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

American Music Award: Pop/Rock Album of the Year, 1974-2022

The American Music Awards were created in 1973 by Dick Clark for ABC after the network’s contract to air the Grammys expired. Until 2005, nominees and winners were determined by the musical industry. Since 2006, winners have been determined by the fans. The pop/rock album of the year award has been given out since 1974. Check out other album of the year awards here. 2022: Taylor Swift Red (Taylor’s Version) 2021: Taylor Swift Evermore 2020: Harry Styles Fine Line 2019: Taylor Swift Lover 2018: Taylor Swift Reputation 2017: Bruno Mars 24K Magic 2016: Justin Bieber Purpose 2015: Taylor Swift 1989 2014: One Direction Midnight Memories 2013: One Direction Take Me Home 2012: Justin Bieber Believe 2011: Adele 21 2010: Justin Bieber My World 2.0 2009: Michael Jackson Number Ones (compilation: 1978-2003, released 2003) 2008: Alicia Keys As I Am 2007: Daughtry Daughtry 2006: Nickelback All the Right Reasons 2005: Green Day American Idiot 2004: Usher Confessions 2003: Justin Timberlake Justified 2003: Eminem The Eminem Show 2002: Destiny’s Child Survivor 2001: Creed Human Clay 2000: Santana Supernatural 1999: Will Smith Big Willie Style 1998: Spice Girls Spice 1997: Alanis Morissette Jagged Little Pill 1996: Eagles Hell Freezes Over (live/studio) 1995: Elton John/Tim Rice (composers) The Lion King soundtrack 1994: Various Artists (Whitney Houston et al) The Bodyguard soundtrack 1993: Michael Jackson Dangerous 1992: Michael Bolton Time, Love & Tenderness 1991: Phil Collins …But Seriously 1990: New Kids on the Block Hangin’ Tough 1989: Various Artists Dirty Dancing soundtrack 1988: Paul Simon Graceland 1987: Whitney Houston Whitney Houston 1986: Bruce Springsteen Born in the U.S.A. 1985: Prince & the Revolution Purple Rain soundtrack 1984: Michael Jackson Thriller 1983: Willie Nelson Always on My Mind 1982: Kenny Rogers Greatest Hits (compilation: 1977-80, released 1980) 1981: Billy Joel Glass Houses 1980: Bee Gees Spirits Having Flown 1979: Various Artists (including Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta) Grease soundtrack 1978: Fleetwood Mac Rumours 1977: Eagles Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975 (compilation: 1971-75, released 1976) 1976: Olivia Newton-John Have You Never Been Mellow 1975: Charlie Rich Behind Closed Doors 1974: Diana Ross Lady Sings the Blues Resources and Related Links: American Music Awards: TheAMAs.com (official site) Wikipedia: “American Music Award for Favorite Pop/Rock Album” Dave’s Music Database: “Other Year-End Album Awards” First posted 11/24/2019; last updated 11/20/2022.

Justin Bieber’s “Sorry” debuts at #2

Sorry Justin Bieber

Writer(s): Justin Bieber, Julia Michaels, Justin Tranter, Sonny Moore, Michael Tucker (see lyrics here) Released: October 23, 2015 First Charted: October 25, 2015 Peak: 13 US, 13 RR, 12 BA, 11 DG, 18 ST, 11 AC, 3 A40, 34a RB, 11 UK, 17 CN, 2 AU (Click for codes to charts.) Sales (in millions): 11.0 US, 2.4 UK, 14.45 world (includes US + UK) Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, 3614.1 video, 1834.5 streaming

Awards: Click on award for more details.

