Before anyone comments on Eillish and her music, please hear it first. She and her brother are extremely talented musicians. They are not run-of-the-mill pop stars with some catchy tunes. They have redefined music by creating genre-bending stuff that will be remembered for a long time to come.
47
once upon a time the Grammy's were a tribute to truly gifted musicians and lyricist...now it is merely an ego orgy celebrating celebrity featuring a break through artist every once and a while who leaves the industry in disgust or becomes an independent artist after a few years if they don't die of an overdose, suicide or succumb to addiction of one kind or another.
11
Aerosmith are a national treasure. The video crew couldn’t keep up with their hijinx. Paired with Run DMC, they revved up the audience and left them wanting more.
6
Boring, dreadful, the outfits awful, the songs/signing terrible!! I watched a short while and decided my time was too, too, valuable, I needed to be enlightened, so I picked up a book.
13
"...becoming the first artist to sweep since Christopher Cross in 1981."
Christopher who?
Lets hope Billie Eilish's career isn't that of a one hit wonder.
9
We must boycott AutoTune and every performer and every company that uses it. Period. It’s an embarrassment. It’s what makes costumes and sex appeal more important than talent. It like steroids, lip jobs, sign stealing, campaign bots, and trans-fats rolled into one giant steamroller to kill real music.
42
The Grammys have never, ever been reflective of real artistic achievement, with the possible exception of Aretha Franklin’s best R & B run in the sixties and seventies. But at least at one time the show made an effort to have live performances that represented the wide scope of recorded music and it was great to watch. Not any more, so I no longer watch.
And an aside: the official Grammy website can’t even correctly match their past winners with a correct photo. The 1964 R&B best vocal winner was the wonderful Nancy Wilson for “How Glad I Am.” The photo accompanying the listing is of Nancy Wilson of the band Heart.
31
Actually, most of the most famous are just not that good. Artists? Not the word I use for over-choreographed performances. Sorry, music industry, I just don't believe the hype.
27
Why so little recognition for John Prine? That was sad.
And although I live Alicia Keyes, it was mostly a show about her .
Where is the variety of music? Alternative, Americana, Blues ??
30
@SMiles I've come back to John Prine after a long time of not quite recognizing his gifts. Hope others do the same, because the authenticity of his music is nourishing in a time of synthetically empty everything.
14
Bonnie Raitt won the simplicity moment. Just music. "I am an old woman..." with a great song, well sung.
41
Completely disagree with Camila Cabello's song to her father being labeled as one of the "repeated down moments." It was a beautiful tribute.
22
Soul crushing state of pop music . Awful .
32
@GW
pop music reflects the zeitgeist
3
@GW Absolutely. Terrible, awful. No actual unadulterated voices or music anywhere. Weird is substituted for good.
15
Grammys = Black & Brown performers carry the show/White performers win the MAJOR awards. The Grammys are segregated based on race, color, & culture, except when White recording artists are nominated in traditionally non-white categories. Shameful
26
Loved Lizzo, Alecia. Other than that I decided that to attend the Grammys all you need is a visit to Savers thrift store and a glue gun.
10
Monopolistic control of the music industry for over a century has given us the grotesque parody that is called the Grammys.
19
Four hours of run time and a lot of it just tragically squandered! They could have had some of the phenomenal jazz and classical musicians that were nominated to play a couple of tunes & pieces. People like the young phenom multi- instrumentalist/singer Jacob Collier or legendary trumpeter Randy Brecker or even an excerpt from Wynton Marsalis' new violin concerto with the beautiful & talented Nicola Benedetti as star soloist. The lack of music education in our schools is painfully evident :-(
68
What an amazing article, without ornaments and flowers, just straight to the point!
7
I'm sorry I missed Gary Clark Jr. I watched an hour and a half and had to turn it off. So many of the female singers sounded the same, breathy bleating to a sort-of melody. Their costumes bordered on obscenity. If I had a 12 year old daughter, I would not let her watch or listen to Ariana Grande, and if I had a daughter older than that, I would watch Ariana Grande with her and use it as chance to talk about misogyny and the commodification of women in the entertainment business. I am glad I missed Sean Combs' bizarre accusation that "Black music has never been respected by the Grammys to the point that it should be,” when almost every performer was black. And that tradition goes back to the 1970s when the Grammys were given to R &B stars rather than the rock stars who became legends but were ignored. My mother, who watched with me, said she now understands how Trump got elected.
42
I liked Eilish's slow number and fell in love with Lizzo, all that beauty and energy -- and a flute! Tanya Tucker's performance was real.
19
I'm not sure about everyone else but I found 2 new artists I want to get to know better, was reminded how much I enjoy Alicia Keyes and feel vindicated that Demi Lovato was my favorite part of the Jonas Brothers/Camp Rock concert tour I attended with my kids all those years ago.
