Grammys 2013 - Shortlist - Pop Solo Performance
The pop category has changed recently, so we’ll no longer see separate categories for male and female performances. This was true last year, but it takes some getting used to. When I was first compiling my list I completely forgot, so I was making a boys category and a girls category (yes, that’s what it actually said). Had to mix the two to make my final list, and I’m not sure how great that is.
At first I wanted to write “Wow, what a great critic I am”, but why go to such a negative place? Even the best and most revered critics can be completely wrong about these things. I’M A GOOD CRITIC DAMMIT.
Also, I’m going to ignore the category of Best Pop Instrumental Album, because you know I probably didn’t listen to a single one of the five that will be nominated. Last year I think I heard the winner’s – Booker T. Jones’ ‘The Road From Memphis’, but I certainly never got around to Jenny Oats Baker’s ‘Wish Upon A Star: A Tribute To The Music of Walt Disney’ (and yes, that was actually one of the five nominees).
So, we’ll begin the pop talks with Best Pop Solo Performance.
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”
I would say that a few of these are certainties, wouldn’t you? Kelly Clarkson’s “Stronger” was a smash, and let’s not even get started on “Call Me Maybe”. In my mind, if something is big enough to have a real chance at Record of the Year (as I said that Carly’s debut was), then surely it has an equal if not stronger chance at a lesser category such a pop Grammy, right? Well, that thinking may make sense, but the Grammys don’t always, so as always, anything could happen.
Adele has submitted at least one of these two songs, but I’m not sure which one. I think she and her people favored “Set Fire To The Rain”, for which they had to submit a live version. This only works with Grammy people when the song is THAT GOOD. Beyonce got a Grammy nom out of a live version of “Halo” a few years back…the year after winning in the same category (Best Female Pop Vocal Performance). Well, I don’t know that Adele has it in her pocket. Yes, she’s a critic’s darling, but they gave her every single award last year. Must we repeat?
So, this started to get too long. Guess I’ll be talking about the other pop categories in other posts. Wish I didn’t talk too much.
At first I wanted to write “Wow, what a great critic I am”, but why go to such a negative place? Even the best and most revered critics can be completely wrong about these things. I’M A GOOD CRITIC DAMMIT.
Also, I’m going to ignore the category of Best Pop Instrumental Album, because you know I probably didn’t listen to a single one of the five that will be nominated. Last year I think I heard the winner’s – Booker T. Jones’ ‘The Road From Memphis’, but I certainly never got around to Jenny Oats Baker’s ‘Wish Upon A Star: A Tribute To The Music of Walt Disney’ (and yes, that was actually one of the five nominees).
So, we’ll begin the pop talks with Best Pop Solo Performance.
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”
I would say that a few of these are certainties, wouldn’t you? Kelly Clarkson’s “Stronger” was a smash, and let’s not even get started on “Call Me Maybe”. In my mind, if something is big enough to have a real chance at Record of the Year (as I said that Carly’s debut was), then surely it has an equal if not stronger chance at a lesser category such a pop Grammy, right? Well, that thinking may make sense, but the Grammys don’t always, so as always, anything could happen.
Adele has submitted at least one of these two songs, but I’m not sure which one. I think she and her people favored “Set Fire To The Rain”, for which they had to submit a live version. This only works with Grammy people when the song is THAT GOOD. Beyonce got a Grammy nom out of a live version of “Halo” a few years back…the year after winning in the same category (Best Female Pop Vocal Performance). Well, I don’t know that Adele has it in her pocket. Yes, she’s a critic’s darling, but they gave her every single award last year. Must we repeat?
So, this started to get too long. Guess I’ll be talking about the other pop categories in other posts. Wish I didn’t talk too much.