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Celeb News: TIMES: The best and worst of 2013 Grammys
ATRL Contributor
Member Since: 8/8/2006
Posts: 42,086
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TIMES: The best and worst of 2013 Grammys
Taylor Swift, “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together”
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In what was undoubtedly Kanye West’s biggest nightmare, Taylor Swift—wearing a white top hat with a three-ring circus behind her—opened the show singing her hit “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together.” Midway through the song she changed her lyrics to say (in a British accent perhaps directed at recent ex-Harry Styles), “I’m sorry I’m busy opening up the Grammys—and we’re never getting back together.” If the cameraman had zoomed in on John Mayer’s face during the performance, the score would be higher.
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Grade: B
Elton John and Ed Sheeran, “The A Team”
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At some point in his career, Sir Elton assumed the role of big-name guest (accompanying stars, instead of performing in his own right). Last year, it was Lady Gaga—this year Sir Elton handpicked young British singer-songwriter Sheeran to perform alongside him. Sir Elton, clad in sparkly blue blazer and matching glasses, sang the opening verses of Sheeran’s “The A-Team” before letting Ed join in. The performance was fine, but slightly underwhelming.
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Grade: B-
Fun., “Carry On”
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When Fun. took the stage, one may have wondered why the lead singer was wearing high-water pants. Once the band made it rain, literally, on stage during their performance, his reasons became clear. While the band’s album is quite enjoyable, their stage show was strangely unaffecting and unmemorable. On the plus side, they weren’t electrocuted by the faux rainfall. It was also considerate of Fun. to create a new arrangement of the song for Glee to cover.
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Grade: D
Miranda Lambert and Dierks Bentley, “Over You” / ”Home”
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Since Lambert and Bentley were tasked with “celebrating the art of country music at its finest,” there was little hope that they would live up to such expectations (despite singing beneath a giant fake oak). However, Lambert is always incredible, and she did not fail to provide a powerful version of “Over You” that she co-wrote with her husband Blake Shelton. Bentley— a less charismatic country version of Coldplay’s Chris Martin‚—managed to accompany Lambert without making his presence known.
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Grade: C+
Miguel and Wiz Khalifa, “Adorn”
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There was no stage show, no circus, and no mighty oak tree setting the scene when Miguel started singing his soulful track “Adorn.” He simply started crooning in to a microphone set up in the aisle of the theater and started wandering towards the stage. Wiz Khalifa met Miguel on stage to lend his considerable talents. The most dazzling part of the performance was Miguel’s satin smooth voice—and Wiz’s dizzying black-and-white patterned suit (worn sans shirt). Rihanna was standing in the front row during their entire performance—and not because she needed a bathroom break.
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Grade: A
Mumford & Sons, “I Will Wait”
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Mumford & Sons look much more comfortable on stage during this Grammy performance. The band was earnest and straightforward with very little pomp surrounding their polished performance. The only issue with their time on stage (aside from the fact that all their songs sound alike) was that the band was so blindingly backlit that it was hard to watch for more than a few moments at a time. Which allowed us to Google which song they were playing.
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Grade: B+
Justin Timberlake, “Suit and Tie” / “Pusher Love Girl”
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Turning the Grammys into the Instagrammys, Timberlake’s performance of “Suit and Tie” was broadcast entirely in sepiatone. (1977 filter, FTW!) Timberlake wore a tuxedo and performed in big band style, but was instantly upstaged when Jay-Z casually walked out of the front row, strolled up on stage, picked up the mic and started in with his contribution to JT’s comeback. If that wasn’t enough for fans, Timberlake then unveiled a brand new song, “Pusher Love Girl,” complete with his trademark dance moves and falsetto.
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Grade: A
Alicia Keys and Maroon 5, “Girl On Fire” / ”Daylight”
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LL Cool J introduced this performance with a quote from the Constitution—and it only went downhill from there. Maroon 5 kicked off the inscrutable mashup offering up Adam Levine singing and dancing to “Daylight,” only to be joined by Alicia Keys having a Sheila E moment, playing the drums to her theme song from The Hunger Games. The problem is: both songs are repetitive and light on hooks—mashing them together did neither song any favors.
