Why Is ‘Golden’ From ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Up for Song of the Year But Not Record? Talking Through the 2026 Grammy Nominations

It’s not officially Grammy season until there’s some spirited debate about the year’s nominations — and here we are.

On this week’s Billboard Pop Shop Podcast, Katie & Keith are chatting through the 2026 Grammy nominations, starting with the Big Four categories (album, record and song of the year, plus best new artist), and continuing with our pop-focused musings down the list. Question No. 1: Why is “Golden” — the breakout hit from Netflix’s musical juggernaut KPop Demon Hunters — nominated in the song of the year category but not record of the year? With its sky-high vocals courtesy of the real-life women behind the animated K-pop groiup HUNTR/X (EJAE, Audrey Nuna and REI AMI) and its electric, inescapable electronic production, it feels tailor-made for the category honoring the recording of a song.

But that’s just one of our many thoughts — listen to the full episode below.

Also on the show, we’ve got chart news on how Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” is back in the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 for the first time in more than 40 years, thanks to Halloween-inspired sales, streams and airplay. Plus, holidays collide on the Hot 100, as spooky tunes from MJ, Ray Parker Jr., Rockwell, Tame Impala and The Nightmare Before Christmas are joined by festive Christmas favorites from Wham! and Mariah Carey.

The Billboard Pop Shop Podcast is your one-stop shop for all things pop on Billboard‘s weekly charts. You can always count on a lively discussion about the latest pop news, fun chart stats and stories, new music, and guest interviews with music stars and folks from the world of pop. Casual pop fans and chart junkies can hear Billboard‘s executive digital director, West Coast, Katie Atkinson and Billboard’s managing director, charts and data operations, Keith Caulfield every week on the podcast, which can be streamed on Billboard.com or downloaded in Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast provider. (Click here to listen to the previous edition of the show on Billboard.com.)