On rare occasions, an album has won the top prize at the Grammys without taking home any other awards.
Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Apple
"The Concert for Bangladesh," recorded during two all-star charity concerts in support of Bengali refugees, is the rare example of a live album taking home the Grammys' biggest award. Album of the year was the only nomination it received.
Warner Bros
Fleetwood Mac's seminal album "Rumours" was the bestselling album of 1977 and the odds-on favorite for album of the year.
It received two additional Grammy nods — best pop vocal performance by a group and best arrangement for voices for "Go Your Own Way" — but lost to the Bee Gees and the Eagles, respectively.
In 2003, "Rumours" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
Geffen
John Lennon was killed just three weeks after "Double Fantasy" was released, perhaps urging the Recording Academy to bestow his final work with its highest honor.
The album came up empty-handed otherwise, despite nominations for record of the year and best pop vocal performance.
Columbia
George Michael's solo debut "Faith" only earned one nomination in addition to album of the year: best pop vocal performance for "Father Figure," which lost to Bobby McFerrin's "Don't Worry Be Happy."
Sony
Arcade Fire's big win for their third album "The Suburbs" is the band's only Grammy Award out of nine career nominations.
In 2011, they were also nominated for best alternative music album and best rock performance by a duo or group for "Ready to Start," but lost both to The Black Keys.
Glassnote
Mumford & Sons did become two-time Grammy winners in 2013 after winning album of the year for "Babel."
However, the band's other victory that night wasn't related to their sophomore LP. They took home an award for best long form music video for "Big Easy Express," a tour documentary directed by Emmett Malloy that also featured bands Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros and Old Crow Medicine Show.
Taylor Swift/Republic Records
Taylor Swift was nominated for six awards at the 63rd annual Grammys, including best pop vocal album for "Folklore" and song of the year for lead single "Cardigan." But the acclaimed singer-songwriter lost all except the top prize.