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Grade: C
Rihanna, “Stay”
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When you think of a Rihanna performance, you think dynamic, flashy and fun. This was not that. Her version of “Stay,” featuring Mikky Ekko (who wore a black knit ski cap for the occasion) was redolent and sultry and sleepy. The song did a remarkable job of reminding viewers that Rihanna has a truly beautiful voice and is far from simply being a manufactured product. ( ) Unfortunately, her performance was slower than the plot in Battleship.
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Grade: B-
The Black Keys, Dr. John, and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, “Lonely Boy”
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The Black Keys brought New Orleans legends the Preservation Hall Jazz Band onstage to perform their newly-anointed Grammy winning hit “Lonely Boy.” However, Dr. John, who I like to think is the inspiration for The Muppets’ Dr. Teeth, upstaged them all by calmly playing the piano while dressed like the love child of an Ewok and the crazy man on the subway you would change cars to avoid. It was blisteringly fun to watch and provided a much needed tempo shift for the show.
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Grade: B+ (Black Keys), A+ (Dr. John)
Kelly Clarkson, “Tennessee Waltz” / ”(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman”
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With just a piano, a guitar, and her killer voice, Clarkson delivered a beautifully understated and warm performance of Patti Page’s and Carole King’s “Tennessee Waltz.” As she segued into ”(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” it was clear that Clarkson was giving it her all and taking the attendees to school. That is how it’s done.
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Grade: A
Bruno Mars, Sting, Rihanna, and Ziggy Marley, “Locked Out of Heaven” / ”Walking On The Moon” / “Get Up Stand Up” / “Could You Be Loved”
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While Bruno Mars was billed as paying tribute to reggae legend Bob Marley, he launched into “Locked Out of Heaven,” which, last I checked, was not written by Marley. However, the song neatly segued into The Police’s “Walking on the Moon,” which Sting performed well enough. We can only imagine that while they were playing their own songs, they were thinking of Bob Marley in their hearts. The performance was saved by Rihanna and Ziggy Marley, rushing the stage to sing “Get Up Stand Up” and “Could You Be Loved” with so much enthusiasm that they got the audience on their feet and dancing in no time.
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Grade: B
The Lumineers, “Hey Ho”
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For their first time on the Grammys, newcomers the Lumineers opted to play it safe. The band members lined up on stage and went with a straightforward (and gimmick-free version) of their earworm of a song “Hey Ho.” The only visual excitement came from a clever cameraman who cut away to country legend Melissa Etheridge shouting along to the catchy chorus.
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Grade: B-
Jack White, “Love Interruption” / “Freedom at 21.”
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In a performance pulled straight out of Tim Burton’s playbook, Jack White kicked off his segment with an all-female band gathered around a piano. Dressed in full matador attire, he took his guitar and walked across the stage to kick out the jams with a full rock band. His take on “Freedom at 21” imbued some serious rock-and-roll into the otherwise staid show and, perhaps more importantly, easily upstaged the Black Keys, who had just bested White for best rock album.
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Grade: B+
Carrie Underwood, “Blown Away” / “Two Black Cadillacs”
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Based exclusively on performances from the show, it’s clear that American Idol actually can produce incredibly talented singers. Following in fellow Idol-winner Kelly Clarkson’s footsteps, Underwood’s understated rendition of “Blown Away” was vocally powerful. That said, her dress was crazy. As soon as she started singing “Two Black Cadillacs,” images were projected onto her white gown as she stood stock still, the result being that it occasionally looked like she had turned into an alien breeding ground. It was a nifty party trick, but ultimately distracting from the music.
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Grade: B
Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke, and Kenny Garrett; tribute to Dave Brubeck
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Forty-five seconds is not nearly enough time when you have this much talent on stage playing tribute to jazz great Dave Brubeck. While it’s clear that the bulk of the Grammys audience is not jazz fans, less than a minute out of a three-hour show is insulting.
