The Beatles, Elton John, Beyoncé... The most outrageous Grammy snubs in history

Awards are subjective, and music is a matter of taste. But the Grammy awards, presented by the Recording Academy of the United States to recognize “outstanding” achievements in the music industry since 1959, have been slammed on many occasions for failing to award the biggest prizes to the most deserving artists.

This is widely considered to be the most essential prize handed out each year. It is handed out to “honor artistic achievement, technical proficiency, and overall excellence in the recording industry, without regard to album sales, chart position, or critical reception.” Given its importance, it’s also the category with some of the biggest controversies. Let’s see some examples.

1985 was a time of big hair and big hopes as many countries emerged from an economic crisis. 'Back to the Future' hit the theaters, Mikhail Gorbachev became the leader of the USSR and Coca-Cola disastrously tried to introduce the “new coke” flavor. With Live Aid in its center, it was an outstanding year for music.

And that year, the nominees for Best Album were…

‘She’s So Unusual’ was the debut album by singer-songwriter Cyndi Lauper, released in 1983. The album features hit songs such as ‘Girls Just Want to Have Fun,’ ‘Time After Time,’ and ‘She Bop.’ Its mix of pop, rock, and new wave helped define the sound of the 80s and cemented Cyndi Lauper’s place as a pop icon.

The album recorded for the film of the same name is widely regarded as one of Prince’s greatest works and a classic of 80s music. It features hit songs such as ‘When Doves Cry,’ ‘Let’s Go Crazy,’ and the title track, ‘Purple Rain.’

The seventh studio album by Bruce Springsteen featured hit songs such as ‘Dancing in the Dark’, ‘Cover Me’, and the title track, ‘Born in the U.S.A.’ Despite its uptempo sound and synthesizer-heavy production, the album’s lyrics address themes of disillusionment, loss, and the aftermath of the Vietnam War.

The second studio album by Lionel Richie, the album includes famous tracks like ‘All Night Long (All Night),’ ‘Hello’ and ‘Penny Lover.’ The album showcased Lionel Richie’s blend of R&B, soul, and pop music, which helped to establish him as a leading artist of his day.

Tina Turner’s fifth album featured classics like ‘What’s Love Got to Do with It,’ ‘Better Be Good to Me’, and ‘Private Dancer.’ It was a global commercial success and established Turner as one of the world’s biggest female stars.

Of course, which was better, is a matter of taste. But looking back, it can be argued that ‘Purple Rain’ and ‘Born in the USA,’ in particular, were completely revolutionary albums that have stood the test of time. The Tina Turner and Cindi Lauper albums are also still considered classics.

Whether or not Richie’s album aged as well as the others did, is questionable. Strikingly, Lionel Richie joins Frank Sinatra, Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, and Taylor Swift as the biggest Album of the Year winners in history. Does that make them the best of all time?

1970 was a year of cultural and political upheaval, marked by events such as the Kent State massacre, the invasion of Cambodia during the Vietnam War, and the rise of the environmental movement. The Beatles broke up, the civil rights movement was raging and the Black Panthers held their first National People’s Convention. That year, the nominees were…

The very of-the-time album featured hit tracks like ‘Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In’ and ‘Wedding Bell Blues.’ It showcased the group’s blend of pop, soul, and R&B, with tight harmonies and upbeat tempos.

The eleventh studio album by The Beatles featured hit songs such as ‘Come Together’, ‘Something’, and ‘Here Comes the Sun’. ‘Abbey Road’ is widely regarded as one of The Beatles’ greatest works. The album’s mix of rock, pop, and classical music, along with its innovative recording techniques, set the standard for future generations of musicians.

The self-titled second studio album by the jazz-rock group included ‘Spinning Wheel’ and ‘You’ve Made Me So Very Happy’. The album showcased the group’s blend of jazz, rock, and blues, with innovative arrangements and powerful vocals.

Image: Colombia Records, Billboard Magazine 1972 via Wikimedia Commons

The self-titled debut album by the folk-rock group Crosby, Stills & Nash, featured “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes’, ‘Marrakesh Express, and ‘Long Time Gone.’ The album showcased the group’s blend of folk, rock, and pop music, with tight harmonies and introspective lyrics and established the trio as one of the most influential folk groups of the time.

