Number 5: James Corden’s opening number
Under the helm of LL Cool J the Grammys have on some level fallen flat for me. When I heard that James Corden, Carpool Karaoke King was going to be this year’s host I was immediately excited for the ceremony. Late night’s funny man was sure to deliver and spice up the 3 and a half hour ceremony. And deliver he did. Walking down the stairs to officially open the awards show, Corden intentionally fell down and tumbled down the flight of stairs, delivering America the laughs they undoubtedly needed during this tense point in their history.
After recovering from his stumble Corden then went on to deliver a perfectly executed rap about the stars in attendance, complete with a tiny reference to the controversial decisions of President Trump.
Photo: Just Jared
Number 4: Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood’s duet
I must confess, I am not a country music fan. In past times the mere idea of country music has made me reach for the remote to change the station. Something about the style has never clicked with me and even at the beginning of the show when the performers list was revealed I was moaning about how the Grammys are not the Country Music Awards. Then suddenly, Urban’s guitar kicked in and I was forced to stop talking. The combination of Underwood’s voice with Urban’s, coupled with the catchy guitar riffs and melodies, hooked me in. Even now, hours after the performance I have the lyrics stuck in my head and am even contemplating approaching more country music artists with an open mind.
Photo: Just Jared
Number 3: The George Michael tribute
Adele was always going to be the right choice should the Grammys decide to pay tribute to the Wham! singer through song. Her love for George and the influence the singer had on her young career as a London artist has long been spoken about.
The lights turned dark and moving images of the late George Michael played behind Adele as she began her own reworked version of Fast Love. Suddenly, the smooth, low tones were interrupted by the sometimes harsh, British accent of Adele and consequently, as Adele does, she swore. The reaction was immediate, her perfectly manicured hand grasped at her mouth and she begged to start the song over again.
I think I speak on behalf of myself and many audience members when I say that I couldn’t quite pick out what had gone wrong with the performance. Yet, knowing that the story would go viral instantaneously, Adele ever the perfectionist, started the tribute again. And for years to come when people speak about Adele’s George Michael tribute, I will think not of the drama surrounding the performance, but of how Adele respected music so much that she risked humiliation in order to perform her craft to the highest standard.
Photo: Rolling Stone
Number 2: Beyoncé’s performance
It is no secret that I am a self confessed member of the Beyhive. Ever since I heard my first Destiny’s Child song I was hooked on Queen B. There is something so inviting and intriguing about Beyoncé’s artistry. Beyoncé has performed everywhere possible, the Grammys, the SuperBowl, and stadiums around the world, yet every performance feels fresh and well thought through.
There was a lot of hype surrounding B’s performance tonight as it came mere weeks after her pregnancy became public knowledge. The Lemonade album, synonymous with sassy, high powered, perfectly choreographed dance moves, would be difficult to perform while pregnant.
As the music started I was preparing to sing along to Formation and Hold Up, only to be greeted by live performances of the more tame songs from the album. Love Drought and Sandcastles are two of the lesser known songs off Beyoncé’s ground-breaking Lemonade album. Yet, they were performed with such artistry and thought that viewers in response could only say one word, “damn”.
Whatever Beyoncé does, she assigns meaning, highlighting why she is one of the most celebrated artists of our time.
Photo: Billboard
Number 1: Adele’s Album of the Year win
When 25 was announced by presenters Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, I was disappointed. As an Adele fan it was only just that she receive song and record of the year for Hello. An undoubtedly catchy song that was the perfect way to commence ‘the comeback’. But, album of the year, for 25, really? I was half expecting Kanye West to forget his boycott of this year’s awards and storm the stage in defence of Beyoncé.
Lemonade was a ground-breaking album, in one instance empowering women and in another empowering the black race. Lemonade was an ode to the strength and endurance of women, a contemporary masterpiece that was painstakingly put together in order to give women hope that their strength and worth would soon be recognised. And recognised it was, for Adele was quick to shift attention to her idol.
Suddenly, I wasn’t so mad anymore. Adele, this great artist in her own right, was ready to give her big moment away to a woman who’s music career has been filled with some of the best.
The dedication of 25’s win to Beyoncé’s Lemonade meant that at the end of the 59th Grammy Awards, music was the winner. The Grammy Awards is about celebrating the best that music has to offer and in her own funny way Adele celebrated just that.
Photo: Hollywood Reporter
Comments