5 Best GRAMMY Performances 2009 at Pretty Much Amazing

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Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know that the GRAMMYs were last night. It was a great show, one of the best GRAMMY Ceremonies in years. This year we enjoyed great performances from Radiohead, Paul McCartney, Coldplay, Robert Plant & Allison Krauss, U2, M.I.A., Kanye West, Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, T.I., Justin Timberlake, Stevie Wonder… the list goes on and on. The performances were so good that I just had to list my 5 favorite performances of the night! Don’t forget to tell me about your favorite performances of the night in the comments.

HM: Adele & Sugarland – What I’d Give / Chasing Pavements

I may not be the biggest country fan around, but I think Jennifer Nettles’ vocal delivery was fantastic, and you know what, the song isn’t so bad either. It’s great to hear beautifully sung music, regardless of genre. And Adele’s followup performance was amazing too. Highlight: Sugarland joining Adele on stage towards the end of “Chasing Pavements.”

5 Best GRAMMY Performances 2009

5. Stevie Wonder & Jonas Brothers – Burnin’ Up / Superstition

Alright, I just KNOW I’m going to get a lot of crap for even typing the words “the Jonas Brothers” on here, but I do have to admit that I really, really liked their duet with Stevie Wonder. Not only is “Burnin’ Up” a ridiculously catchy song, but these boys have the pipes to sound the same (if not better) live than in the studio. Putting on an electrifying show (minus 14 year old girls) and Stevie Wonder jumping on the vocoder made this performance one of my favorites of the night.

4. Coldplay – Lost (w/ Jay-Z) / Viva La Vida

Coldplay won big at this year’s GRAMMYs, taking home GRAMMYs for “Best Rock Album” and “Song of the Year.” Before doing so, they followed U2′s tired act with Chris Martin on the keys, singing “Lost” solo, only to be joined by Jay-Z. Chris Martin then joined the rest of his band to perform “Viva La Vida” — and it was GRAMMY highlight of mine, for sure. One of the best things about a Coldplay show is Chris Martin’s zaney, weird, erratic dancing/running around. This was the first time a televised Coldplay performance lives up to their live shows.

3. T.I. & Justin Timberlake – Dead and Gone

I loved everything about this performance. The strings arrangement, JT on the piano, T.I. spittin’ it like there’s no tomorrow… Both artists are surprisingly great live.

2. Kanye West, Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, T.I., & M.I.A. – Swagga Like Us

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8b505
This performance was almost my favorite of the night — the starpower alone was amazing. Though I’ve got to admit, Jay-Z and T.I. killed it. Then there was M.I.A.’s performance — it was great, though her outfit sort of made me want to die. I don’t think any person that’s 9 months pregnant should wear something like that. Ever.

1. Radiohead & USC Marching Band – 15 Steps

Robert Plant said, “In the old days, we would call this selling out” about performing at the GRAMMYs. I don’t know if Radiohead sold out, or not, but they brought the house down along with the USC Marching Band (Go Trojans!). Not only that, but they also took home GRAMMYs for “Best Alternative Music Album” as well as “Best Boxed or Limited Edition Packaging” for In Rainbows.

Read one for a list of winners.

