Both Mayer and Keys were nominated for Song Of The Year at the 2005 Grammys. Mayer ultimately won the Grammy for Song Of The Year for his chart-topping song "Daughters," besting Keys' "If I Ain't Got You." Later, he broke off the top of the Grammy, signed it, and gifted half of the Grammy Award to Keys.


"Both Alicia's song and my song, thankfully, stood the test of time," he reflects. "I gave the top half of the Grammy to the right person, because that song still works every time I hear it. It's a classic song."


Fourteen years later, while hosting the
2019 Grammys, Keys retold the story of the Grammy split in two. Mayer then surprised Keys on the Grammy stage and reunited the two split parts of their shared Grammy Award. "This has got to be the coolest joint custody agreement in showbiz history!" Mayer joked.


At the 2005 Grammys, Mayer also performed "Daughters," which also won the Grammy for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance that night, on the Grammy stage.


Listen to the 10 essential John Mayer songs that show his versatility
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Watch more memorable Grammy performances at the upcoming
2026 Grammys, taking place Sunday, Feb. 1, live at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles and broadcasting live on the CBS Television Network and streaming live and on demand on Paramount+. Watch highlights and exclusive performances from the 2026 Grammys all year long.


See the full 2026 Grammys nominations list
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Explore more Grammy Awards history
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My Grammy Performance
is an intimate and inspiring interview series that invites artists to reflect on their performances on the Grammy stage throughout the decades.