So originally I was going to include notes on every category about what I liked and what I didn't. But there's not enough time for all of that, not to mention I don't remember why I rated some things the way I did. But I will do this for the biggest four categories, which, if you notice, reveal my unabashed fondness of Taylor Swift.
RECORD OF THE YEAR
"Halo," Beyonce
"I Gotta Feeling," The Black Eyed Peas
"Use Somebody," Kings of Leon
"Poker Face," Lady Gaga
"You Belong With Me," Taylor Swift
Should win: "You Belong With Me"
Will Win: "Poker Face"
I really think that the Grammy committee made a huge mistake with Beyonce here. "Halo" seems more fit for Song of the Year, and her nominee in that category, "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)" would be a much better fit here. "I Gotta Feeling" was fun and popular, and "Use Somebody" was the highlight of Kings of Leon's Only By The Night. However, "Poker Face" was arguably the biggest hit of the group, which is why it will win, though "You Belong With Me" is a perfectly-crafted pop nugget.
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
I Am...Sasha Fierce, Beyonce
The E.N.D. (Energy Never Dies), The Black Eyed Peas
The Fame, Lady Gaga
Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King, Dave Matthews Band
Fearless, Taylor Swift
Should win: Fearless
Will Win: I Am...Sasha Fierce
This is the best Album of the Year group since 2006, when Gnarls Barkley, John Mayer, Justin Timberlake, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and the Dixie Chicks. Honestly, I'd be happy if any of them won, but I liked Taylor Swift the most. However, Beyonce has a career behind her and a big year, which means she's most likely to take the lead here.
SONG OF THE YEAR
"Poker Face," Lady Gaga
"Pretty Wings," Maxwell
"Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)," Beyonce
"Use Somebody," Kings of Leon
"You Belong With Me," Taylor Swift
Should win: "You Belong With Me"
Will win: "You Belong With Me"
We all know that Lady Gaga is an impressive songwriter, but it's her album's deeper cuts that prove this, not really her first singles ("Poker Face" included). The best choices here are "Pretty Wings" and "You Belong With Me," with Swift having the slight edge.
BEST NEW ARTIST
Zac Brown Band
Keri Hilson
MGMT
Silversun Pickups
The Ting Tings
Should Win: The Ting Tings
Will Win: Zac Brown Band
I love the Ting Tings and MGMT, and Keri Hilson is an inspired choice here. However, when it comes down to voting, MGMT, Silversun Pickups, and the Ting Tings will split the alt-rock vote, leaving the win open to Zac Brown Band.
BEST FEMALE POP PERFORMANCE
"Hometown Glory," Adele
"Halo," Beyonce
"Hot N Cold," Katy Perry
"Sober," Pink
"You Belong With Me," Taylor Swift
Should win: "You Belong With Me"
Will win: "You Belong With Me"
BEST MALE POP PERFORMANCE
"This Time," John Legend
"Love You," Maxwell
"Make It Mine," Jason Mraz
"If You Don't Know Me By Now," Seal
"All About the Love Again," Stevie Wonder
Should win: "This Time"
Will win: "All About the Love Again"
BEST POP PERFORMANCE BY A DUO OR GROUP
"I Gotta Feeling," The Black Eyed Peas
"We Weren't Born To Follow," Bon Jovi
"Never Say Never," The Fray
"Sara Smile," Hall & Oates
"Kids," MGMT
Should win: "Kids"
Will win: "I Gotta Feeling"
BEST POP COLLABORATION
"Sea of Heartbreak," Rosanne Cash & Bruce Springsteen
"Love Sex Magic," Ciara & Justin Timberlake
"Lucky," Jason Mraz & Colbie Caillat
"Baby, It's Cold Outside," Willie Nelson & Norah Jones
"Breathe," Taylor Swift & Colbie Caillat
Should win: "Lucky"
Will win: "Sea of Heartbreak"
BEST POP VOCAL ALBUM
The E.N.D. (Energy Never Dies), The Black Eyed Peas
Breakthrough, Colbie Caillat
All I Ever Wanted, Kelly Clarkson
The Fray, The Fray
Funhouse, Pink
Should win: The E.N.D. (Energy Never Dies)
Will win: All I Ever Wanted
BEST DANCE RECORDING
"Boom Boom Pow," The Black Eyed Peas
"When Love Takes Over," David Guetta & Kelly Rowland
