Grammy Award for Best R&B Song

The Grammy Award for Best R&B Song (sometimes known as the R&B Songwriter's Award) has been awarded since 1959. From 1969 to 2000 it was known as the Grammy Award for Best Rhythm & Blues Song, from 1962 to 1968 it was known as Best Rhythm & Blues Recording, and from 1959-1961 as Best Rhythm & Blues Performance. Years reflect the year in which the Grammy Awards were presented, for music released in the previous year. The award is given to the writer(s) of the song. Five artists have won this award three times, Beyoncé, Babyface, Stevie Wonder, Bill Withers and Alicia Keys.

2010s

• Grammy Awards of 2012

Nominees (performers' names in parentheses)

• Marsha Ambrosius, Sterling Simms & Justin Smith for Far Away (Marsha Ambrosius)
• Cee Lo Green & Jack Splash for Fool For You (Cee Lo Green & Melanie Fiona)
• Kelly Price for Not My Daddy (Kelly Price & Stokley)
• Charles Harmon, Claude Kelly & Ledisi Young for Pieces of Me (Ledisi)
• Dennis Bettis, Carl M. Days Jr., Wirlie Morris, Charlie Wilson & Mahin Wilson for You Are (Charlie Wilson)

• Grammy Awards of 2011
  • John Legend for Shine (performed by John Legend & The Roots, from the album Wake Up)
  • Fantasia, Charles Harmon & Claude Kelly for "Bittersweet"
  • Jaheim Ivan "Orthodox" Barias, Curt Chambers, Carvin "Ransum" Haggins, Jaheim Hoagland & Miquel Jontel for "Finding My Way Back"
  • El DeBarge & Mischke for "Second Chance"
  • Kem for "Why Would You Stay"

• Grammy Awards of 2010
  • Taddis Harrell, Beyonce Knowles, Terius Nash & Christopher Stewart for "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)" (performed by Beyoncé)
  • "Blame It" (James T. Brown, John Conte, Jr., Jamie Foxx, Christopher Henderson, Brandon R. Melanchon, Breyon Prescott, T-Pain & Nathan L. Walker)
  • "Lions, Tigers & Bears" (Salaam Remi & Jazmine Sullivan)
  • "Pretty Wings" (Hod David & Musze)
  • "Under" (D. Babbs, L. Bereal, M. Cooper, A. Dixon, J. Franklin, T. Jones, R. New & K. Stephens)

2000s

• Grammy Awards of 2009
  • M.S. Eriksen, T.E. Hermansen & Ne-Yo for "Miss Independent" (performed by Ne-Yo)
  • "Bust Your Windows" (Salaam Remi & Jazmine Sullivan)
  • "Customer" (I. Barias, Raheem DeVaughn, C. Haggins, K. Oliver & J. Smith)
  • "Heaven Sent" (Keyshia Cole, Jason Farmer & Alex Francis)
  • "Spotlight" (Mikkel S. Eriksen, Tor Erik Hermansen & Ne-Yo)
• Grammy Awards of 2008
  • Alicia Keys, Kerry Brothers, Jr. & Dirty Harry for "No One" (performed by Alicia Keys)
  • "Beautiful Flower" (India.Arie & Joyce Simpson)
  • "Hate That I Love You" (M.S. Eriksen, T.E. Hermansen & Shaffer Smith)
  • "Teachme" (Ivan Barias, Adam W. Blackstone, Randall C. Bowland, Carvin Haggins, Johnnie Smith II & Corey Latif Williams)
  • "When I See U" (Louis Biancaniello, Waynne Nugent, Erika Nuri, Kevin Risto, Janet Swel & Sam Watters)

