Grammys 2013 - Nominations
...and they're out! I love seeing how correct (or extremely wrong) I was. Sometimes it makes me feel good, and other times it makes me feel like I've never learned anything about Grammy voters. This year I didn't do too badly, especially when compared to past years.
I'm getting better at this!
So, here are the actual nominations compared to what I guessed, and then a little explanation as to why some of these things may have transpired. You know, because I know everything that the collective Grammy electorate was thinking.
I'm getting better at this!
So, here are the actual nominations compared to what I guessed, and then a little explanation as to why some of these things may have transpired. You know, because I know everything that the collective Grammy electorate was thinking.
Album of the Year |
The Nominees
Black Keys – ‘El Camino’ Jack White – ‘Blunderbuss’ fun. – ‘Some Nights’ Mumford & Sons – ‘Babel’ Frank Ocean – ‘Channel Orange’ |
My Predictions
What I was “sure” of: Drake – ‘Take Care’ Black Keys – ‘El Camino’ Mumford & Sons – ‘Babel’ Frank Ocean – ‘Channel Orange’ |
The Rest
Florence + the Machine – ‘Ceremonials’ Coldplay – ‘Mylo Xyloto’ Lionel Richie – ‘Tuskegee’ Ed Sheeran – ‘+’ Fiona Apple – ‘The Idler Wheel…’ Rihanna – ‘Talk That Talk’ Miranda Lambert – ‘Four The Record’ |
I didn’t think that fun. would get as much love as they did, but I am happy for them. They are spectacular, and they deserve it. I saw that a number of people had Jack White on their lists, but I didn’t put him on mine (well, obviously). I just didn’t think that ‘Blunderbuss’ was the big deal that everyone else did. This might be a way for Grammy voters to lament the loss of the beloved White Stripes.
Record of the Year |
The Nominees
The Black Keys – “Lonely Boy” Frank Ocean – “Thinkin Bout You” fun. – “We Are Young (ft. Janelle Monae)” Gotye – “Somebody That I Used To Know (ft. Kimbra)” Kelly Clarkson – “Stronger” Taylor Swift – “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” |
My Predictions
Adele – “Rumor Has It” Black Keys – “Lonely Boy” Carly Rae Jepsen – “Call Me Maybe” Drake – “Take Care (ft. Rihanna)” Frank Ocean – “Thinkin Bout You” |
Florence + the Machine – “Shake It Out”
fun. – “We Are Young (ft. Janelle Monae)” Gotye – “Somebody That I Used To Know (ft. Kimbra)” Katy Perry – “Wide Awake” Kelly Clarkson – “Stronger” |
Not seeing Carly Rae here is really, really a shame. That song was MASSIVE – wayyy bigger than several others there. Now, I’m all about rewarding artistic integrity over sales, but it deserved a slot, if not the win. I’m upset that the Grammy voters filled the slot with equally-as-poppy records (Kelly Clarkson and Taylor Swift), but not the biggest of those three.
The effects of “Call Me Maybe” are going to be felt for years in the trends of the music industry. Let’s see if anyone even gives a fuck about “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” by the next Grammy nominations concert.
I’m actually just most upset about that.
Not since “Bad Romance” being passed up for Record and Song of the Year nominations has there been such a pop Passover. Ugh.
The effects of “Call Me Maybe” are going to be felt for years in the trends of the music industry. Let’s see if anyone even gives a fuck about “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” by the next Grammy nominations concert.
I’m actually just most upset about that.
Not since “Bad Romance” being passed up for Record and Song of the Year nominations has there been such a pop Passover. Ugh.