16
Billie Eilish is this year''s Lorde: her parents had the $$ to have her home-schooled, and to afford the recording equipment she used "in her bedroom," as she states. She is very smart to use the Internet to find and grow an audience, rather then trying to play all-ages venues or compete on tv shows. She admits to stress now at playing live, which makes sense, as again she did not build up her career through clubs, etc. Let's see what she does in the next few years, will she like Lorde have a hit and miss second record.(If they even call that now) My choice for new artist was YOLA, but she apparently was the wrong age/color.
14
if you're an artist and dont feel stress performing live, you're dead inside. everyone feels it, even the long term pros. musicians dont drink and drug strictly for the fun of it. its a coping mechanism. its what gets many of them out there...and back out...and back out...
7
@stuckincali, Billie and her parents live in a 2 bedroom house. Finneas recently moved out on his own but maintains his 'studio' in his old (tiny) bedroom. The parents sleep in the livingroom. There are a lot of videos out there where she is interviewed in her home (Carpool Karaoke is one) and they certainly do not appear to be well-to-do. I know lots of people who are not wealthy who home-school their children.
57
A lifetime achievement gets awarded with 1:28 of Bonnie Raitt. We’ve been cheated and mistreated!!
60
@Greg I agree. Shameful .. where was the recognition?? They cheated him
3
What in the world is Sean Combs talking about? The Grammy Awards showcased far more African-Americans than any other race/ethnic group, including specific tributes for Kobe Bryant, Boys II Men and Nipsey Hussle. The crowd watching included many blacks, too.
Blacks in general (fortunately) are very well represented these days on TV shows, TV commercials, online advertising, etc., more than -- in my opinion -- the 13 percent which that demographic represents in the American population. Maybe Combs' whining contributed to this Grammys show having the worst TV ratings since 2008?
28
@Scott Oh Scott, my dear, your ignorance of Grammy’s ignominious history of denying Black artists major awards is shocking. Please do your research before making embarrassing statements.
24
I will never understand why anyone chooses to wear clothes with someone else's initials on them. Then again, perhaps Gucci paid Eilish a nice sum to do so.
14
A reflection of the chaos the Country is in?
15
Music related but not Grammy related per se. What was everyone's favorite concert they attended this year? I'm sure discussing our favorite things instead of trolling each other would be a much better conversation.
7
OK boomers. . stop re-living the good ole days and when you stopped paying attention and how music now is all about business. . .The Grammy's have their issues apparently, but they are a WONDERFUL way to stay a little current. I put together a list every year and buy a bunch of new tunes. Sixty-six y.o. white male here.
26
@Patrick If you'd like to stay current, may I suggest turning off your TV and giving radio a chance? I'm certain Denver has at least couple of public and/or free-form radio stations that can turn you on to much more interesting music than the generic pop promulgated by the Grammys to sell records, etc.
10
We now know the line-up for Vegas residencies, 2040.
17
@ron p Not Vegas, Branson, Missouri...
10
Billie Eilish is a fresh and exiting new talent offering game changing skills with her her brother. She is a brilliant example of a young creative mind from a family that allowed her and her sibling to embrace music and explore its possibilities, using it to connect to a generation that were crying out for a new form of pop music that they could connect to and identify with. The body of work in her album is beautifully curated and Billie and her brother paid close attention to detail from every sound to each and every note. The whole album is a joy to listen to offering unexpected beats and lyrics and even audio clips from’The Office’. The videos are cool and dynamic too.
How anyone can say she doesn’t sing is beyond me! The tone of her voice is what makes her so unique. Of course everyone is entitled to their opinion and yes there will be always be casualties when the winner is announced “should have been x that won” etc.
But she really did deserve the accolades she received last night.
The only fly in the ointment for me is the process. Not just of the Grammy selection but how up and coming artists are seemingly plucked from obscurity and launched into the mainstream with heavy weight finance and management behind them. There are so many great undiscovered and unsupported artists that would struggle to-get access to this type of exposure. Billie was very lucky and although deserving - and yes she writes her stuff too - I wish the process was more democratic.
24
@Claude Naw, Billie still can't sing.
21
Aerosmith & RunDMC ? Prince Tribute ? Why???? This show & and their whole take on music is lost. Has been for a long time now. I don't waste my time with it. Probably the only thing worth hearing was Gary Clark anyway
17
@Doctor Woo There's always the iheart radio awards or radio Disney awards if the grown up music did not suit you.
2
@stuckincali
If that was grown up music, give me Babyshark. What a horrible mess.
9
@stuckincali ** the current Grammy awards is grown up music? I think you have got it backwards.
5
So....Billie Eilish is the first to sweep the major awards since Christopher Cross.
Hmmmmm....I wonder what happened to him.
41
@Alan Chaprack To win the Best New Artist award is sometimes the Kiss Of Death.
7
There are two types of people in the world. The first concedes that things change and that they do not always have the ability to judge what's hot and what's not. This group especially recognized their limits when it comes to popular music for it caters to young people. The second yells, "Get off my yard!" Metaphorically, in most cases.
