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This year’s Grammy nominees
The Grammys are over, and here’s what we learned...
By Thomas Mitchell
Well, the 66th annual Grammy Awards are over, and perhaps it makes sense that the night belonged to the industry’s biggest star: Taylor Swift.
Swift made history by becoming the first artist ever to win Album of the Year four times, but in proof that her star power now outranks any award she might ever win, the most jaw-dropping moment arrived not because of what she won, but because of what she announced.
While accepting her 13th career Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Album for Midnights, Swift confirmed her newest record – The Tortured Poets Department – would be arriving on April 19.
Taylor Swift dominated the Grammys not because of what she won, but because she used the platform to announce her brand new album. Credit: Invision
It was a high point in a night full of high points, the Grammys shaking off past mishaps to serve up an all-together, fun, seamless and touching awards ceremony.
It was heavy on nostalgia, with plenty of love for treasured artists of the past, as Tracy Chapman, Joni Mitchell, Billy Joel, Annie Lennox and Stevie Wonder all had their “moments,” throughout the broadcast.
Mitchell especially stole the show, a quietly breathtaking performance of Both Sides Now reminding us all that talent never fades.
Joni Mitchell performs Both Sides Now at the 66th Grammy Awards.Credit: Invision
Host Trevor Noah proved that less is sometimes more, keeping things ticking along while never making the show about him. Fan favourite Miley Cyrus proved that she’s still got it, with Flowers taking home two Grammys, while Billie Eilish kept the Barbie bubble from bursting by snatching song of the year with What Was I Made For?
No doubt there will be further discussion on where the 66th annual Grammy Awards ranks in terms of awards shows, but at first glance, it was a night that looked to offend no one, honoured those who have come before and tried to wrap up at a reasonable hour.
There is an argument to be made that, like most major awards ceremonies, the Grammys continue to obsess over the past while ignoring the future.
Kylie Minogue won the award for best pop dance recording at the 66th Grammy Awards.Credit: AP
While contemporary stars like Dua Lipa and Olivia Rodrigo performed at the top of the show, Billy Joel was given the honour of closing out the show (with two performances). Obviously, Billy Joel is great (he’s the piano man!), but as awards shows look to try and capture a new audience, they must try to balance celebrating beloved icons and supporting the stars of tomorrow.
Anyway, all in all, it was a great Grammys; Taylor goes home happy, her fans will melt down, and Travis Kelce is probably super confused but excited,
It’s also worth noting that Kylie Minogue won, which meant Troye Sivan lost, but either way, it’s a win for the little guy (the little guy being Australia).
OK, that’s it from us. You can read our full analysis of the Grammys here. Thanks for being with us, and we’ll see you again soon!
In a record win, Taylor Swift gets her fourth album of the year
By Robert Moran
And there’s the record win for Taylor Swift, and the ending the Grammys (and really, everyone) wanted.
Swift claims the album of the year prize for Midnights – it’s her fourth album of the year win (she previously won for Fearless in 2010, 1989 in 2016, and Folklore in 2021), and now, at 34, she’s become the first artist to win four album of the year Grammys, overtaking Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon and Frank Sinatra.
Taylor Swift wins album of the year.Credit: Getty
She accepts the prize from Celine Dion, who stepped away from performing because of stiff-person syndrome, a neurological disorder that’s affected her ability to walk and sing. Taylor’s shocked.
“Oh my God,” she gasps, and starts by thanking her “once in a generation” producer Jack Antonoff and her friend Lana Del Rey, “a legacy artist, a legend in her prime right now”.
“I would love to tell you that this is the best moment of my life,” Swift says, “but I feel this happy when I finish a song, or when I crack the code to a bridge I love, or when I’m shot-listing a music video, or when I’m rehearsing with my dancers or my band, or getting ready to go to Tokyo to play a show.
“For me, the award is the work. All I want to do is keep being able to do this, I love it so much, it makes me so happy,” she says. “Mind blown, thank you so much.”
A record Grammy win, a new album announcement, and she still has a Super Bowl appearance and an Australian tour to come this month – who else feels like we’re just living in Taylor Swift’s simulation?
All class, no underwear: Miley pips Taylor, Billie to win record of the year
By Thomas Mitchell
Miley Cyrus has pipped favourite Taylor Swift, as well as Olivia Rodrigo and Billie Eilish, to take home Record of the Year.
Having already won a Pop Solo Performance for her song Flowers, Miley picked up her second Grammy of the evening. “This award is amazing, but I hope it doesn’t change anything because my life was beautiful yesterday,” said Cyrus.
Miley Cyrus arrives at the 66th annual Grammy Awards.
Cyrus then closed out her acceptance speech in the most Cyrus way possible.
Having thanked all of her friends and family, Cyrus said: “I don’t think I’ve forgotten anyone, but I may have forgotten underwear.”
Oh, she’s just being Miley.
Sing it, Piano Man
By Robert Moran
Here’s Billy Joel with Turn the Lights Back On, which the 74-year-old says is his first new song in 30 years, even though technically, it’s his first in 17 years. We understand, Billy. The years blur.
Billy Joel performs Turn The Lights Back On during the 66th annual Grammy Awards.Credit: Getty
As a song symbolically touching on his return to music (“Did I wait too long to turn the light back on?“), it’s anthemic. But I’ve gotta say, I prefer Fall Out Boy’s remake of We Didn’t Start the Fire from last year. Sing it with me! “Captain Planet, Arab Spring...”
Victoria Monét wins best new artist
By Thomas Mitchell
At 34 years old, and having released her debut EP a decade ago, Victoria Monét may not feel that new, but the Sacramento-native has had an enormous twelve months off the back of her soulful track, On My Mama.
