Grammy's top song not always in tune

Over time, Grammy voters have picked numerous future standards as songs of the year. In retrospect, though, they've also designated some real head-scratchers. USA TODAY reflects on the category's smart and silly choices — and, for the questionable picks, suggests replacements from the same year's nominees.

Great choices

1998:

My Heart Will Go On (written by James Horner and Will Jennings)

The Celine Dion-sung love theme from Titanicwas the last and arguably greatest of the movie ballads that often found favor in this category for nearly 25 years.

1983:

Every Breath You Take (Sting)

In a year that saw Michael Jackson's Billie Jean and Beat It both nominated, voters opted for The Police's deceptively simple, brilliantly crafted song about obsession masquerading as a declaration of love.

1978:

Just the Way You Are (Billy Joel)

Hard to go wrong in a good year for standards. Other nominees included Stayin' Alive, Three Times a Lady and You Needed Me.

1971:

You've Got a Friend (Carole King)

This song already had appeared on classic albums by King and James Taylor by the time it won. Dozens more have cut it since, including Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway, Michael Jackson and Ella Fitzgerald.

1970:

Bridge Over Troubled Water(Paul Simon)

Simon drew on traditions of classic American pop and gospel to write this Simon & Garfunkel masterpiece. Aretha Franklin and Buck Owens also had hits with it.

Bad choices

2006:

Not Ready to Make Nice (Dan Wilson, Emily Robison, Martie Maguire and Natalie Maines)

More a statement about the Dixie Chicks' artistic integrity and politics than the song's quality or commercial impact. A better choice might have been James Blunt's You're Beautiful, written with Amanda Ghost and Sacha Skarbek.

1991:

Unforgettable (Irving Gordon)

A marvelous song, but one that had seen its true heyday 40 years before Natalie Cole recorded it as a duet with her late father, Nat "King" Cole. A better choice might have been