• Grammy Awards of 2007
  • Johntá Austin, Mary J. Blige, Bryan-Michael Cox and Jason Perry for "Be Without You" (performed by Mary J. Blige)
  • "Black Sweat" (Prince)
  • "Deja Vu" (Jay-Z, Rodney 'Darkchild' Jerkins, Beyoncé, Makeba, Keli Nicole Price & Delisha Thomas)
  • "Don't Forget About Us" (Johnta Austin, Mariah Carey, Bryan-Michael Cox & Jermaine Dupri)
  • "I Am Not My Hair" (Drew Ramsey, Shannon Sanders & India.Arie)
• Grammy Awards of 2006
  • Mariah Carey, Jermaine Dupri, Manuel Seal and Johnta Austin for "We Belong Together" (performed by Mariah Carey)
  • "Cater 2 U" (Rodney Jerkins, Beyoncé Knowles, Ricky Lews, Kelly Rowland, Robert Waller & Michelle Williams)
  • "Free Yourself" (Craig Brockman, Missy Elliott & Nisan Stewart)
  • "Ordinary People" (W. Adams & J. Stephens)
  • "Unbreakable" (Garry Glenn, Alicia Keys, Harold Lily & Kanye West)
• Grammy Awards of 2005
  • Alicia Keys, Harold Lilly and Kanye West for "You Don't Know My Name" (performed by Alicia Keys)
  • "Burn" (Bryan Michael Cox, Jermaine Dupri & Usher)
  • "Call My Name" (Prince)
  • "My Boo" (Jermaine Dupri, Alicia Keys, Usher, Manuel Seal & Adonis Shropshire)
  • "Yeah!" (Chris Bridges, Sean Garrett, LaMarquis Jefferson, Robert McDowell, James Phillips, Jonathan Smith & Patrick J. Que Smith)
• Grammy Awards of 2004
  • Beyonce Knowles, Rich Harrison and Jay-Z for "Crazy in Love" (performed by Beyoncé Knowles and Jay-Z)
  • "Comin' From Where I'm From" (Mark Batson & Anthony Hamilton)
  • "Dance With My Father" (Richard Marx & Luther Vandross)
  • "Danger" (Erykah Badu, J. Poyser, B.R. Smith & R.C. Williams)
  • "Rock Wit U (Awww Baby)" (A. Douglas, I. Lorenzo & A. Parker)
• Grammy Awards of 2003
  • Erykah Badu, Madukwu Chinwah, Common, Robert Ozuna, James Poyser, Raphael Saadiq and Glen Standridge for "Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip-Hop)" (performed by Erykah Badu and Common)'
  • "Be Here" (Michael Archer, Bobby Ozuna, Raphael Saadiq & Glenn Standridge)
  • "Floetic" (Marsha Ambrosius, Darren "Limitless" Henson, Keith "Keshon" Pelzer & Natalie Stewart)
  • "Goodman" (Will Baker, Andrew Ramsey, Shannon Sanders & India Simpson)
  • "Take A Message" (Remy Shand)
• Grammy Awards of 2002
  • Alicia Keys for "Fallin'" (performed by Alicia Keys)
  • "Didn't Cha Know" (Erykah Badu)
  • "Get Ur Freak On" (Missy Elliott & T. Mosley)
  • "Hit 'Em up Style" (Dallas Austin)
  • "Love Of My Life" (Brian McKnight)
  • "Video" (India.Arie, Carlos Broady & Shannon Sanders)
• Grammy Awards of 2001
  • La Shawn Daniels, Fred Jerkins III, Rodney Jerkins, Beyoncé Knowles, LeToya Luckett, LaTavia Roberson and Kelly Rowland for "Say My Name" (performed by Destiny's Child)
  • "Bag Lady" (Erykah Badu)
  • "He Wasn't Man Enough" (LaShawn Daniels, Fred Jerkins III, Rodney Jerkins & Harvey Mason, Jr.)
  • "Thong Song" (Mark Andrews, Tim Kelley & Bob Robinson)
  • "Untitled (How Does It Feel)" (D'Angelo & Raphael Saadiq)
• Grammy Awards of 2000
  • Kevin "She'kspere" Briggs, Kandi Burruss, and Tameka Cottle for "No Scrubs" (performed by TLC)
  • "All That I Can Say" (Lauryn Hill)
  • "Bills, Bills, Bills" (Kevin "Shekspere" Briggs, Kandi Burruss, Beyoncé Knowles, LeTonya Luckett & Kelendria Rowland)
  • "Heartbreak Hotel" (K. Karlin, Tamara Savage & Carsten Schack)
  • "It's Not Right But It's Okay" (Lashawn Daniels, Tony Estes, Fred Jerkins III, Rodney Jerkins, & Isaac Phillips)