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Grade: A+
Frank Ocean, “Forrest Gump”
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The audience waved pom-poms to cheer Ocean on as he sang “Forrest Gump” off of his incredible channelOrange album. He was dressed like a character from a Wes Anderson movie, complete with headband that matched his yellow suit, as he ran on stage to deliver a syrupy slow and understated performance of the already slow track. The visuals that accompanied the song were stunning–as Ocean played, his legs continued to run, digitally, in a literal interpretation of the lyrics, while the stage was lit up like a road. It was beautiful and strange, which ended up being mesmerizing. However it seemed like his nerves got the better of him and he seemed to lose the tune a few times. It was a strange song choice that he wasn’t quite able to pull off.
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Grade: B
LL Cool J, Travis Parker, Chuck D, Z Trip, and Tom Morello, “Whaddup” / “No Sleep Till Brooklyn”
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After a rousing rendition of the original tune “Whaddup,” the super-group gave a fast and furious tribute to belated Beastie Boy MCA —with Chuck D and LL Cool J jumping around to “No Sleep Till Brooklyn.” Unfortunately, at least on the East Coast, the performance was covered up by advertisements and end-of-show credits.
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Grade: B+
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Member Since: 3/6/2011
Posts: 11,407
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They better praise the vocalist of our generation.
Rihanna
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Member Since: 6/6/2011
Posts: 48,509
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Member Since: 5/22/2011
Posts: 21,227
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Carrie only got a B? She deserved an A .. She was one of the top two vocally tonight. 
/failarticle
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Member Since: 4/30/2012
Posts: 16,573
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Rihanna. 
The Mumford shade. 
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Member Since: 6/6/2011
Posts: 29,899
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Perfect ratings tbh
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Member Since: 6/11/2012
Posts: 396
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Carrie getting a B...smh
That performance was flawless and errbody knows it.
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Member Since: 10/7/2010
Posts: 17,418
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D for Carry On 
The song is top 10 on iTunes ...
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Member Since: 9/28/2008
Posts: 4,521
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Go Kelly!
But this year lacked the WOW, water cooler moment.
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Member Since: 8/1/2012
Posts: 5,315
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How did Justin get an A? His vocal wasn't on point, he was dancing like an old man and his performance was boring. The best part of his performance was Jay-Z.
Taylor Swift got a B and she was the worst vocalist that night.
And LL Cool J and Chuck D performance.
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Member Since: 3/30/2009
Posts: 79,408
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Quote:
Originally posted by King of R&B
How did Justin get an A? His vocal wasn't on point, he was dancing like an old man and his performance boring. The part of his performance was Jay-Z. |
Justin's perfect performance has only gotten A's so you're in a minority.
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Member Since: 1/10/2011
Posts: 3,484
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Member Since: 4/2/2010
Posts: 17,951
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Everyone got an A or a B 
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Member Since: 12/7/2010
Posts: 26,813
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Taylor got B 
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Member Since: 1/8/2012
Posts: 11,352
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Get that praise Rihanna.
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Member Since: 7/15/2012
Posts: 8,288
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Worst: P!nk making pancakes instead of giving us of the performance of the year 
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Member Since: 5/18/2012
Posts: 27,141
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WAIT!!!!
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joined by Alicia Keys having a Sheila E moment, playing the drums to her theme song from The Hunger Games.
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WHAAAT?????
EPIC FAIL!!!  
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Member Since: 7/21/2009
Posts: 6,559
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Originally posted by theREALslimSHADY
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I thought that's a joke/shade 
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Member Since: 11/16/2010
Posts: 11,962
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Carrie deserved an A.
Miguel set was short but her sounded amazing, just like the studio version. He deserved that A.
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Member Since: 2/14/2012
Posts: 9,793
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Quote:
Originally posted by isupportCBE
Miguel SLAYED. Stay mad
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+1
These girls are looking so pressed. 
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