8
@UC Graduate
I want to be in the first group, but I think Lizzo and Eilish are just awful. I watched some videos. Eilish mumbles and Lizzo sounds out of breath and congested. So, I guess I'm in the second group. But I get why people like Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, and Beyonce. They can all sing. I don't listen to them, but I can hear their talent. I don't like Coldplay, but I get the appeal of Martin's voice. Similarly, I'm not a huge fan of Madonna, but songs like Vogue and Four Minutes are undeniably great. Heck, even Timberlake's voice makes sense to me. It's good.
I'm not saying every song needs to "God Only Knows" or "Fool in the Rain," but maybe we can can have two categories. One for best singer/artist and one for best performer.
6
Worst? How about the misspelling of Ric Ocasek's name during the "In Memoriam" segment?
29
Why no mention of demi lovato's performance?
12
"It’s been a long time since a phenomenon as talented, authentic, complex and delightfully of the moment as Billie Eilish took over the Grammys.'
Wait, wasn't Lorde only a few years ago?
45
I thought the show was pretty great, except for Camila Cabello’s performance which couldn’t have been more conceited or boring. All expositional lyrics and a cheap attempt at a tear jerk I thought it was just horrible! It completely stopped the momentum, and then went into the also very slow Tanya Tucker country number. Other than that particular midshow snoozefest I really enjoyed it.
6
@Andy
Camila Cabello, heartfelt as it surely was ... meh. Not a big voice and not a 'presence.'
Tanya however -- yowza! She really delivered. I guess I felt her on the whole mortality looms thing ... ringing louder every minute.
4
Lizzo was robbed! She and Tyler, the Creator, were easily the most exciting people on stage last night.
21
The very people who profit from the Grammy's are not going to criticize the goose that lays their golden eggs. All that chicanery that might be going on is going to be hidden.
1
Talented Ms.Billie Eilish wins FIVE grammys at 18. Another white night of winners. Eilish might be talented but when have any men or women of color ever (1) won so many and (2) gotten album of the year. Beyonce's Lemonade is a work of art worthy of an Academy Award in filmography, song writing, performance, and music and does not get Album of the Year. Rhianna makes her most diverse album ever, Anti, doesn't even get a nomination. R&B, HipHop and Rap get relegated to their "own" categories but are not judged fairly by their quality of music, creativity, song writing, and vocals. I'll watch HER every time over Eilish. Really?
15
@Denver7756 I believe Bae won an award for Lemonade but at the earlier event.
1
@Denver7756 Eilish sounds unique. The first time I heard her music it made me stop and listen. Most pop music ends up sounding the same over time or artists make music that tries to sound like someone else who is popular but you can tell it isn’t original. Eilish has a unique sound, in a similar way to the first time I heard Adele or Amy Winehouse. That certain something. After all these years Beyonce and Rhianna don’t have that same effect. Doesn’t mean they are more or less talented it’s like a first date vs the third year anniversary.
20
“Worst Encapsulation of the Way It Used to Be (and Hopefully No Longer Will Be): ‘I Sing the Body Electric’”
Besides Misty, which the camera barely showed, this was tedious. Never again, Grammy’s. Never again. 40 years was enough.
8
I love Billy clothes. so does my son. Thats all
5
@Sarah Your son has good taste. And it sounds like you the good sense to let him hone it.
3
Jennifer Higdon's win points to political pull or success worship, as while the performance of it is excellent, her Concerto for Harp is an unimaginative, unskilled work of mediocre quality.
Nobody much cares what the Grammys think about classical music, and you shouldn’t either.
Passing away my day off listening to Gene Clark’s Road Master and Lefty Frizzel up next,I can honestly say that anyone who actually cares about music understands that the Grammys are about what is commercially viable Or branding as we say nowadays.
With over 4000 albums to choose from,I still look forward to new music by new artists,though by bands or people with substance.Music is dead as far as what is popular,it is disposable like our trash.We are in a time where bad and horrible are passed off as good or great(Branding)and anything of substance from Jazz,jam bands,blues,bluegrass etc is ignored.Live music is dying,their is no college circuit.So here is today’s playlist,Donny Hathaway,Steve Gunn,William Tyler,William Parker,Bowie POP and John Fahey.Cant wait for tomorrow!
10
@Blue Collar 30 Plus You need some Linda,Emmy Lou, and Marty Stuart. YOu could round it out with some Tami Terrell, Aretha, and Traffic...
7
@stuckincali thanks,love Emmy,Linda and Traffic but let’s add some Lucas Nelson,Steve Earle, Drive by Truckers and some Kamasi Washington.Nathan Bowles for the really adventurous.
2
FKA Twigs was robbed. Why was she silenced? Why was she relegated to being a backup dancer behind Usher? She is multi-talented and original. She could have done the entire Prince tribute by herself and blown the roof off. The Grammys are a farce.
22
@Vjpratt Sheila E. stated FKA TWiggs was going to sing, but had monitor issues and opted to dance instead..
4
Thanks. I missed Sheila E.’s comment. I based my thoughts on what FKA Twigs had written on Twitter:
FKA twigs
@FKAtwigs
of course i wanted to sing at the grammys. i wasn’t asked this time but hopefully in the future. none the less what an honour. congratulations to all winners x
2
While watching the Ariana Grande "performance", it occurred to me that in my father's time, it might have been considered pornography.