1990s

• 1999
  • Lauryn Hill for "Doo Wop (That Thing)"
    performed by Lauryn Hill
  • Brandy Norwood, LaShawn Daniels, Fred Jerkins III, Rodney Jerkins and Japhe Tejeda for "The Boy Is Mine"
    performed by Brandy & Monica
  • Kirk Franklin for "Lean On Me"
    performed by Kirk Franklin with Mary J. Blige, R. Kelly, Bono, Crystal Lewis and the Family
  • Lauryn Hill for A Rose Is Still a Rose
    performed by Aretha Franklin
  • Rory Bennett and JoJo Hailey for "All My Life
    performed by K-Ci & JoJo

• 1998
  • R. Kelly for "I Believe I Can Fly"
    performed by R. Kelly
  • Andre Young, Chauncey Hannibal, Teddy Riley, William Stewart, Lynise Walters, Richard Vick and Bill Withers for "No Diggity"
    performed by Blackstreet featuring Dr. Dre and Queen Pen
  • Erykah Badu and Jaborn Jamal for "On and On"
    performed by Erykah Badu
  • Kirk Franklin for "Stomp"
    performed by God's Property featuring Kirk Franklin and Salt
  • Mariah Carey, Puff Daddy, Stevie J, Q-Tip (The Ummah), Bobby Robinson, Stephen Hague, Ronald Larkins, Malcolm McLaren and Larry Price for Honey
    performed by Mariah Carey

• 1997
  • Babyface for "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)"
    performed by Whitney Houston
  • Babyface for Sittin' up in My Room
    performed by Brandy
  • Babyface and Bryce Wilson for "You're Makin' Me High"
    performed by Toni Braxton
  • Luther Vandross for "Your Secret Love"
    performed by Luther Vandross
  • Rod Temperton for "You Put a Move on My Heart"
    performed by Tamia

• 1996
  • Stevie Wonder for "For Your Love"
    performed by Stevie Wonder
  • Babyface for "Red Light Special"
    performed by TLC
  • Babyface for "You Can't Run"
    performed by Vanessa L. Williams
  • D'Angelo for "Brown Sugar"
    performed by D'Angelo
  • Dallas Austin for "Creep"
    performed by TLC

• 1995
  • Babyface for "I'll Make Love to You"
    performed by Boyz II Men
  • Babyface for When Can I See You
    performed by Babyface
  • Babyface, L.A. Reid and Daryl Simmons for "You Mean the World to Me"
    performed by Toni Braxton
  • Me'Shell Ndegéocello for "If That's Your Boyfriend (He Wasn't Last Night)"
    performed by Me'Shell Ndegéocello
  • Rick Nowels and Ellen Shipley for "Body and Soul"
    performed by Anita Baker

• 1994
  • Janet Jackson, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis for "That's the Way Love Goes"
    performed by Janet Jackson
  • Babyface and Daryl Simmons for "Can We Talk"
    performed by Tevin Campbell
  • Luther Vandross and Marcus Miller for "Little Miracles (Happen Every Day)"
    performed by Luther Vandross
  • Luther Vandross and Reed Vertelney for "Heaven Knows"
    performed by Luther Vandross
  • Raphael Wiggins and Carl Wheeler for "Anniversary"
    performed by Tony! Toni! Toné!

• 1993
  • Babyface, L.A. Reid and Daryl Simmons for "End of the Road"
    performed by Boyz II Men
  • Dallas Austin, Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes for "Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg"
    performed by TLC
  • Hal Davis, Berry Gordy, Willie Hutch and Bob West for "I'll Be There"
    performed by Mariah Carey
  • Michael Jackson, René Moore, Bruce Swedien and Teddy Riley for "Jam"
    performed by Michael Jackson
  • Thomas McElroy and Denzil Foster for "My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It)"
    performed by En Vogue

