The Beatles are one of the most respected and celebrated groups in music history. That said, they are actually somewhat under-awarded, compared to the place they hold in the minds and hearts of millions–and especially when their commercial impact is taken into consideration.
The band holds the record for the most nominations in the Record of the Year category at the Grammys. The Beatles have been in the running for what many consider to be the top prize at the ceremony four times.
Somehow, despite releasing dozens of tunes that have stood the test of time, and earning four nods, they’ve never won Record of the Year. The Beatles are one of several legendary figures who have had a shot at claiming the honor, but who have lost each and every time they’ve competed.
Later in 2024, the band could extend their record for the most nominations among non-soloists. They may even be able to end their losing streak, which has loomed over them for decades.
In late 2023, The Beatles returned and released a comeback single. “Now and Then” arrived on November 2, which makes it eligible for the forthcoming Grammys. The tune has a good chance of being nominated for at least one or two trophies, as voters love the band too much to pass up a chance to reward them again. Will that desire extend to Record of the Year?
It’s easier than (almost) ever for any tune to be nominated for Record of the Year, though that doesn’t mean it’s actually simple. There are now eight slots that must be filled, which is more than the five that was customary for decades. Each time The Beatles were nominated, they were one of the five. Now, their chances are better, and as nostalgia for the Fab Four is greater than ever, “Now and Then” may be too tantalizing to voters to forget.
A fifth Record of the Year nod would be a coup for The Beatles. It would show that they still have it–the two remaining members, that is–and that they can compete with modern stars as well. Whether they will be able to score that nomination–and then if they can upset and beat every other smash–is difficult to predict, but they certainly have a real shot at a nod.
Eligibility for the 2025 Grammys is September 16, 2023 through August 30, 2024. The nominees will be named on November 8, and the sixty-seventh annual Grammy Awards will be held on February 2, 2025.
