Draft:Academy of Country Music Award for Song of the Year

Academy of Country Music Award for Song of the Year
Country	United States
Presented by	Academy of Country Music
First awarded	1967
Currently held by	Jordan Davis, Greylan James, Chase McGill, Josh Osborne "Next Thing You Know" (59th)

The Academy of Country Music Award for Song of the Year is a competitive category presented at the Academy of Country Music Awards. The following is the list of winners, with the year representing the nominated work.

Recipients

2020's

Year	Songwriter(s)	Title	Performing artist(s)	Nominees (Performer(s) in parenthesis)
2024	Jordan Davis Greylan James Chase McGill Josh Osborne	"Next Thing You Know"	Jordan Davis	"Fast Car" — Tracy Chapman (Luke Combs) "Heart Like a Truck" — Trannie Anderson, Dallas Wilson, Lainey Wilson (Lainey Wilson) "Tennessee Orange" — David Fanning, Paul Jenkins, Megan Moroney and Ben Williams (Megan Moroney) "The Painter" — Benjy Davis, Kat Higgins and Ryan Larkins (Cody Johnson)
2023	Ashley Gorley Cole Swindell Jesse Frasure Mark D. Sanders Thomas Rhett Tim Nichols	"She Had Me at Heads Carolina"	Cole Swindell	"Sand in My Boots" — Ashley Gorley, Josh Osborne and Michael Hardy (Morgan Wallen) "'Til You Can't" — Ben Stennis and Matt Rogers (Cody Johnson) "Wait in the Truck" — Hunter Phelps, Jordan Schmidt, Michael Hardy and Renee Blair (HARDY and Lainey Wilson) "You Should Probably Leave" — Ashley Gorley, Chris DuBois and Chris Stapleton (Chris Stapleton)
2022	Jason Nix Jonathan Singleton Lainey Wilson	"Things a Man Oughta Know"	Lainey Wilson	"7 Summers" — Morgan Wallen, Josh Osborne, Shane McAnally (Morgan Wallen) "Buy Dirt" — Jordan Davis, Jacob Davis, Josh Jenkins, Matt Jenkins (Jordan Davis and Luke Bryan) "Fancy Like" — Cameron Bartolini, Walker Hayes, Josh Jenkins, Shane Stevens (Walker Hayes) "Knowing You" — Adam James, Brett James, Kat Higgins (Kenny Chesney)
2021	Jimmy Robbins Maren Morris Laura Veltz	"The Bones"	Maren Morris	"Bluebird" – Luke Dick, Miranda Lambert, Natalie Hemby (Miranda Lambert) "One Night Standards" – Ashley McBryde, Nicolette Hayford, Shane McAnally (Ashley McBryde) "Some People Do" – Jesse Frasure, Matt Ramsey, Thomas Rhett, Shane McAnally (Old Dominion) "Starting Over" – Chris Stapleton, Mike Henderson (Chris Stapleton)
2020	Josh Osborne Matthew Ramsey Trevor Rosen Brad Tursi	"One Man Band"	Old Dominion	"10,000 Hours" – Dan Smyers, Shay Mooney, Justin Bieber, Jessie Jo Dillon, Jason Boyd, Jordan Reynolds (Dan + Shay and Justin Bieber) "Girl Goin' Nowhere" – Ashley McBryde, Jeremy Bussey (Ashley McBryde) "God's Country" – Devin Dawson, Jordan Schmidt, Michael Hardy (Blake Shelton) "Some of It" – Eric Church, Jeff Hyde, Clint Daniels, Bobby Pinson (Eric Church)

