See who walked away with gold at Sunday's Grammy's, and who CraveOnline would've picked, without the inconvenience of having to look at Queen Latifah.
What do people crave more? Three hours of music industry fanfare hosted by Queen Latifah, or the latest installment of Desperate Housewives? Apparently, the answer is Housewives, which pulled in higher ratings than Sunday night?s Grammy awards, which received its lowest number of viewers since 1995- ironically, the last year in which most popular music was still listenable.
So, in case you missed it- and you probably did- here are the Grammy nominees and winners for 2005, along with CraveOnline's picks in each category.
Record of the Year
"Let's Get It Started," The Black Eyed Peas
"Here We Go Again," Ray Charles and Norah Jones
"American Idiot," Green Day
"Heaven," Los Lonely Boys
"Yeah!" Usher featuring Lil Jon and Ludacris
Grammy Winner: "Here We Go Again," Ray Charles and Norah Jones
CraveOnline Pick: "American Idiot," Green Day
Green Day?s politically charged punk-rock opera ?American Idiot? kept us singing and thinking for days. However, you can?t complain when a legend like Ray Charles goes out on top.
Album of the Year
Genius Loves Company, Ray Charles and various artists
American Idiot, Green Day
The Diary of Alicia Keys, Alicia Keys
Confessions, Usher
College Dropout, Kanye West
Grammy Winner: Genius Loves Company, Ray Charles and various artists
CraveOnline Pick: "American Idiot," Green Day
Does anyone really know the difference between ?Record of the Year? and ?Album of the Year??
Song of the Year (Songwriter Award)
"Daughters," John Mayer (John Mayer)
"If I Ain't Got You," Alicia Keys (Alicia Keys)
"Jesus Walks," C. Smith and Kanye West (Kanye West)
"Live Like You Were Dying," Tim Nichols and Craig Wiseman (Tim McGraw)
"The Reason," Daniel Estrin and Douglas Robb (Hoobastank)
Grammy Winner: "Daughters," John Mayer (John Mayer)
CraveOnline Pick: "Daughters," John Mayer (John Mayer)
When dealing with any sort of ?Songwriter Award,? when in doubt, give it to a man who can play his guitar.
Best New Artist
Los Lonely Boys
Maroon 5
Joss Stone
Kanye West
Gretchen Wilson
Grammy Winner: Maroon 5
CraveOnline Pick: Maroon 5
Even though their catchy debut album Songs About Jane came out in 2002, Maroon 5 get our nod as Best New Artist.
Female Pop Vocal Performance
"Oceania," Bj?rk
"The First Cut Is the Deepest," Sheryl Crow
"Sunrise," Norah Jones
"What You Waiting For?" Gwen Stefani
"You Had Me," Joss Stone
Grammy Winner: "Sunrise," Norah Jones
CraveOnline Pick: "Oceania," Bj?rk
?Oceania? is one piece in Bjork?s splendid experimental venture Medulla, one of the most compelling and avant-garde releases of the year. Like the rest of the album, this song is made almost entirely of vocal samplings, and gets CraveOnline's nod for its creativity.
Male Pop Vocal Performance
"Let's Misbehave," Elvis Costello
"You Raise Me Up," Josh Groban
"Daughters," John Mayer
"Cinnamon Girl," Prince
"Love's Divine," Seal
Grammy Winner: "Daughters," John Mayer
CraveOnline Pick: "Let's Misbehave," Elvis Costello
We may have given John Mayer the nod in the songwriter category, but only because his competition there wasn?t nearly as cool as Elvis Costello.
Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal
"My Immortal," Evanescence
"The Reason," Hoobastank
"Heaven," Los Lonely Boys
"She Will Be Loved," Maroon 5
"It's My Life," No Doubt
Grammy Winner: "Heaven," Los Lonely Boys
CraveOnline Pick: "My Immortal," Evanescence
Evanescence has received a lot of attention for all the wrong reasons- their lead singer, Amy Lee, and the religious undertones to their music. With the interest in these categories, it?s easy to forget that this is a band of truly superb musicians.
Pop Collaboration with Vocals
"Redemption Song," Johnny Cash and Joe Strummer
"Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word," Ray Charles and Elton John
"Here We Go Again," Ray Charles and Norah Jones
"Something," Paul McCartney and Eric Clapton
"Moon River," Stevie Wonder and Take 6
Grammy Winner: "Here We Go Again," Ray Charles and Norah Jones
CraveOnline Pick: "Redemption Song," Johnny Cash and Joe Strummer
The Man In Black and the lead singer of the Clash? Come on, we?ve been waiting for this for 25 years?
