Worst: Tina Turner gets a lifetime achievement honor except…
…no one did a number to salute her. Granted, like their cinematic counterparts the Recording Academy has deemed the telecast to be too busy to include such moments, but there needs to be an exception right? Sure, Beyonce and Tina performed together on the Grammy stage a decade ago. We just think if you’re gonna give Tina a lifetime achievement award it shouldn’t be relegated to a title card.
Best: Kesha
What’s to be said? Ed Sheeran won the award she deserved for “Praying,” but Kesha simply won the Grammys. She gave a heartbreaking performance that will go down in Grammy history. Flanked by Cyndi Lauper, Camila Cabello, Julia Michaels, Andre Day and Bebe Rexha, among others, she sang the ballad that many believe is her speaking to producer Dr. Luke, who she accused of sexual harrassment, to an audience full of executives who initially tried to protect him. It was a powerful statement that seemed to affect her emotionally once the song ended. Putting yourself out there is hard, but bless Kesha for having the strength to do so.
Best: Camilla Cabello
After Kesha and her chorus finished singing one member of that group, Camilla Cabello, took to the stage to give an impassioned plea to support the Dreamers whose rights are currently up in air in a tug of war between Congress and Trump. She noted, “Today, in this room full of music’s dreamers, we remember that this country was built by dreamers, for dreamers, chasing the American dream. I’m here on this stage tonight because, just like the Dreamers, my parents brought me to this country with nothing in their pockets but hope. They showed me what it means to work twice as hard and never give up. And honestly no part of my journey is any different from theirs. I’m a proud Cuban-Mexican immigrant, born in Eastern Havana, standing in front of you on the Grammy stage in New York City, and all I know is, just like dreams, these kids can’t be forgotten and are worth fighting for.” Considering Cabello just had the no. 1 album in the United States it was a powerful message from someone who put the good fight ahead of anything else.
Best: Miley Cyrus and Elton John
Over the past 15 years or so the Grammys have made the notion of pairing up a veteran music star with a younger or up and coming one into something of an art form. This edition of the show had far fewer of these pairing than in past years, but it deliver a phenomenal duet of Elton John and Miley Cyrus singing the former’s legendary hit “Tiny Dancer.” It may not have been as memorable on this night as some of the other performances, but years from now people will watch it and marvel that the two icons had this moment together and it lived up to the hype.
Worst: Where was Lorde?
The New Zealand singer won two Grammys four years ago including Song of the Year. She earned one nomination this time around in the Album of the Year category, but shockingly didn’t merit a performance from it. Considering how lackluster the event felt at times how did this telecast benefit from her not performing “Greenlight” or “Sober”? I mean, we’ve seen her sing it live. Did the Grammy producers really miss this? We missed out on that for Sting and U2?
Worst: Too much U2
First they appeared in the Kendrick Lamar performance. They they had their own gig on a barge singing “Get Out Of Your Own Way.” Wrapping this up, they presented the Album of the Year award with The Edge mistakenly referring to it as “record” which has already been handed out. It would be one thing if the classic rock band had been nominated or had a hit single out, but it all just felt like a major reach to CBS’ older audience (as did Sting). We’re perplexed and confused, honestly.
Best: Logic makes a plea
After a fantastic live performance of “1-800-273-8255“ with Best New Artist winner Alessia Cara and Khalid, Logic found himself getting censored by CBS. His song is about suicide prevention, but he expanded on its meaning in his post-performance remarks. He began, “Black is beautiful. Hate is ugly. Women are as precious as they are stronger than any man I have ever met. And onto them I say stand tall and crush all predators under the weight of your heart that is full of the love that they will never take away from you. Be not scared to use your voice especially in instances like these where you have the opportunity. Stand and fight for those who are not weak but have yet to discover the strength that the evil that this world has done its best to conceal. To all the beautiful countries filled with culture, diversity and thousands of years of history, you are not shitholes. And lastly onto the half of those who fight for equality and a world that is not equal, not just and not ready for the change we are here to bring. I say onto you bring us your tired, your poor and every immigrant that seeks refuge. For together we could build not just a better country, but a world that is destined to be united.” And, yes, his “shitholes” mention got a roar from the MSG crowd, but was bleeped by the network.
Best: Lady Gaga
O.K, we know. Lady Gaga has performed “Million Reasons” in front of a piano not only on tour this past year, but pretty much any talk show or award show that would take her. She began first with the title track for “Joanne” noting “This is for love and compassion, even when you can’t understand.” After saying “Time’s up” during an interlude she finished with “Million Reasons.” Obviously, Gaga can perform all of this with her eyes closed and in a bathrobe if she had to, but she was heavenly in a stunning white flowing dress and her blonde wig, er, hair pulled back behind her. Honestly, she pretty had us with those stunning angel wings that decorated her piano and we’re not sorry about it either.
What did you think of this year’s Grammy Awards? Share your thoughts below.