Crazy outfits? Singers hanging from ribbons? Beyoncé in 3-D glasses? Must be time for the Grammys.
This past Sunday, music's greatest night took to the airwaves for the 52nd consecutive year, bringing together musicians and movie stars alike to produce impressive performances and memorable moments, in the biggest celebration of musical art and achievement this season.
From Lady Gaga's bizarrely brilliant opening duet with Elton John to the sneak preview performance of the upcoming Broadway musical, "American Idiot," (based on Green Day's acclaimed 2004 album), the Grammys began with a bang that shot their ratings to their highest point since 2004.
The Grammys, however, are as much about the awards as they are the routines, and this year's winners set records. Twenty-year-old country sweetheart Taylor Swift lived the "Impossible Dream," nabbing four awards, including the Grammys' top prize, Album of the Year, over veterans like Beyoncé and The Dave Matthews Band. The former, at least, didn't go home with nothing; by the show's end, Beyoncé became the first female artist to win six awards in a single evening.
While the divas dominated, the Academy surprisingly spread the love (a complete list of winners can be found at www.grammy.com):
You could take pot-shots - perhaps for its length, its winners, or for the fact that someone needs to kill Jamie Foxx's auto-tuner - but none can deny that the Grammys are shifting and growing, proving that, despite problems in the music industry, it's still a show to remember.
Album of the Year: Fearless - Taylor SwiftSong of the the Year: "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" - BeyoncéRecord of the Year: "Use Somebody" - Kings of LeonBest New Artist: Zac Brown BandBest Pop Vocal Album: The E.N.D. - Black-Eyed PeasBest Electronic/Dance Album: The Fame - Lady GagaBest Rock Album: 21st Century Breakdown - Green DayBest Alternative Music Album: Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix - PhoenixBest R&B Album: Blacksummer's Night - MaxwellBest Contemporary R&B Album: I am... Sasha Fierce - BeyoncéBest Rap Album: Relapse - EnimemBest Country Album: Fearless - Taylor SwiftBest Comedy Album: Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All - Steven Colbert