Arts & Entertainment - Grammy Award Predictions

For years, the Recording Academy has been criticized for delivering Grammys to record company favorites rather than more well-known acts. However, this year’s Grammy nominees are pretty representative of the songs radio stations have been playing constantly this year, and with a slew of performers that includes fun., Mumford & Sons, Taylor Swift, the Black Keys, and Rihanna, the show will undoubtedly garner a large audience. Here are my predictions for who will win the night’s biggest awards.

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
In usual Grammy Award fashion, the nominees for Album of the Year all come from different genres. In a change from past years where huge names have dominated the category, this group of musicians tends to be more indie—fun., Mumford & Sons, the Black Keys, Jack White, and Frank Ocean are not yet household names. Sure, all of these groups and singers have their devoted fan bases, but none of them are A-listers in the music world. If the award goes to the artist with top chart domination, fun.’s “Some Nights” will win thanks to the major success of their singles “Some Nights” and “We Are Young.” If the award goes to the person no one expected to win, it’ll be Jack White. Personally, I’d like to see the Black Keys or fun. win, but the Album of the Year award is often the most unpredictable trophy of the night – who knows what will happen!

RECORD OF THE YEAR
The Record of the Year award usually goes to the song with the best production, unlike the Song of the Year which is awarded to the best songwriting. The only song that probably doesn’t deserve this award is Taylor Swift’s “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” because there isn’t anything especially remarkable about the construction of the song. The other nominees (Kelly Clarkson, fun., Gotye, Frank Ocean, and the Black Keys) all have a chance at the award, but I think “We Are Young” by fun. has the best chance, since their song’s slow verses and anthem-like choruses has a truly unique vibe.

SONG OF THE YEAR
Most Americans are probably rooting for Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe” to win Song of the Year, either because they love the song, or they hate it so much that a win would be hilarious. In my opinion, Ed Sheeran’s “The A Team” deserves the award since the Song of the Year is a songwriting award. If “We Are Young” doesn’t win the Record of the Year Grammy, it will probably take home Song of the Year, and there’s always the possibility fun. will take both awards home. Yet, as in years past, there are always a few surprises, so make sure to tune into CBS on February 10 for the show!