I Finally Watched the Grammys
every year i watch the grammys and do a post about it a la kjerstin's post about the oscars. it took me a long time to get around to actually watching the telecast this year, which proved to be a point of contention all week long. should've just watched it live i suppose. anyway, here we go!
Performances:
*) U2: Get on Your Boots:: this was ok. i'm still warming up to the song, and i think once i see the video, hear the song on the radio some more, and get the album i'll be convinced. but it feels a little odd to have u2 open the show when they weren't nominated this year. they have a new album to plug, though
*) Al Green, Justin Timberlake, Keith Urban, & Boyz II Men: Let's Stay Together:: i wasn't a fan of this performance, but i heard it was a last minute substitution for either rihanna or chris brown. speaking of, what the hell happened with that?! chris brown seemed like such a nice kid. and at first i thought he was accused of beating the shit out of some random lady, but now it sounds like he beat up rihanna too. and dude, that's not cool. it'll be interesting to see how this one plays out
*) Coldplay: Lost+ (with Jay-Z) & Viva La Vida:: i love coldplay! i like that version of "lost," even if jay-z's rap doesn't add a whole lot to it for me. and even though i'm not super big on the song, it would've been sacrireligious not to play "viva la vida." their outfits looked sharp, too
*) Carrie Underwood: Last Name:: not normally a fan of her, but i like her voice. she looked good too, although the sleeves were a bit wild. this is one of the few songs by her i caqn handle listening to all the way through, so i'm glad she played this one
*) Kid Rock: Amen/All Summer Long/Rock N Roll Jesus:: ha, this performance was funny just because it got progressively worse with each song for me. i'm still surprised kid rock didn't want to put his music on itunes: he would've had a #1 if he had!
*) Taylor Swift & Miley Cyrus: Fifteen:: i'm not a big fan of either of their music, but this was a nice pairing. taylor swift always looks kind of bad in her photo shoots, but she's super cute in all her videos and on tv. miley cyrus can hold a tune better than i remember
*) Jennifer Hudson: You Pulled Me Through:: i'm not a fan of hers, but after what happened to her family you are sort of obligated to enjoy this performance. it was nice to see her win something, too
*) Jonas Brothers & Stevie Wonder: Burnin' Up/Superstition:: i'm not a fan of either of these artists, but they both played the one song by them that i actually enjoy. it was SUPER funny listening to stevie wonder singing "burnin' up"! i don't understand why the jonas brothers are so popular since none of them are really cute; at least the backstreet boys and n'sync were hot! but i can appreciate that they write and play their own instruments. and "superstition" is an ace song, but it was kind of a weird pairing
*) Katy Perry: I Kissed a Girl:: i liked the fruit theme and her descending from a giant, glittery banana. but she can't dance at all, which is surprising. she's a brilliant pop star, she really is, and i love that she's a total tease (just like me!). but this song is kind of played out. it would've been cool if she had done a collaboration on it, or done a medley with "hot 'n cold"
*) Estelle & Kanye West: American Boy:: i like this song ok, and i'm glad it was a hit. but every time estelle performs it at an awards show, she wears a horrible dress. she's not bad looking, so she needs to stop doing that. kanye west also had horrible hair that night!
*) Kenny Chesney: Better as a Memory:: i don't like country music, sorry
*) M.I.A., T.I., Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, & Kanye West: Paper Planes/Swagga Like Us: this song isn't very impressive given all the talent on board, but i love the song it samples. and it was super cool to see all those people on stage. MIA is amazing for doing that while being due to deliver a baby any second! and i love that "paper planes" became this huge worldwide hit; she's the perfect anti-popstar! this was probably the best performance of the night!