Song of the Year |
The Nominees
fun. – “We Are Young (ft. Janelle Monae)” Carly Rae Jepsen – “Call Me Maybe” Kelly Clarkson – “Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)” Miguel – “Adorn” Ed Sheeran – “The A Team” |
My Predictions
Adele – “Rumor Has It” The Black Keys – “Lonely Boy” Carly Rae Jepsen – “Call Me Maybe” Drake – “Take Care (ft. Rihanna)” Frank Ocean – “Thinkin Bout You” |
Florence + the Machine – “Shake It Out”
fun. – “We Are Young (ft. Janelle Monae)” Gotye – “Somebody That I Used To Know (ft. Kimbra)” Lana Del Rey – “Video Games” Miranda Lambert – “Over You” Mumford & Sons – “I Will Wait” |
Three out of five again. Not bad. I’ll call it a win. Hell, I’d call ONE out of five a win in some categories. Nice to see Ed Sheeran and Miguel get some love there. Miguel was completely passed over for his first album, and “Adorn” is great. Sheeran didn’t make it in for Best New Artist, but this works. And, FINALLY. “CALL ME MAYBE”. I wouldn’t have put it in SOTY – it’s much better in the ROTY category – but I’ll take what I can get.
Best New Artist |
The Nominees
Alabama Shakes fun. Hunter Hayes The Lumineers Frank Ocean |
My Predictions
Carly Rae Jepsen Frank Ocean fun. Gotye Lana Del Rey |
The Rest
Azealia Banks Carly Rae Jepsen Ed Sheeran Elle Varner Emeli Sande |
Frank Ocean
fun. Gotye Karmin Lana Del Rey Of Monsters and Men One Direction |
I had an even longer list from the beginning, one that included Hunter Hayes, (and I quote: “Who else was here, but didn’t make the “shortlist”? Mac Miller, Hunter Hayes…”) but I took him off. I thought about both Alabama Shakes and The Lumineers (Alabama Shakes in particular), but didn’t include either of them. I did this not because I don’t like them, but because there were so many other artists that I thought would come before them. This was the year of new artists all making HUGE splashes, and I didn’t think either of these two had made a big enough one in comparison.
Nice to see fun. and Frank Ocean there. They both completely deserve it. And Hunter Hayes is hot, so, yeah.
Nice to see fun. and Frank Ocean there. They both completely deserve it. And Hunter Hayes is hot, so, yeah.
Pop Solo |
The Nominees
Kelly Clarkson – “What Doesn’t Kill You (Stronger)” Rihanna – “Where Have You Been” Katy Perry – “Wide Awake” Carly Rae Jepsen – “Call Me Maybe” Adele – “Set Fire To The Rain (Live)” |
My Predictions
Pink – “(Blow Me) One Last Kiss” Kelly Clarkson – “What Doesn’t Kill You (Stronger)” Rihanna – “Where Have You Been” Katy Perry – “Wide Awake” Adele – “Rumor Has It” |
Adele – “Set Fire To The Rain (Live)”
Lana Del Rey – “Born To Die” Jason Mraz – “I Won’t Give Up” Carly Rae Jepsen – “Call Me Maybe” Taylor Swift – “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” Demi Lovato – “Give Your Heart A Break” |
Well, I got five out of five in this one. I knew a few of these – Kelly Clarkson and Carly Rae mostly – but none of the other three surprise me. I thought that “Where Have You Been” might have been submitted in the dance category, but no matter. I am a bit surprised that Taylor Swift’s “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” wasn’t included here, yet it managed to snag a nomination for Record of the Year. Doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to me, but whatever.
Pop Duo/
|
The Nominees
Florence + the Machine – “Shake It Out” Maroon 5 – “Payphone (ft. Wiz Khalifa)” Gotye – “Somebody That I Used To Know (ft. Kimbra)” fun. – “We Are Young (ft. Janelle Monae)” LMFAO – “Sexy and I Know It” |
My Predictions
fun. – “We Are Young (ft. Janelle Monae)” Karmin – “Broken Hearted” One Direction – “What Makes You Beautiful” Gotye – “Somebody That I Used To Know (ft. Kimbra)” Florence + the Machine – “Shake It Out” Maroon 5 – “Payphone (ft. Wiz Khalifa)” Maroon 5 – “One More Night” Gym Class Heroes – “Ass Back Home (ft. Neon Hitch)” Florence + the Machine – “Shake It Out” |
Well, as you can see, I was expecting most of those. I pegged four of the five, and I absolutely knew that three of them were going to happen. I wasn’t positive about Florence. It was wishful thinking. Wishful thinking that came true! The best kind!
