Singer-songwriter-guitarist Bonnie Raitt accepts the Song of the Year award for ‘Just Like That’ at the 65th Grammy Awards on Sunday in Los Angeles. First Lady Jill Biden looks on from right. (Chris Pizzello/Associated Press)
Bonnie Raitt shocked the music world — and certainly herself — by winning Song of the Year at the Grammy Awards on Sunday night in Los Angeles.
The Californian singer-songwriter-guitarist, who splits his time between homes in Marin County and Los Angeles, won for the tender ‘Just Like That’, triumphing in a category that included some of the most famous artists. around the world – including Adele, Taylor Swift, Harry Styles and Beyoncé.
And no one seemed more surprised at the win than Raitt – who was presumed to be a huge underdog on the night. Her expression expressed absolute disbelief as she heard the presenter of the award – First Lady Jill Biden – announce her name inside Crypto.com Arena.
“I’m so surprised,” Raitt said as she picked up the trophy in front of the celebrity-filled audience and the millions of viewers watching around the world. ” I do not know what to say. It’s just an unreal moment.
She went on to thank the Recording Academy — the organization that presents the Grammys — for surrounding her “with as much support and appreciating the art of songwriting as I do.”
Indeed, that’s what it’s all about – honoring the art of songwriting, instead of being another award given to performers. However, in many cases – as with Raitt and “Just Like That” – the songwriter is also the performer.
Winning this award could change the perception some have of Raitt, who many see primarily as a performer of other people’s songs rather than someone who sings their own compositions. (Of course, she has a long history in both.)
Of the 10 songs vying for this award, “Just Like That” was the only offering written by a single writer. The others all had multiple contributors, including a nine-person team that shaped DJ Khaled’s “God Did” featuring Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, Jay-Z, John Legend and Fridayy.
The song is one of four numbers Raitt wrote (or co-wrote) on his 10-track 18th studio album, “Just Like That…” (2022).
“I was so inspired for his song by the incredible story of love, grace and generosity of someone who donates their beloved’s organs to help another person live,” Raitt said. “And the story was so simple and so beautiful for the time.
“People reacted partly because of how much I love, and we all love, John Prine and that was the inspiration (for this) song.”
Prine is the late great songwriter behind “Angel from Montgomery,” which Raitt covered on the 1974 album “Streetlights” and has since become one of his signature songs.
It was a big night for Raitt, who won three of the four categories in which she was nominated. In addition to triumphing for Song of the Year, Raitt won Best American Roots Song for “Just Like That” and Best Americana Performance for “Made My Decision.”
Raitt’s three trophies on Sunday bring his career Grammy total to 15.