28
@Molly Bloom It is pornography. It's acceptable now. And it's marketed to 12 year old girls. And we wonder why so many of them are committing suicide and going to mental hospitals.
22
@Molly Bloom
What about Moulin Rouge era performances and Flapper can-can dancing from the 1920's? That stuff showed a lot of bodice and a lot of leg, right? My impression is that WW! era shows were very racy. I think the 1950's were probably more socially conservative than the 1920's. The Elizabethan era was certainly more liberated than the Victorian era, even though it was earlier in history.
2
I agree about the Ken Ehrlich tribute- Body Electric! Ridiculously overwrought! Why didn’t they show some highlights from 40 yrs? Or do Executive producers only hire live talent? I don’t get it? Eg: MJ and Billie Jean- now that’s a tribute! Guess You Tube has covered it all.
3
“Billie Eilish took over the Grammys. She turned five of her six nominations into wins, victorious in all four major categories (album, song and record of the year, plus best new artist), becoming the first artist to sweep since Christopher Cross in 1981.” And we all remember what a stellar career Christopher Cross had...
13
@Queenie But have you forgotten 'Sailing'? Definitely a great contribution to the world of music.
5
Over the last few years I have gone to amazon and down loaded over 1100 mp3s. Many artists,many different areas of music. In the end ,many award winners though talented are no better than many lesser known musicians and singers. These award shows are more for show and promotion than a presentation of the tremendous amount of talent that the music industry has.
3
Bonnie Raitt's tribute to John Prine was memorable.
19
@Mary A
Pitch perfect, as always. Ms. Raitt is in a class by herself.
9
@Mary A
Figures. The year I decide to skip the Grammys, Bonnie Raitt gives a solo performance. usually she is ignored entirely or relegated to a backup slot for a new "singer." I hope I can find her performance online.
8
@Lynn in DC
Oh, don't feel too bad .. it was very short, I believe I read somewhere 1:28.
But masterful as she always is. Voice, phrasing, intonation, intention ... all still spectacular.
YouTube maybe?
5
I turned on the Grammy's for the first time in years. Somehow it's gotten even worse. There were a few great performances but for the most part it was a disappointment.
9
Music critics are so harsh a) because music is very emotional and b) because they are musicians who ended up music critics and wish deep down they were the ones getting reviewed.
4
Well, I have to agree with Ganz’s review of the Aerosmith and Run D.M.C. performance, which I found refreshing, fun, and unpretentious. I also think Caramanica’s critique of the final dance performance was harsh and undeserved.
5
I watch the Grammy's for one reason, to find out what I'm not missing. As a 64 year old white male steeped in Rock n Roll, Blues, Jazz, Roots music, world music etc, the Grammy's, like any other awards event, exists for one reason to promote what the industry wants to sell to you. Remember it's the entertainment BUSINESS not the business of entertainment
79
@lm - I can't remember the last time I watched any awards show. Like you said, its politics, marketing, and industry pushing their products.
Its interesting that Hillary, and both Obamas have won competitive Grammys yet Diana Ross, Abba, the Greatful Dead, Katy Perry, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Snoop Dog and many other legends never did.
When I am thinking of listening to some music, I never stop to consider if they won an award or not. It does nothing to make the album any better if they have or have not before.
And I have no desire to participate by watching some gala where people flaunt ridiculous wealth.
11
Some of these comments remind me of my dearly-departed Nana complaining about "that awful bebop." I suppose there are three things that are certain in life: death, taxes, and older generations complaining about the younger generation's music.
103
@Nikki
Problem is, your Nana was wrong, just like my parents were wrong about Bob Dylan and Janis Joplin, for starters. I, however, am exactly correct. One of this music will be listened to in five years. Like Dylan said, “free” music is worth just that. Nothing.
4
@RG
Yes, and THESE immigrants are different from all others that came before. THESE are the ones that will ruin America.
8
I think rock pretty much died in about 1971, with perhaps a few exceptions going beyond that year. I love the blues--anything from the acoustic stuff from decades ago to all the electric variations we have now. I love bluegrass and fifties rock 'n' roll. I love much of the "classical music"--Mozart, Beethoven, etc. I can't; however, begin to grasp hip-hop/rap/whatever. Sorry, but it's just as horrid as disco, grunge, or Buck Owens twangy country. As for all the solo artists of today, many seem to have real talent (say, Alicia Keyes or Lady Gaga), but the music just falls flat for me. I see some of the "new" acts on SNL occasionally. I usually skip forward to Weekend Update at that point.
That's my opinion and I'm stickin' with it. ;«)
27
@Bill I’m 67 and I graduated from high school in 1971 and you couldn’t more wrong. You simply haven’t kept up. Your generation didn’t invent rock and roll, and was just a moment on an ongoing timeline of the evolution of rock and its multitude of subsets. Loosen up... OK Boomer?
14
@Bill
you do know what they sat about opinions ...
