Standout performances for me included the dramatic opener starring Lady Gaga and Sir Elton John, P!nk's high-flying (and soaking wet) number and the Michael Jackson tribute featuring Usher, Celine Dion, Jennifer Hudson, Carrie Underwood and Smokey Robinson (minus the 3D FX). Halfway decent performances included Green Day's "21 Guns" performed by the cast of the American Idiot musical, the Jamie Foxx/T-Pain/Slash & Doug E. Fresh spectacle, the Les Paul tribute with Jeff Beck & Imelda May and The Black Eyed Peas doing "Imma Be"/"I Gotta Feeling." Disappointing performances included Beyoncé's "If I Were A Boy"/"You Oughta Know" medley and Taylor Swift's off-key "Today Was A Fairytale"/"Rhiannon"/"You Belong With Me" (the latter two featuring an appearance by Stevie Nicks) medley. The Fast-Forward-Worthy performances for me included Bon Jovi, DMB, Lady Antebellum, Maxwell and The Zac Brown Band.
All in all it was a good show. I did get excited for a minute when I thought Stephen Colbert was going to be hosting the show, but then I realized that the Grammys typically don't have a host. All the better if you ask me. It was overall GREAT seeing all of the musicians and miscellaneous stars of film and television present awards and random Lifetime Achievement awards. It was also great hearing someone from the industry telling the television audience to help support the artists by buying music legally. We'll see if America listens. Hopefully they do.
The only thing I'm really left on the fence about is the whole appearance by Michael Jackson's children - Paris & Prince Michael. Did they want to be there or did someone else want them to be there? I would like to think that they wanted to be there to honor their father. Both kids were obviously nervous, but felt the need to speak out about their father. It was touching in a way, but also rather unnerving.
Music's Biggest Night was just that for CBS. 25.8 million Americans tuned in to watch the broadcast which is the largest audience for the telecast in six years. Pretty impressive!
Here's a rundown of some of the bigger categories:
Record Of The Year: Kings Of Leon - "Use Somebody" (given the choices, I would have to agree)
Album Of The Year: Taylor Swift - Fearless (not necessarily my first choice, but good for her)
Song Of The Year: Beyoncé - "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)" (DEFINITELY agree)
Best New Artist: Zac Brown Band (I personally was for The Ting Tings but whatever)
For a full list of the nominees and winners, check out Grammy.com.