I grew up sitting on my living room floor watching The Grammys every year in awe. I loved watching the uber-famous stars in dresses and spiffy outfits, performances I’d remember for years to come, and hoping for the most talented of artists to be rewarded for their accomplishments. It was a night of prestige. I sat in front of the television Sunday night in awe once again, but not for said reasons.
I was more or less shocked that I was even watching The Grammys. I picked up the remote checked the channel a few times, and attempted to restrain my need to throw it at the T.V. What I was looking at was more of a mixture of The Razzies and a Betsy Johnson fashion show. Where do I even begin?
I know we’re not talking about The Oscars here. It’s not all ball gowns and stuffy penguin suits. But is there any originality other than looking like you stepped out of an institution? Lady Gaga looked like a planet. No, seriously – a glittery planet in a yellow wig. Rihanna looked like a feather cushion after a pillow fight.
“But it’s runway! But it’s couture,” but it belongs in the trash.
Imogen Heap was dressed in a see-through petticoat with a studded, well, dog collar. Ciara rocked the feathers followed by a floor length dress of black mesh. Beyonce sat in the audience in a dress made of gold and silver chain link. That’s not trendy, just tacky. It’s not like we don’t expect off-the-wall fashion from some of these celebrities but how far can you go and have it still called fashion? It is an award show. Keep it classy, ladies.
Moving on now to what makes The Grammys prestigious. Of course I’m talking about the music, or so I thought. Many performances anymore are all about scandal, shock value, and the sex factor. This is where The Grammys held my attention and lost me all together. Since when did live acts become medleys? Half of these were carried by musical pioneers that came ages before them. There is a list of Grammys acts that made no sense to me. Beyonce sang an Alanis Morrisette song? The woman doesn’t have enough angst to carry a tune like that. Who can forget Taylor Swift’s act? She sang alongside Stevie Nicks, and the woman made Swift look like the amateur that she is.
There were three of the best combinations I’ve seen in quite a while. Elton John and Lady Gaga blew the roof off of the Staples Center. This is an exception to my dislike of medleys. Two terribly gifted pianists and vocalists, both advocates of equality in sexuality rights, and yet they are of staggeringly different generations. They melded together, while remaining in their own natural state to create an unforgettable act. Put Lady Gaga in front of a piano and the amazing talent she has is showcased. A true artist, with musical and lyrical skills, and shines the most live. I’d say that’s a lost art today.
Next in that list was the stirring duet from Andrea Bocelli and Mary J. Blige. An unlikely and seemingly incompatible pair, that is until they open their mouths. “Bridge Over Troubled Water” is a classic itself, and Bocelli is a musical wonder, but for Blige to hold her own against a famed opera singer shows some serious pipes and gumption. The duet was of course all for a good cause, in the interest of raising funds for Haiti, but I believe it will have a more lasting effect even after Haiti recovers.
Above all, done just as properly as it should have, was the tribute to the late, great Michael Jackson. Simple. Not smoke and mirrors, no rope tricks, no sex appeal, just pure voices in honor of one of the greatest artists there will ever be. Creatively enough, the effect of Jackson’s music was personified by the people chosen to sing in his honor. Bringing together generations, people of different genres and races underneath his music. This was more than fitting for the King of Pop.
The nominations and the awards are what baffled me the most about this year’s Grammys. I have no idea when the raw talent in the nominees was replaced with mixers, soundboards, and synthetic instruments. Today’s Grammy’s seem to honor more manufactured music than ability. Album of the Year sadly goes to Taylor Swift. The girl can write her own music and strum a guitar, but she can’t sing outside of a studio. I would like to think anyone thought highly enough of to win such a prestigious award can sing anywhere. The girl is “relatable” but I don’t think that justifies a Grammy. She now stands alongside legendary greats like U2, Frank Sinatra, Eric Clapton, and The Beatles. If that doesn’t blow your mind, I would have to assume you are musically inept.
Cheers to the 2010 Grammys having passed, and my television still being in one piece after the fact. Here’s to hoping The Grammys will wise up in the coming years and get back in touch with the roots of music and what it takes to be recognized worldwide as an outstanding artist.
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