About the Song: “Sorry” was the second single from Justin Bieber’s album Purpose. Like its predecessor, “What Do You Mean?,” it topped the Billboard Hot 100, but it had to wait awhile. It debuted at #2 on the 11/14/2015 chart – behind Adele’s “Hello.” It spent eight non-consecutive weeks at #2 before finally dethroning Adele. WK The song would ultimately top the chart in thirteen countries. WK The dance-pop song featured a “smooth but electrifying EDM beat incorporating brassy horn bleats, a reggaeton rhythm, [and] warm island rhythms.” WK Bieber enlisted Skrillex to produce songs for his album after working with him on top-ten hit “Where Are Ü Now.” Bieber said, “Skrillex is a genius. He’s super futuristic and I just love his sounds. I think being able to incorporate that sound with what I’m doing has been super cool because …I feel like no one’s done it before.” WK Michael Tucker, aka BloodPop, crafted the melody with Bieber in Mind and songwriters Justin Traner and Julia Michaels helped on the lyrics. WK The idea grew out of a personal event Michaels had. WK She said the idea was to “capture that moment in a relationship…where you realize you made a mistake and you’re finally read to admit and apologize.” WK In Bieber’s hands, he wasn’t just asking a lover for a second chance, but the public as well. He called the song “the end-all of apologies that I’m giving to people, to the media” SF for “a run of boorish behavior that included reckless driving, public urination, and even an incident involving a black market monkey.” SF He later recanted that comment, saying, “It really had nothing to do with that…It was about a girl.” SF At first, Bieber considered the song “too safe and simple,” but came to love the song and “changed a couple things to make it feel like him” WKWK Of the final results, BloodPop said “Justin’s vocal delivery and the triumphant key of the song gave the narrative a warm color…The beat is…exciting and fun.” WK Time’s Nolan Feeney said, “with a beat this breezy…that’s nothing to be sorry about.” WK Spin’s Brennan Carley called “Sorry” “a subdued step forward for the Biebs” WK and USA Today’s Maeve McDermott said it was “just as much of an earworm as his previous single ‘What Do You Mean?’” WK AllMusic’s Andy Kellman praised both songs as showing Bieber “makinga deeper connection with his material and that…he was progressing from performer to artist.” WK Pitchfork’s Brad Nelson called them “his best performances to date.” WK Resources: SF Songfacts WK Wikipedia Related Links: Last updated 7/21/2023.

Justin Bieber debuted at #1 with “What Do You Mean?”

What Do You Mean? Justin Bieber

Writer(s): Justin Bieber, Jason "Poo Bear" Boyd, Mason Levy (see lyrics here) Released: August 28, 2015 First Charted: August 30, 2015 Peak: 11 US, 13 DG, 14 AC, 8 A40, 14 UK, 17 CN, 14 AU (Click for codes to charts.) Sales (in millions): 7.0 US, 1.85 UK, 10.81 world (includes US + UK) Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, 2225.1 video, 1435.9 streaming

Awards: Click on award for more details.

About the Song: “What Do You Mean?” was the lead single from Justin Bieber’s fourth album, Purpose. The song debuted at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 making for Bieber’s first U.S. #1. It was also his first time to ascend to the top in the UK and Australia. The song also hit #1 in Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, and Norway. WK While the song only spent one week on top in the U.S., it logged 21 weeks in the top ten, tying Nicki Minaj’s “Starships” and Maroon 5’s “Sugar” for most weeks in top ten from its debut. Bieber surpassed himself when “Love Yourself” spent 23 weeks in the top 10. WK The track was produced by MdL, who had collaborated with Beiber on his 2012 single “Boyfriend.” WK The tropical house song included “instrumentation consisting in light flourishes of panpipes, looped vocal samples, piano chords, fervent synths, bass and ‘slick beat’ elements…while Bieber uses a smooth, soulful vocal.” WK In an interview with Ryan Seacrest, Bieber’s manager, Scooter Braun, described the song as “fun” and “summery.” WK Lyrically, the song focuses on not being able to comprehend the opposite sex. Bieber told Seacrest, “Girls are often like, they’re just flip-floppy…they say something and then they mean something else, you know? So it’s like, I want to, like, ‘What do you mean?’” SF Jason “Poo Bear” Boyd, one of the song’s co-writers, had also worked with Whitney Houston, Usher, and Pink. SF USA Today’s Carly Mallenbaum described the song as “a catchy dance track for the club.” WK A writer for The Daily Beast said the track was “a slow-burner that…swells into a Bieber banger.” WK Vanity Fair’s Josh Duboff said “Bieber sounds more relaxed and confident than perhaps ever before.” WK MTV News’ Gil Kaufman said it was “seductive, earnest, pleading, and just the right amount of sexy.” WK Idolator’s Mike Wass said Bieber “has never sounded better.” WK NME named it “the perfect pop confection.” WK Resources: SF Songfacts WK Wikipedia Related Links: Last updated 7/21/2023.