Agree. Seems rock and roll is totally gone... how in the world did this happen. And not a prune but the sexiness of the women as stated in the essay was ornamental at best. Kinda out of place.
5
Loved Gwen & Blake. They did their thing without trying to screech off key or blow the house down. Simply well done.
6
@Judi I thought it was the worst performance of the evening. Also, couldn't recognize Gwen at all? And then was vindicated by all the internet comments about her face fillers.
6
Blake actually has a nice voice. Not that you can tell it with some of the schlock he puts out. That duet was a train wreck.
1
Welcome to an era when "teen-pop stardom redefinition" is worshiped while quality song writing is no longer a thing. Grammy doesn't deserve Lana Del Rey.
19
@Not Geralt of Rivia I am a 60 year old lady who loves Billie Eilish's album; it is extremely sophistictated. I grew up on Carly Simon, Blondie, Stevie Nicks, Diana Ross and now I find Billie. Beyonce and my favorite of all, Cat Power, to be fantastic.
14
@Not Geralt of Rivia I agree with your final sentence but probably not in the way that you intend.
2
@Betty Dear Betty, I'm a 22 yo Chinese kid who grew up listening to John Denver, Alan Jackson, Brad Paisley and Miranda Lambert. Now I listen to Sufjan Stevens, Frank Ocean, Kendrick Lamar, Grimes, and Lorde so I don't think I'm that biased now. I love Billie as well but the point is that Grammy is a commercial award after all.
Many years later maybe having some "duhs" in a pop song is no longer unique and catchy, but lyrics like "the culture is lit and I had a ball" is still rare to find. There is nothing wrong with joining the teen sqaud in the maverick pop fiesta celebrating the birth of a new culture they (or we? xd) created by ourselves. I just feel a bit sad about profoundity not being recognized enough in an event with 60 years of history like this.
4
I tuned in when Usher performed Prince. Then I turned off the TV. If I want to listen to Prince, I have old recording of Prince. He's irreplaceable.
49
No one can do Prince but Prince. It's almost not even fair to ask people to try. He was one of kind. Miss him everyday.
112
Alicia was the perfect host for our times, bringing an atmosphere of respect and intimacy, as though the show were in a small theater with people all feeling fond of each other. It was just right for the rough state the world is in, and the tragic airplane accident the same day.
Billie Eilish and her brother are original, true artists, absolutely compelling. She always sings from the deepest place.
Lizzo was a force, as always.
And yes, that duet between Blake and Gwen was painfully lacking in chemistry. I wouldn’t be surprised if they’d had an argument backstage right beforehand.
Tyler the Creative named himself perfectly. He’s supremely talented not only as a musician, but as a visual artist. His creativity feels intense and deep to me, like a dream.
And Lil’ Nas X is so extremely likable and sweet. What a dynamic version of his song, which I can’t get unstuck from my mind.
A wonderful Emmy night!
23
@Andrea R Grammys, I meant!
1
Yes, I agree that Alicia is graceful and handled the ceremonies well. I also think she's a very talented musician and song writer in her own right.
19
Waited up half the night to see/hear the Bonnie Riatt tribute to John Prine for his contributions as an amazing song writer for decades. What I got was a snippet of Bonnie, who looked rushed and uncomfortable, and not one word about what Prine has done for American music. Somehow, the total show did not seem to connect to what is really happening in music, with the possible exception of Eilish, but even the production of her numbers was poorly done. A waste of TV time.
48
I remember a time when the music was great and anyone in the country could enthusiastically tell you what the #1 song was at the moment. Now we have fake, forgettable music, composed by teams of grade C writers, “sung” by performers who can’t get by without auto-tune, what a sad, sad spectacle. Does anyone listen to such trash for pleasure? Will anyone listen to this “music” in 10 years?
124
@RG Totally agree, had the identical conversation at breakfast this AM. Most of these "songs" need to be propped up by Busby Berkeley-type dance productions of the 21st century. Music? Genuine voice chops? Unforgettable lyrics and melodies that will stand the test of time? Sadly I think not.
35
@RG Do you realize the biggest winner of the night was literally someone who recorded an album in her bedroom?
23
@Olivia Roberts I am a 60 year old lady; Billie Eilish's album is SUPERB! Take a listen.
25
'“Truth be told, hip-hop has never been respected by the Grammys. Black music has never been respected by the Grammys to the point that it should be'
If you look for the worst of the worst, you'll find it here.
12
So nice that Billie Eilish decided to don her finest... painter's smock... for the festivities.
11
@Ed I loved it! I appreciate her originality and independence in choosing a different way to dress than would be expected. She’s a true original.
31
@Ed
She was giving about the right level of reverence that should be given to the Grammys - almost none.
5
@Ed She dresses that way to not be judged by her body. She was also underage up until a few months ago and did not want her image to be sexualized. Very smart of her.
34
They got it right with Eilish. I don't follow much "new" music and even I've heard of her, and I like what she's done.
14
My daughter and I saw Billie Eilish perform live last year, and I’ve been to a couple hundred shows, and I can honestly say it was one of the best performances I’ve ever seen. Her staging and music was incredible and powerful, and I knew after it was over that she is the real deal and such a kind inspiration for girls and women everywhere. Truly authentic. What a blast.
