Grammy Award for Song of the Year

The Song of the Year is one of the two most prestigious awards in the Grammies, if not in all of the music industry. It has been awarded since 1959 to the composer (not the performer) of the song in question. It is always the case that one or more recordings are nominated for both Song of the Year and Record of the Year, and one recording may be awarded both awards. Years reflect the year in which the Grammy Awards were handed out, for music released in the previous year.

1980s

• Grammy Awards of 1989
• Bobby McFerrin for "Don't Worry, Be Happy"*
• Grammy Awards of 1988
• James Horner, Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil for "Somewhere Out There" performed by James Ingram & Linda Ronstadt
• Grammy Awards of 1987
• Burt Bacharach & Carole Bayer Sager for "That's What Friends Are For" performed by Elton John, Gladys Knight, Dionne Warwick & Stevie Wonder
• Grammy Awards of 1986
• Lionel Richie & Michael Jackson for "We Are the World" performed by USA for Africa*
• Grammy Awards of 1985
• Terry Britten & Graham Lyle for "What's Love Got to Do with It?" performed by Tina Turner*
• Grammy Awards of 1984
• Sting for "Every Breath You Take" performed by The Police
• Grammy Awards of 1983
• Wayne Carson, Johnny Christopher & Mark James for "Always on My Mind" performed by Willie Nelson
• Grammy Awards of 1982
• Jackie DeShannon & Donna Weiss for "Bette Davis Eyes" performed by Kim Carnes*
• Grammy Awards of 1981
• Christopher Cross for "Sailing"*
• Grammy Awards of 1980
• Kenny Loggins & Michael McDonald for "What a Fool Believes" performed by The Doobie Brothers*