Alex Warren’s breakout hit “Ordinary” spent 10 weeks at No. 1 and could make him a Grammy nominee in categories like Best Pop Solo Performance and Song of the Year. PERTH, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 28: Alex Warren performs on stage on August 28, 2025 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Matt Jelonek/Getty Images)
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Alex Warren is perhaps the greatest breakout star in music of the past year. While he had already cultivated a fan base and shown the world he had talent as a singer-songwriter, it wasn’t until he released his song “Ordinary” in February of 2025 that he rocketed to stardom. That track quickly became massively popular and one of the biggest tunes of the year all around the world.
It is “Ordinary” that will likely help Warren become a Grammy-nominated artist, and perhaps break a losing streak for men in one of the toughest categories.
How Long Did Alex Warren’s “Ordinary” Stay at No. 1?
“Ordinary” shot to No. 1 on the Hot 100 and ended up spending 10 weeks running the show. Not all of those were in a row, as he stepped aside to allow Sabrina Carpenter’s “Manchild” to debut in first place, and “Golden” from the movie KPop Demon Hunters to command the lead. That upbeat smash ultimately supplanted him as well.
The pop-rock tune also ruled both of Billboard’s global charts for long stays, as it reached populations all around the world.
While commercial success is technically not supposed to influence voters when it comes to picking Grammy nominees, visibility matters. Songs as large as “Ordinary” are rarely completely ignored by the Grammys, which means Warren has a good shot at scoring at least one nomination, and likely several.
Could “Ordinary” Earn a Pop Solo Grammy Nomination?
“Ordinary” seems like a shoo-in for a spot in the Best Pop Solo Performance category. What may hurt Warren is the fact that men have been eclipsed by women throughout the past several years in the pop categories. At the most recent two Grammy ceremonies, not a single male act was included in Best Pop Solo Performance. This trend could potentially continue, or maybe voters will see how uneven the scales have become and look for male artists to reward.
2023 was the latest Grammy ceremony where a male artist was nominated for Best Pop Solo Performance. That year, Bad Bunny, Steve Lacy, and Harry Styles were all in the running, although the trio lost to “Easy on Me” by Adele.
By the time the 2026 Grammys roll around, it will have been half a decade since any man won this prize. The last champion to identify as male was Harry Styles, who claimed the honor with “Watermelon Sugar.”
Will Alex Warren’s “Ordinary” Compete for Record of the Year?
“Ordinary” was so huge that it seems like a natural contender for some of the biggest categories at the Grammys. Warren’s introductory smash will likely be up for both Record of the Year and Song of the Year. Although competition is always fierce for those slots, between the two, Song of the Year seems more likely, as “Ordinary” is the type of sweet ballad that can often be recognized for songwriting, if not production.
A Best New Artist Nod Is Almost Guaranteed
Warren also seems like a lock for a Best New Artist nomination. In fact, of the eight spots that will be filled by newcomers in the music industry, he will almost certainly appear inside the upper half, in terms of likely winners. Warren is not the most exciting new act in the industry, but he is one of the most successful, and that should be enough to secure him a space.
You’ll Be Alright Kid May Also Compete
Warren’s debut album You’ll Be Alright Kid is eligible as well, although it doesn’t seem to have the same chances as “Ordinary” does in terms of securing Grammy nods. The full-length will likely be submitted for both Best Pop Vocal Album and Album of the Year, and while the project has a shot, thanks largely to the success of “Ordinary,” the LP didn’t receive the same kind of attention as its biggest hit, and exclusion from these fields wouldn’t be quite as shocking.
Collaborations With Jelly Roll and Rosé
The focus for Warren will certainly be on “Ordinary,” but he has multiple singles from You’ll Be Alright Kid that are eligible, and depending on how he submits them, he may find himself in various fields.
Following “Ordinary,” Warren delivered a pair of collaborations — first “Bloodline” with Jelly Roll and then “On My Mind” with Blackpink star Rosé. Either of those tunes could be pushed to Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, which has become seemingly less and less competitive throughout the years. The Recording Academy and the music industry in general love Jelly, and honoring Rosé could be a way to tip the hat toward K-pop, which has been notoriously excluded from the show far too long.
How Timing Could Help Alex Warren at the 2026 Grammys
Timing may work beautifully in Warren’s favor. Grammy nominations are expected to be announced soon, and “Ordinary” remains a huge single. The track continues to live inside the top five on the Hot 100, and people all around the world — not just in the United States — are buying, streaming, and hearing the cut. That type of ubiquity makes it difficult to ignore, even if his album isn’t performing at the same level any longer.
When Are the 2026 Grammy Nominations Announced?
Eligibility for the 2026 Grammys ran from September 1, 2024 through August 30, 2025. Nominations will be revealed on November 7, 2025, and the upcoming Grammy Awards will take place early next year.