Tonight’s 55th Annual Grammy Awards aired on CBS 58 in Milwaukee, starting at 7 p.m. For the second year in a row, LL Cool J was responsible for hosting the show, which was held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Taylor Swift kicked the night off with “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” before LL Cool J took the stage for a lengthy speech on what the Grammy’s mean to him. He ended by telling everyone it is their show. LL introduced Ed Sheeran, who performed “The A-Team” with Elton John.
Pitbull and Jennifer Lopez presented the award for Best Pop Solo Performance. Jennifer joked that she read the memo, referring to the memo the Grammy’s sent out regarding the dress code, referring to the incredibly long slit in her dress that revealed her entire right leg. The award nominees were: Adele for “Set Fire to the Rain,” Kelly Clarkson for “Stronger,” Carly Rae Jepsen for “Call Me Maybe,” Katy Perry for “Wide Awake,” and Rihanna for “Where Have You Been.” It was a very surprised and grateful Adele who took home the award.
Neil Patrick Harris introduced Fun., who performed “Carry On,” through the downpour of rain that came down in the middle of their song. After their performance, Bonnie Raitt and John Mayer introduced Miranda Lambert and Dierks Bentley, who sang “Over You” and “Home.” Miguel and Wiz Khalifa performed next, before presenting the award for Best Country Solo Performance. The nominees were: Dierks Bentley for “Home,” Eric Church for “Springsteen,” Ronnie Dunn for “Cost of Livin’,” Hunter Hayes for “Wanted,” Blake Shelton for “Over,” and Carrie Underwood for “Blown Away.” Carrie Underwood won the award.
Faith Hill and Tim McGraw presented the award for Song of the Year. Ed Sheeran was nominated for “The A-Team,” Miguel for “Adorn,” Carly Rae Jepsen for “Call Me Maybe,” Kelly Clarkson for “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You),” and Fun. for “We Are Young.” Fun. won their first Grammy and joked that everyone can see they are not young, and they didn’t know what they were thinking when they wrote the chorus.
Johnny Depp introduced Mumford & Sons, who performed “I Will Wait.” Ellen DeGeneres and Beyonce were very excited to introduce Justin Timberlake. He received a standing ovation from the crowd before singing his new single, “Suit and Tie,” joined by Jay-Z, as the telecast broadcasted it in only black and white. He then sang “Pusher Love Girl.”
Kelly Rowland and Nas presented the award for Best Urban Contemporary Album. Chris Brown was nominated for “Fortune,” Miguel for “Kaleidoscope Dreams,” and Frank Ocean for “Channel Orange,” and it was Frank Ocean who won the award.
Dave Grohl and Pauley Perrette presented the award for Best Rock Performance. The nominees were: The Black Keys “Lonely Boy,” Alabama Shakes “Hold On,” Coldplay “Charlie Brown,” Mumford & Sons “I Will Wait,” and Bruce Springsteen “We Take Care of Our Own.” The Black Keys took home the award.
Maroon 5 and Alicia Keys performed “Girl On Fire” and “Daylight.” Next up were Kaley Cuoco and Keith Urban, who presented the award for Best Pop Vocal Album. The nominees were: Kelly Clarkson “Stronger,” Florence and the Machine “Ceremonials,” Fun. “Some Nights,” Maroon 5 “Overexposed,” and Pink “The Truth About Love.” Kelly Clarkson was completely shocked to win the award, hugged Miranda Lambert and got stuck on her way up to accept the award, and joked that she hadn’t heard of Miguel, but that they need to sing together.
Rihanna sang “Stay,” accompanied by Mikky Ekko. Kat Dennings then introduced The Black Keys, who performed “Lonely Boy.” Kelly Clarkson sang tributes to the lifetime achievement award winners, Patti Page and Carole King. She then presented the award for Best Country Album. Zac Brown Band “Uncaged,” Hunter Hayes “Hunter Hayes,” Jamey Johnson “Living For a Song: A Tribute To Hank Cochran,” Miranda Lambert “Four the Record,” and The Time Jumpers “The Time Jumpers” were nominated, and the Zac Brown Band won.
Bruno Mars kicked off a tribute to Bob Marley with “Locked Out of Heaven.” Sting joined him on stage and sang a verse before they were also joined by Rihanna and Ziggy Marley for “Could You Be Loved.” Next up were The Lumineers, with “Ho Hey.” Jack White sang “Love Interruption” and “Freedom at 21.”
Katy Perry presented the award for Best New Artist, which she said is her favorite award. The nominees were: Alabama Shakes, Fun., Hunter Hayes, The Lumineers, and Frank Ocean. As expected, Fun. took home the award.
Hunter Hayes sang a portion of “Wanted” before introducing his current tour-mate, Carrie Underwood, who sang “Blown Away” and “Two Black Cadillacs” as her dress illuminated into blue and purple fireworks, roses, and butterflies to match what she was singing in the song.
Prince presented the award for Record of the Year. The Black Keys were nominated for “Lonely Boy,” Kelly Clarkson for “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You),” Fun. featuring Janelle Monae for “We Are Young,” Gotye featuring Kimbra for “Somebody That I Used to Know,” Frank Ocean for “Thinkin’ About You,” and Taylor Swift for “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together.” Gotye won the award and thanked everyone for putting positive energy into this world by making music.
Elton John, Zac Brown, T Bone Burnett, Mavis Staples, Mumford & Sons, and Brittany Howard (from Alabama Shakes) paid tribute to those who have passed away in the last year, along with those lost in the Sandy Hook tragedy.
Frank Ocean performed “Forrest Gump” before Adele presented the award for Album of the Year. The nominees were: The Black Keys “El Camino,” Fun. “Some Nights,” Mumford & Sons “Babel,” Frank Ocean “Channel Orange,” and Jack White “Blunderbuss.” Mumford & Sons took home the award.
LL Cool J closed out the night with a performance of his own, going right back to his rap days.
What did you think of tonight’s show? Did any of your favorites take home an award? Was there anyone you thought deserved to win who did not? What performance was your favorite? Leave a comment below!
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