"Poker Face," Lady Gaga
"Celebration," Madonna
"Womanizer," Britney Spears
Should win: "Poker Face"
Will win: "Celebration"
BEST ELECTRONIC/DANCE ALBUM
Divided By Night, The Crystal Method
One Love, David Guetta
The Fame, Lady Gaga
Party Rock, LMFAO
Yes, Pet Shop Boys
Should win: The Fame
Will win: The Fame
BEST SOLO ROCK PERFORMANCE
"Beyond Here Lies Nothin'," Bob Dylan
"Change in the Weather," John Fogerty
"Dreamer," Prince
"Working on a Dreamer," Bruce Springsteen
"Fork in the Road," Neil Young
Should win: "Beyond Here Lies Nothin'"
Will win: "Fork in the Road"
BEST ROCK PERFORMANCE BY A DUO OR GROUP
"Can't Find My Way Home," Eric Clapton & Steve Winwood
"Life in Technicolor II," Coldplay
"21 Guns," Green Day
"Use Somebody," Kings of Leon
"I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight," U2
Should win: "Life in Technicolor II"
Will win: "Can't Find My Way Home"
BEST HARD ROCK PERFORMANCE
"War Machine," AC/DC
"Check My Brain," Alice In Chains
"What I've Done," Linkin Park
"The Unforgiven III," Metallica
"Burn It To The Ground," Nickelback
Should win: "The Unforgiven III"
Will win: "What I've Done"
BEST METAL PERFORMANCE
"Dissident Aggressor," Judas Priest
"Set To Fail," Lamb of God
"Head Crusher," Megadeath
"Senor Peligro," Ministry
"Hate Worldwide," Slayer
Should win: "Set To Fail"
Will win: "Hate Worldwide"
BEST ROCK SONG
"The Fixer," Pearl Jam
"I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight," U2
"21 Guns," Green Day
"Use Somebody," Kings of Leon
"Working On A Dream," Bruce Springsteen
Should win: "21 Guns"
Will win: "Working On A Dream"
BEST ROCK ALBUM
Black Ice, AC/DC
Live From Madison Square Garden, Eric Clapton & Steve Winwood
21st Century Breakdown, Green Day
Big Whiskey And The GrooGrux King, Dave Matthews Band
No Line On The Horizon, U2
Should win: Big Whiskey And The GrooGrux King
Will win: Big Whiskey And The GrooGrux King
BEST ALTERNATIVE ALBUM
Everything That Happens Will Happen Today, David Byrne & Brian Eno
The Open Door, Death Cab for Cutie
Sounds Of The Universe, Depeche Mode
Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, Phoenix
It's Blitz!, Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Should win: The Open Door
Will win: Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
BEST FEMALE R&B PERFORMANCE
"Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)," Beyonce
"It Kills Me," Melanie Fiona
"That Was Then," Lalah Hathaway
"Goin' Thru Changes," Ledisi
"Lions, Tigers & Bears," Jazmine Sullivan
Should win: "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)"
Will win: "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)"
BEST MALE R&B PERFORMANCE
"The Point Of It All," Anthony Hamilton
"Pretty Wings," Maxwell
"Sobeautiful," Musiq Soulchild
"Under," Pleasure P
"There Goes My Baby," Charlie Wilson
Should win: "Pretty Wings"
Will win: "Pretty Wings"
BEST R&B PERFORMANCE BY A DUO AND GROUP
"Blame It," Jamie Foxx & T-Pain
"Chocolate High," India.Arie & Musiq Soulchild
"Ifuleave," Musiq Soulchild & Mary J. Blige
"Higher Ground," Robert Randolph & The Clark Sisters
"Love Has Finally Come At Last," Calvin Richardson & Ann Nesby
Should win: "Chocolate High"
Will win: "Blame It"
BEST TRADITIONAL R&B PERFORMANCE
"At Last," Beyonce
"Soul Music," Anthony Hamilton
"Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight," Boney James & Quinn
"Sow Love," Ann Nesby
"Woman Gotta Have It," Calvin Richardson
Should win: "Soul Music"
Will win: "At Last"
BEST URBAN/ALTERNATIVE PERFORMANCE
"Daykeeper," The Foreign Exchange
"All Matter," Robert Glasper & Bilal
"Pearls," India.Arie & Dobet Gnahore
"A Tale of Two," Eric Roberson, Ben O'Neill & Michelle Thompson
"Blend," Tonex
Should win: "Blend"
Will win: "Pearls"
BEST R&B SONG
"Blame It," Jamie Foxx & T-Pain
"Lions, Tigers & Bears," Jazmine Sullivan
"Pretty Wings," Maxwell
"Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)," Beyonce
