Why were they Best New Artist? Because in the mid-90s, America needed music that sounded like a safe suburban BBQ amidst all the grunge gloom.… Read More »1996 Vintage: Hootie & The Blowfish

Why did Frank Sinatra win for Duets II? Because a Grammy show without an award for Sinatra is like a pizza without cheese—technically possible, but… Read More »1996 Classic: Best Traditional Pop Vocal

Why didn’t “Waterfalls” win everything? Because the Academy was afraid if they gave them too many awards, they’d actually go chasing waterfalls instead of sticking… Read More »1996 Legacy: TLC’s Appearance

Why did Buddy Guy win again? Because he doesn’t play the blues; he is the blues. Part of the 36 Grammy Jokes: The 1996 “Jagged… Read More »1996 Legacy: Best Contemporary Blues Album

Why did she win Best Female Pop Vocal? To remind everyone that you can have short orange hair and still out-sing 99% of the people… Read More »1996 Vintage: Annie Lennox

Why did Shaggy win for Boombastic? Because in 1996, there was nothing more majestic than a man with a voice like a bear singing about… Read More »1996 Classic: Best Reggae Album

Why was there so much buzz? Because he made everyone in the Shrine Auditorium feel suddenly very uncomfortable about how un-sexy they were in comparison.… Read More »1996 Legacy: D’Angelo’s Neo-Soul

Why did Jonathan Winters win? Because the Grammys love a legend more than they love an actual joke from 1996. Part of the 36 Grammy… Read More »1996 Archive: Best Comedy Album

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