“Thank you to the champagne servers tonight,” said Monét, before recounting just how long it took for her to be recognised as the Best New Artist (spoiler alter: it was fifteen years).
Victoria Monet accepts the award for best new artist.Credit: Getty
Earlier this week, Monét told CBS that she recorded the song about six weeks after giving birth to her daughter, with the process helping her survive postpartum depression: “I had to step out of myself and say, ‘What would Victoria need to hear from someone else? And now say that to yourself.’”
Quite the success story for this Best New Artist.
This has been a very good Grammys
By Robert Moran
It’s been a great awards night, and particularly a great celebration of female artists. Some incredible performances, and headline-grabbing acceptance speeches, have made this one of the more memorable Grammys in recent years.
Joni Mitchell doing a remarkable version of Both Sides Now that, coming at 80, completely redefined its presence; Annie Lennox, shedding mascara, with a strong tribute to her friend Sinead O’Connor; and Tracy Chapman returning to her iconic Fast Car.
Annie Lennox pays tribute to Sinead O’Connor.Credit: Invision
We’ve also had Miley vamping like a Broadway diva, Taylor Swift just casually dropping a new album, and just then a surprise cameo from R&B legend Brandy, reprising her classic Top of the World, sampled in Burna Boy’s Sittin’ on Top of the World.
That’s an impressive highlights reel. And we still haven’t reached the biggest awards yet!
Joni Mitchell, 80, performs at the Grammys for the first time
By Thomas Mitchell
Joni Mitchell has made history by performing at the Grammys for the first time ever.
Joni Mitchell performs Both Sides Now at the 66th Grammy Awards.Credit: Invision
The 80-year-old, who also won the Grammy for best folk album, performed Both Sides Now, joined on stage by Brandi Carlile, who introduced the legendary singer-songwriter.
The singer’s performance was met by a standing ovation, with Meryl Streep, Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Olivia Rodrigo, Taylor Swift and Dua Lipa leading the charge.
The moving performance was one of the highlights of the night, triggering many online commentators to wonder who would be the poor artist tasked with following Joni Mitchell.
The answer? Travis Scott. Oh, Grammys. Never change.
The song of the year goes to.… Barbie?
By Robert Moran
It’s the first of the big four awards, the song of the year awarded for songwriting, and it goes to Billie Eilish and Finneas for their Barbie track, What Was I Made For?. Go back there, take your time – I totally picked it. This is some classic Grammys malarkey.
Finneas, left, and Billie Eilish accept the award for song of the year for What Was I Made For?. Credit: Invision
“Damn, that’s stupid, guys!” Eilish exclaims onstage. “I’m shocked out of my balls.”
She thanks Greta Gerwig for “making the best movie of the year”, and even throws out a thanks to our Margot Robbie. It’s Billie (and Finneas’) second song of the year win, after winning for Bad Guy in 2020.
“Damn, that’s stupid, guys!” Credit: Invision
‘Some of you don’t even belong in the category’: Jay-Z wins impact award, doesn’t hold back
By Thomas Mitchell
If there were ever an award I would give a limb to win, it would be the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award.
Unfortunately, tonight’s winner was Jay-Z (he deserves it more, to be honest), and the hip-hop icon took to the stage, alongside daughter Blue Ivy, to accept the award before dragging the very organisation that was honouring him.
Jay-Z accepts the Dr. Dre global impact award with daughter Blue Ivy Carter.Credit: Invision
While Jay Z paid tribute to the artists that came before him, he also called out the institution for its past failings. “Get it right, or at least get it close to right,” said Jay.
Jay-Z then shifted focus to the Grammy’s perceived poor treatment of his wife, Beyoncé. Despite being one of the most successful recording artists of all time, Beyoncé has been historically overlooked in the major categories.
“She has the most Grammys and never won album of the year – that doesn’t work.”
He then continued dropping truth bombs, telling the audience, “Some of you don’t even belong in the category,” said Jay. Before adding, “Sorry, when I get nervous, I tell the truth.”
Annie Lennox pays tribute Sinead O’Connor, Stevie Wonder to Tony Bennett
By Robert Moran
Perhaps. It was definitely the longest. If you’ve ever wondered why the tributes to the dead at awards shows are always such insincere rush jobs, then wait till you see this one: this is no throwaway in memoriam segment.
To start with, Stevie Wonder offers a tribute to the late Tony Bennett, praising their friendship, before doing an entire swinging duet of For Once in My Life and The Best is Yet to Come with the guy himself there on a screen. It’s almost a resurrection.
Stevie Wonder pays tribute to Tony Bennett.Credit: Invision
… who is resurrected on screen.Credit: Invision
Following that, there’s Annie Lennox doing an incredibly emotional version of Sinead O’Connor’s Nothing Compares 2U, with mascara dripping from her eyes. It’s heartbreaking.
Annie Lennox pays tribute to Sinead O’Connor.Credit: Invision
If that’s not enough, then we have Jon Batiste and Jam and Lewis offering an extended tribute to late record executive Clarence Avant (the “godfather of black entertainment”), who helped launch the careers of legends including Bill Withers and Quincy Jones. “The joy of living is still available to us!” yells Batiste when he’s done, which seems slightly insensitive.
But we’re not done yet! ’Cause here’s Oprah to celebrate the late Tina Turner. “Tina Turner is our forever goddess of rock ‘n’ roll… a moving symbol of grace and grit, soul and power.” Fantasia Barrino, star of The Color Purple, takes the stage to sing a stirring Proud Mary, which also involves getting Dua Lipa to “move your hips for Tina Turner”.
Fantasia Barrino performs a tribute to Tina Turner.Credit: Invision
Now that’s how you do it, that’s how you respect the dead.
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2024-02-05 05:16:41Z
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