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Cher is only one award away from EGOT status, as she’s missing a Tony. She’s already earned a Grammy–among several nominations–but she hasn’t been back at the show in many years. Could her latest hit bring her back to the biggest and most prestigious ceremonies in music?
In 2023, Cher returned with her first Christmas album, which was titled, simply, Christmas. It’s not uncommon for musicians who need a career turn-around to create a holiday collection, but as is usually the case with Cher, she did things a bit differently. She produced a seasonal full-length that didn’t sound like anything else out in the market–and that worked beautifully to her advantage.
Christmas itself was a quick success, but the single she released from the album was what really got most people talking–or singing, perhaps. “DJ Play a Christmas Song” was an unlikely hit, as it was a dance-pop tune by a woman in her 70s crooning about wanting to do nothing but dance all night long, set to a pulsing beat tinged with holiday cheer. On paper, it sounds ridiculous, and in reality, that’s exactly what it was...only it worked.
America fell in love with Cher all over again with “DJ Play a Christmas Song,” which, as the year wound down and the big day approached, became more and more popular. The tune eventually cracked the Hot 100, bringing Cher to the important songs chart for the first time in many years. It was a big swing, but one that paid off brilliantly–and the superstar may not be done reaping the rewards from that risk.
“DJ Play a Christmas Song” was released in early October, which means it was ineligible for the Grammys that took place about a month ago. Instead, it’s nominatable for the 2025 ceremony. While it doesn’t sound like a typical track that would earn love from the Recording Academy, a new field may be a perfect fit for the tune.
In 2024, the Recording Academy introduced a new category, Best Pop Dance Recording, which is meant as a middleground between the pop and dance/electronic fields. Kylie Minogue won the inaugural award for her comeback hit “Padam Padam,” which also helped her return to prominence after many years away from the spotlight in some territories.
Best Pop Dance Recording is where all the dance floor-ready pop smashes can go to earn some love and respect. “Padam Padam” wasn’t taken seriously in the eyes of some in the music industry, which is too often the case when it comes to electronic dance music. But that didn’t matter–those who voted for this new category understood how great the song was, and they rewarded Minogue, a veteran, for her work.
Cher could receive the same kind of applause when the nominations are rolled out later this year. “DJ Play a Christmas Song” almost surely would have been passed over in the pop and dance fields, but it could be just what voters are hoping to focus on in this newly-launched vertical. And the chance to bring Cher back to the Grammys for the first time in two decades (her last nomination was in 2004 for Best Dance Recording for "Love One Another") might be too alluring for longtime lovers of the singer.
It still seems like a long shot that Cher, or, more specifically, “DJ Play a Christmas Song” will end up with a shot at winning a Grammy, but this new category changes its chances. Once it’s time to nominate tunes again, voters may have forgotten about the cut–or they may be preparing to play it all over again as the winter months near.