But…LMFAO…? “Party Rock Anthem” didn’t get anything last year, so instead give them one for “Sexy and I Know It”? Ummm…
But…LMFAO…? “Party Rock Anthem” didn’t get anything last year, so instead give them one for “Sexy and I Know It”? Ummm…
Pop Vocal Album |
The Nominees
Maroon 5 – ‘Overexposed’ Kelly Clarkson – ‘Stronger’ Florence + the Machine – ‘Ceremonials’ Pink – ‘The Truth About Love’ fun. – ‘Some Nights’ |
My Predictions
Justin Bieber – ‘Believe’ Maroon 5 – ‘Overexposed’ Kelly Clarkson – ‘Stronger’ Florence + the Machine – ‘Ceremonials’ Rihanna – ‘Talk That Talk’ |
One Direction – ‘Up All Night’
Norah Jones – ‘Little Broken Hearts’ Lana Del Rey – ‘Born To Die’ Carly Rae Jepsen – ‘Kiss’ Pink – ‘The Truth About Love’ Jason Mraz – ‘Love Is A Four Letter Word’ |
THREE OUT OF FIVE! Not too shabbyyy. Probably should have known about fun. getting an album nod, but I assumed they were going to go the rock/alternative route. No matter. I’m feeling pretty good about this one. And a fourth one in my other possibilities!
I’m happy to see Pink grab a nomination. She doesn’t often get recognized for her albums, so this is a nice moment for her.
I’m happy to see Pink grab a nomination. She doesn’t often get recognized for her albums, so this is a nice moment for her.
Dance Recording |
The Nominees
Avicii – “Levels” Swedish House Mafia – “Don’t You Worry Child (ft. John Martin)” Skrillex – “Bangarang (ft. Sirah)” Calvin Harris – “Let’s Go (ft. Ne-Yo)” Al Walser – “I Can’t Live Without You” |
My Predictions
My top 5: Swedish House Mafia – “Don’t You Worry Child (ft. John Martin)” Skrillex – “Bangarang (ft. Sirah)” David Guetta – “Titanium (ft. Sia)” Avicii – “Levels” Calvin Harris – “Feel So Close” |
The Rest
Martin Solveig – “The Night Out” David Guetta – “She Wolf (ft. Sia)” Rihanna – “Where Have You Been” Lady Gaga – “Marry The Night” deadmau5 – “Professional Griefers (ft. Gerard Way)” Zedd – “Spectrum (ft. Matthew Koma)” |
I got three of the five right – and those three were in my top choices. Not bad. I’m a little surprised that Calvin Harris’ Ne-Yo assisted “Let’s Go” was chosen over “Feel So Close”, but I knew he’d be in there no matter what. He’s just too big not to. Now, I have NO IDEA WHO AL WALSER IS. I haven’t heard his name mentioned ANYWHERE this year, nor have I heard this song. I’ll have to look him up.
Dance/
|
The Nominees
Steve Aoki – ‘Wonderland’ The Chemical Brothers – ‘Don’t Think’ Deadmau5 – ‘Album Title Goes Here’ Kaskade – ‘Fire & Ice’ Skrillex – ‘Bangarang’ |
My Predictions
deadmau5 – ‘Album Title Goes Here’ Skrillex – ‘Bangarang’ M83 – ‘Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming’ Scissor Sisters – ‘Magic Hour’ |
I clearly missed out on people like Steve Aoki and Kaskade. I don’t know HOW I missed The Chemical Brothers. Sometimes I quickly look at something and don’t realize it was eligible. Other times I’m just dumb. Anyways, congrats to the nominees. Sorry I missed some of you!
