What if music awards were given out for only musical qualities? It may seem like celebrity and spectacle are more important than ever at the 61st Grammy Awards, but we believe many of this years winners earned their accolades with noteworthy music. Still, we thought the winners should be heralded by new, more musical categories. Find out how

And The Awards Go To:

Best Chord Progression: H.E.R. - "Hard Place" & "Focus"

Best Throwback: Silk City & Dua Lipa ft. Diplo & Mark Ronson - "Electricity"

Worst Metaphor: Lady Gaga ft. Bradley Cooper "Shallow"

Best Conceptual Song: Childish Gambino - "This Is America"

Best Bridge: Kacey Musgraves - "Rainbow"

Also Featured

The Weeknd - "Often"

Khalid - "Location"

Alison Limerick - "Where Love Lives"

Cher - "Strong Enough"

Elton John - "Mellow"

Bonus

Listen to Ezra Klein's discussion with Jill Lepore on America's two revolutions

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What Makes An Award Winning Song? 41:43 Share

Switched on Pop

Shownotes Transcript

What Makes An Award Winning Song?