On Sunday, February 10, the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) will hand out the Grammy Awards in its 55th annual ceremony at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. While the televised ceremony attracts millions of viewers (over 39.9 million tuned in last year - its largest audience since 1984 and the second largest in history), the Grammys have long been criticized for being out of touch with the commercial and popular aspects of the music scene.
Is it more mind-boggling that artists like The Beach Boys, Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Led Zepplin, and Bob Marley never won a Grammy, or that less talented artists like the Starland Vocal Band, Baha Men, A Taste of Honey, Arcade Fire, and Milli Vanilli have?
While the Grammy award nominee and winner choices often leave music fans either baffled, confused, or angry, viewers should keep in mind that the Grammy Awards are not, and never were meant to be a popularity contest. Unlike the People’s Choice Awards, the MTV Video Music Awards, and the American Music Awards, the average music fan cannot vote in the Grammys. Grammy winners are chosen by approximately 13,000 voting members of the Recording Academy, not average fans.
Compared to the other major arts awards, the Grammy Awards have an overwhelming amount of material to consider. The Oscars consider a few hundred movies each year, the Emmys peruse even fewer television shows, and the Tonys have less than a hundred stage productions to consider. On the other hand, thousands of recordings are produced each year. Considering that number, it’s no wonder that artists, albums, and songs are overlooked.
In case you’re wondering, the eligibility year for this year’s awards was from Oct. 1, 2011, to Sept. 30, 2012, meaning a song or album had to be officially released during that time period to be considered for a Grammy. What is still somewhat unclear is how the Academy determines whether five or six nominations will be considered in a particular category.
This year’s Grammy Awards ceremony will no doubt have its share of odd choices, memorable moments, and (despite the “Standard And Practice Wardrobe Advisory” email CBS sent out to all attendees warning them about everything from nudity to “brand name products on T-shirts” on live TV) rude behavior. Here’s a look at the nominees in some of the major categories (courtesy of Grammy.com), as well as predictions for who will win, as well as who, in this writer’s humble opinion, should win.
The Grammys will be televised on CBS (locally on CBS 3) on Sunday, February 10, beginning at 8 p.m. Eastern time, so we’ll all know soon enough whether I can crow, or have to eat crow. Overall, I have the feeling it’s going to be a Fun. night.
Record Of The Year (awarded to the performer and the production team of a single song)
Nominees:
“Lonely Boy” by The Black Keys
“Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)” by Kelly Clarkson
“We Are Young” by Fun. Featuring Janelle Monáe
“Somebody That I Used To Know” by Gotye Featuring Kimbra
“Thinkin Bout You” Frank Ocean
“We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” by Taylor Swift
Fun., The Black Keys, Gotye and Clarkson are up against each other in a number of categories. Swift’s single is included in this category because it was released in advance of her album Red (which will be eligible for next year’s Grammys) and made the cut-off.
Any of the six nominees in this category has a legitimate shot at winning. All were hits, and the songs by Fun., Swift, and Clarkson were huge hits. Interestingly, four of the songs have a very retro sound that recalls other artists. “Stronger” could have been a Taylor Dayne song from the 80s. “Somebody That I Used To Know” sounds a lot like Sting, in the same way that “Thinkin Bout You” sounds a lot like Prince. And “We Are Young” recalls the pomp and grandeur of Queen.
I think it comes down to a battle between Fun., Swift, and Clark. In this case I think Swift and Clark split voters from the same block and Fun. wins the award.
Will win: “We Are Young” by Fun.
Should win: “We Are Young” by Fun.
Album Of The Year (awarded to the performer and the production team of a full album)
Nominees:
El Camino by The Black Keys
Some Nights by Fun.
Babel by Mumford & Sons
Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
Blunderbuss by Jack White
Fun. has a chance to run the table, like Adele did last year, but the band faces some tough competition in this category. In Fun.’s favor is the fact that The Black Keys and Jack White will split voters who otherwise would have sided with one or the other. I really liked El Camino and Blunderbuss, and would not be shocked if either upset Some Nights. But I don’t think that will happen.
Will win: Some Nights by Fun.
Should win: El Camino by The Black Keys
Song Of The Year (a songwriting award presented to the composer[s] of the song)
Nominees:
“The A Team” from Ed Sheeran’s +
“Adorn” from Miguel’s Kaleidoscope Dream
“Call Me Maybe” from Carly Rae Jepsen’s Kiss
“Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)” from Kelly Clarkson’s Stronger
“We Are Young” from Fun.’s Some Nights
A lot of people I’ve talked to don’t recall ever hearing “The A Team” or “Adorn,” but that doesn’t mean either can’t win. “Call Me Maybe” was a huge hit, but it is a bit light for this category. This is a songwriting award, and I think it presents the best opportunity for “Stronger” to take home a Grammy over “We Are Young.”
Will win: “Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)” from Kelly Clarkson’s Stronger
Should win: “We Are Young” from Fun.’s Some Nights
Best New Artist
Nominees:
Alabama Shakes
Fun.
Hunter Hayes
The Lumineers
Frank Ocean
I’ll be very surprised if Fun. doesn’t win this one hands down. But the obvious choice is not necessarily a sure thing. Last year Bon Iver beat Nicki Minaj in this category. Hunter Hayes put out a great country album, and The Lumineers are still riding a huge buzz.
Will win: Fun.
Should win: The Lumineers
Best Pop Solo Performance
Nominees:
“Set Fire To The Rain [Live]” by Adele
“Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)” by Kelly Clarkson
“Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepsen
“Wide Awake” by Katy Perry
“Where Have You Been” by Rihanna
I don’t think Adele’s magic has totally worn off. She will probably pick this Grammy up in a close race with Kelly Clarkson. Katy Perry, who has yet to win a Grammy could score a surprise upset with “Wide Awake.”
Will win: “Set Fire To The Rain [Live]” by Adele
Should win: “Wide Awake” by Katy Perry
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
Nominees:
“Shake It Out” by Florence & The Machine
“We Are Young” by Fun. Featuring Janelle Monáe
“Somebody That I Used To Know” by Gotye Featuring Kimbra
“Sexy And I Know It” by LMFAO
“Payphone” by Maroon 5 & Wiz Khalifa
I don’t see Fun. winning every award they are up for, and the slinky and stylish “Somebody That I Used To Know” should win this category. I’m LMFAO at their nomination, and I hope “Payphone” doesn’t win simply because Maroon 5 lead singer Adam Levine is such a pompous jerk.
Will win: “Somebody That I Used To Know” by Gotye Featuring Kimbra
Should win: “Somebody That I Used To Know” by Gotye Featuring Kimbra
Best Pop Vocal Album
Nominees:
Stronger by Kelly Clarkson
Ceremonials by Florence & The Machine
Some Nights by Fun.
Overexposed by Maroon 5
The Truth About Love by Pink
I have a gut feeling that Kelly Clarkson will bring this one home, even though vocals were one of the strengths of Fun.’s album.
Will win: Stronger by Kelly Clarkson
Should win: Some Nights by Fun.
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Part II of this feature will look at the nominees and predict the winners in eight major categories covering Rock, R&B, and Rap, and Country.
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