Nothing marks success in a musician’s career quite like a Grammy Award — especially the most coveted statue in the race, album of the year. Though several musicians have been decorated many times over with golden gramophones, only an elite few have secured the top prize since America’s grandest music ceremony began in 1959.
Some more recent album of the year winners include Harry Styles, Billie Eilish, Taylor Swift, Jon Batiste, Kacey Musgraves, Bruno Mars, Adele, Beck, Daft Punk and Mumford & Sons, but the honor dates all the way back to Henry Mancini’s inaugural win for The Music From Peter Gun, which beat out industry legends like Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald and Pyotr Tchaikovsky. Sinatra, however, ranks among the select group of repeat album of the year winners, which also includes Tom Coyne, Stevie Wonder and Paul Simon.
Two of the award’s more recent recipients, Adele and Swift, are the only women to have taken home the high honor more than once, for 21 and 25, as well as Folklore, Fearless and 1989, respectively. With Fearless, Swift surpassed Alanis Morissette as the category’s youngest victor at 20 years old. Styles is the current album of the year holder, winning in 2023 for Harry’s House.
This year, the nominees for album of the year are World Music Radio (Jon Batiste), the record (boygenius), Endless Summer Vacation (Miley Cyrus), Did You Know That There’s A Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd (Lana Del Rey), The Age Of Pleasure (Janelle Monáe), GUTS (Olivia Rodrigo), Midnights (Taylor Swift) and SOS (SZA). The winner will be revealed Sunday when the 66th annual Grammy Awards are handed out.
Read about more of the past album of the year champs below.
This story was originally published on Feb. 14, 2016.
1959: The Music From Peter Gunn
Artist: Henry Mancini
Producer: Simon Rady
Other Grammy Wins: Best Arrangement
1960: Come Dance With Me!
Artist: Frank Sinatra
Producer: Dave Cavanaugh
Other Grammy Wins: Best Vocal Performance (Male)
1961: The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart
Artist: Bob Newhart
Other Grammy Wins: Best Comedy Performance (Musical), Best New Artist
1962: Judy at Carnegie Hall
Artist: Judy Garland
Other Grammy Wins: Best Solo Vocal Performance (Female)
1963: The First Family
Artist: Vaughn Meader
Producers: Bob Booker, Earle Doud and George Foster
Other Grammy Win: Best Comedy Performance
1964: The Barbra Streisand Album
Artist: Barbra Streisand
Producer: Mike Berniker
Other Grammy Wins: Best Vocal Performance (Female)
1965: Getz/Gilberto
Artist: Joao Gilberto & Stan Getz
Producer: Creed Taylor
Other Grammy Wins: Record of the Year (“The Girl From Ipanema”), Best Instrumental Jazz Performance – Small Group or Soloist with Small Group
1966: September of My Years
Artist: Frank Sinatra
Producer: Sonny Burke
Other Grammy Wins: Best Vocal Performance (Male) (“It Was A Very Good Year”)
1967: A Man and His Music
Artist: Frank Sinatra
Producer: Sonny Burke
Other Grammy Wins: Record of the Year & Best Pop Vocal Performance (Male) (“Strangers In The Night”)
1968: Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
Artist: Beatles
Producer: George Martin
Other Grammy Wins: Best Contemporary Album
1969: By the Time I Get to Phoenix
Artist: Glen Campbell
Producer: Al De Lory
1970: Blood, Sweat and Tears
Artist: Blood, Sweat and Tears
Producer: James William Guercio
Other Grammy Wins: Best Contemporary Instrumental Performance (“Variations on a Theme by Eric Satie”)
1971: Bridge Over Troubled Water
Artist: Simon and Garfunkel* Paul Simon & Art Garfunkel
Producers: Roy Halee & Simon and Garfunkel