• 1992
  • Marcus Miller, Luther Vandross and Teddy Vann for "Power of Love/Love Power"
    performed by Luther Vandross
  • Alvertis Isbell for "I'll Take You There"
    performed by BeBe & CeCe Winans featuring Mavis Staples
  • Dr. Freeze for "I Wanna Sex You Up"
    performed by Color Me Badd
  • Narada Michael Walden and Lisa Fischer for "How Can I Ease the Pain"
    performed by Lisa Fischer
  • Walter Afanasieff and John Bettis for "Can You Stop the Rain"
    performed by Peabo Bryson

• 1991
  • MC Hammer, Rick James and Alonzo Miller for "U Can't Touch This"
    performed by MC Hammer
  • George Johnson, Louis Johnson and Sonora Sam for "I'll Be Good to You"
    performed by Ray Charles and Chaka Khan
  • Janet Jackson, James Harris III and Terry Lewis for "Alright"
    performed by Janet Jackson
  • L.A. Reid, Babyface and Daryl Simmons for "My, My, My"
    performed by Johnny Gill
  • Terry Steele and David L. Elliott for "Here and Now (Luther Vandross song)"
    performed by Luther Vandross

• 1990
  • Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff for "If You Don't Know Me By Now"
    performed by Simply Red
  • Calvin Lewis and Andrew Wright for "When a Man Loves a Woman"
    performed by Percy Sledge
  • James Harris III and Terry Lewis for "Miss You Much"
    performed by Janet Jackson
  • L.A. Reid and Babyface for "Every Little Step"
    performed by Bobby Brown
  • L.A. Reid, Babyface and Daryl Simmons for "Superwoman"
    performed by Karyn White

1980s

• 1989
  • Anita Baker, Randy Holland and Skip Scarborough for "Giving You the Best That I Got" (performed by Anita Baker)
  • Babyface, L.A. Reid and Daryl Simmons for "Don't Be Cruel" (performed by Bobby Brown)
  • Jimmy George for "I'll Always Love You (performed by Taylor Dayne)
  • Johnny Kemp and Gene Griffin for "Just Got Paid" (performed by Johnny Kemp)
  • Luther Vandross and Marcus Miller for "Any Love" (performed by Luther Vandross)

• 1988
  • Bill Withers for "Lean on Me" (performed by Club Nouveau)
  • Jimmy George and Lou Pardini for "Just to See Her" (performed by Smokey Robinson)
  • Prince for "U Got the Look" (performed by Prince)
  • Reggie Calloway for "Casanova" (performed by LeVert)
  • Stevie Wonder for "Skeletons" (performed by Stevie Wonder)

• 1987
  • Anita Baker, Louis A. Johnson and Gary Bias for "Sweet Love" (performed by Anita Baker)
  • Dan Hartman and Charlie Midnight for "Living in America" (performed by James Brown)
  • James Harris III, Terry Lewis and Janet Jackson for "What Have You Done For Me Lately" (performed by Janet Jackson)
  • Luther Vandross and Nat Adderley, Jr. for "Give Me the Reason" (performed by Luther Vandross)
  • Prince & the Revolution for "Kiss" (performed by Prince & the Revolution)

• 1986
  • Jeffrey Cohen and Narada Michael Walden for "Freeway of Love" (performed by Aretha Franklin)
  • David Foster, Tom Keane and Cynthia Weil for "Through the Fire" (performed by Chaka Khan)
  • LaLa for "You Give Good Love" (performed by Whitney Houston)
  • Sharon Robinson, Jon Gilutin and Bunny Hull for "New Attitude" (performed by Patti LaBelle)
  • Walter Orange, Dennis Lambert and Franne Golde for Nightshift (performed by The Commodores)

• 1985
  • Prince for "I Feel For You" (performed by Chaka Khan)
  • Bill Wolfer and Dean Pitchford for "Dancing in the Sheets" (performed by Shalamar)
  • James Ingram, Michael McDonald, Rod Temperton and Quincy Jones for "Yah Mo B There" (performed by James Ingram and Michael McDonald)
  • Keith Diamond and Billy Ocean for "Caribbean Queen" (performed by Billy Ocean)
  • Sheila E. for Glamorous Life (performed by Sheila E.)