*) Paul McCartney with Dave Grohl: I Saw Her Standing There:: this was ok, but i wish they would stop wheeling legends out like this. paul mccartney IS brilliant, but we're reminded of it all the time (live 8, the brits, even the vmas). if these things happened less frequently it might not be such a big deal, but it's kind of tiresome having it happen all the time
*) Sugarland: Stay and Adele with Jennifer Nettles: Chasing Pavements:: i'm not big on either artist, but this was nice. i'm actually trying to like adele and just can't do it. i like her as a person, but i'm not sure i'd buy her album. and i've given "chasing pavements" like three tries already
*) Radiohead with University of Southern California Trojan Marching Band: 15 Step:: this was weird. for one, radiohead were playing a big show like the grammys, which feels kind of subversive on their part. and second, they were playing with a marching band for no apparent reason. it was a good performance, and thom yorke's vocals and dancing ability are unparalleled, but weird
*) T.I. & Justin Timberlake: Dead and Gone:: kind of risky to play a new single instead of one of his hits, but i like this song now. i don't like how justin timberlake always gets to perform like a million times at the grammys, though
*) by this point i was getting bored of watching the telecast and kind of just glazed over the rest of the performances. in case you care, they included: Duke Fakir, Jamie Foxx, Ne-Yo, and Smokey Robinson: Four Tops medley; Neil Diamond: Sweet Caroline; John Mayer, B.B. King, Buddy Guy, and Keith Urban: Bo Diddley; Lil Wayne & Robin Thicke: Tie My Hands; Robert Plant & Alison Krauss: Rich Woman & Gone, Gone, Gone (Done Moved On)
Winners
Record of the Year
Chasing Pavements - Adele
Viva la Vida - Coldplay
Bleeding Love - Leona Lewis
Paper Planes - M.I.A.
Please Read the Letter - Robert Plant and Alison Krauss
*) this went to robert plant and alison krauss, who had the smallest hit out of this bunch. i really thought it would go to coldplay, but leona lewis was the most deserving since she had a super big hit with that song. it would've been cool if MIA had won, but that wasn't going to happen
Song of the Year
American Boy - Estelle featuring Kanye West
Chasing Pavements - Adele
I'm Yours - Jason Mraz
Love Song - Sara Bareilles
Viva la Vida - Coldplay
*) coldplay won this, and probably deservedly so. the jason mraz song was big but not really a huge artistic accomplishment. the estelle song could've won but probably needed to be a slightly bigger hit stateside. i'm surprised "bleeding love" wasn't nominated here
Album of the Year
Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends - Coldplay
Tha Carter III - Lil Wayne
Year of the Gentleman - Ne-Yo
Raising Sand - Robert Plant & Alison Krauss
In Rainbows - Radiohead
*) this went to robert plant and alison krauss, and even though the album was critically praised, i didn't really think it stood up to some of the other nominees. ne-yo was equally kind of a surprise nomination. lil wayne probably should've taken it, i wanted coldplay to win and thought they had a strong shot, and radiohead would've been a worthy recipient but that wasn't going to happen. this award tends to NOT go to the most popular act anymore, i've noticed
Best New Artist
Adele
Duffy
Jonas Brothers
Lady Antebellum
Jazmine Sullivan
*) where was leona lewis?! i remember at this time last year everybody was saying she was a shoo-in to WIN this category, and she wasn't even nominated! the jonas brothers won this award, and even though i think they might be able to carve out a fairly successful career, it felt like kind of a cheap win since they've actually been popular for awhile now. duffy was my personal pick to win this, and i'm kind of surprised she didn't take it
Best Female Pop Vocal Performance
Chasing Pavements - Adele
Love Song - Sara Bareilles
Mercy - Duffy
Bleeding Love - Leona Lewis
I Kissed a Girl - Katy Perry
So What - P!nk
*) all these are pretty solid efforts. pink had the funnest hit, katy perry the most recognizable, leona lewis the biggest, and duffy the best. it went to adele, and i'm actually super suprised that she's done so well over here since i haven't once heard her song on the radio
Best Male Pop Vocal Performance
All Summer Long - Kid Rock
Say - John Mayer
That Was Me - Paul McCartney
I'm Yours - Jason Mraz
Closer - Ne-Yo
Wichita Lineman - James Taylor
*) i don't like any of these songs, but i would've probably gone for kid rock, jason mraz, or ne-yo since they're at least contemporary and were super popular this past year. it went to john mayer, and i've noticed that he's become one of those "grammy magnet" people who win for pretty much everything they put out regardless of actual quality (see also: alicia keys, sheryl crow)
Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals
Viva La Vida - Coldplay
Waiting in the Weeds - Eagles
Going On - Gnarls Barkley
Won't Go Home Without You - Maroon 5
Apologize - OneRepublic
*) went to coldplay, and good for them. i like that maroon5 song but it wasn't a big enough hit. and i REALLY like that onerepublic song, but that happened so long ago (it got released right at the beginning of the eligibility period) that it didn't stand a chance. i haven't even heard that eagles song
Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals
Lesson Learned - Alicia Keys featuring John Mayer
4 Minutes - Madonna featuring Justin Timberlake & Timbaland
Rich Woman - Robert Plant & Alison Krauss
If I Never See Your Face Again - Maroon 5 featuring Rihanna
No Air - Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown
*) another win for rob and ali. i hadn't heard that song before, nor the alicia keys/john mayer song. the madonna song was pretty popular, and it would've been nice to see her win something. that "no air" song is also pretty popular and probably should've won. that maroon5 song, though, was totally out of place here. that song in general is just out of place!
