Introduction
The 2024 Grammy Awards will surely go down in music history as an unforgettable night full of shocks, celebrations, and powerful performances. The biggest story of the evening was Miley Cyrus winning the coveted Record of the Year award for her megahit "Flowers." Cyrus delivered an emotional acceptance speech that had the audience on their feet, capping off an already monumental night for the singer.
Other major winners of the evening included Taylor Swift, who made history by winning a record-extending 4th Album of the Year award. Her latest project, Endless Summer Vacation, resonated strongly with voters and cemented her status as one of the greatest artists of all time. Beyond the awards, the Grammys were filled with buzzworthy moments, from breathtaking performances to viral speeches and fashion statements. Music’s biggest night certainly lived up to the hype in 2024.
But above all, the night belonged to Miley Cyrus and "Flowers." Her cathartic track about independence and moving on found universal acclaim with listeners worldwide. Winning Record of the Year validates the song’s cultural impact and emotional resonance. For Cyrus, the win represents the latest achievement in a storied career filled with reinvention and creative expression. As she accepted the award in tears, Cyrus thanked her fans and collaborators for helping her produce a track that clearly struck a chord in challenging times. The 2024 Grammys will be remembered for Cyrus’ triumphant night back in the spotlight.
Miley Cyrus’ ‘Flowers’ Wins Record of the Year
Miley Cyrus took home the coveted Record of the Year award at the 2024 Grammys for her massive hit single "Flowers." Released in January 2023 as the lead single for her album Endless Summer Vacation, "Flowers" quickly became a cultural phenomenon.
With its infectious melody and empowering lyrics, "Flowers" resonated strongly with listeners. Miley sings about leaving a relationship and learning to love yourself, with lyrics like "I can buy myself flowers" and "I can take myself dancing." The song is an anthem of independence and self-love after heartbreak.
Co-written by Miley with Tyler Johnson and King Henry, "Flowers" combines her country roots with pop and disco influences. The production from Andrew Watt and Louis Bell gives the track an upbeat, danceable groove. The accompanying music video, filmed in Mexico, features Miley dancing joyfully alone and leaving her wedding ring behind.
Within a week of its release, "Flowers" hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It went on to spend multiple weeks at the top spot, proving the song’s mainstream appeal. By winning Record of the Year, "Flowers" entered historic company alongside previous winners like "Bad Guy," "This Is America," and "Hello." For Miley, the win represented a career peak and pivotal moment of validation from the recording industry.
Miley Cyrus’ Emotional Acceptance Speech
When Miley Cyrus’ name was announced as the 2024 Grammy winner for Record of the Year, she was visibly emotional and overwhelmed as she made her way to the stage. The pop star had to take a moment to collect herself before beginning her heartfelt acceptance speech.
"Wow. I honestly don’t even know what to say right now," Miley said, fighting back tears. "Making this song was such a cathartic and emotional experience for me. To have it recognized tonight in this way, it just means the absolute world."
Miley went on to thank the producers and songwriters who helped bring "Flowers" to life, including Greg Kurstin, Ali Tamposi, and Andrew Watt. "You guys believed in this song from the start and I’m so grateful for the magic we created together," she said.
The singer also took a moment to thank her loyal fans, known as Smilers. "You all have supported me through every up and down. This award is just as much yours as it is mine," Miley said. "I love you all so much!"
Ending on an uplifting note, Miley dedicated the award to "anyone out there feeling lost or broken. This is proof you can pick yourself up again. All you need is a little faith and hope." The moving speech clearly resonated with the star-studded Grammy audience, who gave Miley a standing ovation as she exited the stage.
Competitive Field of Record of the Year Nominees
Miley Cyrus faced stiff competition for the coveted Record of the Year award, up against several other massive hit songs and artists. The category featured a diverse range of nominees spanning pop, R&B, hip-hop, and more.
Other contenders included Lizzo’s feel-good self-love anthem "About Damn Time." The infectious, disco-tinged track spent multiple weeks at #1 and became a TikTok phenomenon. Meanwhile, pop sensation Harry Styles landed a nod for his 80s-inspired megahit "As It Was," which ruled the Hot 100 chart for 15 weeks.
