The Grammy Award for Best R&B Song (sometimes known as the R&B Songwriter's Award) has been awarded since 1969. From 1969 to 2000, it was known as the Grammy Award for Best Rhythm and Blues Song. Beyoncé has won it a record five times, while Babyface, Stevie Wonder, Bill Withers and Alicia Keys have three wins each.
The award goes to the songwriter. If the winning song contains samples or interpolations of songs, the original songwriter and publisher can apply for a Winner's Certificate. Only three people have won in consecutive years Stevie Wonder in ('74 & '75); Johnta Austin in ('06 & 07) also SZA in (' 24 & '25).Grammy Blue Book (edition 2021) The performing artist does not receive an award unless they are also credited as a songwriter.
Years reflect the year in which the Grammy Awards were presented, for music released in the previous year.
Recipients
1960s Year Song Songwriter(s) Artist(s) 1969 "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" Steve Cropper and Otis Redding Otis Redding "Chain of Fools" Don Covay Aretha Franklin "I Wish It Would Rain" Roger Penzabene, Barrett Strong and Norman Whitfield The Temptations "Pickin' Wild Mountain Berries" Bob McRee, Clifton Thomas and Edward Thomas Peggy Scott and Jo Jo Benson "Who's Making Love" Homer Banks, Bettye Crutcher, Donald Davis and Raymond Jackson Johnnie Taylor
1970s Year Song Songwriter(s) Artist(s) 1970 "Color Him Father" Richard Spencer The Winstons "Backfield in Motion" Melvin Harden and Herbert McPherson Mel & Tim "I'd Rather Be an Old Man's Sweetheart" Clarence Carter, George Jackson and Raymond Moore Candi Staton "It's Your Thing" Ronald Isley, Rudolph Isley and O'Kelly Isley Jr. The Isley Brothers "Only the Strong Survive" Jerry Butler, Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff Jerry Butler 1971 "Patches" Ronald Dunbar and General Johnson Clarence Carter "Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time)" Thom Bell and William Hart The Delfonics "Groovy Situation" Herman Davis and Russell Lewis Gene Chandler "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" Lee Garrett, Lula Hardaway, Stevie Wonder and Syreeta Wright Stevie Wonder "Somebody's Been Sleeping" Angelo Bond, General Johnson and Greg Perry 100 Proof 1972 "Ain't No Sunshine" Bill Withers Bill Withers "If I Were Your Woman" Clay McMurray, Pamela Sawyer and Laverne Ware Gladys Knight and the Pips "Mr. Big Stuff" Joseph Broussard, Carrol Washington and Ralph Williams Jean Knight "Never Can Say Goodbye" Clifton Davis Isaac Hayes / The Jackson 5 "Smiling Faces Sometimes" Barrett Strong and Norman Whitfield The Undisputed Truth 1973 "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" Barrett Strong and Norman Whitfield The Temptations "Back Stabbers" Leon Huff, Gene McFadden and John Whitehead The O'Jays "Everybody Plays the Fool" J.R. Bailey, Rudy Clark and Kenny Williams The Main Ingredient "Freddie's Dead" Curtis Mayfield Curtis Mayfield "Me and Mrs. Jones" Kenneth Gamble, Cary Gilbert and Leon Huff Billy Paul 1974 "Superstition" Stevie Wonder Stevie Wonder "The Cisco Kid" War War "Family Affair" Sylvester Stewart Sly and the Family Stone "Love Train" Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff The O'Jays "Midnight Train to Georgia" Jim Weatherly Gladys Knight and the Pips 1975 "Living for the City" Stevie Wonder Stevie Wonder "Dancing Machine" Hal Davis, Don Fletcher and Dean Parks The Jackson 5 "For the Love of Money" Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff and Anthony Jackson The O'Jays "Rock Your Baby" Harry Wayne Casey George McCrae "Tell Me Something Good" Stevie Wonder Rufus 1976 "Where Is the Love" Harry Wayne Casey, Willie Clarke, Richard Finch and Betty Wright Betty Wright "Ease On down the Road" Charlie Smalls Diana Ross and Michael Jackson "Get Down Tonight" Harry Wayne Casey and Richard Finch KC and the Sunshine Band "That's the Way (I Like It)" "Walking in Rhythm" Barney Perry The Blackbyrds 1977 "Lowdown" David Paich and Boz Scaggs Boz Scaggs "Disco Lady" Donald Davis, Harvey Scales and Al Vance Johnnie Taylor "Love Hangover" Marilyn McLeod and Pam Sawyer Diana Ross "Misty Blue" Bob Montgomery Dorothy Moore "(Shake, Shake, Shake) Shake Your Booty" Harry Wayne Casey and Richard Finch KC and the Sunshine Band 1978 "You Make Me Feel Like Dancing" Vini Poncia and Leo Sayer Leo Sayer "Best of My Love" Al McKay and Maurice White The Emotions "Brick House" William King, Ronald LaPread, Thomas McClary, Walter Orange, Lionel Richie and Milan Williams Commodores "Don't Leave Me This Way" Kenneth Gamble, Cary Gilbert and Leon Huff Thelma Houston "Easy" Lionel Richie Commodores 1979 "Last Dance" Paul Jabara Donna Summer "Boogie Oogie Oogie" Janice M. Johnson and Perry Kibble A Taste of Honey "Dance, Dance, Dance" Bernard Edwards, Kenny Lehman and Nile Rodgers Chic "Fantasy" Eddie del Barrio, Maurice White and Verdine White Earth, Wind & Fire "Use Ta Be My Girl" Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff The O'Jays
1980s Year Song Songwriter(s) Artist(s) 1980 "After the Love Has Gone" Bill Champlin, David Foster and Jay Graydon Earth, Wind & Fire "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now" Jerry Cohen and Gene McFadden McFadden & Whitehead "Deja Vu" Adrienne Anderson and Isaac Hayes Dionne Warwick "Reunited" Dino Fekaris and Freddie Perren Peaches & Herb "We Are Family" Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers Sister Sledge 1981 "Never Knew Love Like This Before" Reggie Lucas and James Mtume Stephanie Mills "Give Me the Night" Rod Temperton George Benson "Let's Get Serious" Lee Garrett and Stevie Wonder Jermaine Jackson "Shining Star" Leo Graham and Paul Richmond The Manhattans "Upside Down" Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers Diana Ross 1982 "Just the Two of Us" Ralph MacDonald, William Salter and Bill Withers Grover Washington Jr. and Bill Withers "Ai No Corrida" Chas Jankel and Kenny Young Quincy Jones and Dune "Lady (You Bring Me Up)" Harold Hudson, Shirley King and William King Commodores "She's a Bad Mama Jama (She's Built, She's Stacked)" Leon Haywood Carl Carlton "When She Was My Girl" Marc Blatte and Larry Gottlieb Four Tops 1983 "Turn Your Love Around" Bill Champlin, Jay Graydon and Steve Lukather George Benson "Do I Do" Stevie Wonder Stevie Wonder "It's Gonna Take a Miracle" Teddy Randazzo, Lou Stallman and Bobby Weinstein Deniece Williams "Let It Whip" Reggie Andrews and Leon "Ndugu" Chancler Dazz Band "Sexual Healing" Odell Brown and Marvin Gaye Marvin Gaye "That Girl" Stevie Wonder Stevie Wonder 1984 "Billie Jean" Michael Jackson Michael Jackson "Ain't Nobody" Hawk Wolinski Rufus and Chaka Khan "Electric Avenue" Eddy Grant Eddy Grant "PYT (Pretty Young Thing)" James Ingram and Quincy Jones Michael Jackson "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" Michael Jackson 1985 "I Feel for You" Prince Chaka Khan "Caribbean Queen (No More Love on the Run)" Keith Diamond and Billy Ocean Billy Ocean "Dancing in the Sheets" Dean Pitchford and Bill Wolfer Shalamar "The Glamorous Life" Sheila E. Sheila E. "Yah Mo B There" James Ingram, Quincy Jones, Michael McDonald and Rod Temperton James Ingram and Michael McDonald 1986 "Freeway of Love" Jeffrey Cohen and Narada Michael Walden Aretha Franklin "New Attitude" Jon Gilutin, Bunny Hull and Sharon Robinson Patti LaBelle "Nightshift" Franne Golde, Dennis Lambert and Walter Orange Commodores "Through the Fire" David Foster, Tom Keane and Cynthia Weil Chaka Khan "You Give Good Love" LaLa Whitney Houston 1987 "Sweet Love" Anita Baker, Gary Bias and Louis A. Johnson Anita Baker "Give Me the Reason" Nat Adderley Jr. and Luther Vandross Luther Vandross "Kiss" Prince Prince & The Revolution "Living in America" Dan Hartman and Charlie Midnight James Brown "What Have You Done For Me Lately" Janet Jackson, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis Janet Jackson 1988 "Lean on Me" Bill Withers Club Nouveau "Casanova" Reggie Calloway LeVert "Just to See Her" Jimmy George and Lou Pardini Smokey Robinson "Skeletons" Stevie Wonder Stevie Wonder "U Got the Look" Prince Prince and Sheena Easton 1989 "Giving You the Best That I Got" Anita Baker, Randy Holland and Skip Scarborough Anita Baker "Any Love" Marcus Miller and Luther Vandross Luther Vandross "Don't Be Cruel" Babyface, L.A. Reid and Daryl Simmons Bobby Brown "I'll Always Love You" Jimmy George Taylor Dayne "Just Got Paid" Gene Griffin and Johnny Kemp Johnny Kemp
