Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: Uptown Funk
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
This question examines knowledge about the Grammy Award for Record of the Year, a major category that honours both the performers and production team of a single track. The 2016 award recognised one of the biggest global hits of the mid 2010s. Because hit songs often dominate charts, advertisements, and social media, questions about their awards are common in general awareness sections of competitive exams. Understanding the difference between Record of the Year and Song of the Year also helps in advanced questions on music awards.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
Record of the Year recognises the overall production and performance of a track, while Song of the Year focuses on songwriting. At the 2016 Grammys, Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars won Record of the Year. Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran, although extremely popular, had won Song of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance at the same ceremony. Songs like Blank Space by Taylor Swift and Hello by Adele were nominated or honoured in other years or categories. Remembering that Uptown Funk was a long running global hit, played repeatedly on radio and praised for its production and performance, makes it stand out as the correct answer.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Uptown Funk dominated charts worldwide from late 2014 through 2015 and was a major contender at the 2016 Grammy Awards.
Step 2: Remember that the track received Record of the Year and Best Pop Duo or Group Performance at the Grammys.
Step 3: Note that Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran is associated more with the Song of the Year win at the same ceremony.
Step 4: From the given options, select Uptown Funk as the song that matches the Record of the Year honour in 2016.
Verification / Alternative check:
Checking official Grammy records shows that at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards in 2016, Record of the Year was awarded to Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars. Thinking Out Loud won Song of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance, while Blank Space and Really Love had nominations but no Record of the Year victory. Hello by Adele belonged mainly to the following Grammy cycle. This confirms that Uptown Funk is the correct answer and that any other choice would mix up categories or years.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Really Love by D Angelo was nominated for Record of the Year, but it did not win the award; it lost to Uptown Funk.
Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran won Song of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance, not Record of the Year.
Blank Space by Taylor Swift was a huge hit but did not win Record of the Year at the 2016 ceremony.
Hello by Adele became a massive success and won multiple awards, but its main Grammy victories came in the subsequent year, not at the 2016 event.
Common Pitfalls:
One frequent mistake is to confuse Record of the Year with Song of the Year, leading candidates to pick Thinking Out Loud instead of Uptown Funk. Another issue is mixing up years, especially because the award ceremony in one calendar year honours songs released in an earlier period. Candidates may also default to Hello because of Adele widespread fame without checking the exact Grammy year. To avoid confusion, remember that Uptown Funk is tied to Record of the Year 2016, while Thinking Out Loud is linked to Song of the Year that same night.
Final Answer:
The song that won the 2016 Grammy Award for Record of the Year is Uptown Funk.
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