Bonnie Raitt’s Grammy win on Sunday was not only a surprise, but also a historic moment.
In a star-studded field of contenders that included Taylor Swift, Lizzo, Harry Styles, Beyonce, and Adele on Sunday, Bonnie Raitt emerged as the surprise winner of Song of the Year at the Grammys.
The 73-year-old singer’s Just Like That Beats All Too Well (10 Minute Version) by Taylor Swift, About Damn Time by Lizzo, As It Was by Harry Styles, Bad Habit by Steve Lacy, abcdef by GAYLE, Break My Soul by Beyonce, Easy On Me by Adele, God Did by DJ Khaled and The Heart Part 5 by Kendrick Lamar to win.
When she was announced as the winner and took the stage, the artist, who was born in Burbank, California, was in shock.
She said: “I’m so overwhelmed, I don’t know what to say.” Even though I don’t write many songs, I’m thrilled that you like this one. I feel completely humiliated.
At Sunday’s show, Raitt was presented with the honor by First Lady Dr. Jill Biden.
Her victory marked the first time a song written by a single songwriter had won since the late Amy Winehouse’s classic Rehab won in 2008.
She also paid tribute to the late singer-songwriter John Prine, who died in April 2020 from the coronavirus.
Paying tribute to the song, which she claimed was inspired by organ donors and the late singer-songwriter Prine, Raitt called her to win in the loaded category an “unreal moment”.
In her speech, Raitt also mentioned composers, calling them “soul-digging, hard-working people who put these ideas to music.”
Raitt also picked up awards for Best American Performance for Made Up Mind and Best American Roots Song for Just Like That at the Grammy premiere earlier in the evening.
With the win, Raitt now has 13 Grammy Awards to her credit, surpassing her 30 career nominations.
Earlier Sunday, she won the award for Best Americana Album at the 2013 ceremony for her album Slipstream.
Raitt, in particular, expressed her “proud” to receive a Song of the Year nomination.
On the red carpet at the Crypto.com Arena, she told People, “I’m always incredibly excited when someone appreciates me.” This is a really huge year for song of the year recognition so for one of my songs? I’m quite proud because that’s a major thing for me.
When she was signed by Warner Bros. Records, Raitt, who is the daughter of Broadway singer John Raitt and pianist Marge Goddard, was 21. In 1971, she released her self-titled debut album.
She received her first Grammy nomination for Best Rock Vocal Performance, Female for You’re Gonna Get What’s Coming (Track) at the 22nd Annual Grammy Awards in 1979.
With the release of her 1989 album Nick Of Time, which featured singles including the title track Thing Called Love and Have a Heart, Raitt achieved her first major success.
With the success of the five-times platinum album, Raitt won her first four Grammy Awards for Album of the Year, Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, and Best Female Rock Vocal Performance.
She also won Best Traditional Blues Recording that year for John Lee Hooker and her collaboration on I’m In The Mood.
Luck of the Draw, her follow-up album, went seven times platinum in 1991.
It spawned Something to Talk About and I Can’t Make You Love Me, two of her best-selling singles.
For her contributions to the album, Raitt was awarded three additional Grammy Awards: Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female for Something to Talk About; Best Rock Vocal Performance, Solo for Luck of the Draw; and Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals for Good Man, Good Woman.
Love Sneakin’ Up On You was the lead song from her 1994 album Longing in Their Hearts, which won a Grammy for Best Pop Album.
Along with these musicians, she has also worked with Little Feat, Prine, Warren Zevon, Jackson Browne, The Pointer Sisters, and Prine.
Raitt has released 21 albums in her career. According to his website, he places a high priority on creating music with a message.
I feel it’s my duty to come out and say something new and fresh for me and the audience because I really realize how lucky I am,” she said. It’s pretty hard to avoid repetition, but I have to have something to say — or I wouldn’t release a song.
As Raitt continues to make music and speak out on the issues she cares about, her fans can look forward to more inspiring and soulful performances from this legendary artist.
Whoever wrote this article needs to actually be a journalist and do some research. Bonnie Raitt is hardly an unknown singer. Whoever wrote this must have been living under a rock with their head up there behind.
Bonnie Rait “an unknown” what rock did the writer out from under?
What an idiot… little known Blues singer, clearly this bonehead has grown up with no clue what true talent is😂
Where the hell have you been for the last fifty years or so? Under a rock? This lady is very well known to folks that really and truly love music. Apparently you are not one of them! She deserves every award she gets and has earned them the hard way, putting in the time and paying her dues unlike these young talents that make it by doing a few selfies. Sad.
Shame on you.
Well desered Bonnie , one of the Best …….
Bonnie Raitt was probably headlining when you were in diapers or before. She is probably one of the best blues players of all time, especially with the slide. Do your research next time before you show the world how big of an idiot you are!!
Shame on you for not educating yourself on this artist, she is far from “unknown or little known”. This headline is absurd, much of the world grew up on Bonnie Rait music just because you have never heard of her. Give her the credit she deserves.