2009 Grammy Awards winners list / 2009 Grammy winners

Record of the Year
Chasing Pavements, Adele
Viva La Vida, Coldplay
Bleeding Love, Leona Lewis
Paper Planes, M.I.A.
Please Read the Letter, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss
Album of the Year
Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends, Coldplay
Tha Carter III, Lil Wayne
Year of the Gentleman, Ne-Yo
Raising Sand, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss
In Rainbows, Radiohead
Song of the Year
American Boy, Estelle feat. Kanye West
Chasing Pavements, Adele
I’m Yours, Jason Mraz
Love Song, Sarah Bareilles
Viva La Vida, Coldplay
Best Male Pop Vocal Performance
Kid Rock, All Summer Long,
John Mayer, Say
Paul McCartney, That Was Me
Jason Mraz, I’m Yours
Ne-Yo, Closer
James Taylor, Wichita Lineman
Best Female Pop Vocal Performance
Adele, Chasing Pavements
Sara Bareilles, Love Song
Duffy, Mercy
Leona Lewis, Bleeding Love
Katy Perry, I Kissed a Girl
Pink, So What
Best New Artist
Adele
Duffy
Jonas Brothers
Lady Antebellum
Jazmine Sullivan
Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals
Coldplay, Viva La Vida
Eagles, Waiting in the Weeds
Gnarls Barkley, Going On
Maroon 5, Won’t Go Home Without You
One Republic, Apologize
Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals
Alicia Keys & John Mayer, Lesson Learned
Madonna, Justin Timberlake & Timbaland, Four Minutes
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, Rich Woman
Rihanna & Maroon 5, If I Never See Your Face Again
Jordin Sparks & Chris Brown, No Air
Best Pop Instrumental Album
Sax For Stax, Gerald Albright
Greatest Hits Rerecorded Volume One, Larry Carlton
Jingle All The Way, BÃ©la Fleck & The Flecktones
The Spice Of Life, Earl Klugh
A Night Before Christmas, Spyro Gyra
Best Pop Instrumental Performance
Steve Cropper & Felix Cavaliere, Love Appetite
Eagles, I Dreamed There Was No War
Fourplay, Fortune Teller
Stanley Jordan, Steppin’ Out
Marcus Miller, Blast!
Best Pop Vocal Album
Detours, Sheryl Crow
Rockferry, Duffy
Long Road Out Of Eden, Eagles
Spirit, Leona Lewis
Covers, James Taylor
Best Dance Recording
Harder Better Faster Stronger, Daft Punk
Ready for the Flow, Hot Chip
Just Dance, Lady Gaga & Colby O’Donis
Give It 2 Me, Madonna
Disturbia, Rihanna
Black & Gold, Sam Sparro
Best Electronic or Dance Album
New York City, Brazilian Girls
Alive 2007, Daft Punk
Bring Ya to the Brink, Cyndi Lauper
X, Kylie Minogue
Last Night, Moby
Robyn, Robyn
Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album
Still Unforgettable, Natalie Cole
The Sinatra Project, Michael Feinstein
NoÃ«l, Josh Groban
In The Swing Of Christmas, Barry Manilow
Rufus Does Judy At Carnegie Hall, Rufus Wainwright
Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance
John Mayer, Gravity
Paul McCartney, I Saw Her Standing There
Bruce Springsteen, Girls in Their Summer Clothes
Eddie Vedder, Rise
Neil Young, No Hidden Path
Best Metal Performance
DragonForce, Heroes Of Our Time
Judas Priest, Nostradamus
Metallica, My Apocalypse
Ministry, Under My Thumb
Slipknot, Psychosocial
Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals
AC/DC, Rock N Roll Train
Coldplay, Violet Hill
Eagles, Long Road Out of Eden
Kings of Leon, Sex on Fire
Radiohead, House of Cards
Best Hard Rock Performance
Disturbed, Inside The Fire
Judas Priest, Visions
The Mars Volta, Wax Simulacra
MÃ¶tley CrÃ¼e, Saints of Los Angeles
Rob Zombie, Lords of Salem
Best Rock Instrumental Performance
David Gilmour, Castellorizon
Metallica, Suicide & Redemption
Nine Inch Nails, 34 Ghosts I-IV
Rush, Hope (Live For The Art Of Peace)
Zappa Plays Zappa, Peaches En Regalia
Best Rock Song
Girls in Their Summer Clothes, Bruce Springsteen
House Of Cards, Radiohead
I Will Possess Your Heart, Death Cab For Cutie
