The Recording Academy has officially named the 2026 Grammy nominees, and now the world is waiting for February 1st to see who will take home an award during the Los Angeles ceremony. And one of the most highly anticipated categories is the Song of the Year category.
Lady Gaga, Doechii, Rosé and Bruno Mars, Bad Bunny, HUNTR/X, Kendrick Lamar and SZA, Sabrina Carpenter, and Billie Eilishare all up for songs that really resonated, ruling the radio and replaying on our playlists all year.
From chart-topping anthems to soulful symphonies that defined the year, these eight songs have captured the sounds and stories that have moved fans the most. Each one is up for the coveted Song of the Year award, so turn up the volume and listen closely.
1. “Abracadabra” – Lady Gaga
“Abracadabra” by Lady Gaga is an electrifying dance-pop anthem—the second single from her album Mayhem. It rings resilience and speaks to finding magic in mayhem.
2. “Anxiety” – Doechii
Doechii’s “Anxiety” explores the experiences and challenges associated with mental health conditions, particularly anxiety. It’s an all-too-relatable tune that gets stuck in the head like an anxious thought.
3. “APT.” – Rosé, Bruno Mars
The song “APT.” by Rosé and Bruno Mars is about a fun and flirtatious kind of courtship inspired by a South Korean drinking game, “Apartment.” Players stack their hands and chant “apateu,” and the player whose hand lands on top takes a shot. The song has certainly served as the soundtrack to plenty of parties with plenty of other party games all year.
4. “DtMF” – Bad Bunny
“DTMF”—which stands for “Debí Tirar Más Fotos” (and which translates to “I Should Have Taken More Photos”)—is another Bad Bunny banger. It’s also a reminder to live in and capture the moment more.
5. “Golden” (From KPop Demon Hunters) – HUNTR/X
“Golden” by HUNTR/X follows the characters from the animated film KPop Demon Hunters as they emotionally evolve from feeling like outsiders to embracing their authentic selves with unwavering confidence.
6. “Luther” – Kendrick Lamar With SZA
“Luther” is a declaration of love and protection in which Kendrick Lamar raps about how, if he’d owned the world, he’d take care of everything for which his partner hoped. SZA contributes hope for healing through hardship and better days ahead.
7. “Manchild” – Sabrina Carpenter
Sabrina Carpenter’s “Manchild” is a cheeky, catchy tune to which all too many listeners wish they wouldn’t relate. She sings of each emotionally immature and unavailable “manchild” who has colored her dating life—a painfully persistent pattern.
8. “Wildflower” – Billie Eilish
“Wildflower” by Billie Eilish is about the complicated and conflicting feelings that come from dating a friend’s ex. She sings about feeling for a friend while simultaneously craving a connection—and questionably crossing the line—with someone who feels forbidden.
The Song of the Year Award will finally be announced during the 2026 Grammys on February 1, but you can keep listening to these soul-stirring songs on repeat until (and long after) then.
