The 57th annual Grammy Awards Staples Center, Los Angeles, California February 8, 2015
Taylor Swift (http://taylorswift.com/ ) was the red carpet walker to beat with her Elie Saab (http://www.eliesaab.com/ ) halter dress in teal with jewel accents.
Memorable performances included Adam Levine & Gwen Stefani’s version of “My Heart Is Open” – a track on Maroon 5’s “V”, Madonna singing “Living for Love” while wearing a black-and-red matador-esque number (accompanied by dancers wearing bejeweled masks affixed with bull’s horns), Eric
Church singing “Give Me Back My Hometown” and Pharrell singing his hit single, “Happy.”
Solo performances included Ariana Grande (“Just a Little Bit of Your Heart”), Kanye West (offering a tribute to his late mother), Miranda Lambert (“Little Red Wagon”), Sia (“Chandelier”) and Beyonce (“Take My Hand, Precious Lord”).
Two-fers did not take a back seat to anyone with Sam Smith and Mary J Blige singing “Stay With Me” and
Hozier & Annie Lennox performing “Take Me to Church.” Under the heading, “Something Old and Something New”, Jesse J joined Tom Jones with a tribute to Barry Mann & Cynthia, “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin'” followed by a straight-up jazz performance by Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett.
The Electric Light Orchestra’s Jeff Lynne delivered “Evil Woman”, then was joined by Ed Sheeran for the unforgettable “Mr. Blue Sky.” The song “FourFiveSeconds” was overwhelmed with talent in the persons of Rihanna, Paul McCartney and Kanye West.
Fans of Latin music heard Juanes perfom the title track for his new single “Juntos.” Katy Perry asked the audience to consider the survivors of domestic violence with “By the Grace of God.” “Thinking Out Loud” was a hit by Ed Sheeran along with John Mayer, Herbie Hancock & Questlove.
Beck took the stage with Coldplay front man Chris Martin to play the Morning Phase highlight “Heart Is a Drum.” Usher paid homage to Stevie Wonder with a run-through of his Songs in the Key of Life classic “If It’s Magic.”
A little bit of country newcomer Brandy Clark and the legendary country star Dwight Yoakam joined forces for her 12 Stories composition “Hold My Hand.” AC/DC was back (and frankly never left) in their classic schoolboy uniform as they performed the title track to their latest studio album, “Rock or Bust” followed by the classic “Highway to Hell.”
Closing the show John Legend and Common performed the Selma soundtrack song “Glory”.
Grammys: The Winners List (A Sampling)
Album of the Year – Beck, Morning Phase
Best New Artist – Sam Smith
Best R&B Performance – Beyonce feat. Jay Z, “Drunk in Love”
Best Rock Album – Beck, Morning Phase
Best Pop Solo Performance – Pharrell Williams, “Happy”
Best Country Album – Miranda Lambert, Platinum
Best Pop Vocal Album – Sam Smith, In the Lonely Hour
Record of the Year – Sam Smith, “Stay With Me (Darkchild Version)”
Song of the Year – Sam Smith, “Stay With Me (Darkchild Version)”
Best Rap Album – Eminem, The Marshall Mathers LP 2
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance – A Great Big World feat. Christina Aguilera, “Say Something”
Best Rap Performance – Kendrick Lamar, “i”
Best Alternative Music Album – St. Vincent, St. Vincent
Best Rock Song – Paramore, “Ain’t It Fun”
Best Rap/Sung Collaboration – Eminem feat. Rihanna, “The Monster”
Best Rap Song – Kendrick Lamar, “i”
Best Country Song – Glen Campbell, “I’m Not Gonna Miss You”
Best Country Duo/Group Performance – The Band Perry, “Gentle On My Mind”
Best Country Solo Performance – Carrie Underwood, “Something in the Water”
Best Urban Contemporary Album – Pharrell Williams, G I R L
Best Dance/Electronic Album – Aphex Twin, Syro
Best Dance Recording – Clean Bandit feat. Jess Glynne, “Rather Be”
Best Latin Pop Album – Ruben Blades, Tangos
Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media – Frozen
Best Music Video – Pharrell Williams, “Happy”
Best Music Film – Darlene Love, Merry Clayton, Lisa Fischer & Judith Hill, 20 Feet From Stardom
Best Reggae Album – Ziggy Marley, Fly Rasta
Best Traditional Vocal/Pop Album – Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga, Cheek to Cheek
Best Americana Album – Rosanne Cash, The River & The Thread
Best Spoken Word Album – Joan Rivers, Diary of a Mad Diva
Best Gospel Album – Erica Campbell, Help
Best Rock Performance – Jack White, “Lazaretto”
Best Metal Performance – Tenacious D, “The Last In Line”
Best R&B Song – Beyonce feat. Jay Z, “Drunk in Love”
Best R&B Album – Toni Braxton & Babyface, Love, Marriage & Divorce
Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media – “Frozen”
Best Song Written for Visual Media – “Let It Go” (from Frozen)
Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media – The Grand Budapest Hotel
Best Comedy Album – “Weird Al” Yankovic, Mandatory Fun
Best Musical Theater Album – Beautiful: The Carole King Musical