Driving on a scorching summer day, the cool air conditioning blasting from the car vents, and jamming to Miguel’s “Sure Thing” on the radio, I couldn’t help but notice my 8-year-old nephew singing along happily. Little did he know that the song he was belting out was older than he was. Released in 2010, “Sure Thing” was named Billboard’s No. 1 R&B/hip-hop song of 2011. However, thanks to the resurgence of TikTok, this melodic track found new life and catapulted to even greater heights on the pop charts, as streaming platforms added it to current playlists and radio stations started playing it again, 13 years after its release.
This phenomenon is not unique to Miguel’s “Sure Thing.” Taylor Swift’s “Cruel Summer” was released in 2019 but became a fan favorite on her highly popular Eras Tour, and it has now reached the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100. Sia’s platinum hit “Unstoppable” was reinvigorated thanks to TikTok, even though it was originally released in 2016. Furthermore, Tems set a remarkable record when her 2020 track “Free Mind” spent 22 weeks at No. 1 on R&B/hip-hop radio this year. These songs will undoubtedly be remembered as part of the defining music of 2023.
However, when it comes to the Grammy Awards, which honor the best in new recordings, the question arises: how can older songs receive nominations at this prestigious event? Especially as the trend of older songs finding new life continues to explode. Let’s explore some ways in which artists can get their old songs nominated at the Grammy Awards.
One common approach is to submit a live version of the older track. An artist can submit a live rendition of a song at any time, as long as the recording of the performance has taken place within the past five years. For example, John Legend’s “All of Me” and Pharrell’s “Happy,” both released in 2013, became No. 1 hits in 2014. Live versions of these tracks competed for the Best Pop Solo Performance at the 2015 Grammys, with “Happy” ultimately winning. Adele’s album “21” and its singles “Rolling in the Deep” and “Someone Like You” dominated the 2012 Grammys. The following year, Adele won the Best Pop Solo Performance for a live version of her third single, “Set Fire to the Rain.” Beyoncé’s “Halo” won her the Best Pop Female Vocal Performance in 2010, and a live version of the ballad earned her a nomination in the same category in 2011. Similarly, Sheryl Crow’s “There Goes the Neighborhood” lost to Alanis Morissette’s “Uninvited” in the Best Female Rock Vocal Performance category at the 1999 Grammys, but two years later, a live version of Crow’s song won in the same category.
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Artists who have won Grammys for live versions of their songs include Train’s “Hey, Soul Sister,” Sarah McLachlan’s “I Will Remember You,” and Roy Orbison’s “Oh, Pretty Woman.” Orbison’s iconic tune earned him a Grammy for its live version in 1991, despite the original song being released in 1964. Other songs that have received nominations for live versions include Elton John’s “Candle in the Wind,” Beyoncé’s “Me, Myself and I,” Latto’s “Big Energy,” Camila Cabello’s “Havana,” McLachlan’s “Possession,” and Sting’s “Fragile,” originally released in the ’80s but nominated at the 2003 Grammys. It’s important to note that live renditions of songs can only compete in performance categories, such as Best R&B Performance and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, but not in categories like Song of the Year or Best Rock Song.
Another effective strategy is to make an older song a duet. Collaborating with another artist and presenting a new version of the track is a proven method to secure a Grammy nomination. Take Dolly Parton’s classic “Jolene” as an example. The song was nominated in the 1970s but was re-recorded with the a cappella group Pentatonix in 2016. This new rendition won the Grammy for Best Country Duo/Group Performance in 2017. To qualify for this category, both parts of the duet or collaboration should be newly recorded. The Weeknd’s track “Die for You,” originally released in 2016, became a top 10 hit last year with the help of TikTok. His duet version with Ariana Grande, released in February, immediately skyrocketed to the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100. If submitted, it would likely compete for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. Similarly, Miguel’s “Sure Thing,” with the smooth addition of Usher, could grant the song and Miguel a chance to compete at the Grammys. Interestingly, a young Miguel played “Sure Thing” for record executives years ago as a potential inclusion on Usher’s album. This song ultimately helped Miguel secure his own record deal. Picture Kelly Clarkson or Pink, or both powerhouse vocalists, trading verses with Sia on a new version of “Unstoppable.” It would undoubtedly be magical. Even Mariah Carey’s 2009 track “It’s a Wrap” experienced an R&B resurgence this year. While she previously remixed the song with Mary J. Blige, a new rendition with Jazmine Sullivan and her explosive hit “Pick Up Your Feelings” energy would be a heavenly collaboration.