2010's

Year	Songwriter(s)	Title	Performing artist(s)	Nominees (Performer(s) in parenthesis)
2019	Nicolle Galyon Jordan Reynolds Dan Smyers	"Tequila"	Dan + Shay	"Break Up in the End" – Jessie Jo Dillon, Chase McGill, Jon Nite (Cole Swindell) "Broken Halos" – Mike Henderson, Chris Stapleton (Chris Stapleton) "Meant to Be" – David Garcia, Tyler Hubbard, Joshua Miller, Bebe Rexha (Bebe Rexha and Florida Georgia Line) "Space Cowboy" – Luke Laird, Shane McAnally, Kacey Musgraves (Kacey Musgraves) "Yours" – Casey Brown, Russell Dickerson, Parker Welling (Russell Dickerson)
2018	Jack Ingram Miranda Lambert Jon Randall	"Tin Man"	Miranda Lambert	"Better Man" – Taylor Swift (Little Big Town) "Body Like a Back Road" – Zach Crowell, Sam Hunt, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne (Sam Hunt) "Female" – Ross Copperman, Nicolle Galyon and Shane McAnally (Keith Urban) "Whiskey and You" – Lee Thomas Miller, Chris Stapleton (Chris Stapleton)
2017	Thomas Rhett Sean Douglas Joe Spargur	"Die a Happy Man"	Thomas Rhett	"Blue Ain’t Your Color" – Clint Lagerberg, Hillary Lindsey, Steven Lee Olsen (Keith Urban) "Humble and Kind" – Lori McKenna (Tim McGraw) "Kill a Word" – Eric Church, Luke Dick, Jeff Hyde (Eric Church) "Tennessee Whiskey" – Dean Dillon, Linda Hargrove (Chris Stapleton) "Vice" – Miranda Lambert, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne (Miranda Lambert)
2016	Barry Bales Ronnie Bowman Chris Stapleton	"Nobody to Blame"	Chris Stapleton	"Girl Crush" – Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna, Liz Rose (Little Big Town) "Burning House" – Jeff Bhasker, Cam, Tyler Johnson (Cam) "Raise 'Em Up" – Tom Douglas, Jaren Johnston, Jeffrey Steele (Keith Urban and Eric Church) "She Don't Love You" – Eric Paslay & Jennifer Wayne (Eric Paslay)
2015	Nicolle Galyon Natalie Hemby Miranda Lambert	"Automatic"	Miranda Lambert	"American Kids" – Rodney Clawson, Luke Laird, Shane McAnally (Kenny Chesney) "Drink a Beer" – Jim Beavers, Chris Stapleton (Luke Bryan) "Follow Your Arrow" – Brandy Clark, Shane McAnally, Kacey Musgraves (Kacey Musgraves) "Give Me Back My Hometown" – Eric Church, Luke Laird (Eric Church) "I Hold On" – Brett James, Dierks Bentley (Dierks Bentley)
2014	Jessi Alexander Connie Harrington Jimmy Yeary	"I Drive Your Truck"	Lee Brice	"Every Storm (Runs Out of Rain)" – Gary Allan, Hillary Lindsey, Matthew Warren (Gary Allan) "Mama's Broken Heart" – Brandy Clark, Shane McAnally, Kacey Musgraves (Miranda Lambert) "Mine Would Be You" – Jessi Alexander, Connie Harrington, Deric Ruttan (Blake Shelton) "Wagon Wheel" – Bob Dylan, Ketch Secor (Darius Rucker and Lady Antebellum)
2013	Phil Barton Johnny Bulford Jon Stone	"A Woman Like You"	Lee Brice	"Even If It Breaks Your Heart" – Will Hoge, Eric Paslay (Eli Young Band) "Over You" – Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton (Miranda Lambert) "Springsteen" – Eric Church, Jeff Hyde, Ryan Tyndell (Eric Church) "Wanted" – Hunter Hayes, Troy Verges (Hunter Hayes)
2012	Lee Brice Liz Rose	"Crazy Girl"	Eli Young Band	"Home" – Brett Beavers, Dierks Bentley and Dan Wilson (Dierks Bentley) "Just a Kiss" – Dallas Davidson, Dave Haywood, Charles Kelley and Hillary Scott (Lady Antebellum) "Threaten Me With Heaven" – Amy Grant, Vince Gill, Dillon O'Brian and Will Owsley (Vince Gill) "You and Tequila" – Matraca Berg and Deana Carter (Kenny Chesney and Grace Potter)
2011	Tom Douglas Allen Shamblin	"The House That Built Me"	Miranda Lambert	"A Little More Country Than That" – Rory Lee Feek, Don Poythress and Wynn Varble (Easton Corbin) "As She's Walking Away" – Zac Brown and Wyatt Durrette (Zac Brown Band and Alan Jackson) "If I Die Young" – Kimberly Perry (The Band Perry) "Love Like Crazy" – Tim James and Doug Johnson (Lee Brice)
2010	Dave Haywood Josh Kear Charles Kelley Hillary Scott	"Need You Now"	Lady Antebellum	"Cowboy Casanova" – Mike Elizondo, Brett James, Carrie Underwood (Carrie Underwood) "People Are Crazy" – Bobby Braddock, Troy Jones (Billy Currington) "White Liar" – Natalie Hemby, Miranda Lambert (Miranda Lambert) "You Belong With Me" – Liz Rose, Taylor Swift (Taylor Swift)

