British soul diva Adele won the best song of the year Grammy for "Rolling in the Deep", her fourth prize at the music industry's annual awards show in Los Angeles.

Adele, nominated in six categories at the Grammys, took to the stage with producer Paul Epworth, who she called "the best producer in the world, adding: "He's wonderful -- thank you so, so much, Paul."

A short time later, the 23-year-old Londoner, making her first live performance since October after undergoing throat surgery, wowed the Grammys audience with a rendition of the song, a worldwide hit from her breakthrough album "21."

After being introduced by Gwyneth Paltrow, her solo voice soared out of the darkness into the opening lyric, before a thumping drum kicked in, followed by a choir for the chorus.

She earned a raucous standing ovation from the crowd and mouthed "Thank you" at the end.

Husky tones, retro rhythms and raw emotional honesty have helped Adele -- full name Adele Laurie Blue Adkins -- sell more than 12 million copies of "21" worldwide since its release in January 2011.

In terms of Grammy nods, Adele is second only to rapper Kanye West, who has seven nominations at the US music industry's top awards.

After throat surgery silenced her for months, Adele -- with her trademark bouffant hair, generous figure, liberal swearing and raucous Cockney laugh -- was clearly thrilled to be back.