Why did she win Best Country Album? Because she proved that Country was now just Pop music, but in leopard print and with a bigger… Read More »1996 Classic: Shania Twain

Why did Maya Angelou win? Because when she speaks, even the microphones feel smarter. Part of the 36 Grammy Jokes: The 1996 “Jagged Little Alanis… Read More »1996 Archive: Best Spoken Word Album

Why was everyone asking “What if God was one of us?”? Because after the fifth time hearing it that night, people started hoping God at… Read More »1996 Legacy: Joan Osborne

Why Smokey Joe’s Cafe? Because nostalgia is the safest bet in Vegas and at the Recording Academy. Part of the 36 Grammy Jokes: The 1996… Read More »1996 Classic: Best Musical Show Album

Why did Alanis beat Pearl Jam? Because Eddie Vedder was too busy fighting Ticketmaster to notice a Canadian had just moved into his genre. Part… Read More »1996 Legacy: Best Rock Album

Why “A View from the Side”? Because it sounded intelligent enough for people to pretend they understood it. Part of the 36 Grammy Jokes: The… Read More »1996 Legacy: Best Instrumental Composition

Why did Pearl Jam win for “Spin the Black Circle”? Because the Academy wanted to give them an award for a song that lasts two… Read More »1996 Archive: Best Hard Rock Performance

Why did Pocahontas win? Because Disney has a specific vault in the basement just for “Colors of the Wind” Grammys. Part of the 36 Grammy… Read More »1996 Vintage: Best Score Soundtrack

Why did Ozzy Osbourne win for “Scream”? To prove that in 1996, the Grammys finally realized Ozzy was still alive. Part of the 36 Grammy… Read More »1996 Legacy: Best Metal Performance

Why did Vince Gill’s “Go Rest High on That Mountain” win? Because it made even the toughest guys in Nashville cry into their cowboy hats.… Read More »1996 Vintage: Best Country Song