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The Black Keys, El Camino
- Fun., Some Nights
- Mumford & Sons, Babel
- Frank Ocean, Channel ORANGE
- Jack White, Blunderbuss
WHO SHOULD WIN: Some Nights. This past year, Fun. has not only stepped out onto the music scene, but the brand new band has also released three hit singles from their debut album: “We Are Young (feat. Janelle Monáe),” “Some Nights,” and “Carry On.”
WHO WILL WIN: Babel. The British indie-folk band’s sophomore album has been enormously popular all around the world. Mumford & Sons is one of the most experienced out of the bunch, which increases their chances of winning the Grammy.
WHO SHOULD HAVE BEEN LEFT OUT: Blunderbuss. Being White’s rookie album, it doesn’t give him much of an opportunity to win this category. With their own debut albums also nominated, Ocean and Fun. will give White a run for his money.
WHO SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOMINATED: Pink, The Truth About Love. It would’ve been nice to see Pink in the running for album of the year. With “Blow Me (One Last Kiss)” and “Try” as her leading singles, the pop-rock acrobat has blown away our expectations with her sixth career album.
RECORD OF THE YEAR
- The Black Keys, “Lonely Boy”
- Kelly Clarkson, “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)”
- Fun., “We Are Young (feat. Janelle Monáe)”
- Gotye, “Somebody That I Used to Know (feat. Kimbra)”
- Frank Ocean, “Thinkin Bout You”
- Taylor Swift, “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together”
WHO SHOULD WIN: “Somebody That I Used to Know.” The probable runner up with his sights set on beating Fun. is Belgian-Australian singer-musician Gotye. The unique sound showcased by “Somebody That I Used to Know” caught the world by surprise.
WHO WILL WIN: “We Are Young.” Fun. is the favorite here solely because this song basically took over iTunes and radio stations everywhere since its release. The newfound New York band will be one of the fiercest contenders on the night of the Grammy’s.
WHO SHOULD HAVE BEEN LEFT OUT: “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together.” Although it is infectiously catchy, this tune repeats itself over and over and over again. Just because it is sung by Taylor Swift doesn’t mean it should be nominated for a Grammy.
WHO SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOMINATED: The Wanted, “Glad You Came.” The next British boy band to step out on the music scene made a huge statement this year with two hit singles, including this one that was masterfully mixed.
BEST NEW ARTIST
- Alabama Shakes
- Fun.
- Hunter Hayes
- The Lumineers
- Frank Ocean
WHO SHOULD WIN: Hunter Hayes. Well, to be fair, Fun. should definitely win this category with no problem, but Hunter Hayes has been a breakout country star this year with “Wanted,” and he deserves at least some praise.
WHO WILL WIN: Fun. It is practically a no-brainer to type in Fun. as the projected winner of Best New Artist. “We Are Young” and “Some Nights” simply explain why.
WHO SHOULD HAVE BEEN LEFT OUT: Alabama Shakes. The first thing that comes to mind with this band is a bunch of country hicks sitting around playing their banjos. Apparently, they have three nominations at the Grammy’s. Who knew.
WHO SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOMINATED: Ed Sheeran. Perhaps this ginger Brit might have appreciated at least a nod for this category. Sheeran has collaborated with Taylor Swift, and he even performed at the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee this summer in the UK.
BEST POP VOCAL ALBUM
- Kelly Clarkson, Stronger
- Florence and the Machine, Ceremonials
- Fun., Some Nights
- Maroon 5, Overexposed
- Pink, The Truth About Love
WHO SHOULD WIN: Stronger. Clarkson won this category for Breakaway in 2005. It is totally possible for her to do it again with Stronger, but this is a tough category—even for America’s sweetheart.
WHO WILL WIN: Some Nights.Votes are going to be split between Stronger and The Truth About Love. The Academy is going to go with the certain favorite; the band who will most likely sweep every category they are nominated in.
