Grammys 2020: Here's who we predicted would win and who actually won
The 2020 Grammys were tonight, January 26th, and it was another year filled with stiff competition. A wide range of music genres rounded out the top four awards this year, spanning from country to pop to rap to alternative to R&B. The race was tight, but now we know who took home those coveted golden trophies at the 62nd annual Grammy Awards.
Some of our favorite celebs were nominated for Grammy Awards this year, and tons were in attendance. The list of performers included Billie Eilish, Ariana Grande, Lizzo, Camila Cabello, the Jonas Brothers, Lil Nas X & Billy Ray Cyrus, and more, so it was an exciting night filled with music. Before the action-packed events, we speculated who would win the biggest Grammy Awards this year, and who we thought should—which almost never aligns. See our 2020 Grammys predictions and who actually won below.
2020 Grammys Record of the Year:
Award to the Artist and to the Producer(s), Recording Engineer(s) and/or Mixer(s) and mastering engineer(s), if other than the artist. – The Recording Academy
Nominations:
“Hey, Ma” – Bon Iver
“bad guy” – Billie Eilish
“7 rings” – Ariana Grande
“Hard Place” – H.E.R.
“Talk” – Khalid
“Old Town Road” – Lil Nas X Featuring Billy Ray Cyrus
“Truth Hurts” – Lizzo
“Sunflower” – Post Malone & Swae Lee
Who we predicted would win:
Lil Nas X featuring Billy Ray Cyrus for “Old Town Road.” The mega-hit by 20-year-old breakout artist Lil Nas X caused quite the stir when it first debuted, rejected by country radio stations yet soaring in streaming charts, which created a bidding war to sign the rising star. Lil Nas X defied music genre boundaries and brought people together culturally this year by combining rap and country music. Adding Billy Ray Cyrus to the track just made “Old Town Road” even more of a giant of a song.
Who we wanted to win:
Billie Eilish for “bad guy.” A strong case could be made for any song in this category, but the ultra-catchy beat of “bad guy,” crafted solely by Billie and her brother Finneas in his childhood bedroom, has been stuck in our heads all year long, and its utter originality should be acknowledged.
Who actually won:
Billie Eilish for “bad guy”.
2020 Grammys Album of the Year:
Nominations:
I,I – Bon Iver
Norman F***ing Rockwell! – Lana Del Rey
When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? – Billie Eilish
thank u, next – Ariana Grande
I Used To Know Her – H.E.R.
7 – Lil Nas X
Cuz I Love You – Lizzo
Father of the Bride – Vampire Weekend
Who we predicted would win:
Lizzo for Cuz I Love You. You can’t deny the musical and cultural force that is Lizzo. Cuz I Love You is one of those rare albums that sparked joy across all platforms and reached all types of music fans. Not to mention, it’s filled with some of 2019’s biggest radio hits.
Who we wanted to win:
Lana Del Rey for Norman F***ing Rockwell! A Grammy win has been a long time coming for Lana Del Rey. Frankly, we find it downright wrong that she’s never won a Grammy Award, because her music is packed with a lyrical, vocal, instrumental, and cultural punch, and she has influenced countless other artists through the wit and wisdom her music exudes. Norman F***ing Rockwell! is 14 tracks of pure poetry and vocal gymnastics—we would fight for this album forever.
Who actually won:
Billie Eilish for When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?
2020 Grammys Song of the Year:
A Songwriter(s) Award. A song is eligible if it was first released or if it first achieved prominence during the Eligibility Year. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only. – The Recording Academy
Nominations:
“Always Remember Us This Way” – Lady Gaga
“bad guy” – Billie Eilish
“Bring My Flowers Now” – Brandi Carlile
“Hard Place” – H.E.R.
“Lover” – Taylor Swift
“Norman F***ing Rockwell” – Lana Del Rey
“Someone You Loved” – Lewis Capaldi
“Truth Hurts” – Lizzo
Who we predicted would win:
Lizzo for “Truth Hurts.” It’s been a long time since such a badass feminist anthem has rocked the world like this one. The Grammy Award for Song of the Year winner is 100% Lizzo.
Who we wanted to win:
Lana Del Rey and Jack Antonoff for “Norman F***ing Rockwell.” Del Rey is hands down one of the best songwriters of our time, and the title track from her album is one of the most instrumentally and vocally diverse songs she’s ever written. Rumbling pianos, soaring violins, and moody trumpets combine with Del Rey’s velvety vocals to create a song for the ages.
Who actually won:
Billie Eilish for “bad guy”.
