Well, after the year of international music we’ve had, it would be hard for the respective authorities to decide on who will be crowned the victor come the awards ceremony. Regardless, the board behind the Grammy Awards have decided on a list of five per category. The announced categories so far are as follows: Best New Artist, Song of the Year, Record of the Year, and Album of the Year.
So, what’s the difference between Record of the Year and Song of the Year I hear you ask? Well, it’s quite simple. In essence, Song of the Year recognises the songwriters themselves for their contribution to the actual creation of the music. It allows songwriters to be fully recognised as opposed to specific artists employing songwriters then stealing all the credit. Conversely, Record of the Year recognises the recording artist and the producer involved with the recording of the specific track. Simple enough right?
Not that it should come as a surprise to anyone, but Gotye is representing Australian music this year, following up last year’s nomination for Cut Copy’s album Zonoscope. What’s more is that all artists on here actually have some credibility to their name – there isn’t any Bieber or One Direction; maybe the world isn’t ending in two weeks time! Anyway, here are the nominations:
Best New Artist
Alabama Shakes
Fun.
Hunter Hayes
The Lumineers
Frank Ocean
Song of the Year
The A Team – Ed Sheeran
Adorn – Miguel
Call Me Maybe – Carly Rae Jepsen, Tavish Crowe & Josh Ramsay (performed by Carly Rae Jepsen)
Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You) – Jörgen Elofsson, David Gamson, Greg Kurstin & Ali Tamposi (performed by Kelly Clarkson)
We Are Young – Jack Antonoff, Jeff Bhasker, Andrew Dost & Nate Ruess (performed by Fun. with Janelle Monae)
Record of the Year
Lonely Boy – the Black Keys
Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You) – Kelly Clarkson
We Are Young – Fun. featuring Janelle Monae
Somebody That I Used to Know – Gotye featuring Kimbra
Thinkin’ Bout You – Frank Ocean
We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together – Taylor Swift
Album of the Year
El Camino – The Black Keys
Some Nights – Fun.
Babel – Mumford and Sons
Channel Orange – Frank Ocean
Blunderbuss – Jack White
Best Pop Solo Performance
Set Fire To The Rain [live] – Adele
Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You) – Kelly Clarkson
Call Me Maybe – Carly Rae Jepsen
Wide Awake – Katy Perry
Where Have You Been – Rihanna
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
Shake It Out – Florence & the Machine
We Are Young – Fun. featuring Janelle Monáe
Somebody That I Used To Know – Gotye Featuring Kimbra
Sexy And I Know It – Lmfao
Payphone – Maroon 5 & Wiz Khalifa
Best Pop Instrumental Album
24/7 – Gerald Albright & Norman Brown
Impressions – Chris Botti
Four Hands & A Heart Volume One – Larry Carlton
Live At The Blue Note Tokyo – Dave Koz
Rumbadoodle – Arun Shenoy
Best Pop Vocal Album
Stronger – Kelly Clarkson
Ceremonials – Florence & the Machine
Some Nights – Fun.
Overexposed – Maroon 5
The Truth About Love – Pink
Best Dance Recording
Levels – Avicii
Let’s Go – Calvin Harris Featuring Ne-yo
Bangarang – Skrillex Featuring Sirah
Don’t You Worry Child – Swedish House Mafia Featuring John Martin
I Can’t Live Without You – Al Walser
Best Dance/Electronica Album
Wonderland – Steve Aoki
Don’t Think – The Chemical Brothers
Album Title Goes HereBest Traditional Pop Vocal Album
Christmas – Michael Bublé
A Holiday Carole – Carole King
Kisses On The Bottom – Paul Mccartney
Best Rock Performance
Hold On – Alabama Shakes
Lonely Boy – The Black Keys
Charlie Brown – Coldplay
I Will Wait – Mumford & Sons
We Take Care Of Our Own – Bruce Springsteen
Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance
I’m Alive – Anthrax
Love Bites (So Do I) – Halestorm
Blood Brothers – Iron Maiden
Ghost Walking – Lamb Of God
No Reflection – Marilyn Manson
Whose Life (Is It Anyways?) – Megadeth
Best Rock Song
Freedom At 21 – Jack White, songwriter (Jack White)
I Will Wait – Ted Dwane, Ben Lovett, Winston Marshall & Marcus Mumford, songwriters (mumford & Sons)
Lonely Boy – Dan Auerbach, Brian Burton & Patrick Carney, songwriters (the Black Keys)
Madness – Matthew Bellamy, songwriter (Muse)
We Take Care Of Our Own – Bruce Springsteen, songwriter (Bruce Springsteen)
Best Rock Album
El Camino – The Black Keys
Mylo Xyloto – Coldplay
The 2nd Law – Muse
Wrecking Ball – Bruce Springsteen
Blunderbuss – Jack White
Best Alternative Music Album
The Idler Wheel Is Wiser Than The Driver Of The Screw And Whipping Cords Will Serve You More Than Ropes Will Ever Do – Fiona Apple
Biophilia – Björk
Making Mirrors – Gotye
Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming. – M83
Bad As Me – Tom Waits