Not a blast in last nights “coverage” was the ancient Run DMC-Aerosmith performance. They were not up for any award, so why trot them out for the show? Why not have the Actual Winners of Best Rock Album, Cage the Elephant, who kill it in every show they do, perform, and actually be broadcast? They just dropped a single Friday of their song Broken Boy, with Iggy Pop, who won a lifetime achievement award last night? What a better, more fitting thing that would have been! Especially since the Academy telegraphs every winner, with their de riguer performance before the darn category is even called? Jon Pareles, Jon Caramanica, Joe Coscarelli and Caryn Ganz didn’t even remark about this category at all. Sad. What an oversight.
I always record it on my DVR, and zip through the chaff. I stopped every time for Ms Eilish and Finneas and searched in vain for the rest.
39
@Suzanne I know. I am from Boston and loved Aerosmith in the 70 ‘s, after that they should have packed it in. Tyler Run DMC, why was that relevant?
7
Meh pretty much says it all. Eilish may be the flavor of the year but her lyrics remind me of the days of grunge rock without the rock. Downer music so you feel more miserable and depressed. Woe is me and the world is ending lyrics.
23
Hmmm I've never heard of Billie Eilish until today. The song "Bad Guy" is a snappy little tune, but I would never vote for it to receive a Grammy (she doesnt even sing on the record, can she sing??). And listening to post-winning interviews, I find it hard to believe that an 18yo who can barely speak like a grownup is an award winning lyricist --- the brother, who is actually eloquent, probably did all of the work. (Avril Lavigne 2002 anyone?) Sorry to be all hater-ish.
18
@AC Hi, just because an 18-year-old who was stunned from winning multiple Grammys in her first appearance there was not speaking "like a grownup" does not mean she is not a terrific lyricist.
22
@MC She may be a terrific lyricist but she can't sing her way out of a bucket. The top 4 awards to her? H.E.R. is twice the musician and didn't get a thing.
If that was a passing of the torch to new music, then the future doesn't look so bright to me.
12
Do some research on her and her brother. They made the entire album, without producers, in their tiny bedroom and their parents home. True artists. Phenomenally creative. I'd give the album a full listen, at full volume.
27
I didn't watch. I'm not a spoil sport, but I just can't enjoy the excessive spectacularity when there are so many hungry and homeless people who could be helped with some of the huge amount of money it takes to produce this kind of event.
11
@Julie it's a business. Businesses promote themselves. Also this is a tv show which makes money for the network. The network keeps a lot of people from being homeless. So do all these celebrities with these huge coteries of helpers. People were paid very well to make all these spectacular outfits, trust me -- that's not sweat shop work. A lot of people work on these things. Work = food! And shelter! Enjoy!!
18
@Julie Then why comment?
10
@Andrea R
Because I had remarked upon another’s comment about some of the music, and wanted to be honest by clarifying that I had not watched the program. ck makes an excellent point, and I apologize. for commenting out of context. Please forgive me; I was just feeling overly weary of disparity when I made that remark. Thank you for calling me on it.
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I couldn’t agree more with Art. The music was boring except for Lizzo.
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Never having heard of Billie Eilish I looked up her songs, particularly the best regarded to listen to.
My mother taught me that if you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything.
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@LFK "My mother taught me that if you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything."
And yet here you are, whining about the music of the kids these days.
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@LFK So, having said something, what is your nice thing to say?
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An overall awkward spectacle, with Alicia Keyes perpetually squinting at the teleprompter; Stefani and Shelton should just get a room, in another galaxy; Grande still hasn’t learned to pronounce consonants; Usher underperformed Prince, terribly. Demi Lovato and Tanya Tucker are actual singers, and great ones at that. Lil Nas X was mesmerizing.
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@KennethWmM
Oh yeah on Tanya's return to the spotlight, and as for Demi Lovato ... that took a lot of courage, and was such a powerful performance by a truly gifted vocalist. I hope she is / remains well.
7
Alicia K. was brilliant hosting last night with the cloud of sadness hanging over the evening. She soothed the audience with showing how music has always been the great healing power. Lizzo was totally amazing in setting the tone for the rest of the performers. Too many ballads though by the ladies, my faves were Billie E. and Tanya Tucker. I loved the production numbers, Lil Nas X, Ariana, and Usher, were well done and entertaining. Loved Rosalia and her performance and dance as well.
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The enthusiasm for Billie, Lizzo ,Tyler reminds me of years past when GaGa was 'it' or when Amy was the' thing'. I also remember the frenzy surrounding Christopher Cross touching both Oscar and Grammy awards followed by a quiet retreat into nowhere. The music industry is now such a melange of streaming , sub genres , and social media trends that any 'award' seems to be kind of irrelevant.Music has become more tribal now than ever so how any consensus on merit or genre seems pretty tough to believe. These shows however can be fun to watch and I personally was quite moved by Demi Lovato's performance and the unimaginable courage it took to perform in the spotlight in front of her peers after such troubling times...it was a performance right out of the climax of a two hankie Hollywood epic...only this time it was for real.