• 1984
  • Michael Jackson for "Billie Jean" (performed by Michael Jackson)
  • Eddy Grant for "Electric Avenue (song)" (performed by Eddy Grant)
  • Hawk Wolinski for "Ain't Nobody" (performed by Rufus and Chaka Khan)
  • James Ingram and Quincy Jones for "PYT (Pretty Young Thing)" (performed by Michael Jackson)
  • Michael Jackson for "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' " (performed by Michael Jackson)

• 1983
  • Jay Graydon, Steve Lukather and Bill Champlin for "Turn Your Love Around" (performed by George Benson)
  • Marvin Gaye, Odell Brown and David Ritz for "Sexual Healing" (performed by Marvin Gaye)
  • Reggie Andrews and Leon "Ndugu" Chancler and "Let It Whip" (performed by Dazz Band)
  • Stevie Wonder for "That Girl)" (performed by Steve Wonder)
  • Stevie Wonder for "Do I Do" (performed by Stevie Wonder)
  • Teddy Randazzo, Bobby Weinstein and Lou Staliman for "It's Gonna Take a Miracle" (performed by Deniece Williams)

• 1982
  • Bill Withers, William Salter and Ralph MacDonald for "Just the Two of Us" (performed by Grover Washington, Jr. and Bill Withers)
  • Chas Jankel and Kenny Young for "Ai No Corrida" (performed by Quincy Jones)
  • Harold Hudson, William King and Shirley King for "Lady (You Bring Me Up)" (performed by The Commodores)
  • Leon Haywood for "She's a Bad Mama Jama" (performed by Carl Carlton)
  • Marc Blatte and Larry Gottlieb for "When She Was My Girl" (performed by The Four Tops)

• 1981
  • Reggie Lucas and James Mtume for "Never Knew Love Like This Before" (performed by Stephanie Mills)
  • Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards for "Upside Down" (performed by Diana Ross)
  • Lee Garrett and Stevie Wonder for "Let's Get Serious" (performed by Jermaine Jackson)
  • Leo Graham and Paul Richmond for "Shining Star" (performed by The Manhattans)
  • Rod Temperton and "Give Me the Night" (performed by George Benson)

• 1980
  • David Foster, Jay Graydon and Bill Champlin for "After the Love Has Gone" (performed by Earth, Wind & Fire)
  • Dino Fekaris and Freddie Perren for "Reunited" (performed by Peaches & Herb)
  • Gene McFadden, John Whitehead and Jerry Cohen for "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now" (performed by McFadden & Whitehead)
  • Isaac Hayes and Adrienne Anderson for "Deja Vu (performed by Dionne Warwick)
  • Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards for "We Are Family" (performed by Sister Sledge)

1970s

• 1979
  • Paul Jabara for "Last Dance"
    performed by Donna Summer
  • Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff for "Use Ta Be My Girl"
    performed by The O'Jays
  • Maurice White, Eddie del Barrio and Verdine White for "Fantasy"
    performed by Earth, Wind & Fire
  • Perry Kibble and Janice Marie Johnson for "Boogie Oogie Oogie"
    performed by A Taste of Honey
  • Bernard Edwards, Kenny Lehman and Nile Rodgers for "Dance, Dance, Dance (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah)"
    performed by Chic

• 1978
  • Leo Sayer and Vini Poncia for "You Make Me Feel Like Dancing"
    performed by Leo Sayer
  • Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff and Cary Gilbert for "Don't Leave Me This Way"
    performed by Thelma Houston
  • Lionel Richie for "Easy"
    performed by The Commodores
  • Maurice White and Al McKay for "Best of My Love (The Emotions song)"
    performed by The Emotions
  • Milan Williams, Walter Orange, Thomas McClary, William King, Lionel Richie and Ronald LaPread for "Brick House"
    performed by The Commodores

• 1977
  • Boz Scaggs and David Paich for "Lowdown"
    performed by Boz Scaggs
  • Bob Montgomery for "Misty Blue"
    performed by Dorothy Moore
  • Harry Wayne Casey and Richard Finch for "(Shake, Shake, Shake) Shake Your Booty"
    performed by KC and the Sunshine Band
  • Harvey Scales, Al Vance and Don Davis for "Disco Lady"
    performed by Johnnie Taylor
  • Pam Sawyer and Marilyn McLeod for "Love Hangover"
    performed by Diana Ross"

