Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song

Gershwin Prize: 2007-2024

The Gershwin Prize for Popular Song was created by the Library of Congress in 2007. As explained on the site, it is given to celebrate “the work of an artist whose career reflects lifetime achievement in promoting song as a vehicle of musical expression and cultural understanding. The styles in which these works are composed reflect myriad contemporary traditions like rock, jazz, country, pop, blues, folk, and gospel. The recipient – whether composer, singer/songwriter, or interpreter – is recognized for entertaining and informing audiences, for drawing upon the acknowledged foundations of popular song, and for inspiring new generations of performers on their own professional journeys.” The Library of Congress selects the recipient in consultation with a board consisting of members which may include music critics, performers, producers, scholars, and songwriters. The award was named after the brother/composer team of George and Ira Gershwin. Here are the recipients: See other lifetime achievement awards. Burt Bacharach (2012) Tony Bennett (2017) Garth Brooks (2020) Hal David (2012) Emilio Estefan (2019) Gloria Estefan (2019) Billy Joel (2014) Elton John (2024) Carole King (2013) Paul McCartney (2010) Joni Mitchell (2023) Willie Nelson (2015) Lionel Richie (2022) Smokey Robinson (2016) Paul Simon (2007) Bernie Taupin (2024) Stevie Wonder (2009) Resources: Library of Congress (loc.gov): Gershwin Prize for Popular Song Wikipedia.org: Gershwin Prize First posted 12/13/2012; last updated 3/20/2024.

Joni Mitchell: Top 20 Songs

Joni Mitchell Top 20 Songs

Folk singer/songwriter, guitarist, and pianist born Roberta Joan Anderson on 11/7/1943 in Fort McLeod, Alberta, Canada. Raised in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Moved to New York in 1966. Her albums Blue (1971) and Court and Spark (1974) rank in the DMDB’s top 1000 albums of all time. She is one of only five artists to receive the Gershwin Prize, Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, Kennedy Center Honors, and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Songwriters Hall of Fame. For a complete list of this act’s DMDB honors, check out the DMDB Music Maker Encyclopedia entry. Click here to see other acts’ best-of lists. Spotify Podcast: Check out the Dave’s Music Database podcast Joni Mitchell: Top 10 Songs based on this list. Debut: April 4, 2023, at 7pm CST. New episodes based on Dave’s Music Database lists are posted every Tuesday at 7pm CST.

Awards:

Top 20 Songs Dave’s Music Database lists are determined by song’s appearances on best-of lists, appearances on compilations and live albums by the featured act, and songs’ chart success, sales, radio airplay, streaming, and awards. DMDB Top 2%: 1. Big Yellow Taxi (1970) DMDB Top 5%: 2. Help Me (1974) 3. River (1971) DMDB Top 10%: 4. A Case of You (1971) 5. Both Sides Now (1969) DMDB Top 20%: 6. Free Man in Paris (1974) 7. You Turn Me On, I’m a Radio (1972) 8. Carey (1971) 9. Raised on Robbery (1973) Beyond the DMDB Top 20%: 10. Woodstock (1970) 11. In France They Kiss on Main Street (1975) 12. Coyote (1976) 13. The Circle Game (1970) 14. Amelia (1976) 15. For the Roses (1972) 16. Hissing of Summer Lawns (1975) 17. The Last Time I Saw Richard (1971) 18. Little Green (1971) 19. California (1971) 20. Urge for Going (1972) Resources and Related Links: DMDB Encyclopedia entry for Joni Mitchell Dave’s Music Database: “Acts’ Profile Pages and Best-of Lists” First posted 4/3/2023; last updated 4/4/2023.