Other Grammy Wins: Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Contemporary Song, and Best Arrangement Accompanying Vocalists (“Bridge Over Troubled Water”)
1972: Tapestry
Artist: Carole King
Producer: Lou Adler
Other Grammy Wins: Record of the Year (“It’s Too Late”), Song of the Year (“You’ve Got a Friend”), Best Pop Vocal Performance (Female)
1973: The Concert for Bangladesh
Artists: George Harrison, Billy Preston, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Klaus Voormann, Leon Russell, Ravi Shankar & Ringo Starr
Producers: George Harrison & Phil Spector
1974: Innervisions
Artist: Stevie Wonder
Producer: Stevie Wonder
Other Grammy Wins: Best Pop Vocal Performance (“You Are the Sunshine of My Life”), Best R&B Vocal Performance (Male) & Best Rhythms & Blue Song (“Superstition”)
1975: Fulfillingness First Finale
Artist: Stevie Wonder
Producer: Stevie Wonder
Other Grammy Wins: Best Pop Vocal Performance (Male), Best R&B Vocal Performance (Male), Best Rhythms & Blues Song (“Living for the City”)
1976: Still Crazy After All These Years
Artist: Paul Simon
Producers: Paul Simon, Phil Ramone
Other Grammy Win: Best Pop Vocal Performance (Male)
1977: Songs in the Key of Life
Artist: Stevie Wonder
Producer: Stevie Wonder
Other Grammy Wins: Best Producer of the Year, Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male, Best R&B Vocal Performance (Male) (“I Wish”)
1978: Rumours
Artist: Fleetwood Mac
Producers: Fleetwood Mac, Ken Caillat & Richard Dashut
1979: Saturday Night Fever Soundtrack
Artist: Bee Gees
Producers: Ably Galuten, Arif Mardin, Bee Gees* (Barry Gibb*, Maurice Gibb*, Robin Gibb*), Bill Oakes, Bobby Martin, Broadway Eddie, David Shire*, Freddie Perren, Harry Wayne Casey*, K.G. Productions, Karl Richardson, Ralph MacDonald*, Richard Finch*, Ron Kersey, Thomas J. Valentino & William Salter
Other Grammy Wins: Best Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group, Producer of the Year
1980: 52nd Street
Artist: Billy Joel
Producer: Phil Ramone
Other Grammy Wins: Best Pop Vocal Performance (Male)
1981: Christopher Cross
Artist: Christopher Cross
Producer: Michael Omartian
Other Grammy Wins: Record of the Year & Song of the Year & Best Arrangement Accompanying Vocalists (“Sailing”), Best New Artist
1982: Double Fantasy
Artist: John Lennon & Yoko Ono
Producer: Jack Douglas, John Lennon & Yoko Ono
1983: Toto IV
Artist: Toto
Producer: Bobby Kiumbal, Steve Lukather, David Paich, Jeff Porcaro, Michael Porcaro, Steve Porcaro
Other Grammy Wins: Record of the Year (“Rosanna”), Producer of the Year
1984: Thriller
Artist: Michael Jackson
Producer: Michael Jackson & Quincy Jones
Other Grammy Wins: Record of the Year & Best Rock Vocal Performance, Male (“Beat It”), Best New Artist, Best Pop Vocal Performance (Male) (“Thriller”), Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male & Best Rhythm & Blues Song (“Billie Jean”), Best Recording for Children (“E.T. The Extra Terrestrial”), Producer of the Year (Non-Classical)
1985: Can't Slow Down
Artist: Lionel Richie
Producer: James Anthony Carmichael & Lionel Richie
Other Grammy Wins: Producer of the Year (Non-Classical
1986: No Jacket Required
Artist: Phil Collins
Producer: Hugh Padgham & Phil Collins
Other Grammy Wins: Best Pop Vocal Performance, Producer of the Year (Non-Classical)
1987: Graceland
Artist: Paul Simon
Producer: Paul Simon
1988: Joshua Tree
Artist: U2
Producer: Brian Eno & Daniel Lanois
Other Grammy Wins: Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal
1989: Faith
Artist: George Michael
Producer: George Michael
1990: Nick of Time
Artist: Bonnie Raitt
