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Not so Gaga for the Grammys

Published: Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Updated: Thursday, February 4, 2010 03:02

Let’s start with a cliché: the Grammy Awards is like a car wreck. You know you don’t want to see it, but you can’t help but check it out. This is a mistake I make yearly.


Considering few other artists besides Lady Gaga, Beyonce and Taylor Swift were nominated, I wasn’t anticipating anything worth watching, and I was right.


Back to the car wreck metaphor – Lady Gaga’s opening performance. Seriously? What was that? She looked like Audrey II, the evil plant from “Little Shop of Horrors,” with shoulder pads and a thong. Now this sounds intriguing, but I found very little sexually appealing about a man-like shrub singing and dancing poorly.


Throughout the entire evening, Lady Gaga seemed to do everything in her power to annoy everyone watching, including wrecking Elton John’s “Your Song.” Gaga lacks talent in a loud and obnoxious way, unlike anything the world has seen before. I honestly cannot comprehend the infatuation the world has with her.


If her androgynous looks and her hideous singing wasn’t enough for me to dislike her, her attire was. From the red carpet until the night concluded, Gaga was the equivalent of a defective child desperate for attention playing dress-up. I read in an interview that Lady Gaga’s music is inspired by fashion, which really clears up why her music is unlistenable.


But enough about that. There was much more throughout the night that was both frustrating and confusing. While watching, I was left with a few questions. Do people really still like Bon Jovi? Who thought Taylor Swift and Stevie Nicks were a good combo? What the hell was going on during Pink’s performance?


I think the biggest question—or criticism—is why does every performance need to be so ridiculously over the top, jamming as many people on stage as humanly possible or relying on foolish gimmicks and elaborate stage shows that are masturbatory at best?


While I’m still griping, I have to take issue with the Michael Jackson tribute. “Earth Song”... really? I’m not saying it’s a bad track—far from it—but come on. 


Performing a song that wasn’t on “Thriller” is nothing short of spitting on MJ’s grave, unless “Will You Be There?”  was performed because MJ belts it like no other, and there’s a sick drum beat and about 40 key changes.


Also, this is essentially MJ’s Grammy-going-out-party. Couldn’t we have done a little better than 3-D glasses?


OK, Taylor Swift, it’s your turn. I don’t know how many awards you’ve won this year because I didn’t look it up, but I do know it is a hell of a lot.


There is absolutely no need to almost break out into tears like you didn’t expect to win.


Everyone expected you to win.


That doesn’t mean you are talented, though, it just means the world loves little non-threatening white girls who write their own music. Oh, and please stop singing flat; it’s really annoying.


I wasn’t mad when Swift won album of the year because, honestly, none of the albums nominated were really any good. What did upset me was when she said she was bringing the album of the year Grammy back to Nashville. If Taylor Swift is Nashville, I’m Compton.


Just because your pop music has a little bit of twang to it does not mean you are a country artist. I was just praying for that girl to get “Kanye’d” again.


A few more quick shots before I get to the positives (yes, there were positives).


Green Day preformed “21 Guns” with the cast of the upcoming Broadway musical based on their 2004 album “American Idiot.” I’m glad they haven’t strayed far from their roots. Long live punk rock.


I thought Lady Gaga was manly, but then Fergie emerged along with her Black Eyed Peas minions. Do people still like them? If so, why?


Are there awards given out at the Grammys or just elaborate performances? I’m pretty sure I could count the number of awards given out on one hand. But what do I know; it’s only an awards show.


Despite the above nonsense, there were a few solid moments.


Jeff Beck’s tribute to the late Les Paul was more than entertaining, Beyonce was on fire (both vocally and visually) and the Dave Matthews Band actually put together a nice performance.


The highlight of the show, though, was undoubtedly Lil Wayne, Drake and the triumphant return of Eminem.


I know Eminem has been around recently, but he hasn’t sounded this good since “The Marshall Mathers LP.”


Travis Barker on the drums and a pretty tight band added a lot as well.


The performance started out with Weezy and Em on “Drop the World,” one of maybe two good songs on Weezy’s upcoming record, “Rebirth.”


After a few minutes of that, Drake came on and the trio absolutely destroyed “Forever.”


That is, I think they did. The ridiculous censoring of both the lyrics and the music made the performance almost inaudible.


I understand it’s live television, but there has to be a better way to censor some lyrics.


Regardless, the performance was incredible and essentially made the show.


