The 2026 Grammys lineup for Best Song of the Year brings surprises, big voices, and a couple of tracks that practically lived in everyone’s head. Here’s the spark that made these songs impossible to escape.
If you thought last year’s charts were chaotic enough, the Grammys 2026 nominations for Best Song of the Year have arrived to remind us that music loves nothing more than surprising us. From stadium-shaking anthems to bedroom-produced heartbreak confessions, this year’s list reads like a chaotic playlist someone accidentally curated – but somehow it works.
In this article, we’ll take a stroll (okay, maybe a little dance) through the nominees that defined the year. Expect a mix of bold newcomers, seasoned hitmakers, and at least one name you definitely didn’t see coming. Grab your headphones and prepare for a tiny emotional roller coaster.
ROSÉ & Bruno Mars – “APT.”
This track started as ROSÉ’s favorite Korean drinking-game chant, and somehow she turned it into a full-on anthem when she brought Bruno Mars into the studio. It brims with pop-punk bounce, new-wave synths, and indie-rock swagger, a rare combo that somehow feels effortless. The chant hook is irresistibly catchy, and if you find yourself shouting along at the top of your lungs, you’re not alone. On the charts, it didn’t just perform – it dominated, hitting No. 1 in more than 50 countries and spending many weeks at the top globally. For ROSÉ, it’s a milestone: she becomes one of the biggest K-pop solo artists ever nominated at this level. Beyond that, the song’s energy makes it feel like the ultimate party starter: bubbly, bold, and impossibly fun.
Kendrick Lamar & SZA – “Luther”
If love letters had beats, “Luther” would be that emotionally rich one – Kendrick and SZA trade lines like they’re sketching out a picture of a better world. The title nods to Luther Vandross, and the song actually samples his classic rendition of “If This World Were Mine”, layering nostalgia on top of modern vulnerability. It’s built on dreamy orchestral strings and 808s that swell under SZA’s soulful voice and Kendrick’s contemplative flow. Fans and critics have both praised how the track captures longing, commitment, and that sweet ache of imagining something more. On the charts, it destroyed expectations: held No. 1 for a record-breaking 23 weeks on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Whether you hear it as a love song or a manifesto, it’s undeniably powerful.
Huntrix – “Golden”
Here’s where things get delightfully meta: “Golden” is performed by a fictional K-pop girl group called Huntr/x, but the song’s success is very, very real. It comes straight from the KPop Demon Hunters animated film, and in that world, it's a major power anthem – in ours, it became a global chart smash. Sung by Ejae, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami, the vocals soar with both Korean and English lines, carrying a message of embracing your inner light. The production mixes cinematic drama with pulsing electropop, giving it that “rise-up-and-rule” feel you want at the climax of a movie scene. And yes, it charted wildly: number one on the Billboard Global 200 and topping charts in dozens of countries. It’s a fictional group, but the impact feels real. And golden, just like the title promises.
Lady Gaga – “Abracadabra”
Gaga is back to doing what she does best: summoning theatrical magic through pop. “Abracadabra” is a glittery dance-pop and synth-pop track, produced with Andrew Watt and Cirkut, with songwriting credits even going to members of Siouxsie and the Banshees – because of course. She sings about life’s chaos and finding enchantment in it, turning challenges into spells you can dance to. In the video, she embodies two personas – light and dark – in a dramatic dance battle that’s as much fashion statement as it is narrative. The result feels both nostalgic (hello, Gaga of The Fame days) and evolved: she’s not just having fun, she’s confronting something. Critics loved the hook, the energy, and how she wove her pop roots into a grown-up reflection. Chart-wise, the song hit major milestones in multiple countries, proving that her magic touch is still as strong as ever.
Billie Eilish – “Wildflower”
When you hear “Wildflower”, it’s like Billie whispered a secret to herself on a late-night walk: delicate, dreamy, and somehow both hopeful and haunted. The production feels almost weightless: soft piano underpins airy synths, while Billie's voice drifts in and out, like petals floating in a breeze. Lyrically, the track is intimate and introspective, exploring identity, growth, and the fear of vulnerability with poetic honesty. There’s a sense that she’s admitting, “I don’t always know who I am” but there’s also strength in that admission. The song captured listeners quickly, resonating with fans who find solace in gentle reflections and emotional depth. On the charts, it became a standout, proving that Billie doesn’t need bombastic drops to make a big impact. In short: “Wildflower” is fragile and fearless at the same time.
Bad Bunny – “DtMF”
Bad Bunny made us fall in love all over again with “DtMF”, and by “fall in love,” I mean the kind of passionate, messy, late-night kind where everyone’s texting. The track pulses with reggaeton rhythms, but there’s an emotional undercurrent that makes it more than just a party song – this feels like a confession wrapped in a beat. His voice rides the groove effortlessly, delivering lines that feel both candid and charged, as if he’s baring his heart while tapping his foot. The chorus is infectious, the kind you hum when no one’s listening – maybe even when they are. What makes it special is the balance: he’s vulnerable, but still the Bad Bunny we know, the one who doesn’t hold back. Fans have praised how it blends romance with realism, and it’s charted in a way that proves this kind of emotional transparency hits hard. The song shows that his evolution as an artist isn’t just sonic, it’s deeply personal.
Doechii – “Anxiety”
“Anxiety” by Doechii feels like eavesdropping on someone’s mind, kinda raw, jittery, and deeply relatable. Her voice shifts between calm and frantic, capturing the push-pull of racing thoughts and the desperate search for balance. Underneath, the beat is minimalist but layered, giving space for her verses to breathe while hinting at the tension bubbling beneath the surface. The lyrics don’t hide: she talks about panic, pressure, and trying to keep going even when everything inside her screams otherwise. Yet, there's this defiant thread, like she’s not just surviving but fighting back, owning her struggles instead of letting them own her. Critics have praised the song for its honesty, calling it a brave and courageous depiction of mental health in a genre that often glosses over vulnerability. And listeners respond – for many, “Anxiety” isn’t just a song, it’s a mirror.
Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild”
There’s a poetic sadness in “Manchild” that hits you with the weight of unrequited love and mismatched maturity. Sabrina Carpenter doesn’t sugarcoat growing pains: she sings about expecting more from someone who, deep down, is stuck in their own childhood. The production is elegant and restrained – keys, soft drums, and a subtle bass that underscores the emotional tension without overpowering it. Her voice glides effortlessly between soft confession and assertive resolve, capturing the complexity of wanting someone but knowing they’re not ready. She paints her feelings in vivid strokes, confessing that she dreams of something more stable, more real, more mature. Audience feedback has been overwhelmingly emotional – people say it’s the kind of song you put on when you’re ready to face something you’ve been avoiding. And on streaming platforms, it’s been a sleeper hit, quietly building momentum through word of mouth and heartfelt shares. It’s not just a breakup song: it’s a gentle but firm call for growth.