Sex On Fire, Kings of Leon
Violet Hill, Coldplay
Best Rock Album
Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends, Coldplay
Rock N Roll Jesus, Kid Rock
Only By The Night, Kings of Leon
Death Magnetic, Metallica
Consolers Of The Lonely, The Raconteurs
Best Alternative Music Album
Modern Guilt, Beck
Narrow Stairs, Death Cab for Cutie
The Odd Couple, Gnarls Barkley
Evil Urges, My Morning Jacket
In Rainbows, Radiohead
Best Urban/Alternative Performance
Kenna, Say Goodbye to Love
Maiysha, Wanna Be
Chrisette Michele feat. will.i.am, Be OK
Janelle Monae, Many Moons
Wayna feat. Kokayi, Lovin You (Music)
Best R&B Song
Bust Your Windows, Jazmine Sullivan
Customer, Raheem DeVaughn
Heaven Sent, Keyshia Cole
Miss Independent, Ne-Yo
Spotlight, Jennifer Hudson
Best R&B Album
Love & Life, Eric Benet
Motown: A Journey Through Hitsville USA, Boyz II Men
Lay It Down, Al Green
Jennifer Hudson, Jennifer Hudson
The Way I See It, Raphael Saadiq
Best Contemporary R&B Album
Growing Pains, Mary J. Blige
Back Of My Lac’, J. Holiday
First Love, Karina
Year Of The Gentleman, Ne-Yo
Fearless, Jazmine Sullivan
Best Male R&B Vocal Performance
Eric BenÃ©t, You’re The Only One
Chris Brown, Take You Down
Ne-Yo, Miss Independent
Trey Songz, Can’t Help But Wait
Usher, Here I Stand
Best Female R&B Vocal Performance
BeyoncÃ©, Me, Myself And I
Keyshia Cole, Heaven Sent
Jennifer Hudson, Spotlight
Alicia Keys, Superwoman
Jazmine Sullivan, Need U Bad
Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals
Boyz II Men, Ribbon In The Sky
Anthony David feat. India.Arie, Wordsl
Al Green feat. John Legend, Stay With Me (By The Sea)
Jennifer Hudson feat. Fantasia, I’m His Only Woman
Raphael Saadiq feat. Stevie Wonder & CJ Hilton, Never Give You Up
Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance
Wayne Brady, A Change Is Gonna Come
Al Green feat. Anthony Hamilton, You’ve Got The Love I Need
(Linda Jones) With Helen Bruner & Terry Jones, Baby I Know
Raphael Saadiq, Love That Girl
Jazmine Sullivan, In Love With Another Man
Best Rap Solo Performance
Jay-Z, Roc Boys (And The Winner Is)…
Lil Wayne, A Milli
Lupe Fiasco, Paris, Tokyo
Nas, N.i.-.-.e.r. (The Slave And The Master)
Snoop Dogg, Sexual Eruption
Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group
Big Boi feat. Raekwon And Andre 3000, Royal Flush
Jay-Z & T.I. feat. Kanye West & Lil Wayne, Swagga Like Us
Lil Wayne feat. Jay-Z, Mr. Carter
Ludacris feat. T.I., Wish You Would
Young Jeezy feat. Kanye West, Put On
Best Rap/Sung Collaboration
Estelle feat. Kanye West, American Boy
Flo Rida feat. T-Pain, Low
John Legend & Andre 3000, Green Light
Lil Wayne feat. T-Pain, Got Money
Lupe Fiasco feat. Matthew Santos, Superstar
Best Rap Song
Lollipop, Lil Wayne feat. Static Major
Low, Flo Rida feat. T-Pain
Sexual Eruption, Snoop Dogg
Superstar, Lupe Fiasco feat. Matthew Santos
Swagga Like Us, Jay-Z & T.I. feat. Kanye West & Lil Wayne
Best Rap Album
American Gangster, Jay-Z
Tha Carter III, Lil Wayne
The Cool, Lupe Fiasco
Nas, Nas
Paper Trail, T.I.
Best Female Country Vocal Performance
Martina McBride, For These Times
LeAnn Rimes, What I Cannot Change
Carrie Underwood, Last Name
Lee Ann Womack, Last Call
Trisha Yearwood, This Is Me You’re Talking To
Best Male Country Vocal Performance
Trace Adkins, You’re Gonna Miss This
Jamey Johnson, In Color
James Otto, Just Got Started Lovin’ You
Brad Paisley, Letter To Me
George Strait, Troubadour
Best Country Song
Dig Two Graves, Randy Travis
I Saw God Today, George Strait
In Color, Jamey Johnson
Stay, Sugarland
You’re Gonna Miss This, Trace Adkins
Best Country Album
That Lonesome Song, Jamey Johnson
Sleepless Nights, Patty Loveless
Troubadour, George Strait
Around The Bend, Randy Travis
Heaven, Heartache and the Power of Love, Trisha Yearwood

