Early 2023 Grammy Predictions: Adele, Harry Styles & Encanto For Record Of The Year
Now past the halfway point in the eligibility period, here are five early predictions for Record of the Year at the 2023 Grammys.
These days, many people consider Record of the Year to be the top prize at the Grammys, as it recognizes the best song of the eligibility period.
That could be a huge pop hit, a rap track that changed the game, or perhaps a rock, jazz, or classical-leaning tune that older voters regard as perfection.
For the 2023 ceremony, it looks like most of the earliest contenders will be massive hits, including one that credits at least half a dozen artists—probably a historic first for the show.
Now past the halfway point in the current eligibility period, here are five early predictions for Record of the Year at the 2023 Grammy Awards.
Adele – “Easy on Me”
Adele has released four albums, and the biggest single from the first three were all nominated for Record of the Year, with only her first failing to win.
The British singer-songwriter’s debut full-length 19 produced “Chasing Pavements,” which lost the honor to Robert Plant and Alison Krauss’ “Please Read the Letter,” but don’t feel too bad for her.
Adele went on to win Record of the Year for “Rolling in the Deep” from 21 and “Hello” from 25, which conicidentally both earned Album of the Year trophies as well.
If “Easy on Me,” the lead cut from 30, is not only sure to be nominated for Record of the Year, it could easily win, making Adele the first woman to come out on top in this field three times.
Carolina Gaitán, Mauro Castillo, Adassa, Rhenzy Feliz, Diane Guerrero, Stephanie Beatriz and cast of Encanto – “We Don’t Talk About Bruno”
It might not sound like a typical Record of the Year nominee, but there’s a really good chance that “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” from Encanto will be included in the upcoming roundup of possible winners.
Now that the category has expanded to include 10 releases, there’s more room for non-traditional tracks, and the smash was so huge, it might prove to be impossible for voters to forget.
There is precedent for songs from Disney animated films being nominated for Record of the Year as well. Peabo Bryson and Regina Belle competed for the prize with “A Whole New World” from Aladdin, and the year prior, Celine Dion and Bryson were in the running for “Beauty and the Beast” from its namesake film.
Gayle – “ABCDEFU”
Many people don’t know who Gayle is, but if you’ve turned on a radio or listened to any of the curated playlists on platforms like Spotify or Apple Music in the past six months, you’ve very likely heard her breakout single.
“ABCDEFU” turned the teenage musician into a sensation in no time, and it bolted to No. 3 on the Hot 100, rising even higher in most other countries around the world. It’s odd, clever, and it could easily grab one of the 10 slots.
Harry Styles – “As It Was”
The lead single from Harry Styles’ third solo album turned out to not only be his first No. 1 debut on the Hot 100 (a relative rarity, even among the biggest acts in the world), but his sturdiest winner yet.
“As It Was” has continued to perform incredibly well since its arrival, and everybody loves it, from critics to fans to radio DJs. Many eyed Styles’ own musical career with skepticism early on, as he had just left One Direction, but he has more than proved himself since then.
He won his first Grammy last year for “Watermelon Sugar,” the biggest smash from his sophomore set, but many still believe he wasn’t properly recognized for his work. The upcoming show will give voters a chance to rectify that wrong.
Kendrick Lamar – “N95”
Kendrick Lamar isn’t a big singles artist, as he typically lets his albums speak for him, as opposed to radio-ready smashes.
His fifth full-length, the long-awaited Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers, was met with acclaim when it dropped, and the highest-charting song from the set was “N95,” which peaked at No. 3 on the Hot 100.
Even if voters don’t remember the tune itself, if it’s what the rapper submits for consideration, they may pick it based on his name alone.
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