There’s “Someone Like You” Who Shines Out at Grammy Awards
by Lauren Kemmer on Feb. 26, 2012, under UncategorizedThere’s “Someone Like You” Who Shines Out at Grammy Awards
One of the biggest nights (if not the biggest night) in the music industry happened on February 12th 2012 at the 54th Grammy Awards. This night marked some incredible performances by some of the most star-studded icons in pop culture, such as Bruno Mars, Paul McCartney and even the Beach Boys returned to the stage once again for their 50th anniversary accompanied by Maroon 5 and Foster The People. These performance had overwhelming effects on both the live audience at the Los Angeles Staples Center and in the hearts and minds of the many who watched it live on CBS television that night. Without a doubt, I was glad that I took a few hours out of my Sunday night to watch such a memorable event. I have to admit I was very skeptical, I was not sure I was that impressed with the talent that 2011 had to offer. In fact, I was almost 100% sure that I was not going to even watch. But then I realized this…I should give this a shot. I have never watched a Grammy awards show before.
After tuning in about a half hour late, I turned on my television set to CBS. I caught about the last few minutes of Bruno Mars’s “Runaway Baby”. Instantly, I was hooked. I remember when I first heard Bruno Mars on my friend’s iPod. At first, I did not care for his “Talking to The Moon”. His tone sounded so different and I couldn’t figure out what about him was so special. After a few weeks later, I started to like it after hearing it on the radio several times. Then, when he came out with “Just The Way You Are”, I never doubted his talent again. This song was real and had lyrics that made any girl feel confident and happy in their own skin. To me, songs like these are so rare. Songs that promote your own self-image and make you relinquish your inner self-doubts are hard to come by. When I saw him sing “Runaway Baby” on live t.v. at the Grammy’s, I was instantly reminded what made me fall in love with this artist to begin with…his passion for his music. On that stage, he was literally putting all of himself out there. You could tell he felt, breathed, and lived that song. It was a spunky breath of fresh air. The fire and fun of the song ended up convincing me to buy the track on iTunes. I loved every minute of it. Although his 3 time nominated ”Grenade” or his 2 time nominated album “Doo-Wops & Hooligans” did not fire off any Grammy awards for Bruno, his Grammy performance sure made a lasting impression on his success as an artist last year.
The next performance that I had a chance to see was that of Katy Perry’s. I was a fan of hers when she first released her “Hot N Cold” single awhile back. It took awhile for “E.T.” to grow on me and “Teenage Dream” just got annoying. But then, I found out that she was nominated for “Firework” for Best Record and Best Pop Solo Performance. This track will probably never get old to me because again the song had that rare quality of a song that inspires people just like Bruno Mars’s “Just The Way You Are” does. However, Katy Perry I think sometimes is trying to mix herself with Lady Gaga as an artist. She wears outlandish clothes and has some really different ideas for music videos (I still am not sure why Teenage Dream had anything to do with candyland…perhaps it’s some metaphor that she was going for that I’m still not getting…?). Furthermore, I was not impressed with her Grammy performance, which was an awkward mash-up of her “E.T.” and another song of hers. Don’t get me wrong TC, I’m a Katy Perry fan…I just wasn’t a fan of her performance that night. Next, I would also like to say that I thoroughly enjoyed “Don’t You Wanna Stay” by Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson. It was well done, it was a perfect blend of both their voices. The Foo Fighters were also one of the memorable performances of the night. I have heard of them and that was the first time I had ever watched them perform. I got to say that I am impressed with them. They have a different kind of “raw” type sound that sets them apart from most artists and it gave me vibes of a great rock sound. I can also tell in the way that they perform that they really were into it and I feel like their band did deserve 5 Grammys that night. I have now become a fan!
Coldplay’s “Fix You” was spot on and Paul McCartney really rocked it that night. The Beach Boys shared the stage with Maroon 5 and Foster The People for a great show. However, the most disappointing moment of the Grammy performances was probably that of Nicki Minaj. It was like watching some horror flick mixed the movie Angles and Demons. Not only was it weird to watch, but her song offered no form of her vocal range, complexity of a song, or even a beat that you could tap your feet to. I tried to be unbiased while watching her, but there was something about it that just felt wrong. Granted Lady Gaga has had some really weird performances but at least she showed off her vocal ability. Nicki Minaj’s song did not really do anything for me. I thought that Eminem could pull off rap better than she can any day. Sorry, I was not a fan to start off with and probably never will be.
Finally, I will move on to the one that was the most influential artist of the year, Adele, who walked away with 6 Grammy awards that night. Not only was her Grammy performance immaculate, but that was her first time performing since her surgery in the fall. Her voice has so much power, spirit, and she has an incredible range. Adele’s thank you’s and tears really showed that she was not only an appreciative artist, but I felts that she also meant every word of it. To me, she does not seem fake. Granted, I have done way more research on Lady Gaga (from my last post) but what I do know about her is that she is a fantastic singer with British roots and that she ”became the first artist ever to have an album, 21, hold the number one position on the Billboard 200 concurrently with three number one singles” (Wikipedia’s “Adele” article). Congrats on the wins Adele!
”LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 12: Singer Adele, winner of the GRAMMYs for Record of the Year for “Rolling In The Deep”, Album of the Year for “21″, Song of the Year for “Rolling In The Deep”, Best Pop Solo Performance for “Someone Like You”, Best Pop Vocal Album for “21″ and Best Short Form Music Video for “Rolling In The Deep”, poses in the press room at the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on February 12, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)”
Among some of the newer artists of 2011 was those of Bon Iver and Skrillex. Bon Iver has an interesting sound. I was very impressed with him as I listened to the “Holocene” track. Not bad at all. Next, I have come to realize one thing that the United States is starting to take a liking to and that is of Dubstep, the new mainstream form of electronic dance music. With insane mixing, bass drops, and minor keys Dubstep has a truly unique sound unlike anything you have ever heard before. Skrillex has made a lasting impression on today’s mainstream pop culture with his album “Scary Monsters And Nice Sprites” walking away with 3 Grammy’s including “Best New Artist”. Hats off to you Skrillex!
(Left) “LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 12: Justin Vernon of Bon Iver accepts the award for ‘Best New Artist’ onstage at the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards held at Staples Center on February 12, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)” (Right) LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 12: Recording Artist Skrillex accepts the Best Dance Recording for “Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites”onstage at the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards held at Staples Center on February 12, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)”
I was very pleased and happy with the Grammy’s this year, because it was a nice reminder of how much the music industry has changed over the year and how much influence it has had on my life. Watching the Grammy’s each year, will now become a new tradition of mine.
But the biggest thought that I had when I walked away from watching was this: these artists are just like us (hence the title of my article cleverly referencing Adele’s single). They all eat (I think), sleep (hopefully), shower (really hopefully), and breathe (most hopefully) just like you and me. The only difference between these stars and the average person is this, one has national fame and the other does not. But just because you don’t have a Grammy and they do, does not mean that what you do for the world doesn’t matter. We find ourselves freaking out over Justin Bieber and Carrie Underwood. But really, for the most part, they are no different than we are. They are people and we are people. They are just more well-known than the average person…that’s all. The same goes for actors and dancers as well. These people all have the fame, but just remember that we really aren’t too much different than they are.
Leave a comment below telling me what you think about the Grammy’s, the music industry, the last paragraph, or just any other thoughts related to music below. Also, don’t forget to participate in the poll!
Sincerely,
~*Music: The Heart and Soul*~