Rapper and singer Doja Cat scored a nomination for her sultry R&B banger "Woman." The song’s themes of female empowerment resonated widely. Rounding out the category was Kendrick Lamar’s contemplative track "The Heart Part 5," displaying his lyrical mastery.
With other nominees like Adele, Steve Lacy, and Mary J. Blige also in the mix, the Record of the Year race was highly competitive. But ultimately, it seems Grammy voters were moved by the raw emotion and universal appeal of Miley’s "Flowers." Her triumph cemented the song as an instant-classic pop anthem.
Complete List of 2024 Grammy Winners
The 2024 Grammy Awards honored the best in music over the past year across a wide range of genres. Here is a rundown of the winners in the major categories:
Record of the Year: "Flowers" by Miley Cyrus
Album of the Year: Endless Summer Vacation by Taylor Swift
Song of the Year: "Anti-Hero" by Taylor Swift (songwriters Taylor Swift, Jack Antonoff, Jahaan Sweet)
Best New Artist: Sabrina Carpenter
Best Pop Solo Performance: "Easy On Me" by Adele
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance: "Unholy" by Sam Smith & Kim Petras
Best Pop Vocal Album: Midnights by Taylor Swift
Best Dance/Electronic Recording: "Break My Soul" by Beyoncé
Best Rock Performance: "Broken Horses" by Brandi Carlile
Best R&B Performance: "Hrs & Hrs" by Muni Long
Best Rap Performance: "The Heart Part 5" by Kendrick Lamar
Best Country Album: A Beautiful Time by Willie Nelson
Best Latin Pop Album: De Adentro Pa Afuera by Camilo
Producer of the Year, Non-Classical: Jack Antonoff
Some other notable winners included Harry Styles for Best Pop Vocal Album, Lizzo for Record of the Year, and Bonnie Raitt for Song of the Year. It was a diverse field of winners representing major pop stars, rap legends, country icons, and rising talents.
Taylor Swift Makes History with 4th Album of the Year Win
Taylor Swift took home the Grammy for Album of the Year, making history as the first artist to win the category four times. Her latest album, Endless Summer Vacation, resonated strongly with fans and critics alike, showcasing her songwriting skills across a variety of genres.
In her acceptance speech, a visibly emotional Swift thanked her collaborators and fans for supporting her through the ups and downs. She remarked how special it was to take home Album of the Year when she wasn’t necessarily expecting it, a nod to the critical acclaim for other nominated albums.
With her fourth win, Swift has now surpassed legends like Stevie Wonder and Frank Sinatra for the most Album of the Year wins. She joins esteemed company like Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder, and Frank Sinatra as the only artists with three or more wins.
Endless Summer Vacation was praised for its intimate songwriting and willingness to take risks. Songs like "Lavender Haze" and "Maroon" showcase Swift’s lyrical prowess and exploration of new sounds. The album’s themes of love, heartbreak, and growth resonated widely.
While some initially doubted if Swift could match the success of Folklore and Evermore, Endless Summer Vacation proved she still has her finger on the pulse of pop music. Once again, Taylor Swift has made history at the Grammys through the sheer power of her songwriting.
Top Performances and Moments
The 2024 Grammys were filled with show-stopping performances and buzzworthy moments that had everyone talking. Beyoncé put on an epic medley of songs from her acclaimed album Renaissance, bringing the crowd to their feet with her powerful vocals and intricate choreography. Harry Styles channeled his inner rockstar with a rendition of his hit "As It Was" that highlighted his showmanship.
Lizzo also shined with a joyous, uplifting performance celebrating self-love. Her positive energy was infectious and earned Lizzo a standing ovation. Other highlights included Doja Cat teaming up with SZA for a sultry performance and Kendrick Lamar delivering a politically charged set.
Beyond the performances, Lady Gaga turned heads on the red carpet in a futuristic silver ensemble complete with platform heels and dramatic makeup. Lil Nas X made a statement with a bold pink suit covered in ruffles. Both Lady Gaga and Lil Nas X are known for their avant-garde fashion at awards shows.