"Under," Pleasure P
Should win: "Pretty Wings"
Will win: "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)"
BEST R&B ALBUM
The Point Of It All, Anthony Hamilton
Testimony: Vol. 2, Love & Politics, India.Arie
Turn Me Loose, Ledisi
BLACKsummer'snight, Maxwell
Uncle Charlie, Charlie Wilson
Should win: BLACKsummer'snight
Will win: BLACKsummer'snight
BEST CONTEMPORARY R&B ALBUM
I Am...Sasha Fierce, Beyonce
Intuition, Jamie Foxx
The Introduction of Marcus Cooper, Pleasure P
Ready, Trey Songz
Thr33 Ringz, T-Pain
Should win: I Am...Sasha Fierce
Will win: I Am...Sasha Fierce
BEST RAP SOLO PERFORMANCE
"Best I Ever Had," Drake
"Beautiful," Eminem
"D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune)," Jay-Z
"Day 'N' Nite," Kid Cudi
"Casa Bey," Mos Def
Should win: "Beautiful"
Will win: "D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune)"
BEST RAP PERFORMANCE BY A DUO OR GROUP
"Too Many Rappers," Beastie Boys & Nas
"Crack A Bottle," Eminem, Dr. Dre & 50 Cent
"Money Goes, Honey Stay," Fabolous & Jay-Z
"Make Her Say," Kid Cudi, Kanye West & Common
"Amazing," Kanye West & Young Jeezy
Should win: "Make Her Say"
Will win: "Crack A Bottle"
BEST RAP/SUNG COLLABORATION
"Ego," Beyonce & Kanye West
"Knock You Down," Keri Hilson, Ne-Yo & Kanye West
"Run This Town," Jay-Z, Rihanna & Kanye West
"I'm On A Boat," The Lonely Island & T-Pain
"Dead And Gone," T.I. & Justin Timberlake
Should win: "Dead And Gone"
Will win: "Run This Town"
BEST RAP SONG
"Best I Ever Had," Drake
"Day 'N' Nite," Kid Cudi
"Dead And Gone," T.I. & Justin Timberlake
"D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune)," Jay-Z
"Run This Town," Jay-Z, Rihanna & Kanye West
Should win: "Dead And Gone"
Will win: "Dead And Gone"
BEST RAP ALBUM
Universal Mind Control, Common
Relapse, Eminem
R.O.O.T.S., Flo Rida
The Ecstatic, Mos Def
The Renaissance, Q-Tip
Should win: The Ecstatic
Will win: Relapse
BEST FEMALE COUNTRY PERFORMANCE
"Dead Flowers," Miranda Lambert
"I Just Call You Mine," Martina McBride
"White Horse," Taylor Swift
"Just A Dream," Carrie Underwood
"Solitary Thinkin'," Lee Ann Womack
Should win: "White Horse"
Will win: "Just A Dream"
BEST MALE COUNTRY PERFORMANCE
"All I Ask For Anymore," Trace Adkins
"People Are Crazy," Billy Currington
"High Cost Of Living," Jamey Johnson
"Living For The Night," George Strait
"Sweet Thing," Keith Urban
Should win: "High Cost Of Living"
Will win: "Living For The Night"
BEST COUNTRY PERFORMANCE BY A DUO OR GROUP
"Cowgirls Don't Cry," Brooks & Dunn
"Chicken Fried," Zac Brown Band
"I Run To You," Lady Antebellum
"Here Comes Goodbye," Rascal Flatts
"It Happens," Sugarland
Should win: "It Happens"
Will win: "Cowgirls Don't Cry"
BEST COUNTRY COLLABORATION
"Beautiful World," Dierks Bentley & Patty Griffin
"Down The Road," Kenny Chesney & Mac McAnally
"Start A Band," Brad Paisley & Keith Urban
"I Told You So," Carrie Underwood & Randy Travis
"Everything But Quits," Lee Ann Womack & George Strait
Should win: "Start A Band"
Will win: "Start A Band"
BEST COUNTRY SONG
"All I Ask For Anymore," Trace Adkins
"High Cost Of Living," Jamey Johnson
"I Run To You," Lady Antebellum
"People Are Crazy," Billy Currington
"White Horse," Taylor Swift
Should win: "White Horse"
Will win: "White Horse"
BEST COUNTRY ALBUM
The Foundation, Zac Brown Band
Twang, George Strait
Fearless, Taylor Swift
Defying Gravity, Keith Urban
Call Me Crazy, Lee Ann Womack
Should win: Fearless
Will win: Fearless
BEST SOUNDTRACK FOR MOTION PICTURE/TELEVISION
Cadillac Records
Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds
Slumdog Millionaire
True Blood
Twilight
Should win: Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds
Will win: Twilight
BEST SHORT-FORM MUSIC VIDEO
"Mr. Hurricane," Beast
"Boom Boom Pow," The Black Eyed Peas
"Life In Technicolor II," Coldplay
"Wrong," Depeche Mode
"Her Morning Elegance," Oren Lavie
Should win: "Life In Technicolor II"
Will win: "Wrong"
No comments:
Post a Comment