I've never paid the Grammys much attention, mostly due to the fact they're a bit of a joke in the eyes of the industry ... but one thing I've never understood are the categories for the main awards. What the hell is the difference between Record of the Year and Song/Album of the Year? And Best Rock Song as opposed to Best Rock Performance, what's the diference there? ...

I assume Record of the Year is about the production, the highlights of the melody and voice which appear on the surface of the song thanks to the producer, sound engineer etc.

Song of the Year is about pure instrumentation, lyrics (?), melody, harmonies, the things which make the base of the record.

Rock Song just like the song of the year is all about the tune within the rock genre. Rock performance is the way of delivering it.

Someone correct me please, if I'm wrong.

The Grammy Award for Record of the Year is presented by the National Academy of Recor...d Sciences of the United States to "honor artistic achievement, technical proficiency and overall excellence in the recording industry, without regard to sales or chart position."[1][2] The Record of the Year award is one of the four most prestigious categories at the awards (alongside Best New Artist, Song of the Year and Album of the Year) presented annually since the 1st Grammy Awards in 1959.

According to the 54th Grammy Awardsdescription guide, the award is presented for commercially released singles or tracks of new vocal or instrumental recordings. Tracks from a previous year's album may be entered provided the track was not entered the previous year and provided the album did not win a Grammy. Award to the artist(s), producer(s), recording engineer(s) and/or mixer(s) if other than the artist.

[Edited 1/29/18 4:48am]

DaveT said:

I've never paid the Grammys much attention, mostly due to the fact they're a bit of a joke in the eyes of the industry ... but one thing I've never understood are the categories for the main awards. What the hell is the difference between Record of the Year and Song/Album of the Year? And Best Rock Song as opposed to Best Rock Performance, what's the diference there? ...

Song is mainly about the writer, at least that is what is claimed. The writer of the song gets that award, Record is for the artists themselves. The Performance awards are similar to what record is in those categories. Best New Artist dont get me started on the double standard and the number of times the Grammy Awards have messed that one up with its rules for qulaifying for it.

Post here http://prince.org/msg/8/451616