Grammys 2009

The Grammys are the musical Oscars, everybody wants one. The 2009 ceremony takes place tomorrow night (Sunday). Each year there are some killer performances and some surprise wins. The Grammys are like the older, classier sister to the Brit naughty, eccentric younger brother.

Past performances have become historic and artists are always raising the bar with how they present themselves during this prestigious night. Performers at this years bash apparently include Katy Perry (Style over content), Coldplay, U2, The Jonas Brother (trying to appeal to a younger audience, i guess, no other reason for them), Lil' Wayne (The biggest act in America right now), Jennifer Hudson (no doubt will receive a standing ovation due to the horrific events she has endured lately) and Adele (doing it for us Brits). They have a lot to live up to performance wise, with some of the greatest artists in the world having put in career defining performances during Grammy's 50 year history.

Michael Jackson proved his talents during 1988 with a heartfelt performance of 'Man In The Mirror', it was during these years he was one the ascent to the global megastar he is today. Whitney Houston had her debut Grammy performance with 'One Moment in Time' and Marvin Gaye gave his Grammy swan song with 'Sexual Healing'. Christina Aguilera has put in a couple of belting performance, no more so than her James Brown tribute in which some suggested that, for a brief moment, her body was taken over by the spirit of the late Brown himself. That same year Mary J. Blige brought the house down with an emotional, powerful performance of her winning song 'Be Without You' which ended with the classic 'Stay With Me Baby'.



But there is one person who has put in not just one but three memorable and Grammy defining performances. It is of course Beyonce (yes her again). Last year she introduced and then helped end the Grammy comeback performance of Tina Turner. Their homage to the classic Turner 'Proud Mary' dance was magic. It was 2004, though, that Beyonce showed just how much of a star she was, first she performed with music legend Prince, then she sung her beautiful ballad 'Dangerously in Love part 2' which was dressed in a picture frame and was mesmerising to watch.

Beating the performances in Grammy column inches is always the winners and losers. This year there is a mixed bag of nominees, with some very predictable outcomes. However there is a great focus on British artists, which is probably due to the great success they've had lately and of course Winehouse's wins last year.

Below are some of the nominations with who i would like to see win, the bookies favourites and who i think will win.


Record of the Year:

"Chasing Pavements" - Adele
"Viva La Vida" - Coldplay
"Bleeding Love" - Leona Lewis
"Paper Planes" - M.I.A
"Please Read The Letter" - Robert Plant & Alison Krauss

Bookies: Leona Lewis
Want: Adele
Think: Coldplay - Just think they will edge it.

Album of the Year:
"Raising Sand" - Robert Plant and Alison Krauss
"Viva La Vida" - Coldplay
"Tha Carter III" - Lil Wayne
"Year of the Gentleman" - Ne-Yo
"In Rainbows" - Radiohead

Bookies: Robert Plant and Alison Krauss
Want: Ne-Yo
Think: Robert Plant and Alison Krauss - it's the type of thing that seems to win album of the year.

Song of the Year:

"American Boy" - Estelle featuring Kanye West (William Adams, Keith Harris, Josh Lopez, Caleb Speir, John Stephens, Estelle Swaray & Kanye West, songwriters)
"Chasing Pavements" - Adele (Adele Adkins & Eg White)
"I'm Yours" - Jason Mraz
"Love Song" - Sara Bareilles
"Viva La Vida" - Coldplay (Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion, & Chris Martin

Bookies: Coldplay
Want: Adele
Think: Coldplay - If they get record of the year then this will be in the bag, though I'd rather it went to Adele

Best New Artist:
Adele
Duffy
The Jonas Brothers
Lady Antebellum
Jazmine Sullivan

Bookies: Jazmine Sullivan
Want: Adele
Think: The Jonas Brother - this seems to usually go to a more commercial artist, but we'll see. Would be happy for either Duffy or Adele to win.

Best Female Pop Vocal Performance:

"Chasing Pavements" - Adele
"Love Song" - Sara Bareilles
"Mercy" - Duffy
"Bleeding Love" - Leona Lewis
"I Kissed A Girl" - Katy Perry
"So What" - Pink

Bookies: Leona Lewis
Want: Leona Lewis
Think: Adele - Her dominance in the more lofty categories could see a token award if she doesn't get the others, and if she does then she will probably get this one too

Best Pop Vocal Album:
"Detours" - Sheryl Crow
"Rockferry" - Duffy
"Long Road Out Of Eden" - Eagles
"Spirit" - Leona Lewis
"Covers" - James Taylor

Bookies: Leona Lewis
Want: Duffy
Think: Duffy or James Taylor - I'm torn by this one, Taylor seems more Grammy friendly, but Leona has been riding high. Duffy could just swipe it as her album is well crafted and ultimately much better than Lewis's.