2000's

Year	Songwriter(s)	Title	Performing artist(s)	Nominees (Performer(s) in parenthesis)
2009	Jamey Johnson Lee Thomas Miller James Otto	"In Color"	Jamey Johnson	"I Saw God Today" — Rodney Clawson, Monty Criswell, and Wade Kirby (George Strait) "Johnny & June" — Deanna Bryant, Heidi Newfield, and Stephony Smith (Heidi Newfield) "Waitin' on a Woman" — Don Sampson and Wynn Varble (Brad Paisley) "You're Gonna Miss This" — Ashley Gorley and Lee Thomas Miller (Trace Adkins)
2008	Jennifer Nettles	"Stay"	Sugarland	"Don't Blink" — Casey Beathard and Chris Wallin (Kenny Chesney) "Lost in This Moment" — Keith Anderson, Rodney Clawson, and John Rich (Big & Rich) "Moments" — Dave Berg, Annie Tate, and Sam Tate (Emerson Drive) "Watching You" — Rodney Atkins, Steve Dean, and Brian White (Rodney Atkins)
2007	Bill Anderson Buddy Cannon Jamey Johnson	"Give It Away"	George Strait	"Amarillo Sky" — John Rich, Big Kenny, Rodney Clawson, and Bart Pursley (Jason Aldean) "Before He Cheats" — Chris Tompkins and Josh Kear (Carrie Underwood) "If You're Going Through Hell (Before the Devil Even Knows)" — Dave Berg, Annie Tate, and Sam Tate (Rodney Atkins) "Would You Go with Me" — Shawn Camp and John Scott Sherrill (Josh Turner)
2006	Ronnie Dunn Craig Wiseman	"Believe"	Brooks & Dunn	"Baby Girl" — Kristian Bush, Kristen Hall, Jennifer Nettles, and Troy Bieser (Sugarland) "Jesus, Take the Wheel" — Hillary Lindsey, Gordie Sampson, and Brett James (Carrie Underwood) "Skin (Sarabeth)" — Doug Johnson and Joe Henry (Rascal Flatts) "When I Get Where I'm Going" — George Teren and Rivers Rutherford (Brad Paisley and Dolly Parton)
2005	Tim Nichols Craig Wiseman	"Live Like You Were Dying"	Tim McGraw	"American Soldier" — Toby Keith and Chuck Cannon (Toby Keith) "Bless the Broken Road" — Marcus Hummon, Bobby Boyd, and Jeff Hanna (Rascal Flatts) "I May Hate Myself in the Morning" — Odie Blackmon (Lee Ann Womack) "Whiskey Lullaby" — Bill Anderson and Jon Randall (Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss)
2004	Doug Johnson Kim Williams	"Three Wooden Crosses"	Randy Travis	"It's Five O'Clock Somewhere" — Jim Brown and Donald Rollins (Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffett) "Red Dirt Road" — Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn (Brooks & Dunn) "Remember When" — Alan Jackson (Alan Jackson) "There Goes My Life" — Wendell Mobley and Neil Thrasher (Kenny Chesney)
2003	David Vincent Williams Phillip Brian White	"I'm Movin' On"	Rascal Flatts	"A Lot of Things Different" — Bill Anderson and Dean Dillon (Kenny Chesney) "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)" — Toby Keith (Toby Keith) "Drive (For Daddy Gene)" — Alan Jackson (Alan Jackson) "Forgive" — Rebecca Lynn Howard and Trey Bruce (Rebecca Lynn Howard)
2002	Alan Jackson	"Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)"	Alan Jackson	"Angels in Waiting" — Tammy Cochran, Stewart Harris, and Jim McBride (Tammy Cochran) "I Wanna Talk About Me" — Bobby Braddock (Toby Keith) "One More Day" — Bobby Tomberlin and Steven Dale Jones (Diamond Rio) "Only in America" — Kix Brooks, Don Cook, and Ronnie Rogers (Brooks & Dunn)
2001	Mark D. Sanders Tia Sillers	"I Hope You Dance"	Lee Ann Womack Sons of the Desert	"How Do You Like Me Now?!" — Toby Keith and Chuck Cannon (Toby Keith) "The Little Girl" — Harley Allen (John Michael Montgomery) "One Voice" — Don Cook and David Malloy (Billy Gilman) "We Danced" — Brad Paisley and Chris DuBois (Brad Paisley)
2000	Aimee Mayo Chris Lindsey Marv Green	"Amazed"	Lonestar	"Breathe" — Stephanie Bentley and Holly Lamar (Faith Hill) "Choices" — Billy Yates and Mike Curtis (George Jones) "He Didn't Have to Be" — Brad Paisley and Kelley Lovelace (Brad Paisley) "Please Remember Me" — Rodney Crowell and Will Jennings (Tim McGraw)

