Grammys 2013 Preview: Song of the Year

A closer look at the stellar tunes that earned Song of the Year nominations for the 2013 Grammy awards.

These five tunes are nominated for Song of the Year at the 55th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday night (February 10).

Jump To: Album of the Year | Record of the Year | Best New Artist

Grammys 2013: Full Coverage

"The A Team" Songwriters: Ed Sheeran Performers: Ed Sheeran From: + Publishers: Sony/ATV Music Publishing Label: Elektra "The A Team," about a heroin--addicted prostitute, is from English singer/songwriter Ed Sheeran's full-length debut, +, which debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200. In an April interview with Billboard, Sheeran revealed the song was inspired by a performance he did at a homeless shelter when he was 18 years old. "I wanted to write it kind of upbeat so you wouldn't know what it's about, because it's obviously a dark subject," he said.

"Adorn" Songwriters: Miguel Pimentel Performers: Miguel From: Kaleidoscope Dream Publishers: Art Dealer Chic Label: Bystorm Entertainment/RCA Records "These lips can't wait to taste your skin, baby/And these eyes can't wait to see your grin/Just let my love adorn you," Miguel sings on "Adorn," the sensual breakout hit from the R&B artist's highly acclaimed sophomore release, Kaleidoscope Dream. Written and produced by Miguel, the track spent four weeks at No. 1 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and went to No. 17 on the Billboard Hot 100, his biggest hit on that tally. "Adorn" is also nominated for best R&B song and best R&B performance.

"Call Me Maybe" Songwriters: Tavish Crowe, Carly Rae Jepsen, Josh Ramsay Performers: Carly Rae Jepsen From: Kiss Publishers: Jepsen Music Publishing/Regular Monkey Productions/Crowe Music Publishing Label: 604 Records/Schoolboy Records/Interscope Billboard's 2012 Rising Star Carly Rae Jepsen, who in September released her highly anticipated U.S. debut album, Kiss, has experienced much success with her single "Call Me Maybe." The undeniably catchy song spent nine weeks at No. 1 on the Hot 100; and was named Billboard's 2012 Song of the Summer.

"Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)"  Songwriters: Jörgen Elofsson, David Gamson, Greg Kurstin, Ali Tamposi Performers: Kelly Clarkson From: Stronger  Publishers: Universal Music Publishing MGB Scandinavia, Perfect Storm Music Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing Scandinavia, BMG Gold Songs, Kurstin Music, EMI April Music  Label: RCA/19 Recordings Kelly Clarkson testifies on her fifth album, "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger." Drawing inspiration from philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, the self-empowering single "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)" spent three weeks at No. 1 on the Hot 100. The album Stronger debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200.

"We Are Young"  Songwriters: Jack Antonoff, Jeff Bhasker, Andrew Dost, Nate Ruess Performers: fun. featuring Janelle Monáe From: Some Nights  Publishers: WB Music, FBR Music, Bearvon Music, Rough Art, Shira Lee Lawrence Rick Music, Way Above Music, Sony/ATV Songs  Label: Fueled by Ramen Fueled by Ramen founder John Janick (now Interscope Geffen A&M president/COO) predicted "We Are Young" would be a hit upon first hearing the song. He was right: It ruled the Hot 100 for six weeks. "It just felt like a massive record from the beginning," Janick told Billboard in March.