Another effective method to give an old song a chance at a Grammy nomination is through remixing the track. Remixes have always extended the lifespan of a song, whether by adding a rapper to the track or transforming it into a pulsating nightclub favorite with the help of a DJ. For older songs seeking Grammy recognition, remixing the track and adding new elements could be the way to go. However, it’s important to note that the popular “sped-up” versions of songs on TikTok do not qualify as official remixes according to the Recording Academy’s rules and guidelines. To be eligible for the Best Remixed Recording category, a remixer must “creatively add to, alter, or transform [a previous recording] in such a way as to create a new and unique performance.” According to the Academy, “the addition of a vocal performance by a featured artist without substantive change to the original music recording is not eligible as a remix.” An example of a successful remix is Lana Del Rey’s pop groove “Summertime Sadness,” which gained new life through Cedric Gervais’ upbeat dance remix, winning him a Grammy in 2014. Once again, recruiting a skilled producer or remixer to rework Swift’s “Cruel Summer,” Miguel’s “Sure Thing,” Tems’ “Free Mind,” or Beyoncé’s “My Power” could be the simplest route to earning a nomination in the Best Remixed Recording category. However, it’s crucial that the artist is listed as a remixer to be considered for the award. For instance, Lizzo won Record of the Year at the 2021 Grammys for “About Damn Time,” but when Purple Disco Machine’s remix of her hit song won the Best Remixed Recording award, only the German producer was recognized, not Lizzo.
Surprisingly, shooting a new music video for an older song can breathe new life into it and potentially earn a Grammy nomination. The Best Music Video category is awarded to the artist, director, and video producer. Interestingly, some of the older songs that experienced renewed success this year did not have an accompanying music video. This includes Swift’s “Cruel Summer,” Tems’ “Free Mind,” and Carey’s “It’s a Wrap.” According to the Academy’s rules, “if a single is released one year and the music video is released in a different eligibility year, both are eligible in their respective years.” Unfortunately for Miguel and his song “Sure Thing,” it is disqualified from this approach due to the presence of an official music video for the song.
The Lizzo Effect serves as a reminder of how anything is possible at the Grammy Awards. Lizzo dominated 2019 with her hit song “Truth Hurts,” even though it was originally released as a stand-alone single in 2017. Typically, an artist would have to submit a live version of an older track to compete at the Grammys. However, Lizzo’s case was exceptional. The Academy deemed “Truth Hurts” eligible because it was never officially submitted for consideration in the Grammys process, and it appeared on an album released during the eligibility period for the 2020 show. The song gained significant attention after being featured in the Netflix film “Someone Great,” which coincided with the release of Lizzo’s album “Cuz I Love You.” Although “Truth Hurts” was not initially included on the album, Lizzo’s record label released a deluxe version two weeks later, adding the hit song to it. This unexpected turn of events demonstrates the importance of seizing opportunities and taking chances, even with older songs. The Lizzo Effect encourages artists to submit their work for Grammy consideration, as there is always a chance for success.
In conclusion, the Grammy Awards have witnessed a surge in older songs finding new life and achieving recognition. Artists can employ various strategies to give their old songs a shot at a nomination. Submitting a live version of the track, making it a duet or collaboration, remixing the song, shooting a new music video, or emulating the Lizzo Effect by seizing unexpected opportunities are all viable routes to Grammy recognition. As the music industry continues to evolve and TikTok plays a major role in reviving older tracks, artists must adapt and explore innovative ways to keep their music relevant and competitive.