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@magjim29 Yes! I didn’t see Demi’s performance last night, but I heard it on the radio on my drive to work this morning, and it brought tears to my eyes.
Alicia Keys is certainly a talented individual. However, her skill set does not extend into hosting the Grammys. She was the ultimate in boring.
The Aerosmith and Run-DMC set, although not played real well, provided more excitement than most anything else in the show. To be fair, I've seen Aerosmith in concert 6 times, I think. Both in the Garden and the Meadowlands. What can I say... I'm an old guy.
Tyler, the Creator added a bit of energy for sure as well.
Do the Grammys need rock and roll to get back to exciting again? I am of the opinion,Yes!!
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@Billy Walker It was necessary for her to be meloncholy in her approach to hosting the show. It was a sad day. I think she did very well considering the situation that was placed in her lap. I agree, the Aerosmith set and Tyler the Creator's set were upbeat and very needed to uplift the mood a little bit.
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@Pat
I think it's fair to say Ms. Keys tends to be a very low energy individual; not a whole of excitement going on when she speaks.
Of course, that's coming from a 66-year old Type A, who is not only a fan of Aerosmith, but has elevated the Red Hot Chili Peppers to the number 1 position in my mind... speak of energy!! I love the quieter moments within a song and than an outright explosion of noise and energy!! Truly an incredible collection of people within a band who typically don't create sound-alike music even within their own catalog.
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@Billy Walker For all the chaotic glorious mess of Aerosmith and Run-DMC, they definitely had the audience on their feet and electrified for the whole span of "Walk this Way." That was a pulsating dance floor for about ten minutes. Kudos to the lot of them for having more energy than most of the other acts less than half their age. I enjoyed the show. Some beautiful singing, especially from the solo ladies and Usher - (so no one is Prince, it was a tribute, not a double night.) And I loved the wonderful gorgeous and wacky evening wear and the lush people busting out of it all - makes Oscar fashion and the people in it look thin, insipid and boring in comparison.
1
Receiving a Grammy Award has a history of being an achievement in the world of music. In this era, it is far from that concept and just another award show contrived to garner publicity and wring more dollars from a performer who they give the award to.
The music industry needs desperately to design a real award ceremony for real music achievement.
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"1986 remake of “Walk This Way,” which recharged Aerosmith’s career and introduced hip-hop to many rock fans"
A myth, by the way; see Stephen Davis' book of the same name. During the mid-eighties, classic rock was hugely popular as a radio format, and record companies embraced a strategy of reviving moribund 60s and 70s rockers who hadn't had hit in years. These bands were provided with professional songwriters, huge budgets for production and music videos, and heavily promoted. Heart, Cheap Trick, Kiss, Moody Blues, George Harrison, Eric Clapton, Bonnie Raitt, many more. Aerosmith's revival is best understood as part of this movement.
I was there: the people who liked Aerosmith, both before and after their 1987 revival, were the people who hated "rap" the most. It's unlikely that the hardcore classic rock types, or the prom-ballad types, were moved to like Aerosmith because of Run-DMC.
Last, it's important to think of the context. Today, it seems like Run-DMC were a really big deal, because hip hop is now, and they were the #1 hip hop act of the time. But hip hop was small then. In1986, outside of the hip hop, and I guess alternative music worlds, Run-DMC were not well known. Certainly, they were not big enough to revive Aerosmith's career--which, again, was revived among people who largely hated hip hop.
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The Grammy Show's focus on inner city sounds is tedious. What happened to the rest of the country?
It's more of a fashion show, where filthy rich "stars" sing down to a nationwide audience that's struggling to survive.
It's a "look at me" show, an ego trip.
The music seen on the TV show is formulaic, largely consisting of dance routines to recorded music Are there any great instrumentalists left?
An 18-year-old won most of the top awards. What level of music history or tradition is she drawing upon? Will many remember her next year?
As evidenced by the winning song, women performers are cashing in on their newfound spotlight, while taking their movement backward.
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@Roy G. Biv
Uhhhh, yes. It's a pretty safe bet that many will remember her next year.
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@Roy G. Biv I dare you to show me an award show that is not an ego trip. They all are and have been since somebody got the bright idea to hand out little statues named "Oscar" to actors, directors and movie producers in 1929. As for who the Grammy focus their show upon, like it or not, it's a reflection on what's popular in music today. Aka, it's what's selling.
I reviewed the list of winners and I cannot identify any of their music. But, that is because I am out of touch and I suspect you are too. So, stand aside and let the parade pass, as you listen to your old CDs.
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@Roy G. Biv
"Inner city sounds?"
Is this based on knowing the backgrounds of the artists who performed? Or perhaps you concluded that they came from the "inner city" based on their sound?
How offensive, judgmental, and reductionistic. Seems like you're the one talking down--to both the performers and the rest of the country.