2020 Grammys Best New Artist:
Nominations:
Black Pumas
Billie Eilish
Lil Nas X
Lizzo
Maggie Rogers
Rosalía
Tank and the Bangas
Yola
Who we predicted would win:
Woof. This category is stiff, and arguably one of the most coveted awards. Artists who have won Best New Artist at the Grammy Awards have gone on to become icons—Adele, Mariah Carey, Alicia Keys, John Legend, Amy Winehouse, and Sam Smith are just a few of the artists to take home this trophy.
At the 2020 Grammys, we think it will be a tight race between Billie Eilish and Lizzo (who has the most nominations this year with eight nods). Ultimately, we think Eilish will take home the Grammy Award for Best New Artist. Eilish has captivated critics and famous fans alike for all of 2019, and we figure the Recording Academy deems her innovative debut album worthy of this high honor.
Who we wanted to win:
Billie Eilish. The 18-year-old represents exactly what this award was created to honor—a brand new, fresh artist who made a big splash immediately upon stepping onto the scene. Case closed.
Who actually won:
Billie Eilish.
2020 Grammys Best Pop Vocal Album:
Nominations:
The Lion King: The Gift – Beyoncé
When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? – Billie Eilish
thank u, next – Ariana Grande
No. 6 Collaboration – Ed Sheeran
Lover – Taylor Swift
Who we predicted would win:
Ariana Grande for thank u, next. Ari’s smash album rocked the charts with instantly classic bops like “thank u, next,” “7 rings,” and “break up with your girlfriend…i’m bored” steadily sounding through radio waves for months after its release. Grande is performing at the 2020 Grammys, which is usually a good sign that the artist will take home a trophy.
Who we wanted to win:
Ariana Grande for thank u, next. In our opinion, Ari should win this award based off of the thank u, next music video alone.
Who actually won:
Billie Eilish for When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?
2020 Grammys Best Pop Solo Performance:
Nominations:
“Spirit” – Beyoncé
“bad guy” – Billie Eilish
“7 Rings” – Ariana Grande
“Truth Hurts” – Lizzo
“You Need to Calm Down” – Taylor Swift
Who we predicted would win:
Lizzo for “Truth Hurts.” This song will stand the test of time, and Lizzo performing it takes the cake for superior pop performances in many people’s minds—we’re guessing that includes the Recording Academy.
Who we wanted to win:
Taylor Swift for “You Need to Calm Down.” Standing out as Swift’s first explicitly political song, this was a turning point for the artist before she released her full album Lover in August. And that LGBTQ star-studded music video earns tons of extra points in our minds.
Who actually won:
Lizzo for “Truth Hurts”.
2020 Grammys Best Pop Duo Performance:
Nominations:
“boyfriend” – Ariana Grande & Social House
“Sucker” – Jonas Brothers
“Old Town Road” – Lil Nas X Featuring Billy Ray Cyrus
“Sunflower” – Post Malone & Swae Lee
“Señorita” – Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello
Who we predicted would win:
“Old Town Road” by Lil Nas X Featuring Billy Ray Cyrus. Since this song was released, you can’t escape it, no matter where you go. The catchy chorus rings through every bar at least once a night, and you can’t help but sing along. Lili Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus performed the hit song at the 2020 Grammys, and the whole audience was on their feet.
Who we wanted to win:
“Señorita” by Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello. The sultry chorus to this song has been stuck in our heads since it was released, and we’ll be “oo-la-la-la”-ing along for years to come. Plus, the steamy music video and every live performance following deserve recognition.
Who actually won:
“Old Town Road” by Lil Nas X Featuring Billy Ray Cyrus.
2020 Grammys Best R&B Performance:
Nominations:
“Love Again” – Daniel Caesar & Brandy
“Could’ve Been” – H.E.R. Featuring Bryson Tiller
“Exactly How I Feel” – Lizzo Featuring Gucci Mane
“Roll Some Mo” – Lucky Daye
“Come Home” – Anderson .Paak Featuring André 3000
Who we predicted would win:
Lizzo and Gucci Mane for “Exactly How I Feel.” Lizzo and Gucci Mane are a tough duo to beat, and we don’t see it happening this year.
Who we wanted to win:
Andersen .Paak and André for “Come Home.” Paak’s gritty voice is instantly recognizable and warm—paired with the groovy beat, this song is simultaneously deeply moving and dance-inducing. When André enters the bridge, “Come Home” is elevated to an intense anthem.
Who actually won:
Andersen .Paak and André for “Come Home.”
And there you have it, folks. Lizzo, Lil Nas X, and Billie Eilish took home the biggest awards of the night, as we expected. Congrats to all of the nominees and winners! That’s a wrap on the 2020 Grammys.