WHO SHOULD HAVE BEEN LEFT OUT: Overexposed. Besides the two hit singles, “Payphone” and “One More Night,” this album is really nothing special. It is fair to say that Maroon 5 has slacked off a bit with their fourth studio album.
WHO SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOMINATED: Justin Bieber, Believe. Surprisingly, pop’s boy-wonder did not receive a nomination in this category. Bieber released three addicting singles this year— all coming off of this his third album. Maybe the Academy is a little too over “Bieber-fever.”
SONG OF THE YEAR
- Ed Sheeran, “The A Team”
- Miguel, “Adorn”
- Carly Rae Jepsen, “Call Me Maybe”
- Kelly Clarkson, “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)”
- Fun., “We Are Young (feat. Janelle Monáe)”
WHO SHOULD WIN: “We Are Young.” This category may be the only disappointing moment of the night for Fun. The song has a good chance of winning, but with “Call Me Maybe” in the same category, who knows what will happen.
WHO WILL WIN: “Call Me Maybe.” Even the most ridiculous songs win this category every year, so who’s to say it won’t happen again?
WHO SHOULD HAVE BEEN LEFT OUT: “Adorn.” Although this tune was madly popular this year, the amount of swag it possesses is just not enough to make it a sure favorite in this category.
WHO SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOMINATED: One Direction, “What Makes You Beautiful.” Not sure why this mega-hit was not nominated. The song topped charts pretty much all summer—which is impressive, as it was the boy band’s first single ever. If it was considered, there is no doubt it would have defeated “Call Me Maybe.”
BEST POP SOLO PERFORMANCE
- Adele, “Set Fire to the Rain (Live)”
- Kelly Clarkson, “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)”
- Carly Rae Jepsen, “Call Me Maybe”
- Katy Perry, “Wide Awake”
- Rihanna, “Where Have You Been”
WHO SHOULD WIN: Adele, “Set Fire to the Rain (Live).” After having surgery on her vocal cords last year, many thought that the Brit would never be able to sing as perfectly as she did before. However, she came back more powerful than ever with this dynamic live version of “Set Fire to the Rain.”
WHO WILL WIN: Kelly Clarkson, “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You).” After ten years of pop-rock contribution to the music industry, finally the idol alumna’s magnificent talent is being recognized with this empowering hit. If anyone deserves this award, its Kelly Clarkson.
WHO SHOULD HAVE BEEN LEFT OUT: Carly Rae Jepsen, “Call Me Maybe.” Jepsen’s voice simply can’t compete with that of Clarkson and Adele. It is obvious that enormous amounts of auto-tune were used to refine Jepsen’s not-so-impressive voice.
WHO SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOMINATED: Demi Lovato, “Give Your Heart a Break.” Lovato made an unforgettable comeback with her third studio album Unbroken, not to mention this song in particular.
BEST POP DUO/GROUP PERFORMANCE
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Florence and the Machine, “Shake It Out”
- Fun., “We Are Young (feat. Janelle Monàe)”
- Gotye, “Somebody That I Used to Know (feat. Kimbra)”
- LMFAO, “Sexy and I Know It”
- Maroon 5, “Payphone”
WHO SHOULD WIN: Florence and the Machine, “Shake It Out.” The performance here is breathtaking, and is probably the most worthy of the Grammy. The only problem is, every other song in this category is more well-known.
WHO WILL WIN: Gotye, “Somebody That I Used to Know.” Gotye and Kimbra’s voices blend together perfectly in this song.
WHO SHOULD HAVE BEEN LEFT OUT: LMFAO, “Sexy and I Know It.” The duo has since dropped off the face of the Earth, so who knows why this hit party song was nominated.
WHO SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOMINATED: Flo Rida, “Wild Ones (feat. Sia).” Typical Flo Rida, yes, but it did add some spice to the music charts this year. However, Sia’s voice is more pronounced and noticable than Flo Rida’s himself.
With the nominations announced and the nominees with their eyes on the prize, the Grammy’s cannot come soon enough. As fans buzz with anticipation, the excitement only grows as music’s biggest night approaches.
