Beyonce confirmed her status as the biggest fish in the pop music world by taking home six Grammy awards last night, including, of course, song of the year for her hit “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It).” But she wasn’t alone in the spotlight. Twenty-year-old Taylor Swift was right behind her with four wins including album of the year for her record “Fearless.”
Following the trend in award shows of all stripes this year, including the Oscars, the Grammys favored big names and big sellers instead of artier choices. Hopes of raising the television ratings of these splashy (and expensive) awards nights sent awards to The Black Eyed Peas and Kings Of Leon – performers with broad followings – just as it sent Golden Globe awards to movies like The Hangover.
The Grammys made a conscious effort this year to mix older, more established artists with their younger counterparts. Lady Gaga sang a duet with Elton John – a medley of her “Speechless” and his “Your Song.” Ms. Swift shared the stage with Stevie Nicks in a medley of her “You Belong With Me” and Fleetwood Mac’s “Rhiannon.”
For all this celebration of youth, the ceremony made room for older legends. A 3-D tribute to Michael Jackson included Smokey Robinson, Celine Dion, Jennifer Hudson and Carrie Underwood singing along with Jackson’s recorded voice in the ecological hymn “Earth Song.” Jackson’s older children, Prince and Paris, accepted their father’s lifetime achievement award. Prince spoke haultingly, but clearly, of spreading his father’s message of love to the world.
The ceremony did its part in spreading a little love in the world – iTunes download proceeds from Mary J. Blige and Andrea Bocelli’s duet of “Bridge Over Troubled Waters” will go to the Haitian relief efforts.
Comments
morgan
February 1st, 2010 - 11:17:39 AM
u are the best
1