Best Pop Vocal Album
Detours - Sheryl Crow
Rockferry - Duffy
Long Road Out of Eden - Eagles
Spirit - Leona Lewis
Covers - James Taylor
*) duffy took it home, and deservedly so! leona lewis is the only other person who should've been in contention out of this field
Best Dance Recording
Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger (Alive 2007) - Daft Punk
Ready for the Floor - Hot Chip
Just Dance - Lady GaGa featuring Colby O'Donis
Give It 2 Me - Madonna
Disturbia - Rihanna
Black and Gold - Sam Sparro
*) these are all at least decent songs, but i think daft punk shouldn't have even been nominated since that song is just a live version of an old hit (they won, BTW). i really liked "ready for the floor" but that was a virtual non-hit. "black and gold" was my favorite out of the bunch, but this should've been a showdown between lady gaga and rihanna. lady gaga should've performed!
Best Electronic/Dance Album
New York City - Brazilian Girls
Alive 2007 - Daft Punk
Bring Ya to the Brink - Cyndi Lauper
X - Kylie Minogue
Last Night - Moby
Robyn - Robyn
*) this also went to daft punk, which is lame. obviously kylie was my personal pick, but robyn also made a great (and original) album; she should've won
Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals
Rock N Roll Train - AC/DC
Violet Hill - Coldplay
Long Road Out of Eden - Eagles
Sex on Fire - Kings of Leon
House of Cards - Radiohead
*) ooh, i like that coldplay song and was glad it got nominated for something since everybody only remembers "viva la vida." the radiohead song was also decent. ac/dc probably should've won this since they came back and had a decent sized hit with that song. but it went to kings of leon, and i like that song, so it's fine. the eagles need to decide whether they're pop, country, or rock
Best Rock Song
Girls in Their Summer Clothes - Bruce Springsteen
House of Cards - Radiohead
I Will Possess Your Heart - Death Cab for Cutie
Sex on Fire - Kings of Leon
Violet Hill - Coldplay
*) went to bruce springsteen, who also wins for everything he ever puts out. this should've gone to coldplay since they had the best song out of the bunch, or maybe kings of leon. the death cab song is NOT a rock song, sorry
Best Rock Album
Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends - Coldplay
Rock N Roll Jesus - Kid Rock
Only by the Night - Kings of Leon
Death Magnetic - Metallica
Consolers of the Lonely - The Raconteurs
*) this went to coldplay, but yeah, that wasn't a rock album. i thought the kid rock album was too old to be eligible. metallica probably should've won, and it's funny to see them nominated in the same category as coldplay
Best Alternative Music Album
Modern Guilt - Beck
Narrow Stairs - Death Cab for Cutie
The Odd Couple - Gnarls Barkley
Evil Urges - My Morning Jacket
In Rainbows - Radiohead
*) radiohead took it, should've taken it, and was my personal pick. that was easy!