Producer: Don Was
Other Grammy Wins: Best Pop Vocal Performance (Female) & Best Rock Vocal Performance (“Nick of Time”), Best Traditional Blues Recording (“I’m in the Mood”)
1991: Back on the Block
Artist: Quincy Jones
Producer: Quincy Jones
Other Grammy Wins: Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group, Best Jazz Fusion Performance & Best Arrangement on an Instrumental (“Birdland’), Producer of the Year (Non-Classical), Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocal(s)
1992: Unforgettable with Love
Artist: Natalie Cole
Producers: Andre Fischer, David Foster & Tommy LiPuma
Other Grammy Wins: Record of the Year & Best Traditional Pop Performance (“Unforgettable”)
1993: Unplugged
Artist: Eric Clapton
Producer: Russ Titelman
Other Grammy Wins: Record of the Year & Song of the Year & Best Pop Vocal Performance (“Tears in Heaven”), Best Rock Vocal Performance (Male), Best Rock Song (“Layla”)
1994: The Bodyguard Soundtrack
Artist: Whitney Houston
Producer: Babyface, BeBe Winans, David Cole, David Foster, L.A. Reid, Narada Michael Walden & Robert Clivilles
Other Grammy Wins: Record of the Year & Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female (“I Will Always Love You”)
1995: MTV Unplugged — Tony Bennett
Artist: Tony Bennett
Producer: David Kahne
Other Grammy Wins: Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance
1996: Jagged Little Pill
Artist: Alanis Morissette
Producer: Glen Ballard
Other Grammy Wins: Best Rock Album, Best Rock Vocal Performance (Female) & Best Rock Song (“You Oughta Know”)
1997: Falling Into You
Artist: Celine Dion
Producers: Aldo Nova, Billy Steinberg, Dan Hill, David Foster, Humberto Gatica, Jean-Jacques Goldman, Jeff Bova, Jim Steinman, John Jones, Ric Wake, Rick Hahn, Rick Nowels, Roy Bittan & Steven Rinkoff
Other Grammy Wins: Best Pop Album
1998: Time Out of Mind
Artist: Bob Dylan
Producer: Daniel Lanois
Other Grammy Wins: Best Rock Vocal Performance (Male) (“Cold Irons Bound”), Best Contemporary Folk Album
1999: The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill
Artist: Lauryn Hill
Producer: Lauryn Hill
Other Grammy Wins: Best New Artist, Best Female R&B Vocal Performance & Best Rhythm & Blues Song (“Doo Wop”), Best R&B Album
2000: Supernatural
Artist: Santana
Producer: Alex Gonzales, Art Hodge, Charles Goodan, Clive Davis, Dante Ross, Dust Brothers, Fher Olvera, Jerry “Wonder” Duplessis, KC Porter, Lauryn Hill, Matt Serletic, Stephen M. Harris & Wyclef Jean
Other Grammy Wins: Record of the Year & Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal (“Smooth”), Best Pop Instrumental Performance (“El Farol”), Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal (“Put Your Lights On”), Best Rock Instrumental Performance (“The Calling”), Best Rock Album
2001: Two Against Nature
Artist: Steely Dan
Producers: Donald Fagen & Walter Becker
Other Grammy Wins: Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal (“Cousin Dupree”), Best Pop Vocal Album
2002: O Brother, Where Art Thou?
Artist: Alison Krauss & Union Station
Producer: T Bone Burnett (pictured)
Other Grammy Wins: Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal (“The Lucky One”), Best Bluegrass Album
2003: Come Away With Me
Artist: Norah Jones
Producers: Arif Mardin, Craig Street, and Jay Newland & Norah Jones
Other Grammy Wins: Record of the Year & Best Pop Vocal Performance (Female) (“Don’t Know Why”), Best New Artist, and Best Pop Vocal Album
2004: Speakerboxxx/The Love Below
Artist: OutKast
Producers: Andre 3000, Big Boi & Carl Mo
Other Grammy Wins: Best Rap Album, Best Urban/Alternative Performance (“Hey Ya!”)
