I would have been happy with this year's Grammy awards after the end of the very first segment! I grew up in a house hooked on Motown. My parents were huge Motown fans and the soundtrack to my childhood dances with the beats of Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, the Jackson 5, Smokey Robinson and Marvin Gaye. When I read online earlier in the week that the show would include a tribute to the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, I was elated. What the broadcast delivered was more than I could have hoped for! Check it out:
Though Christina is 100 percent abusing alcohol at this present moment in her life (double chin to prove it), the girl can sing! I loved Jennifer Hudson (who looks the best she has ever looked in her life. Thank you, Weight Watchers). I was thrilled to see indie songstress Florence (of Florence + the Machine) included. At first I thought she was an odd choice, but as soon as she started singing, I was totally into it! Martina McBride and Yolanda Adams rounded out the divas. I have to say, the only two things that could have made the tribute better: Mariah Carey and "Chain of Fools."
I also jumped for joy when Bruno Mars (who I already adore. Buy his album "Doo Wops & Hooligans") sang a doo wop version of his current pop single "Grenade." How incredible was that? B.o.B. and Janelle Monae complimented his performance, both of whom I also enjoy.
We move onto Katy Perry's performance, which was surprisingly poignant and included real video footage from her wedding to Russell Brand. Then she transitioned into the undeniably infectious "Teenage Dream" and had the whole crowd singing along, even Nicole Kidman! I think I might have even seen her forehead move. Maybe.
Let's also give it up for Mick Jagger! Two hundred years old and still moving around the stage like a twenty year old! We should all be so lucky.
I also nearly died from the beautiful rendition of Dolly Parton's "Jolene" sung by Norah Jones, John Mayer and Keith Urban. I hope they really record that and that we can buy it on iTunes in the very near future! Can you hear me, universe?
This broadcast I made a new discovery. During the powerhouse performance from Eminem, Dr. Dre and Rihanna, all I could focus on was the beautiful voice of Skylar Grey. Who is this girl and can I please hear her entire album?
My final bit of praise before moving onto the crap. Can we have a round of applause for the cutest parents on the planet - Will and Jada Smith - who sang along to every word while their son Jayden rapped alongside Justin Bieber. In the words of Rachel Zoe, "I die."
Now the fun part! The stuff I hated!
Let's begin with Cee Lo Green and Gwyneth Paltrow. Now, let me say that I love "F**k You." I think it is one of the best break up anthems I have ever heard. That being said, Cee Lo looked like something that escaped from the Macy's Day Parade! Then Gwyneth teeters onto the scene in heels she clearly cannot walk in and instead of singing along and bopping to the song, I spend the entire rest of the number nervously watching her and waiting for her to fall. Especially when she decided to stand on top of the piano! That could have been her demise.
Esperanza Spalding winning Best New Artist. Whether you love him or hate him, we all know that trophy belonged to the Biebs. The kid has been nothing short of a pop culture phenomenon and he lost his one guaranteed Grammy to someone that no one has ever heard of? Cruel.
Was everyone else as bored by Lady GaGa's performance as I was? I realize that "Born this Way" is sort of like her version of Christina Aguilera's "Beautiful," a song that has a strong, positive message, and thus she doesn't want to over do it with costumes and pyro, but this was just boring. And the egg? Really, GaGa?
My last thumbs down is to the Recording Academy, who gave Matthew Morrison of Glee a pretty important role in the broadcast and then had high school age musicians play loudly while he was trying to read his lines. Do you want us to hear him or not?
What did you think music fans? Highlights? Train wrecks? Leave your thoughts below!