1990s Year Song Songwriter(s) Artist(s) 1990 "If You Don't Know Me by Now" Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff Simply Red "Every Little Step" Babyface and L.A. Reid Bobby Brown "Miss You Much" Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis Janet Jackson "Superwoman" Babyface, L.A. Reid and Daryl Simmons Karyn White "When a Man Loves a Woman" Calvin Lewis and Andrew Wright Joe Cocker 1991 "U Can't Touch This" MC Hammer, Rick James and Alonzo Miller MC Hammer "Alright" Janet Jackson, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis Janet Jackson "Here and Now" David L. Elliott and Terry Steele Luther Vandross "I'll Be Good to You" George Johnson, Louis A. Johnson and Sonora Sam Ray Charles and Chaka Khan "My, My, My" Babyface, L.A. Reid and Daryl Simmons Johnny Gill 1992 "Power of Love/Love Power" Marcus Miller, Luther Vandross and Teddy Vann Luther Vandross "Can You Stop the Rain" Walter Afanasieff and John Bettis Peabo Bryson "How Can I Ease the Pain" Lisa Fischer and Narada Michael Walden Lisa Fischer "I Wanna Sex You Up" Dr. Freeze Color Me Badd "I'll Take You There" Alvertis Isbell BeBe & CeCe Winans featuring Mavis Staples 1993 "End of the Road" Babyface, L.A. Reid and Daryl Simmons Boyz II Men "Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg" Dallas Austin and Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes TLC "I'll Be There" Hal Davis, Berry Gordy, Willie Hutch and Bob West Mariah Carey and Trey Lorenz "Jam" Michael Jackson, René Moore, Teddy Riley and Bruce Swedien Michael Jackson "My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It)" Denzil Foster and Thomas McElroy En Vogue 1994 "That's the Way Love Goes" Janet Jackson, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis Janet Jackson "Anniversary" Raphael Saadiq and Carl Wheeler Tony! Toni! Toné! "Can We Talk" Babyface and Daryl Simmons Tevin Campbell "Heaven Knows" Luther Vandross and Reed Vertelney Luther Vandross "Little Miracles (Happen Every Day)" Marcus Miller and Luther Vandross 1995 "I'll Make Love to You" Babyface Boyz II Men "Body and Soul" Rick Nowels and Ellen Shipley Anita Baker "If That's Your Boyfriend (He Wasn't Last Night)" Me'Shell Ndegéocello Me'Shell Ndegéocello "When Can I See You" Babyface Babyface "You Mean the World to Me" Babyface, L.A. Reid and Daryl Simmons Toni Braxton 1996 "For Your Love" Stevie Wonder Stevie Wonder "Brown Sugar" D'Angelo and Ali Shaheed Muhammad D'Angelo "Creep" Dallas Austin TLC "Red Light Special" Babyface "You Can't Run" Vanessa Williams 1997 "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)" Babyface Whitney Houston "Sittin' Up in My Room" Babyface Brandy "You Put a Move on My Heart" Rod Temperton Tamia "You're Makin' Me High" Babyface, Toni Braxton and Bryce Wilson Toni Braxton "Your Secret Love" Luther Vandross and Reed Vertelney Luther Vandross 1998 "I Believe I Can Fly" R. Kelly R. Kelly "Honey" Mariah Carey, Sean Combs, Kamaal Fareed, Stephen Hague, Steven Jordan, Ronald Larkins, Malcolm McLaren, Larry Price and Bobby Robinson Mariah Carey "No Diggity" Dr. Dre, Chauncey Hannibal, Teddy Riley, William Stewart and Lynise Walters Blackstreet featuring Dr. Dre and Queen Pen "On & On" Erykah Badu and JahBorn Jahmal Cantero Erykah Badu "Stomp" George Clinton Jr., Kirk Franklin, Walter Morrison and Garry M. Shider God's Property featuring Kirk Franklin and Cheryl James 1999 "Doo Wop (That Thing)" Lauryn Hill Lauryn Hill "All My Life" Rory Bennett and JoJo Hailey K-Ci & JoJo "The Boy Is Mine" Brandy, LaShawn Daniels, Fred Jerkins III, Rodney Jerkins and Japhe Tejeda Brandy and Monica "Lean on Me" Kirk Franklin Kirk Franklin with Mary J. Blige, R. Kelly, Bono, Crystal Lewis and The Family "A Rose Is Still a Rose" Lauryn Hill Aretha Franklin
2000s