• 1976
  • Harry Wayne Casey, Willie Clarke, Richard Finch and Betty Wright for "Where Is the Love"
    performed by Betty Wright
  • Barney Perry for "Walking in Rhythm"
    performed by The Blackbyrds
  • Charlie Smalls for "Ease on Down the Road"
    performed by Consumer Rapport
  • Harry Wayne Casey and Richard Finch for "Get Down Tonight"
    performed by KC and the Sunshine Band
  • Harry Wayne Casey and Richard Finch for "That's the Way (I Like It)"
    performed by KC and the Sunshine Band

• 1975
  • Stevie Wonder for "Living for the City"
    performed by Stevie Wonder
  • Hal Davis, Don Fletcher and Dean Parks for "Dancing Machine"
    performed by The Jackson 5
  • Harry Wayne Casey and Richard Finch for "Rock Your Baby"
    performed by George McCrae
  • Kenneth Gamble for "For the Love of Money"
    performed by The O'Jays

• 1974
  • Stevie Wonder for "Superstition"
    performed by Stevie Wonder
  • Jim Weatherly for "Midnight Train to Georgia"
    performed by Gladys Knight and the Pips
  • Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff for "Love Train"
    performed by The O'Jays
  • Sylvester Stewart for "Family Affair"
    performed by Sly and the Family Stone
  • War for "Cisco Kid"
    performed by War

• 1973
  • Barrett Strong and Norman Whitfield for "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone"
    performed by The Temptations
  • Curtis Mayfield for "Freddie's Dead"
    performed by Curtis Mayfield
  • Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff and Cary Gilbert for "Me and Mrs. Jones"
    performed by Billy Paul
  • Leon Huff, Gene McFadden and John Whitehead for "Back Stabbers"
    performed by The O'Jays
  • Rudy Clark, J.R. Bailey and Kenny Williams for "Everybody Plays the Fool"
    performed by The Main Ingredient

• 1972
  • Bill Withers for "Ain't No Sunshine"
    performed by Bill Withers
  • Clay McMurray, Laverne Ware and Pamela Sawyer - "If I Were Your Woman"
    performed by Gladys Knight and the Pips
  • Clifton Davis for "Never Can Say Goodbye"
    performed by The Jackson 5
  • Joseph Broussard, Carol Washington and Ralph Williams for "Mr. Big Stuff"
    performed by Jean Knight
  • Barrett Strong and Norman Whitfield for "Smiling Faces Sometimes"
    performed by The Undisputed Truth

• 1971
  • Ronald Dunbar and General Johnson for "Patches"
    performed by Clarence Carter
  • Greg Perry, General Johnson and Angelo Bond for "Somebody's Been Sleeping in My Bed"
    performed by 100 Proof (Aged in Soul)
  • Russell Lewis and Herman Davis for "Groovy Situation"
    performed by Gene Chandler
  • Stevie Wonder, Lee Garrett, Syreeta Wright and Lulu Hardaway for "Signed, Sealed, Delivered"
    performed by Stevie Wonder
  • Thom Bell and William Hart for "Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time)"
    performed by The Delfonics

• 1970
  • Richard Lewis Spencer for "Color Him Father"
    performed by The Winstons
  • Clarence Carter, George Jackson and Raymond Moore for "I'd Rather Be an Old Man's Sweetheart"
    performed by Candi Staton
  • Herbert "Tim" McPherson and Mel Hardin for "Backfield in Motion"
    performed by Mel and Tim
  • Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff and Jerry Butler for "Only the Strong Survive"
    performed by Jerry Butler
  • Rudolph Isley, O'Kelly Isley, Jr. and Ronald Isley for "It's Your Thing"
    performed by The Isley Brothers