Overall, the Grammys did exactly what it always does, and that is entertain. It gave highs and lows, it gave questions and confusions; it did exactly what it needed to do. 


The ratings were great and people are talking about it around the world. That sounds like a success to me.


I don’t care that I consider the Grammys a car wreck; I won’t ever be able to look away.
 

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36 comments

Anonymous
Thu Feb 4 2010 10:38
GaGa was AMAZING
Anonymous
Thu Feb 4 2010 10:33
Clearly you've never studied music, because Lady GaGa has mad talent. And you have to look below the surface to truly understand what she does. But I guess you're too one-dimentional to do that.

That being said, you are correct in Taylor's lack of talent. Girl can't carry a tune in a bucket. Lucky for her, being cute and innocent is apparently a requirement for winning awards. And yes, the whole over-the-top surprised act is getting REALLY old. You win everything Taylor, why wouldn't you win this? Seriously, if you have any brain cells at all you have to know by now that you're likely to win. And the whole Stevie duet thing was horrible. I think my ears were bleeding.

As for the over-the-top performance acts, that's what these artists are; performers. They want to put on an amazing show to wow their fans and demonstrate their creativity and artistic vision. Some are excellent at this, like Pink and Lady GaGa, and others are just adding stuff to bulk up the performance, like Beyonce. She usually puts on a great show but I seriously didn't understand what the whole 'army of guys who did nothing' was all about. But Pink and GaGa put on a beautiful show if you look at it on a deeper level.

Melody Titan
Thu Feb 4 2010 09:42
Why no mention or bashing of the rappers auto-tune, lip-synching foolishness. I was expecting a few "that's not really singing" body slams but the rappers (and rappettes) get a free ride on this one? Come on man if you are going to slam every artist in one way or another you have to be fair.
Anonymous
Thu Feb 4 2010 08:53
Really? Where have you been? Bon Jovi is beginning a world tour, which has sold out at all of their shows. Apparently people do still like Bon Jovi. Furthermore, I'm insulted that you basically insinuated that people stop having a say so in music because they're not 25.
Anonymous
Thu Feb 4 2010 08:46
I can tell you aren't going to be going much further than this website. Your article is so pessimistic it makes me sick. Do you like anything about anyone? Also, GaGa is probably the most talented artist in the game right now, so stop being so jealous and maybe get a reality check.
Anonymous
Thu Feb 4 2010 07:44
Good article. Agree with everything EXCEPT all mentions of Lady Gaga. I thought her performance was good and her album was good enough to win album of the year. Taylor Swift is absolute trash, no idea how she became so popular...oh wait yes I do...Kanye West! She should have thanked Kanye on the stage when accepting her awards. Calling her country is like calling John Mayor rock.

Eminem/Lil Wayne/Drake's performance was bomb though! I've even watched on Youtube multiple times. Eminem is truly amazing to watch right now because he has come out of "retirement" better and more focused on his game than ever. Getting sober did wonders for an already talented as hell artist.

Anonymous
Thu Feb 4 2010 07:28
I love you gaga (L)
4e8en
Thu Feb 4 2010 06:53
you can tell the author is a black idiot. lol GO LADY GAGA!!
Anonymous
Thu Feb 4 2010 04:46
Lady gagas performance was AMAZING actually!
Anonymous
Thu Feb 4 2010 03:28
Um, really? Eminem, Lil Wayne and Drake, best show of the evening? Yeesh. While I agree that the awards to Swift and Beyonce were overdone, what do you have against visually appealing production value? That's why they're the Grammys!
Anonymous
Thu Feb 4 2010 03:24
Um, really? Eminem, Lil Wayne and Drake, best show of the evening? Yeesh. While I agree that the awards to Swift and Beyonce were overdone, what do you have against visually appealing production value? That's why they're the Grammys!
george
Thu Feb 4 2010 03:12
wow, what world are you living in? in case you haven't heard, being spiteful doesn't make you popular. good luck in high school.
Anonymous
Thu Feb 4 2010 02:59
how old is the writer? 17?
BFF
Thu Feb 4 2010 02:52
Nothing about Kings of Leon, eh? Why beat a dead horse, I suppose. (Luv u, clichés)
Anonymous
Thu Feb 4 2010 02:41
GET 'EM JAY!
Anonymous
Thu Feb 4 2010 02:39
Give someone an article and they love to slay those that are different and hate on everyone.
What a close minded jacka**






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