Some of the most talked about acceptance speeches came from Song of the Year winner Taylor Swift and Best New Artist winner Yola. Swift got emotional thanking her fans for supporting her music for 20 years. Yola gave a powerful speech about overcoming homelessness and adversity earlier in her career, bringing awareness to social issues. Overall, the 2024 Grammys struck a perfect balance between stellar live performances and poignant moments.
Grammy Records and Stats
The Grammy Award for Record of the Year is one of the most prestigious honors in the music industry. First awarded in 1959, the Record of the Year recognizes outstanding artistic achievement in a single or track.
Looking back at Grammy history provides helpful context for understanding Miley Cyrus’ monumental win. Here are some key stats and records related to the Record of the Year category:
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The first Record of the Year winner was Domenico Modugno’s "Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu (Volare)" in 1959.
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The Beatles have won the most Record of the Year awards, with a total of 4 wins in the 1960s for songs like "Hey Jude" and "Let It Be."
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Only two artists have won Record of the Year in consecutive years – Roberta Flack for "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" in 1973 and "Killing Me Softly With His Song" in 1974; and U2 for "Beautiful Day" in 2001 and "Walk On" in 2002.
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Taylor Swift could have been the third back-to-back winner, but lost in 2020 after winning in 2019. She now has two Record of the Year wins.
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Stevie Wonder and Frank Sinatra hold the record for most Record of the Year nominations at 7 each.
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Adele, Beyonce, and Bruno Mars are tied for the most Record of the Year wins by a solo artist, with 3 each.
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Only six women have won Record of the Year this century – Adele, Beyonce, Amy Winehouse, Lady Gaga, Billie Eilish, and now Miley Cyrus.
By winning in 2024, Miley Cyrus joins an elite group of artists who have won the Grammy for Record of the Year. She etched her name into the history books with an empowering pop hit for the ages.
Social Media Buzz and Memes
The 2024 Grammys lit up social media as fans reacted in real time to the performances, speeches, fashion and viral moments. Several highlights from the ceremony quickly turned into trending topics and memes on Twitter and TikTok.
Beyonce’s show-stopping opening number sparked an outpouring of praise and memes celebrating her talent. Fans coined the hashtag #Beychella2024 as a nod to her iconic 2018 Coachella performance. Clips of Bey doing gravity-defying choreography went viral.
Harry Styles’ emotional acceptance speech for Best Pop Vocal Album led to the hashtag #ProudOfHarry trending worldwide. Fans praised his vulnerability and thanked him for being an inspiration.
When Taylor Swift won Album of the Year, Twitter exploded with fans congratulating her historic achievement. Swifties created memes with Taylor’s shocked face and crying reaction.
The internet couldn’t get enough of Lizzo’s flute solo during her performance. The clip of Lizzo effortlessly playing the flute in her glamorous gown now has millions of views across platforms.
Bad Bunny’s salsa-inspired performance of "Después de la Playa" inspired the #BadBunnySalsaChallenge on TikTok. Fans tried to mimic his smooth dance moves in viral videos.
Overall, fans agreed this was one of the most meme-worthy Grammys ever. Social media allowed everyone to experience music’s biggest night together through hilarious commentary and viral content.
Final Thoughts
The 2024 Grammy Awards will go down as an unforgettable night in music history. Miley Cyrus took home the coveted Record of the Year award for her massive hit "Flowers," delivering an empowering speech that inspired viewers. Meanwhile, Taylor Swift cemented her status as a Grammy legend with her record-extending 4th Album of the Year win for "Endless Summer Vacation."
Beyond the major categories, the 2024 Grammys showcased the incredible diversity of talent in the music industry today. From rap to pop to country, artists across genres wowed audiences with stunning live performances. Some delivered powerful political statements, while others focused on amazing vocals or intricate choreography.
In the end, the right artists triumphed in the top categories at the 2024 Grammys. Miley Cyrus’ "Flowers" dominated radio airplay and streaming charts all year, proving it deserved Record of the Year. And Taylor Swift’s intimate songwriting and production on "Endless Summer Vacation" rightly earned her another Album of the Year trophy. Music fans on social media largely agreed with the major Grammy winners.
The 2024 Grammys proved the timeless power of music to entertain, inspire and bring people together. With unforgettable performances, history-making wins and powerful speeches, it was another epic edition of music’s biggest night.