Best Rap/Sung Collaboration
American Boy - Estelle featuring Kanye West
Low - Flo Rida featuring T-Pain
Green Light - John Legend featuring Andre 3000
Got Money - Lil Wayne featuring T-Pain
Superstar - Lupe Fiasco featuring Matthew Santos
*) "american boy" was the best of the bunch (and won) but wasn't really "rap" enough. i liked that "low" song, and it was a huge hit, and should've won. i don't like that john legend song, i just wanted to say
Best Short Form Music Video
Honey - Erykah Badu
Who's Gonna Save My Soul - Gnarls Barkley
Another Way to Die - Alicia Keys & Jack White
House of Cards - Radiohead
Pork and Beans - Weezer
*) weezer won, and yeah, that was a great video. it's weird that the grammys have a video category, though, because they don't generally pick the best videos
Other Stuff
*) i loved sugarland's acceptance speech. i'm not a fan of their music, but it was nice to see somebody be that genuinely excited to win
*) duffy has a way more welsh speaking voice than i imagined
*) blink 182 are back together again?! i really liked them in high school, but that feels like a reunion nobody older than me would even notice
*) it was cool to see green day back in the public eye. they need to hurry up and finish that album! and i hope it's at least close to as brilliant as their last album
Performances:
*) U2: Get on Your Boots:: this was ok. i'm still warming up to the song, and i think once i see the video, hear the song on the radio some more, and get the album i'll be convinced. but it feels a little odd to have u2 open the show when they weren't nominated this year. they have a new album to plug, though
*) Al Green, Justin Timberlake, Keith Urban, & Boyz II Men: Let's Stay Together:: i wasn't a fan of this performance, but i heard it was a last minute substitution for either rihanna or chris brown. speaking of, what the hell happened with that?! chris brown seemed like such a nice kid. and at first i thought he was accused of beating the shit out of some random lady, but now it sounds like he beat up rihanna too. and dude, that's not cool. it'll be interesting to see how this one plays out
*) Coldplay: Lost+ (with Jay-Z) & Viva La Vida:: i love coldplay! i like that version of "lost," even if jay-z's rap doesn't add a whole lot to it for me. and even though i'm not super big on the song, it would've been sacrireligious not to play "viva la vida." their outfits looked sharp, too
*) Carrie Underwood: Last Name:: not normally a fan of her, but i like her voice. she looked good too, although the sleeves were a bit wild. this is one of the few songs by her i caqn handle listening to all the way through, so i'm glad she played this one
*) Kid Rock: Amen/All Summer Long/Rock N Roll Jesus:: ha, this performance was funny just because it got progressively worse with each song for me. i'm still surprised kid rock didn't want to put his music on itunes: he would've had a #1 if he had!
*) Taylor Swift & Miley Cyrus: Fifteen:: i'm not a big fan of either of their music, but this was a nice pairing. taylor swift always looks kind of bad in her photo shoots, but she's super cute in all her videos and on tv. miley cyrus can hold a tune better than i remember
*) Jennifer Hudson: You Pulled Me Through:: i'm not a fan of hers, but after what happened to her family you are sort of obligated to enjoy this performance. it was nice to see her win something, too
*) Jonas Brothers & Stevie Wonder: Burnin' Up/Superstition:: i'm not a fan of either of these artists, but they both played the one song by them that i actually enjoy. it was SUPER funny listening to stevie wonder singing "burnin' up"! i don't understand why the jonas brothers are so popular since none of them are really cute; at least the backstreet boys and n'sync were hot! but i can appreciate that they write and play their own instruments. and "superstition" is an ace song, but it was kind of a weird pairing
*) Katy Perry: I Kissed a Girl:: i liked the fruit theme and her descending from a giant, glittery banana. but she can't dance at all, which is surprising. she's a brilliant pop star, she really is, and i love that she's a total tease (just like me!). but this song is kind of played out. it would've been cool if she had done a collaboration on it, or done a medley with "hot 'n cold"
*) Estelle & Kanye West: American Boy:: i like this song ok, and i'm glad it was a hit. but every time estelle performs it at an awards show, she wears a horrible dress. she's not bad looking, so she needs to stop doing that. kanye west also had horrible hair that night!
*) Kenny Chesney: Better as a Memory:: i don't like country music, sorry
*) M.I.A., T.I., Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, & Kanye West: Paper Planes/Swagga Like Us: this song isn't very impressive given all the talent on board, but i love the song it samples. and it was super cool to see all those people on stage. MIA is amazing for doing that while being due to deliver a baby any second! and i love that "paper planes" became this huge worldwide hit; she's the perfect anti-popstar! this was probably the best performance of the night!
