Amy Allen becomes first woman to win best songwriter Grammy

Amy Allen has made a remarkable achievement by becoming the first woman to win the Grammy Award for Best Songwriter. While you may not be familiar with her name, there is a good chance you have sung along to some of her catchy tunes. Amy is the creative force behind several chart-topping hits, including popular songs for artists like Sabrina Carpenter, such as 'Espresso' and 'Please Please Please. ' In addition to her work with Carpenter, she has also collaborated with other well-known musicians like Olivia Rodrigo, Justin Timberlake, and Tate McRae. This year, she was one of four women nominated for the Songwriter of the Year award, a category that has only been established for three years. During her acceptance speech, Amy emphasized the importance of recognizing songwriters, stating, 'Without us, there would be no songs for anyone to win awards for. ' Although she was nominated for the same award last year, she did not win. However, she did take home her first Grammy for her contributions to Harry Styles' album 'Harry's House,' which won Album of the Year. In a heartfelt moment, Amy expressed her joy by saying, 'The child in me that was starting writing songs when I was little in Maine is screaming and crying and laughing at the absurdity of this moment. ' She also dedicated her award to all the legendary songwriters who have shaped the music industry, saying, 'You should have been able to receive your flowers back then. ' Amy's journey in music began at a young age when she started playing bass in her sister's band at just eight years old. She continued with the band until high school before briefly pursuing a nursing career. However, her passion for music led her to enroll at the Berklee School of Music, where she honed her skills. Her first project was called Amy and the Engine, and she had the opportunity to open for popular artists like Kacey Musgraves and Vance Joy. One of her significant breakthroughs came when she wrote 'Back to You' for Selena Gomez, a song that she credits with propelling her career in pop songwriting. She later collaborated with Gomez again to create 'My Mind & Me,' which received an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song in 2023. In addition to her success as a songwriter, Amy is also a talented singer. She released her debut album last September, showcasing her own musical abilities. Throughout her career, she has worked with a variety of artists, including Halsey and Harry Styles. Notably, she wrote the hit song 'Adore You' for Styles and has collaborated with Lizzo as well. Amy's first Grammy nomination came in 2022 for her work on Justin Bieber's album 'Justice. ' Since then, she has accumulated a total of eight nominations, including four this year. She played a crucial role in helping Sabrina Carpenter write every track on her successful album 'Short n'Sweet. ' Carpenter praised Amy, calling her a 'once-in-a-lifetime writer and friend,' and noted that writing comes to her effortlessly. This year, Amy's fellow nominees included talented writers such as Raye, Jessi Alexander, Jessie Jo Dillon, and Edgar Barrera. After winning the award, Amy expressed that it also belongs to her fellow nominees, as they are all fighting for recognition in the music industry. She stated, 'We are the engine that fuels the music industry,' highlighting the often-overlooked contributions of songwriters. She concluded her speech by acknowledging that there is still much work to be done in terms of recognition and appreciation for songwriters, saying, 'It goes without saying, we have a long way to go.