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I wish the Grammys would showcase performers from a wider group of musicians. I'd like to see Rap/Hiphop performers, Rock performers, Classical music performers, Jazz performers, R&B, Blues, Opera and World music - all perform at the Grammys. I'd particularly like to see the Jazz related awards presented during the show.
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@IWC They used to do that. They cut it all out about 10 years ago, which I think was a huge mistake. I started listening to bluegrass because of watching acts on the Grammys that I didn't have any clue about.
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@IWC - I visit YouTube to enjoy certain live performances again and again. Linda Ronstadt's performance from "Canciones De Mi Padri" in 1989 is a milestone in Grammy history. The level of talent and exuberance is unique. There should be so much more of this expansive music broadcast on network television.
13
@IWC - :)) I have seen Aretha perform opera at the Grammys when Pavrotti cancelled 20 minutes from curtain call.
7
I'm of the 60's generation. I love music but it's bewildering to me how modern day artists are recognized.
So much of it appears to rely on branding, with certain artists being promoted incessantly over others. There are tsunamis of coverage on a particular artist to the exclusion of others.
The production of a song today relies on so many people and so much technology that I also wonder how the skills of the artist are actually separated out.
I love the gracious and talented Alicia Keys, and I listen to the Grammys to keep current as it's the only way I know how, but realize if I were a young person that would probably strike me as pretty lame.
I genuinely don't see how some genres such as rap, which do not rely on the vocal skills traditionally required of singers, compete with the genres that do.
Most of all, as a woman, I am baffled by what I see as real objectification of women, with the women colluding gladly.
In last night's presentations there was a preponderance of booty shaking, a singer who pole danced instead of performing, and a trashy number by Ms. Grande that had a lot of dancers mimicking sexual moves and overwhelming her singing. This is what is supposed to reflect female empowerment?
These are random musings, I know. I really don't get it, but that's OK. I am ecstatic that I had the music I did to accompany me through my life.
The young are entitled to what they enjoy as an accompaniment to theirs.
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@TM I agree with a lot of what you say here, and I think the issue is that the Grammy telecast and perhaps the awards as well simply does not represent the highest standards in musical performance and composition. That said, I suppose the Pulitzer prize in music committee, which awarded that prize to Kendrick Lamar (a rapper) a couple of years ago, might disagree with you about rap. Part of the problem here is that the Grammy performances only feature mainstream pop artists, and rarely feature truly boundary-challenging rap artists. Listen to his album "To Pimp a Butterfly" in good faith and then you might begin to see the way that rap intersects (and has always intersected) with poetry, jazz and spoken word and yes, contemporary classical music. I'm middle-aged but I've also noticed that contemporary music is more diverse now due in large part to the information overload of the internet. There are so many sub-fields in music that it's easy to get lost and stay listening only to one genre, but there's also a tremendously interesting mixing of genres going on due to the accessibility of music from that same information overload. I encourage you to step outside of your comfort zone and listen to some of these artists. And in my opinion (I'm a classically trained pianist who loves opera, jazz, folk, show tunes, rap, and soul), Lizzo should have won.
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@TM I get tired of seeing women perform in leotards. It might annoy me less if men routinely performed in booty shorts. Leotards should really be saved for ballet and gymnastics, and making them leather and covering them with studs doesn’t improve the look. And yes, I’m an old fogey.
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@TM "This is what is supposed to reflect female empowerment?"
I echo you. Last year's Cardi b' s performance was nothing short of a striptease. Yet, many people praised her performance.
Wait till this summer. We will see many ladies in Lizzo inspirede fashion on the street.
I don't undersand the heavy set ladies' ballet mimmicking. All people are equal?
I'm a firm beliver that the political correctness is not always the best friend of the fine art.
33
A mess for sure ,unsure how glorious.Once an entertaining circus ,now ,anyone s guess.
12
I've never heard one single song of Billie Eilish nor of Lil Nas X. I searched for them on Spotify, and I'm like, I never hear this stuff on the radio. Not for me. Eilish seems to just whisper her songs. Don't understand how they pick the winners.
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@Susan
You may have heard this one when it was all over the airwaves in its non-Grammified version. Everyone in our family from ages 4-70 really likes it; it's kind of a fun mashup of genres.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7qovpFAGrQ
5
@Susan I listen to the Sirius XM 'Alt Nation' channel and I hear this music all the time
7
If you listened to any radio at all this year you definitely heard Old Town Road.
8
Worst snub was definitely for Lana Del Rey. NFR deserved album of the year, or at least song of the year. Billie even cites Lana as an inspiration to her! She has been paving the way for alternative women for over 8 years and she goes without recognition.
46
This year's Grammys felt like a dirge fest. I get that the day's events impacted the the overall mood of the event, but I imagine most of the song selections were made weeks in advance. This was a pretty boring celebration of music.
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@Art Perry
Since when has the Grammys been about music?
10
@Brian33 I usually watch for the performances. Whitney Houston's performance of "One Moment in Time" at the '89 Grammys and her combined performance of Porgy/I'm Not Going/I Have Nothing at the '92 (?) AMAs remain the best I've seen.
2