2005: Genius Loves Company
Artist: Ray Charles (award accepted by Joe Adams, manager of the late singer)
Producers: Don Mizell, Herbert Waltl, John R. Burk, Phil Ramone and Terry Howard
Other Grammy Wins: Record of the Year & Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals (“Here We Go Again”), Best Pop Vocal Album, Best Engineered Album (Non-Classical), Best Surround Sound Album, Best Gospel Performance
2006: How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb
Artist: U2
Producer: Brian Eno, Chris Thomas, Daniel Lanois, Flood, Jacknife Lee & Steve Lillywhite
Other Grammy Wins: Song of the Year & Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal (“Sometimes You Can’t Make It on Your Own”), Best Rock Album, Best Rock Song (“City of Blinding Lights”)
2007: Taking the Long Way
Artist: Dixie Chicks
Producer: Rick Rubin
Other Grammy Wins: Best Country Album, Record of the Year & Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal (“Not Ready to Make Nice”)
2008: River — The Joni Letters
Artist: Herbie Hancock
Producers: Larry Klein, Herbie Hancock
Other Grammy Wins: Best Contemporary Jazz Album
2009: Raising Sand
Artist: Alison Krauss & Robert Plant
Producer: T Bone Burnett
Other Grammy Wins: Best Contemporary Folk/Americana Album, Record of the Year (“Please Read the Letter”), Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals (“Rich Woman”)
2010: Fearless
Artist: Taylor Swift
Producers: Nathan Chapman & Taylor Swift
Other Grammy Wins: Best Country Album, Best Female Country Vocal Performance & Best Country Song (“White Horse”)
2011: The Suburbs
Artist: Arcade Fire
Producers: Arcade Fire (William Butler, Win Butler, Régine Chassagne, Jeremy Gara, Timothy Kingsbury, Sarah Neufeld, Richard Reed Parry) & Markus Dravs
2012: 21
Artist: Adele
Producer: Adele, Dan Wilson, Fraser T. Smith, Jim Abbiss, Paul Epworth, Rick Rubin & Ryan Tedder
Other Grammy Wins: Best Pop Vocal Album, Record of the Year & Song of the Year & Best Short Form Music Video (“Rolling in the Deep”), Best Pop Solo Performance (“Someone Like You”)
2013: Babel
Artist: Mumford & Sons
Producer: Markus Dravs
Other Grammy Wins: Best Long Form Music Video (“Big Easy Express”)
2014: Random Access Memories
Artist: Daft Punk
Producer: Thomas Bangalter, Julian Casablancas, Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo, DJ Falcon & Todd Edwards
Other Grammy Wins: Best Dance/Electronica Album, Best Engineered Album (Non-Classical), and Record of the Year & Best Pop Duo/Group Performance (“Get Lucky”)
2015: Morning Phase
Artist: Beck
Producer: Beck Hansen
Other Grammy Wins: Best Rock Album, Best Engineered Album (Non-Classical)
2016: 1989
Artist: Taylor Swift
Producer: Max Martin, Taylor Swift, Jack Antonoff, Nathan Chapman, Imogen Heap, Greg Kurstin, Mattman & Robin, Ali Payami, Shellback, Ryan Tedder, Noel Zancanella
Other Grammy Wins: Pop Vocal Album, Music Video ("Bad Blood")
2017: 25
Artist: Adele
Producer: Danger Mouse, Samuel Dixon, Paul Epworth, Greg Kurstin, Max Martin, Ariel Rechtshaid, Shellback, The Smeezingtons & Ryan Tedder
Other Grammy Wins: Best Pop Vocal Album, Song of the Year ("Hello"), Record of the Year ("Hello"), Best Pop Solo Performance ("Hello")
2018: 24K Magic
Artist: Bruno Mars
Producer: Shampoo Press & Curl, The Stereotypes, Emile Haynie, Jeff Bhasker
Other Grammy Wins: Best R&B Album, Record of the Year ("24K Magic"), Song of the Year ("That's What I Like"), Best R&B Performance ("That's What I Like")
2019: Golden Hour
Artist: Kacey Musgraves
Producer: Ian Fitchuk, Kacey Musgraves & Daniel Tashian, producers
Other Grammy Wins: Best Country Album, Best Country Song ("Space Cowboy"), Best Country Solo Performance ("Butterflies")
2020: When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?
Artist: Billie Eilish
Producer: Finneas O’Connell
Other Grammy Wins: Record of the Year (“Bad Guy”), Song of the Year (“Bad Guy”), Best New Artist, Best Pop Vocal Album, Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical (and Producer of the Year — Non-Classical for Finneas)
2021: Folklore
Artist: Taylor Swift
Producer: Joe Alwyn, Jack Antonoff, Aaron Dessner & Taylor Swift
2022: We Are
Artist: Jon Batiste
Producer: Jon Batiste, Mikey Freedom Hart, DJ Khalil, King Garbage, Kizzo, Sunny Levine, Nate Mercereau, David Pimentel, Ricky Reed, Autumn Rowe, Jahaan Sweet & Nick Waterhouse
Other Grammy Wins: Best American Roots Performance (“Cry”), Best American Roots Song (“Cry”), Best Score Soundtrack For Visual Media (Soul), Best Music Video (“Freedom”)
2023: Harry's House
Artist: Harry Styles
Producers: Tyler Johnson, Kid Harpoon and Sammy Witte
Other Grammy wins: Best Pop Vocal Album; Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical
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