Grammys 2022: Is Brandi Carlile the First Artist to Compete Against Herself for Song of the Year?
Brandi Carlile‘s name isn’t new to the Grammy Awards nominations list. The singer-songwriter has received numerous nominations due to her chart-topping songs spanning several genres. Carlile continues to receive love from the Recording Academy, and it looks like the odds are in her favor this year. Is the 40-year-old the first artist to compete against herself for the Song of the Year award?
Brandi Carlile is nominated twice for ‘Song of the Year’ at the 2022 Grammys
The Recording Academy released the list of 2022 Grammy Award nominees in November 2021. John Baptiste leads with 11 nominations, as Pitchfork reports. Justin Bieber, Billie Eilish, and Doja Cat follow closely with multiple nominations in various categories.
Carlile received five 2022 Grammy nods from the Recording Academy. She is nominated for Best Pop Solo Performance, Best American Roots Performance, Song of the Year, and Record of the Year. Her song “Same Devil” is nominated for Best American Roots Performance. “Right On Time” received nominations for Record of the Year, Best Pop Solo Performance, and Song of the Year.
For the last category, two nominations go to Carlile for “Right on Time” and “A Beautiful Noise” with Alicia Keys. This makes her one of the few artists to compete against themselves in the Song of the Year category. But does the double nomination for the category mean she might win at least one award? We’ll find out soon.
Several singer/songwriters have competed against themselves at the Grammy Awards
It’s not uncommon for artists to compete against themselves at the Grammys. In 1989, Tom Petty’s album Full Moon Fever received nominations in a similar category alongside the supergroup he participated in, The Traveling Wilburys.
UPI also reports that, in 2003, R&B singer Ashanti competed against herself for the Best Rap/Song Collaboration for “What’s Luv” and “Always on Time.”
The same happened with rock band Nickelback, which received a 2003 nomination for Record of the Year for “How You Remind Me.” At the same time, lead singer and guitarist Chad Kroeger received three individual nominations for his collaboration with Josey Scott for “Hero” on the Spider-Man soundtrack.
Brandi Carlie’s history with the Recording Academy
Carlile’s recognition began when General Motors chose to feature her single, “The Story,” from her titular album for their commercials during the 2008 Olympics. GM using the song brought Carlile’s work to the forefront of the industry.
The medical drama Grey’s Anatomy also heavily used her work, allowing the artist to reach an even greater audience. Carlile released several more albums through 2016. But her greatest success didn’t come until February 2018 with the release of By the Way, I Forgive You.
After appearing on late-night shows to promote the album, its first single “The Joke” reached No. 4 on Billboard’s Adult Alternative Chart as well as No. 43 and 46 on Hot Rock Songs and Rock Airplay Charts respectively.
In 2015, Carlile earned her first Grammy nod for the album The Firewatcher’s Daughter. In 2019, she was nominated for Album of the Year and Best Americana Album for By the Way, I Forgive You. She also got four more nods for her single “The Joke,” winning two for “The Joke” and one for By the Way, I Forgive You.
In 2020, Carlile made it to the nominee list with While I’m Living for Best Country Album and “Bring My Flowers Now” for Best Country Song and Song of the Year. Her song “Common” also received a nomination. Carlile won two out of the four nominations.
