce Springsteen
2011
[24]
"Angry World" Neil Young Neil Young
"Little Lion Man" Ted Dwane, Ben Lovett, Marcus Mumford and Winston Marshall Mumford & Sons
"Radioactive" Caleb Followill, Jared Followill, Matthew Followill and Nathan Followill Kings of Leon
"Resistance" Matthew Bellamy Muse
"Tighten Up" Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney The Black Keys
2012
[25]
"Walk" Dave Grohl, Taylor Hawkins, Nate Mendel, Chris Shiflett and Pat Smear Foo Fighters
"The Cave" Ted Dwane, Ben Lovett, Marcus Mumford and Winston Marshall Mumford & Sons
"Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall" Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion and Chris Martin Coldplay
"Down by the Water" Colin Meloy The Decemberists
"Lotus Flower" Colin Greenwood, Jonny Greenwood, Ed O'Brien, Phil Selway and Thom Yorke Radiohead
2013
"Lonely Boy" Dan Auerbach, Brian Burton and Patrick Carney The Black Keys
"Freedom at 21" Jack White Jack White
"I Will Wait" Ted Dwane, Ben Lovett, Winston Marshall and Marcus Mumford Mumford & Sons
"Madness" Matthew Bellamy Muse
"We Take Care of Our Own" Bruce Springsteen Bruce Springsteen
2014
[26]
"Cut Me Some Slack" Dave Grohl, Paul McCartney, Krist Novoselic and Pat Smear Paul McCartney and Nirvana
"Ain't Messin 'Round" Gary Clark Jr. Gary Clark Jr.
"Doom and Gloom" Mick Jagger and Keith Richards The Rolling Stones
"God Is Dead?" Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi and Ozzy Osbourne Black Sabbath
"Panic Station" Matthew Bellamy Muse
2015
[27]
"Ain't It Fun" Hayley Williams and Taylor York Paramore
"Blue Moon" Beck Hansen Beck
"Fever" Dan Auerbach, Brian Burton and Patrick Carney The Black Keys
"Gimme Something Good" Ryan Adams Ryan Adams
"Lazaretto" Jack White Jack White
2016
"Don't Wanna Fight" Zac Cockrell, Heath Fogg, Brittany Howard and Steve Johnson Alabama Shakes
"Ex's & Oh's" Dave Bassett and Elle King Elle King
"Hold Back the River" Iain Archer and James Bay James Bay
"Lydia" Richard Meyer, Ryan Meyer and Johnny Stevens Highly Suspect
"What Kind of Man" John Hill, Tom Hull and Florence Welch Florence + the Machine
2017
"Blackstar" David Bowie David Bowie
"Burn the Witch" Colin Greenwood, Jonny Greenwood, Ed O'Brien, Philip Selway and Thom Yorke Radiohead
"Hardwired" James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich Metallica
"Heathens" Tyler Joseph Twenty One Pilots
"My Name Is Human" Richard Meyer, Ryan Meyer and Johnny Stevens Highly Suspect
2018
[28]
"Run" Dave Grohl, Taylor Hawkins, Rami Jaffee, Nate Mendel, Chris Shiflett and Pat Smear Foo Fighters
"Atlas, Rise!" James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich Metallica
"Blood in the Cut" Kristine Flaherty and Justin Daly K.Flay
"Go to War" Ben Anderson, Jonny Hawkins, Will Hoffman, Daniel Oliver, David Pramik and Mark Vollelunga Nothing More
"The Stage" Zachary Baker, Brian Haner, Matthew Sanders, Jonathan Seward and Brooks Wackerman Avenged Sevenfold
2019
[29]
"Masseduction" Jack Antonoff and Annie Clark St. Vincent
"Black Smoke Rising" Jacob Thomas Kiszka, Joshua Michael Kiszka, Samuel Francis Kiszka and Daniel Robert Wagner Greta Van Fleet
"Jumpsuit" Tyler Joseph Twenty One Pilots
"Mantra" Jordan Fish, Matthew Kean, Lee Malia, Matthew Nicholls and Oliver Sykes Bring Me the Horizon
"Rats" Tom Dalgety and A Ghoul Writer Ghost
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2020s