*) Paul McCartney with Dave Grohl: I Saw Her Standing There:: this was ok, but i wish they would stop wheeling legends out like this. paul mccartney IS brilliant, but we're reminded of it all the time (live 8, the brits, even the vmas). if these things happened less frequently it might not be such a big deal, but it's kind of tiresome having it happen all the time
*) Sugarland: Stay and Adele with Jennifer Nettles: Chasing Pavements:: i'm not big on either artist, but this was nice. i'm actually trying to like adele and just can't do it. i like her as a person, but i'm not sure i'd buy her album. and i've given "chasing pavements" like three tries already
*) Radiohead with University of Southern California Trojan Marching Band: 15 Step:: this was weird. for one, radiohead were playing a big show like the grammys, which feels kind of subversive on their part. and second, they were playing with a marching band for no apparent reason. it was a good performance, and thom yorke's vocals and dancing ability are unparalleled, but weird
*) T.I. & Justin Timberlake: Dead and Gone:: kind of risky to play a new single instead of one of his hits, but i like this song now. i don't like how justin timberlake always gets to perform like a million times at the grammys, though
*) by this point i was getting bored of watching the telecast and kind of just glazed over the rest of the performances. in case you care, they included: Duke Fakir, Jamie Foxx, Ne-Yo, and Smokey Robinson: Four Tops medley; Neil Diamond: Sweet Caroline; John Mayer, B.B. King, Buddy Guy, and Keith Urban: Bo Diddley; Lil Wayne & Robin Thicke: Tie My Hands; Robert Plant & Alison Krauss: Rich Woman & Gone, Gone, Gone (Done Moved On)
Winners
Record of the Year
Chasing Pavements - Adele
Viva la Vida - Coldplay
Bleeding Love - Leona Lewis
Paper Planes - M.I.A.
Please Read the Letter - Robert Plant and Alison Krauss
*) this went to robert plant and alison krauss, who had the smallest hit out of this bunch. i really thought it would go to coldplay, but leona lewis was the most deserving since she had a super big hit with that song. it would've been cool if MIA had won, but that wasn't going to happen
Song of the Year
American Boy - Estelle featuring Kanye West
Chasing Pavements - Adele
I'm Yours - Jason Mraz
Love Song - Sara Bareilles
Viva la Vida - Coldplay
*) coldplay won this, and probably deservedly so. the jason mraz song was big but not really a huge artistic accomplishment. the estelle song could've won but probably needed to be a slightly bigger hit stateside. i'm surprised "bleeding love" wasn't nominated here
Album of the Year
Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends - Coldplay
Tha Carter III - Lil Wayne
Year of the Gentleman - Ne-Yo
Raising Sand - Robert Plant & Alison Krauss
In Rainbows - Radiohead
*) this went to robert plant and alison krauss, and even though the album was critically praised, i didn't really think it stood up to some of the other nominees. ne-yo was equally kind of a surprise nomination. lil wayne probably should've taken it, i wanted coldplay to win and thought they had a strong shot, and radiohead would've been a worthy recipient but that wasn't going to happen. this award tends to NOT go to the most popular act anymore, i've noticed
Best New Artist
Adele
Duffy
Jonas Brothers
Lady Antebellum
Jazmine Sullivan
*) where was leona lewis?! i remember at this time last year everybody was saying she was a shoo-in to WIN this category, and she wasn't even nominated! the jonas brothers won this award, and even though i think they might be able to carve out a fairly successful career, it felt like kind of a cheap win since they've actually been popular for awhile now. duffy was my personal pick to win this, and i'm kind of surprised she didn't take it
Best Female Pop Vocal Performance
Chasing Pavements - Adele
Love Song - Sara Bareilles
Mercy - Duffy
Bleeding Love - Leona Lewis
I Kissed a Girl - Katy Perry
So What - P!nk
*) all these are pretty solid efforts. pink had the funnest hit, katy perry the most recognizable, leona lewis the biggest, and duffy the best. it went to adele, and i'm actually super suprised that she's done so well over here since i haven't once heard her song on the radio
Best Male Pop Vocal Performance
All Summer Long - Kid Rock
Say - John Mayer
That Was Me - Paul McCartney
I'm Yours - Jason Mraz
Closer - Ne-Yo
Wichita Lineman - James Taylor
*) i don't like any of these songs, but i would've probably gone for kid rock, jason mraz, or ne-yo since they're at least contemporary and were super popular this past year. it went to john mayer, and i've noticed that he's become one of those "grammy magnet" people who win for pretty much everything they put out regardless of actual quality (see also: alicia keys, sheryl crow)
Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals
Viva La Vida - Coldplay
Waiting in the Weeds - Eagles
Going On - Gnarls Barkley
Won't Go Home Without You - Maroon 5
Apologize - OneRepublic
*) went to coldplay, and good for them. i like that maroon5 song but it wasn't a big enough hit. and i REALLY like that onerepublic song, but that happened so long ago (it got released right at the beginning of the eligibility period) that it didn't stand a chance. i haven't even heard that eagles song
Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals
Lesson Learned - Alicia Keys featuring John Mayer
4 Minutes - Madonna featuring Justin Timberlake & Timbaland
Rich Woman - Robert Plant & Alison Krauss
If I Never See Your Face Again - Maroon 5 featuring Rihanna
No Air - Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown
*) another win for rob and ali. i hadn't heard that song before, nor the alicia keys/john mayer song. the madonna song was pretty popular, and it would've been nice to see her win something. that "no air" song is also pretty popular and probably should've won. that maroon5 song, though, was totally out of place here. that song in general is just out of place!