1990's

Year	Songwriter(s)	Title	Performing artist(s)	Nominees (Performer(s) in parenthesis)
1999	Billy Kirsch Steve Wariner	"Holes in the Floor of Heaven"	Steve Wariner	"A Broken Wing" — James House, Sam Hogin, and Phil Barnhart (Martina McBride) "Don't Laugh at Me" — Steve Seskin and Allen Shamblin (Mark Wills) "Husbands and Wives" — Roger Miller (Brooks & Dunn) "This Kiss" — Beth Nielsen Chapman, Robin Lerner, and Annie Roboff (Faith Hill)
1998	Stephony Smith	"It's Your Love"	Tim McGraw Faith Hill	"All the Good Ones Are Gone" — Dean Dillon and Bob McDill (Pam Tillis) "How Do I Live" — Diane Warren (LeAnn Rimes) (Trisha Yearwood) "Something That We Do" — Clint Black and Skip Ewing (Clint Black) "The Fool" — Charley Stefl, Gene Ellsworth, and Marla Cannon (Lee Ann Womack)
1997	Bill Mack	"Blue"	LeAnn Rimes	"Carried Away" — Jeff Stevens and Steve Bogard (George Strait) "My Maria" — B.W. Stevenson and Daniel Moore (Brooks & Dunn) "Strawberry Wine" — Matraca Berg and Gary Harrison (Deanna Carter) "Time Marches On" — Bobby Braddock (Tracy Lawrence)
1996	Dickey Lee Karen Staley Danny Mayo	"The Keeper of the Stars"	Tracy Byrd	"I Like It, I Love It" — Jeb Stuart Anderson, Mark Hall, and Steve Dukes (Tim McGraw) "Standing on the Edge of Goodbye" — John Berry and Stewart Harris (John Berry) "You Don't Even Know Who I Am" — Gretchen Peters (Patty Loveless) "You're Gonna Miss Me When I'm Gone" — Don Cook, Kix Brooks, and Ronnie Dunn (Brooks & Dunn)
1995	Frank J. Myers Gary Baker	"I Swear"	John Michael Montgomery	"Don't Take the Girl" — Craig Martin and Larry W. Johnson (Tim McGraw) "How Can I Help You Say Goodbye" — Karen Taylor-Good and Burton Banks Collins (Patty Loveless) "Livin' on Love" — Alan Jackson (Alan Jackson) "When Love Finds You" — Vince Gill and Michael Omartian (Vince Gill)
1994	Chuck Cannon Victoria Shaw	"I Love the Way You Love Me"	John Michael Montgomery	"Can I Trust You with My Heart" — Travis Tritt and Stewart Harris (Travis Tritt) "Chattahoochee" — Alan Jackson and Jim McBride (Alan Jackson) "Does He Love You" — Billy Stritch and Sandy Knox (Reba McEntire and Linda Davis) "I Don't Call Him Daddy" — Reed Nielsen (Doug Supernaw)
1993	Vince Gill John Barlow Jarvis	"I Still Believe in You"	Vince Gill	"Boot Scootin' Boogie" — Ronnie Dunn (Brooks & Dunn) "I Feel Lucky" — Mary Chapin Carpenter and Don Schlitz (Mary Chapin Carpenter) "Something in Red" — Angela Kaset (Lorrie Morgan) "Two Sparrows in a Hurricane" — Mark Alan Springer (Tanya Tucker)
1992	Billy Dean Richard Leigh	"Somewhere in My Broken Heart"	Billy Dean	"Don't Rock the Jukebox" — Alan Jackson, Roger Murrah and Keith Stegall (Alan Jackson) "Down at the Twist and Shout" — Mary Chapin Carpenter (Mary Chapin Carpenter) "Here's a Quarter (Call Someone Who Cares)" — Travis Tritt (Travis Tritt) "Pocket Full of Gold" — Vince Gill and Brian Allsmiller (Vince Gill)
1991	Tony Arata	"The Dance"	Garth Brooks	"Here in the Real World" — Alan Jackson and Mark Irwin (Alan Jackson) "Friends in Low Places" — Dewayne Blackwell and Earl Bud Lee (Garth Brooks) "Jukebox in My Mind" — Dave Gibson and Ronnie Rogers (Alabama) "When I Call Your Name" — Vince Gill and Tim DuBois (Vince Gill)
1990	Jon Vezner Don Henry	"Where've You Been"	Kathy Mattea	"After All This Time" — Rodney Crowell (Rodney Crowell) "If Tomorrow Never Comes" — Garth Brooks and Kent Blazy (Garth Brooks) "Killin' Time" — Clint Black and Hayden Nicholas (Clint Black) "There's a Tear in My Beer" — Hank Williams (Hank Williams and Hank Williams Jr.)