One of Cash’s most iconic and beloved albums, this live recording at San Quentin Prison includes songs like ‘A Boy Named Sue’ and ‘Folsom Prison Blues.’ It was both a commercial and critical success and is a testament to his enduring popularity in country music.

Sure, it has some great tunes.. But could it really compare with Abbey Road or Johnny Cash At San Quentin? Clearly, it was a good year for music, but did the Grammys get that one wrong?

Image: Album Cover of Blood, Sweat & Tears by Blood, Sweat & Tears

Widely considered one of the most iconic pop bands of all time, the Beatles only won Best Album once in their career – in 1968 for 'Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.' In 1966, Frank Sinatra’s album September of My Years beat out Help. Then again, in 1967, Sinatra’s 'A Man and His Music' beat out 'Revolver.'

'Magical Mystery Tour' lost out to 'By the Time I Get to Phoenix' by Glen Campbell in 1969. And again, 'Abbey Road' lost in the infamous 1970’s awards to Blood, Sweat & Tears. In total, contemporary artists like Adele and Taylor Swift have more Best Album Grammys than the Beatles.

The Rolling Stones, another one of the most legendary bands of the 20th century, never won a Grammy for Best Album, and was only nominated once: in 1979 for the album 'Some Girls.' That lost to the out to the 'Saturday Night Fever Soundrack.' Other rock & roll greats also missed out on Album of the Year like Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Led Zepplin and Queen.

Of the top 10 albums Rolling Stone magazine says are the best of all time, just two won Grammys: 'Rumours' by Fleetwood Mac and 'Songs in the Key of Life' by Stevie Wonder. Marvin Gaye, The Beach Boys, Joni Mitchell's 'Blue' and Nirvana were never even nominated. 'Purple Rain' and 'Abbey Road,' as mentioned, lost out.

While Beyoncé has won more individual grammies than any other artist, she hasn’t won a best album yet. In 2010, 'I Am… Sasha Fierce' lost to 'Fearless' by Taylor Swift. In 2015, her self-titled album lost to 'Morning Phase' by Beck. In 2017, 'Lemonade' lost to '25' by Adele. And again, in 2023, her 'Renaissance' lost out to Harry Styles' 'Harry's House.'

The Grammys has only ever nominated one Madonna album: ‘Ray of Light’ in 1999. It lost to 'The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill,' and the original queen of pop was never even in the running again.

In 2001, the nominees for Album of the Year were 'Kid A' by Radiohead, 'The Marshall Mathers LP' by Eminem, 'Midnite Vultures' by Beck, 'Two Against Nature' by Steely Dan and 'You’re The One' by Paul Simon. It was also the year in which THe Blue Man Group performed at the ceremony. Can you guess who won Album of the Year?

While Steely Dan is a classic group; its comeback album beat out some truly iconic and highly influential albums that year. Particularly the Radiohead and Eminem LPs, which were highly critically praised and big sellers. Will the Steely Dan album go down in history like those ones? Probably not.

2014 was a year of a lot of strong artists breaking onto the scene: the hip hop duo Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, the experimental UK artist James Blake, the hip hop legend Kendrick Lamar (pictured performing at the ceremony with Imagine Dragons), the country singer Kacey Musgraves and the acclaimed singer Ed Sheeran. Can you guess who won?

Sure, at the time, they had a big hit with 'Same Love,' which was one of the few hip-hop songs to talk about LGBT rights. But in retrospect, all their fellow nominees have gone on to eclipse the duo and are still highly influential and popular artists nearly one decade later.

Rosalia, a Spanish pop star, swept the Latin Grammys, taking home Album of the Year. But she didn’t even get a nomination for the "mainstream" Grammys in 2023, even though Bad Bunny did… and Rosalia’s album ‘Motomami’ beat his ‘Un Verano Sin Ti’ at the Latin Grammys.

Can you think of any other classic snubs? Share your thoughts in the comments!