The songs and artists are listed as:
Who won.
Who should have won.

BEST POP PERFORMANCE – DUO OR GROUP

“Hey, Soul Sister (Live)” – Train

Despite starting off as the most infectious and delightful song of the summer but slowly turning into a song that made you want to bang your head against a wall, there is no denying that it is catchy. Earning Train their third Grammy, this well deserved award laments that this track, as annoying as it became, is a solid song which is more than just an anthem for the easy-going.

BEST FEMALE COUNTRY VOCAL PERFORMANCE

“The House That Built Me” – Miranda Lambert

I know virtually nothing about country music, so I cannot say if she deserved this award or not. Based on her performance, however, the other nominees must be really bad.

BEST ROCK ALBUM

“The Resistance” – Muse

I can honestly say that this album is the only one that I am mildly familiar with. However, I can say this:  When it comes to categories such as these when the new meet the old, I root for the new, fresh faces. The others have had their chance to win and now it is time for a new class to come in.

BEST POP VOCAL ALBUM

“The Fame Monster” – Lady Gaga

Now, I believe that Lady Gaga has grown to become extremely overrated, but there is no denying that she very much deserves this award.  Susan Boyle is talented, but she is not easily slid into the category defined as “pop.” John Mayer, yes, could be considered pop, but he dances on the line of blues or rock and any fan will fight you on that. I love Katy Perry as much as the next person, but I do not exactly believe the bubblegum “Teenage Dream” deserved the nod it received. And Justin Bieber…need I say more? So, what does that leave us with? Lady Gaga. Congratulations on your win that is solely based on logic!

BEST COUNTRY ALBUM

“Need You Now” – Lady Antebellum

Once again, I know next to nothing about country music but I do know who Lady Antebellum are. After several successful crossover songs, it could easily be said that this album is well liked. However, I find it hard to believe that it is the best around. But, then again, what to I know about the world of twang?

SONG OF THE YEAR

“Need You Now” – Lady Antebellum
“Forget You” – Cee-Lo Green

My question in response to this decision is whatever happened with the accusations that the title track was actually copied off of the Alan Parsons Project’s ‘80s hit “Eye in the Sky?” Coldplay did face similar allegations in 2009 with “Viva La Vida,” which they similarly went onto win two Grammys for, but that does not mean this trend needs to continue. Hopefully it ends here. Cee-Lo Green deserved the win for his catchy break-up song which challenged radio editors across the nation. The funky song was one of the most original of the year and it was nearly impossible to not sing along to. Needless to say, I am disappointed.

BEST NEW ARTIST

Esperanza Spalding

I do not know how to write this one. From what I have gathered, Ms. Spalding is supposed to be extremely talented. However, I was pulling for the likes of Florence +the Machine, Mumford & Sons or Drake. Hopefully Spalding and her upright bass will be here to stay, proving that they are worthy of this extreme honor, especially after defeating such well known rising stars.

BEST RAP ALBUM

“Recovery” – Eminem

I know even less about rap than I do about country music, but even I know that this was a no-brainer. After fans waited years for a solid album (Yes, I am excluding “Relapse”) and this record dominated the charts, Eminem deserves to add a sixth Best Rap Album award to his collection.

RECORD OF THE YEAR

“Need You Now” – Lady Antebellum
“Love the Way You Lie” – Eminem ft. Rihanna

AGAIN? I had to listen to “Love the Way You Lie” how many times on the radio and it receives nothing? Honestly, I am not a rap fan or a country fan but Eminem and Rihanna’s track is much more original and deserving of such a prestigious award such as this. A song which handles a heavy subject such as abusive relationship losing to a song about drunken pining for lost love? Please.

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

“The Suburbs” – Arcade Fire

If you had never heard of Arcade Fire, you surely have now. After giving a very flashy performance, the Canadian rockers picked up the award, stunned, and proceeded to perform a second song. Despite taking home the biggest award of the night, the crowd appeared extremely unenthused and rather extremely confused. I do not know their music very well and they appear to be extremely talented. However, an award such of this was better deserved for someone such as Lady Gaga or Eminem. However, the Album of the Year category seems to skip years: one year going to an album that is virtually unknown among the average American and the next year going to a smash hit and household name. Potentially being the biggest upset of the night, most indie fans are likely rejoicing but the mainstream folk sit with their jaws wide open, flabbergasted.

*COMMENTARY GIVEN ONLY ON AWARDS PRESENTED ON THE SHOW. MULTIPLE OTHER AWARDS GIVEN OUT. OPINIONS IN THE COMMENTARY DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE OPINIONS OF ALL MEMBERS OF THE STAFF OR OHS.*