Remix |
The Nominees
Ivan Gough & Feenixpawl – “In My Mind (ft. Georgi Kay) (Axwell Remix)” Moby – “Lie Down In Darkness (Photek Remix)” M83 – “Midnight City (Eric Prydz Private Remix)” Nero – “Promises (Skrillex & Nero Remix)” Deadmau5 – “The Veldt (ft. Chris James) (Tommy Trash Remix)” |
Like a number of other categories, I didn’t even attempt to come up with a list of possible nominees here. I don’t follow dance anywhere close enough to know who might have a chance at this. I didn’t even know who would grab a nomination for dance album, let alone remix! Plus, trying to figure out things like if something is eligible (due to when it was “officially” released) without the actual list from the Grammys is extremely difficult. Easier to just hang out and see who gets a nod.
Keep in mind that it isn’t to original artist of the song that is nominated here, it is the remixer. So, that means that M83 isn’t nominated (in this category), but Eric Prydz. It’s nice that some of these people are nominated (Tommy Trash, Nero, Photek and Prydz), as I don’t think they would really have had a chance otherwise.
Keep in mind that it isn’t to original artist of the song that is nominated here, it is the remixer. So, that means that M83 isn’t nominated (in this category), but Eric Prydz. It’s nice that some of these people are nominated (Tommy Trash, Nero, Photek and Prydz), as I don’t think they would really have had a chance otherwise.
Short Form Music Video |
The Nominees
Foster The People – “Houdini” Kanye West & Jay-Z – “No Church In The Wild (ft. Frank Ocean & The-Dream)” M.I.A. – “Bad Girls” Rihanna – “We Found Love (ft. Calvin Harris)” Woodkid – “Run Boy Run” |
Again, in this category I didn’t even try to guess. I don’t watch too many music videos, so I wouldn’t really know what’s what in that world. And, don’t be mad that I don’t watch the videos – I spend too much time listening to the music! By the time a video for a single comes out, I’ve already heard it, written about it, and moved on. They’re lovely, but they just aren’t my focus.
I’m not surprised by any of these except WOODKID. HOLY SHIT. I CAN’T BELIEVE THIS HAPPENED. I LITERALLY GASPED AND SCREAMED OUT LOUD WHEN I READ THIS (which was embarrassing, as I was on a bus). I’ve written about Woodkid before, and I am so stoked that people took notice of the masterpiece that is this video.
I’m not surprised by any of these except WOODKID. HOLY SHIT. I CAN’T BELIEVE THIS HAPPENED. I LITERALLY GASPED AND SCREAMED OUT LOUD WHEN I READ THIS (which was embarrassing, as I was on a bus). I’ve written about Woodkid before, and I am so stoked that people took notice of the masterpiece that is this video.
Other Tidbits
I’m not going to sit here and talk about every category, as that would just become exhausting. Plus, this is a sit dedicated to pop and dance, so don’t expect me to get into the country and the jazz and all that. But, there are some fun nominations that I thought I should tell you all about that don’t fit into the eleven categories I already mentioned. Here are some Grammy tidbits for you to share with friends, as they might not know:
- Gotye’s ‘Making Mirrors’ album did snag a nomination in the Best Alternative Album category, as did M83 (who I thought might compete in the Dance realm).
- Bob Marley (who has never won a competitive Grammy) is nominated for creating the soundtrack for a film called ‘Marley’.
- ‘The Hunger Games’ has two songs competing in the Best Song Written for Visual Media category – Arcade Fire’s “Abraham’s Daughter” and Taylor Swift & The Civil Wars’ “Safe & Sound”.
- Janelle Monae is nominated for Album of the Year as a featured artist on fun.’s ‘Some Nights’.