1980's

Year	Songwriter(s)	Title	Performing artist(s)	Nominees (Performer(s) in parenthesis)
1989	Gene Nelson Paul Nelson	"Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses"	Kathy Mattea	"Don't Close Your Eyes" — Bob McDill (Keith Whitley) "I Know How He Feels" — Rick Bowles and Will Robinson (Reba McEntire) "Set 'Em Up Joe" — Dean Dillon, Hank Cochran, Buddy Cannon, and Vern Gosdin (Vern Gosdin) "Strong Enough to Bend" — Beth Nielsen Chapman and Don Schlitz (Tanya Tucker)
1988	Paul Overstreet Don Schlitz	"Forever and Ever, Amen"	Randy Travis	"80's Ladies" — K.T. Oslin (K.T. Oslin) "Born to Boogie" — Hank Williams Jr. (Hank Williams Jr.) "Ocean Front Property" — Dean Dillon, Hank Cochran, and Royce Porter (George Strait) "Somebody Lied" — Larry Jenkins and Joe Chambers (Ricky Van Shelton)
1987	Paul Overstreet Don Schlitz	"On the Other Hand"	Randy Travis	"Everything That Glitters (Is Not Gold)" — Bob McDill and Dan Seals (Dan Seals) "Grandpa (Tell Me 'Bout the Good Old Days)" — Jamie O'Hara (The Judds) "Living in the Promiseland" — David Lynn Jones (Willie Nelson) "Whoever's in New England" — Kendal Franceschi and Quentin Powers (Reba McEntire)
1986	Troy Seals Mike Reid Fred Parris	"Lost in the Fifties Tonight (In the Still of the Night)"	Ronnie Milsap	"Baby's Got Her Blue Jeans On" — Bob McDill (Mel McDaniel) "I'll Never Stop Loving You" — Dave Loggins and J.D. Martin (Gary Morris) "Seven Spanish Angels" — Troy Seals and Eddie Sester (Willie Nelson and Ray Charles) "Some Fools Never Learn" — John Scott Sherrill (Steve Wariner)
1985	Harlan Howard Brent Maher Sonny Throckmorton	"Why Not Me"	The Judds	"I've Been Around Enough to Know" — Bob McDill and Dickey Lee (John Schneider) "To All the Girls I've Loved Before" — Albert Hammond and Hal David (Willie Nelson and Julio Iglesias) "Second Hand Heart" — Mark Gray, Harold Tipton and Craig Karp (Gary Morris) "When We Make Love" — Troy Seals and Mentor Williams (Alabama)
1984	Larry Henley Jeff Silbar	"Wind Beneath My Wings"	Gary Morris	"I Always Get Lucky with You" — Merle Haggard, Freddy Powers, Gary Church and Tex Whitson (George Jones) "I.O.U." — Austin Roberts and Kerry Chater (Lee Greenwood) "Lady Down on Love" — Randy Owen (Alabama) "Swingin'" — John Anderson and Lionel Delmore (John Anderson)
1983	Merle Haggard	"Are the Good Times Really Over (I Wish a Buck Was Still Silver)"	Merle Haggard	"I'm Gonna Hire a Wino to Decorate Our Home" — Dewayne Blackwell (David Frizzell) "Nobody" — Kye Fleming and Dennis Morgan (Sylvia) "Ring on Her Finger, Time on Her Hands" — Pam Rose, Mary Ann Kennedy, and Don Goodman (Lee Greenwood) "She Got the Goldmine" — Tim DuBois (Jerry Reed)
1982	Felice Bryant Boudleaux Bryant Sandy Pinkard Larry Collins	"You're the Reason God Made Oklahoma"	David Frizzell Shelly West	"Feels So Right" — Randy Owen (Alabama) "It Turns Me Inside Out" — Jan Crutchfield (Lee Greenwood) "Love in the First Degree" — Tim DuBois and Jim Hurt (Alabama) "My Favorite Memory" — Merle Haggard (Merle Haggard)
1981	Curly Putman Bobby Braddock	"He Stopped Loving Her Today"	George Jones	"9 to 5" — Dolly Parton (Dolly Parton) "I Believe in You" — Roger Cook and Sam Hogin (Don Williams) "Lady" — Lionel Richie (Kenny Rogers) "Lookin' for Love" — Bob Morrison, Wanda Mallette, and Patti Ryan (Johnny Lee)
1980	Curly Putman Sonny Throckmorton	"It's a Cheating Situation"	Moe Bandy Janie Fricke	"All the Gold in California" — Larry Gatlin (Larry Gatlin & the Gatlin Brothers) "Last Cheater's Waltz" — Sonny Throckmorton (T.G. Sheppard) "She Believes in Me" — Steve Gibb (Kenny Rogers) "You're the Only One" — Carole Bayer Sager and Bruce Roberts (Dolly Parton)