1960s

• 1969
  • Otis Redding and Steve Cropper for "(Sittin' on) the Dock of the Bay"
    performed by Otis Redding
  • Don Covay for "Chain of Fools (song)"
    performed by Aretha Franklin
  • Edward Thomas, Bob McRee and Clifton Thomas for "Pickin' Wild Mountain Berries"
    performed by Peggy Scott and Jo Jo Benson
  • Homer Banks, Bettye Crutcher, Raymond Jackson and Donald Davis for "Who's Making Love"
    performed by Johnnie Taylor
  • Norman Whitfield, Barrett Strong and Roger Penzabene for "I Wish It Would Rain"
    performed by The Temptations

• 1968
  • Aretha Franklin for "Respect"
  • Joe Tex for "Skinny Legs and All"
  • Lou Rawls for "Dead End Street"
  • Otis Redding for "Try a Little Tenderness"
  • Sam & Dave for "Soul Man"

• 1967
  • Ray Charles for "Crying Time"
  • Joe Tex for "Skinny Legs and All"
  • Lou Rawls for "Dead End Street"
  • Otis Redding for "Try a Little Tenderness"
  • Sam & Dave for "Soul Man"

• 1966
  • James Brown for "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag"
  • Sam Cooke for "Shake"
  • The Temptations for "My Girl"
  • Wilson Pickett for "In The Midnight Hour"
  • Jr. Walker and The All-Stars for "Shotgun"

• 1965
  • Nancy Wilson for "How Glad I Am"
  • Sam Cooke for "Good Times"
  • The Impressions for Keep on Pushing
  • The Supremes for "Baby Love"
  • Dionne Warwick for "Walk On By"
  • Joe Tex for "Hold What You've Got"

• 1964
  • Ray Charles for "Busted"
  • Barbara Lewis for "Hello Stranger"
  • Lenny Welch for "Since I Fell for You'
  • Little Johnny Taylor for "Part Time Love"
  • Major Lance for "Hey Little Girl"
  • Martha and the Vandellas for (Love is Like a) Heat Wave
  • Sam Cooke for "Frankie and Johnny"

• 1963
  • Ray Charles for "I Can't Stop Loving You"
  • B. Bumble and the Stingers for "Nut Rocker"
  • Bobby Darin for What'd I Say
  • Little Eva for The Loco-Motion
  • Mel Torme for Comin' Home Baby
  • Sam Cooke for Bring It On Home To Me

• 1962
  • Ray Charles for "Hit the Road Jack"
  • Ernie K-Doe for "Mother-in-Law"
  • Etta James for "The Fool That I Am"
  • Jimmy Reed for "Bright Lights, Big City"
  • Laverne Baker for "Saved"

• 1961
  • Ray Charles for "Let the Good Times Roll"
  • Etta James for "All I Could Do Was Cry"
  • Hank Ballard for "Finger Poppin' Time"
  • Muddy Waters for "Got My Mojo Working"
  • Jackie Wilson for "Lonely Teardrops"
  • LaVerne Baker for "Shake a Hand"
  • John Lee Hooker for Travelin'
  • Bo Diddley for "Walkin' and Talkin'"

• 1960
  • Dinah Washington for "What a Diff'rence a Day Makes"
  • Elvis Presley for "A Big Hunk o' Love"
  • The Coasters for "Charlie Brown"
  • Jesse Belvin for "Guess Who"
  • Nat King Cole for "Midnight Flyer"

1950s

• 1959
  • The Champs for "Tequila"
  • Harry Belafonte for Belafonte Sings the Blues
  • Nat King Cole for "Looking Back"
  • Perez Prado for "Patricia"
  • Earl Grant for "The End"

Category facts

• Most Wins:

Rank	1st	2nd	3rd
Artist	Beyoncé Stevie Wonder Alicia Keys Babyface Bill Withers	Johnta Austin Anita Baker
Total Wins	3 wins	2 wins

• Most Nominations

Rank	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	5th
Artist	Babyface	Stevie Wonder	Luther Vandross Leon Huff	Beyoncé Rodney Jerkins L.A. Reid	Alicia Keys Prince (singer) Daryl Simmons Richard Finch
Total Nominations	14 nominations	8 nominations	7 nominations	6 nominations	5 nominations