Best Pop Vocal Album
Detours - Sheryl Crow
Rockferry - Duffy
Long Road Out of Eden - Eagles
Spirit - Leona Lewis
Covers - James Taylor
*) duffy took it home, and deservedly so! leona lewis is the only other person who should've been in contention out of this field
Best Dance Recording
Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger (Alive 2007) - Daft Punk
Ready for the Floor - Hot Chip
Just Dance - Lady GaGa featuring Colby O'Donis
Give It 2 Me - Madonna
Disturbia - Rihanna
Black and Gold - Sam Sparro
*) these are all at least decent songs, but i think daft punk shouldn't have even been nominated since that song is just a live version of an old hit (they won, BTW). i really liked "ready for the floor" but that was a virtual non-hit. "black and gold" was my favorite out of the bunch, but this should've been a showdown between lady gaga and rihanna. lady gaga should've performed!
Best Electronic/Dance Album
New York City - Brazilian Girls
Alive 2007 - Daft Punk
Bring Ya to the Brink - Cyndi Lauper
X - Kylie Minogue
Last Night - Moby
Robyn - Robyn
*) this also went to daft punk, which is lame. obviously kylie was my personal pick, but robyn also made a great (and original) album; she should've won
Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals
Rock N Roll Train - AC/DC
Violet Hill - Coldplay
Long Road Out of Eden - Eagles
Sex on Fire - Kings of Leon
House of Cards - Radiohead
*) ooh, i like that coldplay song and was glad it got nominated for something since everybody only remembers "viva la vida." the radiohead song was also decent. ac/dc probably should've won this since they came back and had a decent sized hit with that song. but it went to kings of leon, and i like that song, so it's fine. the eagles need to decide whether they're pop, country, or rock
Best Rock Song
Girls in Their Summer Clothes - Bruce Springsteen
House of Cards - Radiohead
I Will Possess Your Heart - Death Cab for Cutie
Sex on Fire - Kings of Leon
Violet Hill - Coldplay
*) went to bruce springsteen, who also wins for everything he ever puts out. this should've gone to coldplay since they had the best song out of the bunch, or maybe kings of leon. the death cab song is NOT a rock song, sorry
Best Rock Album
Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends - Coldplay
Rock N Roll Jesus - Kid Rock
Only by the Night - Kings of Leon
Death Magnetic - Metallica
Consolers of the Lonely - The Raconteurs
*) this went to coldplay, but yeah, that wasn't a rock album. i thought the kid rock album was too old to be eligible. metallica probably should've won, and it's funny to see them nominated in the same category as coldplay
Best Alternative Music Album
Modern Guilt - Beck
Narrow Stairs - Death Cab for Cutie
The Odd Couple - Gnarls Barkley
Evil Urges - My Morning Jacket
In Rainbows - Radiohead
*) radiohead took it, should've taken it, and was my personal pick. that was easy!
Best Rap/Sung Collaboration
American Boy - Estelle featuring Kanye West
Low - Flo Rida featuring T-Pain
Green Light - John Legend featuring Andre 3000
Got Money - Lil Wayne featuring T-Pain
Superstar - Lupe Fiasco featuring Matthew Santos
*) "american boy" was the best of the bunch (and won) but wasn't really "rap" enough. i liked that "low" song, and it was a huge hit, and should've won. i don't like that john legend song, i just wanted to say
Best Short Form Music Video
Honey - Erykah Badu
Who's Gonna Save My Soul - Gnarls Barkley
Another Way to Die - Alicia Keys & Jack White
House of Cards - Radiohead
Pork and Beans - Weezer
*) weezer won, and yeah, that was a great video. it's weird that the grammys have a video category, though, because they don't generally pick the best videos
Other Stuff
*) i loved sugarland's acceptance speech. i'm not a fan of their music, but it was nice to see somebody be that genuinely excited to win
*) duffy has a way more welsh speaking voice than i imagined
*) blink 182 are back together again?! i really liked them in high school, but that feels like a reunion nobody older than me would even notice
*) it was cool to see green day back in the public eye. they need to hurry up and finish that album! and i hope it's at least close to as brilliant as their last album