Grammy Awards Held Surprises and Delights this Year

The 52nd Grammy awards this year were bigger and better than previous years. With a vast array of performers, surprising wins and heartfelt speeches and tributes, this award show finally showed us what it can be.

The 2010 Grammys seemed more like a 2 1/2 hour concert than it did an award show and for that we can say thank you. Of the 20 live performances of the evening, five performances stood out from the others (20 in total).

In past years, the show seemed to be more a show of the outrageous and boring rather than the talent that exists both past and present. This year they finally showed us how to put on a show. The sets and effects were original and a pleasure to watch and the talent ranged from newcomers to seasoned vets.

Although Beyoncé smashed the record for most trophies by a female artist in a single night, others were honored with awards and some surprises were in store for the audience. Swift did take Album of the Year for Fearless, and she took three other awards, including Best Country Album but Beyoncé won Song of the Year for the omnipresent “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” and brought her all-time Grammy haul to 16 awards.

Lady Gaga seemed ignored but did take home Best Dance Recording for the still-ubiquitous “Poker Face” and Best Electronic/Dance Album for The Fame. If there was another upset to be witnessed during the evening, it might have been when Kings of Leon’s “Use Somebody” nabbed Record of the Year from Beyoncé. “Use Somebody” wound up winning in three categories by night’s end, also notching Best Rock Song and Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.

Other three-time winners were Beyoncé’s husband, Jay-Z, and the stubbornly massive Black Eyed Peas. Eminem and South Asian composer A.R. Rahman had two apiece.

Pink performed her contemplative piano ballad “Glitter in the Air” while suspended high in the air. Backstage, Pink said she was a gymnast for eight years and has been doing silks for seven years, and claimed in all seriousness that she’s a better singer while flying around like a marionette. She admitted, though, that the strobe lights caused her to lose her balance for a moment. “I thought I was going to fall on my nude butt, but I worked it out,” said the feisty singer. “I would say that no one ever has another excuse to lip synch.” Here are the five of the best during the evening.

1. Michael Jackson’s “Earth Song”

Michael Jackson’s tribute at the Grammys this year featured one of the last songs he wrote before his death, titled, “Earth Song.” The backdrop requiring 3-D glasses were clips from Jackson’s Tribute movie, “This Is It.” . Matching Jackson’s vocals, some of today’s finest artists belted out portions of the lyrics in perfect harmony with Jackson. Usher, Celine Dion, Smokey Robinson, Jennifer Hudson and Carrie Underwood and their powerful voices were well chose to accompany the King of Pop.

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2.  Pink’s “Glitter In The Air”

Each year, the producers of the Grammys try to outdo themselves and Pink certainly set the bar for the other female artists this year. Conjuring up visions of Cirque du Soleil, Pink literally embodied the lyrics as she performed in a suspension act made you wonder if she once worked as aerial performer in a previous life. Pink did not resort to lip-synching and delivered a riveting performance.

3. Lady Gaga & Elton John’s Duet

The rumored and much anticipated Grammy Awards pairing of Lady Gaga and Sir Elton John did not disappoint. Equally as talented on the piano, Lady Gaga joined the Yellow Brick Road Maestro in a piano duet that featured a number of songs from the past and present. The arrangement was a fusion of Gaga’s “Speechless” and Sir Elton’s “Your Song.” This number followed the very first song of the evening, a lavish performance by Gaga of “Poker Face” that ended with the Lady being thrown into a cauldron of fire only to appear opposite Elton John wearing smoked-charred make-up. Enjoy.

4. Mary J.Blige & Andrea Bocelli’s “Bridge Over Troubled Waters”

R&B artist Blige and the pop tenor Bocelli joined forces appealing for the fund-raising efforts of Haiti. The once-in-a-lifetime performance (audio and video) is available for download at iTunes.com/Target. All proceeds will go to the American Red Cross, benefiting the earthquake relief efforts in Haiti.

5. Dave Matthews’ “You and Me”

Only the Dave Matthews Band could turn a

‘tiny song’ big! With 45 people in total, featuring back-up choruses, percussionists, horn players and a string section from a symphony orchestra, they blew this tune out of the Staples’ Stadium.

Following the Michael Jackson tribute, Prince and Paris Jackson accepted the Life Achievement Award given to their father. It was a very touching moment.

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