- Andre 3000, John Mayer, and Earl Sweatshirt (of Odd Future) are all nominated for the top prize as well, thanks to Frank Ocean’s ‘Channel Orange’.
- Kelly Clarkson is the only who is nominated for Song of the Year or Record of the Year (she is nominated for both) who didn’t have a hand in writing or producing the song nominated.
- The Beach Boys and Paul McCartney are both nominated in the Best Historical Album category.
- McCartney is also up for another award in the Best Traditional Pop Album category, being only one of three nominees (with Michael Buble and Carole King).
- First Lady Michelle Obama is nominated for Best Spoken Word Album (the first First Lady to do so while in office), alongside Bill Clinton, Janis Ian, Ellen DeGeneres and Rachel Maddow.
- SWV (an R&B girl group) put out there first album since 1997 this year and were rewarded with a nomination for Best Traditional R&B Performance (for “If Only You Knew”).
- Estelle surprised everyone by grabbing a nomination for Best R&B Performance for her song “Thank You” off ‘All Of Me’. I don’t think anyone thought the Grammys would see her face again.
- Amy Winehouse is nominated for the second year after her death (she won last year for her collaboration with Tony Bennett), this time with Nas on the track “Cherry Wine”.
- Sia might have missed out on any nominations with David Guetta, but she did grab ONE nomination, for “Wild Ones” with Flo Rida.
- Tegan and Sara nabbed their first Grammy nomination for Best Long Form Music Video.
So, that’s what’s happening at the Grammys this year! Exciting! If you want to read more about who is nominated in other categories, you can click here and go through everything and everyone. There are quite a few nominees, so it may take you a while. Have fun!
- Gotye’s ‘Making Mirrors’ album did snag a nomination in the Best Alternative Album category, as did M83 (who I thought might compete in the Dance realm).
- Bob Marley (who has never won a competitive Grammy) is nominated for creating the soundtrack for a film called ‘Marley’.
- ‘The Hunger Games’ has two songs competing in the Best Song Written for Visual Media category – Arcade Fire’s “Abraham’s Daughter” and Taylor Swift & The Civil Wars’ “Safe & Sound”.
- Janelle Monae is nominated for Album of the Year as a featured artist on fun.’s ‘Some Nights’.
- Andre 3000, John Mayer, and Earl Sweatshirt (of Odd Future) are all nominated for the top prize as well, thanks to Frank Ocean’s ‘Channel Orange’.
- Kelly Clarkson is the only who is nominated for Song of the Year or Record of the Year (she is nominated for both) who didn’t have a hand in writing or producing the song nominated.
- The Beach Boys and Paul McCartney are both nominated in the Best Historical Album category.
- McCartney is also up for another award in the Best Traditional Pop Album category, being only one of three nominees (with Michael Buble and Carole King).
- First Lady Michelle Obama is nominated for Best Spoken Word Album (the first First Lady to do so while in office), alongside Bill Clinton, Janis Ian, Ellen DeGeneres and Rachel Maddow.
- SWV (an R&B girl group) put out there first album since 1997 this year and were rewarded with a nomination for Best Traditional R&B Performance (for “If Only You Knew”).
- Estelle surprised everyone by grabbing a nomination for Best R&B Performance for her song “Thank You” off ‘All Of Me’. I don’t think anyone thought the Grammys would see her face again.
- Amy Winehouse is nominated for the second year after her death (she won last year for her collaboration with Tony Bennett), this time with Nas on the track “Cherry Wine”.
- Sia might have missed out on any nominations with David Guetta, but she did grab ONE nomination, for “Wild Ones” with Flo Rida.
- Tegan and Sara nabbed their first Grammy nomination for Best Long Form Music Video.
So, that’s what’s happening at the Grammys this year! Exciting! If you want to read more about who is nominated in other categories, you can click here and go through everything and everyone. There are quite a few nominees, so it may take you a while. Have fun!