More information Year, Song ...
Year Song Songwriter(s) Artist(s)
2020
"This Land" Gary Clark Jr. Gary Clark Jr.
"Fear Inoculum" Danny Carey, Justin Chancellor, Adam Jones and Maynard James Keenan Tool
"Give Yourself a Try" George Daniel, Adam Hann, Matthew Healy and Ross MacDonald The 1975
"Harmony Hall" Ezra Koenig Vampire Weekend
"History Repeats" Brittany Howard Brittany Howard
2021
[30]
"Stay High" Brittany Howard Brittany Howard
"Kyoto" Phoebe Bridgers, Morgan Nagler and Marshall Vore Phoebe Bridgers
"Lost in Yesterday" Kevin Parker Tame Impala
"Not" Adrianne Lenker Big Thief
"Shameika" Fiona Apple Fiona Apple
2022
[31]
"Waiting on a War" Dave Grohl, Taylor Hawkins, Rami Jaffee, Nate Mendel, Chris Shiflett and Pat Smear Foo Fighters
"All My Favorite Songs" Rivers Cuomo, Ashley Gorley, Ben Johnson and Ilsey Juber Weezer
"The Bandit" Caleb Followill, Jared Followill, Matthew Followill and Nathan Followill Kings of Leon
"Distance" Wolfgang Van Halen Mammoth WVH
"Find My Way" Paul McCartney Paul McCartney
2023
[32]
"Broken Horses" Brandi Carlile, Phil Hanseroth and Tim Hanseroth Brandi Carlile
"Black Summer" Flea, John Frusciante, Anthony Kiedis and Chad Smith Red Hot Chili Peppers
"Blackout" Brady Ebert, Daniel Fang, Franz Lyons, Pat McCrory and Brendan Yates Turnstile
"Harmonia's Dream" Robbie Bennett and Adam Granduciel The War On Drugs
"Patient Number 9" John Osbourne, Chad Smith, Ali Tamposi, Robert Trujillo and Andrew Wotman Ozzy Osbourne featuring Jeff Beck
2024
[33]
"Not Strong Enough" Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers and Lucy Dacus Boygenius
"Angry" Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Andrew Watt The Rolling Stones
"Ballad of a Homeschooled Girl" Dan Nigro and Olivia Rodrigo Olivia Rodrigo
"Emotion Sickness" Dean Fertita, Joshua Homme, Michael Shuman, Jon Theodore and Troy Van Leeuwen Queens of the Stone Age
"Rescued" Dave Grohl, Rami Jaffee, Nate Mendel, Chris Shiflett and Pat Smear Foo Fighters
2025
[34]
"Broken Man" Annie Clark St. Vincent
"Beautiful People (Stay High)" Dan Auerbach, Patrick Carney, Beck Hansen and Daniel Nakamura The Black Keys
"Dark Matter" Jeff Ament, Matt Cameron, Stone Gossard, Mike McCready, Eddie Vedder and Andrew Watt Pearl Jam
"Dilemma" Billie Joe Armstrong, Tré Cool and Mike Dirnt Green Day
"Gift Horse" Jon Beavis, Mark Bowen, Adam Devonshire, Lee Kiernan and Joe Talbot IDLES
2026
[35]
"As Alive as You Need Me to Be" Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross Nine Inch Nails
"Caramel" Vessel and II Sleep Token
"Glum" Daniel James and Hayley Williams Hayley Williams
"Never Enough" Daniel Fang, Franz Lyons, Pat McCrory, Meg Mills and Brendan Yates Turnstile
"Zombie" Dominic Harrison and Matt Schwartz Yungblud
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  • ^[I] The performing artist is only listed but does not receive the award.
  • ^[II] Showing the name of the songwriter(s), the nominated song and in parentheses the performer's name(s).

Multiple wins

Multiple nominations

See also

References

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