1970's

Year	Songwriter(s)	Title	Performing artist(s)	Nominees (Performer(s) in parenthesis)
1979	Randy Goodrum	"You Needed Me"	Anne Murray	"Burgers and Fries" — Ben Peters (Charley Pride) "I'm Always on a Mountain When I Fall" — Chuck Howard (Merle Haggard) "Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys" — Ed Bruce and Patsy Bruce (Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson) "The Gambler" — Don Schlitz (Kenny Rogers)
1978	Roger Bowling Hal Bynum	"Lucille"	Kenny Rogers	"Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue" — Richard Leigh (Crystal Gayle) "From Graceland to the Promised Land" — Merle Haggard (Merle Haggard) "Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love)" — Bobby Emmons and Chips Moman (Waylon Jennings) "You Light Up My Life" — Joseph Brooks (Debby Boone)
1977	Baker Knight	"Don't the Girls All Get Prettier at Closing Time"	Mickey Gilley	"Bring It On Home to Me" — Sam Cooke (Mickey Gilley) "El Paso City" — Marty Robbins (Marty Robbins) "Somebody Somewhere (Don't Know What He's Missin' Tonight)" — Lola Jean Dillon (Loretta Lynn) "Teddy Bear" — Billy Joe Burnette, Tommy Hill, Dale Royal and Red Sovine (Red Sovine)
1976	Larry Weiss	"Rhinestone Cowboy"	Glen Campbell	"Before the Next Teardrop Falls" — Vivian Keith and Ben Peters (Freddy Fender) "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain" — Fred Rose (Willie Nelson) "I'm Not Lisa" — Jessi Colter (Jessi Colter) "When the Tingle Becomes a Chill" — Lola Jean Dillon (Loretta Lynn)
1975	Don Wayne	"Country Bumpkin"	Cal Smith	"Back Home Again" — John Denver (John Denver) "I Can Help" — Billy Swan (Billy Swan) "One Day at a Time" — Kris Kristofferson and Marijohn Wilkin (Marilyn Sellars) "Things Aren't Funny Anymore" — Merle Haggard (Merle Haggard)
1974	Kenny O'Dell	"Behind Closed Doors"	Charlie Rich	"If We Make It Through December" — Merle Haggard (Merle Haggard) "The Most Beautiful Girl" — Rory Bourke, Billy Sherrill and Norro Wilson (Charlie Rich) "(Old Dogs, Children and) Watermelon Wine" — Tom T. Hall (Tom T. Hall) "Why Me" — Kris Kristofferson (Kris Kristofferson)
