Record Of The Year is one of the four major categories at the Grammy Awards, the most prestigious awards ceremony in the music industry. The award is given to the artist(s), producer(s), and engineer(s) of a single song, recognizing their contributions to the overall production and performance of the song. The focus is on the recorded version of the song, including elements such as sound quality, arrangement, and mixing.
On the other hand, Song Of The Year is another major category at the Grammy Awards, but it recognizes the songwriters of a single song, rather than the performers and producers. The award is given to the songwriters who wrote the lyrics and melody of the song. The focus is on the song itself, rather than the recorded version.
In short, Record Of The Year focuses on the production and performance of a recorded song, while Song Of The Year focuses on the songwriting and composition of a song. Both awards are highly sought after in the music industry, as they represent recognition from one's peers and industry professionals for exceptional work in their respective fields.
It's worth noting that while the Grammy Awards are the most well-known awards ceremony in the music industry, they are not the only awards that recognize excellence in music production and songwriting. Other awards ceremonies, such as the American Music Awards and the Billboard Music Awards, also have categories that recognize the best in music, but the Grammy Awards are considered to be the most prestigious.