by Luis Tovar on February 9, 2009 ‡ 0 reactions

What did you think?

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{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }

Jake February 9, 2009 at 3:10 pm: lol, I’ll try to ignore that you just put the Jonas Brothers in a Top 5 list.
I didn’t even watch that video, but the other ones were all pretty great.
Marcy February 9, 2009 at 3:11 pm: Yeah, last night was a really good show. I knew the GRAMMYs were going to leave everyone hanging by giving the Album of the Year award to Plant & Krauss.
Oh and I don’t blame you for putting the JoBros up there. You can’t deny the charisma that floods through their performances. Also… it’s Stevie Wonder, man.
Kyle February 9, 2009 at 3:13 pm: Fuck, Radiohead’s performance was the only reason why I watched the GRAMMYs. It was prolific! So amazing. I need to see them live
Chris February 9, 2009 at 3:14 pm: at least the Jonases didn’t win for Best New Artist. like… don’t they have 3 albums already? new my ass.
Robert February 9, 2009 at 3:15 pm: Did you also catch that Kanye has TEN GRAMMYS already? 10!! what the hell?
Bob Loblaw February 9, 2009 at 4:16 pm: hurray for Daft Punk!
LeShawn February 9, 2009 at 4:19 pm: so did you realize that the Jonas Brothers messed up a lyric to Superstition….that really turned me off about them….and I lost respect for them too!….otherwise the rest were amazing! Radiohead was my #1 too!
Adam Offitzer February 9, 2009 at 4:44 pm: Radiohead was unbelievable. I too enjoyed Stevie and the JoBros…the horns on “Burning Up” give the song a whole new layer…so much better.
Swagger Like Us was hot. So was Chris Martin doing “Lost?+”. The only one you left out as an honorable mention was Jennifer Hudson.
Julie February 9, 2009 at 4:58 pm: Not so sure about the JoBros performance but I agree with the rest. BTW, the song Sugarland sang was entitled “Stay.” Love the site.
Robert February 9, 2009 at 5:16 pm: You guys left out the most awesome award of the show…. Justice winning best remix for Electric Feel.
Warren February 9, 2009 at 9:08 pm: I have to say that MIA is a total badass. She rocked that outfit in a way almost no one else could.
Chris February 9, 2009 at 9:23 pm: I agree with your HM…Sugarland kicked some major ass with that song! Not a country fan either but that was really good.
faun04 February 10, 2009 at 6:27 am: What about Jennifer Hudson? Definitely number one!
Termeh Mazhari February 10, 2009 at 1:55 pm: I agree with your choices (highlight for me was Radiohead, followed by Coldplay)- except for Jonas Brothers. They sucked, and don’t deserve to share stage with Stevie..
lady_wraith February 10, 2009 at 7:31 pm: the jonas brothers have pipes?? hahahaha the one thing i noticed during their presentation is how they could barely sing line without running out of breath, like Katy Perry yelling all the way through it!! they’re sorta adorable (i get the teens going insane for them) but they sure can’t sing!
Heath February 17, 2009 at 2:27 pm: Radiohead was the reason i watched the grammy’s too. epic, as always. And to Kyle, SEE THEM LIVE! i’ve had the pleasure 3 times and there is nothing like it.
Sugarland Tour April 25, 2010 at 6:49 am: who was given the GRAMMY AWARDS? i bet cold play was given an awards cuz they’re cool and great vocal., or maybe its ne-yo.. the nominees are all good.. i wanna know who they’ve picked. for Grammy.. i’m goin to watch the vids