Earlier this month, the Recording Academy released its nominations for the 68th Annual Grammy Awards.

In general, I have a love-hate relationship with the Grammys.

I mean, who doesn’t love seeing their favorite songs and albums get recognized?

I was thrilled to see Leon Thomas, Olivia Dean, Kendrick Lamar, Tyler, The Creator, FKA twigs, PinkPantheress, FLO, Lady Gaga and so many more artists I love on the nominations list.

At the same time, I find myself disappointed when a deserving album gets left off the list, even though I know the Recording Academy couldn’t possibly sift through the countless number of musicians who release incredible music every year.

So, I want to have a Liv Listens Grammys of sorts.

Song of the Year is technically a songwriting award, and I’m sure there is more deliberation that goes into these nominations than I could imagine. Still, I wish to ignore the rules just for today and take you through a few songs that didn’t get nominated for any Grammys but were definitely some of my songs of the year.

‘David’ by Lorde

I’m still hung up on Lorde’s second album, “Melodrama,” not winning any Grammys in 2018, so I can’t say I’m too surprised to be once again disappointed by a lack of Lorde on the nominations list. Her album “Virgin” had some of my favorite songs this year, and “David” would easily be on my shortlist for Song of the Year.

I still remember how my mind was blown the first time I listened to the second chorus of “David,” where the production finally picks up as she sings, “Said, ‘Why do we run to thе ones we do?’ / I don’t belong to anyone, ooh / I made you God ’cause it was all / That I knew how to do / But I don’t belong to anyone (Ooh).” It’s the perfect final track to an incredible album exploring struggles with intimacy and identity.

“David” is a great track for late nights and long walks. It’s a song that makes me feel like I’m floating, and I frequently turn it on when I want to turn my brain off.

‘SexOnTheBeat’ by ADÉLA

The production on “SexOnTheBeat,” the second song off of ADÉLA’s debut EP “The Provocateur,” is as immaculate as the rest of the EP.

ADÉLA has such a clear vision of who she is and what she wants her sound to be, and you can feel that when listening to “The Provocateur.” It feels cohesive.

“SexOnTheBeat” is an upbeat, catchy and provocative track I constantly have stuck in my head, yet it never annoys me. I recommend adding it to your going-out or getting-ready playlist, because if this song makes me want to do anything, it’s dance.

‘Waco, Texas’ by Ethel Cain

“Waco, Texas,” off of Ethel Cain’s most recent album, “Willoughby Tucker, I’ll Always Love You,” is a song that has definitely made my year. Cain consistently creates albums with fully developed, heartwrenching storylines that tear me apart in the best way possible.

While I do think everyone should listen to the album to get the full story, “Waco, Texas” is the last song on the album — and it is its own little story. Every time I listen to it, whether I’m listening to the album or it comes up on one of my playlists, I’m instantly immersed in the lyrics, unable to think about anything else.

One lyric in “Waco, Texas” in particular has literally kept me up at night since the first time I listened to this song. It says, “Love is not enough in this world / But I still believe in Nebraska dreamin’ / ‘Cause I’d rather die / Than be anything but your girl.”

As it’s starting to get colder and colder out, “Waco, Texas” is the perfect song for when you’re bundled up, walking home from class at night. If you need to get your mind off of something, give this song a listen.

‘People Watching’ by Sam Fender

Sam Fender’s “People Watching,” the title track of his early 2025 album, is another song I’d give a Grammy to in a heartbeat. Fender is one of my favorite storytellers, and “People Watching” is one of his best stories.

“People Watching” feels whole. You can hear the drums and guitar so clearly throughout the entire song, and the fast-paced instrumental contrasts with the lyrics, which reflect on Fender’s experience of losing a loved one.

I listen to this song when I feel homesick. As the semester comes to a close, I also find myself turning this song on when I’m excited to be done with classes but overwhelmed with the work I need to get done — it’s a perfect track for conflicting emotions.

I hope everyone has at least one song or artist they’re rooting for during this Grammys season.

Until then, don’t forget: I’m always here to listen.