American Music Awards (1974-2022)

American Music Awards: Pop/Rock Songs of the Year, 1974-2022

The American Music Awards (AMAs) were established in 1973 when ABC lost its contract to air the Grammys. They were created by Dick Clark. The AMAs are determined by public vote. The winners for favorite pop/rock song are listed here. That category existed from 1974-1995, was retired for more than a decade, and then returned in 2016. In the interim, there was also a Single of the Year award from 2013-2015. Check out other “songs of the year” lists here. 2022: Harry Styles “As It Was” 2021: BTS “Butter” 2020: Dua Lipa “Don’t Start Now” 2019: Halsey “Without Me” 2018: Camila Cabello with Young Thug “Havana” 2017: Luis Fonsi with Daddy Yankee & Justin Bieber “Despacito” 2016: Justin Bieber “Love Yourself” 2015: Taylor Swift “Blank Space” 2014: Katy Perry with Juicy J “Dark Horse” 2013: Florida Georgia Line with Nelly “Cruise” 1995: Boyz II Men “I’ll Make Love to You” 1994: Whitney Houston “I Will Always Love You” 1993: Boyz II Men “End of the Road” 1992: Bryan Adams “(Everything I Do) I Do It for You” 1991: Jon Bon Jovi “Blaze of Glory” 1990: Milli Vanilli “Girl You Know It’s True” 1989: Guns N’ Roses “Sweet Child O’ Mine” 1988: Whitney Houston “I Wanna Dance with Somebody Who Loves Me” 1987: Billy Ocean “There’ll Be Sad Songs to Make You Cry” 1986: Huey Lewis & the News “The Power of Love” 1985: Bruce Springsteen “Dancing in the Dark” 1984: Michael Jackson “Billie Jean” 1983: Lionel Richie “Truly” 1982: Lionel Richie & Diana Ross “Endless Love” 1981: Queen “Another One Bites the Dust” 1980: Donna Summer “Bad Girls” 1979: Commodores “Three Times a Lady” 1978: Debby Boone “You Light Up My Life” 1977: Elton John & Kiki Dee “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” 1976: Glen Campbell “Rhinestone Cowboy” 1975: Olivia Newton-John “I Honestly Love You” 1974: Tony Orlando & Dawn “Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree” Resources/Related Links: American Music Awards: TheAMAs.com (official site) Dave’s Music Database: “‘Songs of the Year’ lists” First posted 10/9/2018; last updated 11/20/2022.