1973	Donna Fargo	"The Happiest Girl In the Whole USA"	Donna Fargo	"Bless Your Heart" — Freddie Hart and Jack Lebsock (Freddie Hart) "Funny Face" — Donna Fargo (Donna Fargo) "It's Four in the Morning" — Jerry Chesnut (Faron Young) "To Get To You" — Jean Chapel (Jerry Wallace)
1972	Freddie Hart	"Easy Loving"	Freddie Hart	"Carolyn" — Tommy Collins (Merle Haggard) "Kiss an Angel Good Mornin'" — Ben Peters (Charley Pride) "Lead Me On" — Leon Copeland (Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn) "Lovin' Her Was Easier (Than Anything I'll Ever Do Again)" — Kris Kristofferson (Roger Miller)
1971	Kris Kristofferson	"For the Good Times"	Ray Price	"The Fightin' Side of Me" — Merle Haggard (Merle Haggard) "Help Me Make It Through the Night" — Kris Kristofferson (Sammi Smith) "Rose Garden" — Joe South (Lynn Anderson) "Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down" — Kris Kristofferson (Johnny Cash)
1970	Merle Haggard Eddie Buriss	"Okie from Muskogee"	Merle Haggard	"A Boy Named Sue" — Shel Silverstein (Johnny Cash) "Games People Play" — Joe South (Freddy Weller) "Try a Little Kindness" — Bobby Austin and Curt Sapaugh (Glen Campbell) "Make It Rain" — Billy Mize (Billy Mize)

1960's

Year	Songwriter(s)	Title	Performing artist(s)	Nominees (Performer(s) in parenthesis)
1969	Jimmy Webb	"Wichita Lineman"	Glen Campbell	"I Take a Lot of Pride in What I Am" — Merle Haggard (Merle Haggard) "The Legend of Bonnie and Clyde" — Merle Haggard and Bonnie Owens (Merle Haggard) "Mama Tried" — Merle Haggard (Merle Haggard) "Only Daddy That'll Walk the Line" — Ivy Bryant (Waylon Jennings)
1968	Dale Noe	"It's Such a Pretty World Today"	Wynn Stewart	"Branded Man" — Merle Haggard (Merle Haggard) "I Threw Away the Rose" — Merle Haggard (Merle Haggard) "Ode to Billie Joe" — Bobbie Gentry (Bobbie Gentry) "Walkin' in the Sunshine" — Roger Miller (Roger Miller)
1967	Fern Foley Charles "Fuzzy" Owen Johnny Paycheck	"Apartment No. 9"	Bobby Austin	"The Bottle Let Me Down" — Merle Haggard (Merle Haggard) "Husbands and Wives" — Roger Miller (Roger Miller) "Swinging Doors" — Merle Haggard (Merle Haggard) "Terrible Tangled Web" — Billy Mize (Billy Mize) "Waitin' in Your Welfare Line" — Buck Owens, Don Rich and Nat Stuckey (Buck Owens)