The 68th Annual Grammy Awards are just hours away. Taking place this Sunday, February 1, music’s biggest stars will gather for the industry’s most anticipated night of the year. Among the ceremony’s most prestigious honors is Song of the Year. This award celebrates the art of songwriting at its highest level.
This year’s nominees reflect a remarkable range of genres and global perspectives, spanning Latin, K-pop, pop, hip-hop, and R&B. The 2026 contenders are HUNTR/X (“Golden”), Lady Gaga (“Abracadabra”), Bad Bunny (“DtMF”), Sabrina Carpenter (“Manchild”), ROSÉ & Bruno Mars (“APT.”), Kendrick Lamar & SZA (“Luther”), Billie Eilish (“Wildflower”), and Doechii (“Anxiety”).
Unlike Record of the Year, Song of the Year focuses strictly on composition and songwriting—honoring the lyrics, melody, and structure of a song. The award is presented solely to the songwriter(s) and composer(s). Therefore, it is one of the most respected accolades for creative craft rather than performance or production.
As Grammy night approaches, here are our predictions for Song of the Year.
Predicted Winner: “Golden” — HUNTR/X (EJAE, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami)
HUNTR/X, the fictional trio from Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters, enters the Grammys with extraordinary momentum. In recent weeks, EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami have secured major wins at both the Golden Globe Awards and the Critics Choice Awards. Additionally, they have a historic nomination at the 2026 Academy Awards.
Beyond awards buzz, “Golden” has resonated because of its lyrical message and songwriting clarity. The track emerged as both a commercial powerhouse and a deeply relatable anthem. It blends infectious pop hooks with empowering themes of self-belief and resilience. Rooted in K-pop energy but built on universally accessible songwriting, “Golden” stands out for its immediacy, emotional lift, and melodic strength.
As the breakout song from the massively successful KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack, “Golden” dominated globally throughout 2025. It topped Spotify’s Daily Global Chart for over 70 days. Additionally, it spent a historic eight weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100—rare achievements that underscore both its cultural impact and songwriting appeal.
Strong Contenders
Several nominees remain serious threats in a tightly contested category:
• Billie Eilish — “Wildflower”
Written with FINNEAS, “Wildflower” showcases minimalist, emotionally precise songwriting. Its introspective lyrics explore guilt, jealousy, and emotional conflict with restraint and haunting intimacy.
• Bad Bunny — “DtMF”
Bad Bunny delivers one of his most reflective compositions to date, capturing regret, nostalgia, and emotional vulnerability. The contrast between upbeat production and heavy lyrical themes gives the song lasting emotional weight.
• Doechii — “Anxiety”
With a solo songwriting credit, Doechii offers raw, unfiltered honesty. “Anxiety” stands out for its candid exploration of mental health. It blends sharp lyricism, humor, and rhythmic confidence into a deeply personal statement.
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