Pop Vocal Album
Genius Loves Company, Ray Charles and various artists
Feels Like Home, Norah Jones
Afterglow, Sarah McLachlan
Mind, Body and Soul, Joss Stone
Brian Wilson Presents Smile, Brian Wilson
Grammy Winner: Genius Loves Company, Ray Charles and various artists
CraveOnline Pick: Brian Wilson Presents Smile, Brian Wilson
An album decades in the making, Smile was finally released in its finished form, to the joy of thousands of music fans who had been circulating unfinished mixes and demos for years. The remarkable thing about this album, though, is that with expectations as high as they were, Smile didn?t disappoint.
Dance Recording
"Good Luck," Basement Jaxx featuring Lisa Kekaula
"Get Yourself High," The Chemical Brothers
"Slow," Kylie Minogue
"Comfortably Numb," Scissor Sisters
"Toxic," Britney Spears
Grammy Winner: "Toxic," Britney Spears
CraveOnline Pick: "Comfortably Numb," Scissor Sisters
A great song reenergized by these synth-pop masters. However, we?re still trying to forget their SNL performance?
Solo Rock Vocal Performance
"Wonderwall," Ryan Adams
"The Revolution Starts Now," Steve Earle
"Breathe," Melissa Etheridge
"Code of Silence," Bruce Springsteen
"Metropolitan Glide," Tom Waits
Grammy Winner: "Code of Silence," Bruce Springsteen
CraveOnline Pick: "Wonderwall," Ryan Adams
It breaks our hearts not to go with the Boss here, but with every frat-boy with a guitar trying to cover Wonderwall, you have to give credit to someone who can actually do it right.
Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal
"Monkey to Man," Elvis Costello and the Imposters
"Take Me Out," Franz Ferdinand
"American Idiot," Green Day
"Somebody Told Me," The Killers
"Vertigo," U2
Grammy Winner: "Vertigo," U2
CraveOnline Pick: "Take Me Out," Franz Ferdinand
Are we the only ones who wish U2 would just go away at this point? While Bono is still pretending its 1981 with his hair, sunglasses, and camera-courting techniques, the boys of Franz Ferdinand are playing some of the most fun rock music around.
Rock Song
"American Idiot," Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt and Tre Cool (Green Day)
"Fall to Pieces," Duff, Dave Kushner, Slash, Matt Sorum and Scott Weiland (Velvet Revolver)
"Float On," Isaac Brock, Dann Gallucci, Eric Judy and Benjamin Weikel (Modest Mouse)
"Somebody Told Me," Brandon Flowers, Dave Keuning, Mark Stoermer and Ronnie Vannucci (The Killers)
"Vertigo," Bono, Adam Clayton, the Edge and Larry Mullen (U2)
Grammy Winner: "Vertigo," Bono, Adam Clayton, the Edge and Larry Mullen (U2)
CraveOnline Pick: "Fall to Pieces," Duff, Dave Kushner, Slash, Matt Sorum and Scott Weiland (Velvet Revolver)
The ballad we?ve all been waiting for from this rock supergroup. Soaring vocals from former Stone Temple Pilots frontman Scott Weiland with a twinkling guitar reminiscent of ?Sweet Child O? Mine? from Slash in the background.
Rock Album
The Delivery Man, Elvis Costello and the Imposters
American Idiot, Green Day
The Reason, Hoobastank
Hot Fuss, The Killers
Contraband, Velvet Revolver
Grammy Winner: American Idiot, Green Day
CraveOnline Pick: Contraband, Velvet Revolver
Green Day might have put out the most significant album of the year with American Idiot?s political commentary, but Velvet Revolver?s Contraband forged a truly unique sound in an era where all radio rock sounds the same.
Alternative Music Album
Medulla, Bj?rk
Franz Ferdinand, Franz Ferdinand
Uh Huh Her, PJ Harvey
Good News for People Who Love Bad News, Modest Mouse
A Ghost Is Born, Wilco
Grammy Winner: A Ghost Is Born, Wilco
CraveOnline Pick: Franz Ferdinand, Franz Ferdinand
After its stellar opening track, Jeff Tweedy and the boys fail to muster the brilliance they captured on Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. Meanwhile, Franz Ferdinand?s self-titled debut keeps its high-energy groove the full length.
Female R&B Performance
"I Want You," Janet Jackson
"If I Ain't Got You," Alicia Keys
"I'm Still in Love," Teena Marie
"Whatever," Jill Scott
"U-Haul," Angie Stone
Grammy Winner: "If I Ain't Got You," Alicia Keys
CraveOnline Pick: "If I Ain't Got You," Alicia Keys
They called this one right. This young talent is sure to produce R&B?s best for years to come.
Male R&B Performance
"Charlene," Anthony Hamilton
"Happy People," R. Kelly
"What We Do Here," Brian McKnight
"Call My Name," Prince
"Burn," Usher
Grammy Winner: "Call My Name," Prince
CraveOnline Pick: "Charlene," Anthony Hamilton
As any fan of Chappelle?s Show knows, Prince carries with him a certain? aura. However, it?s the fresh talent and smooth voice of Anthony Hamilton that gets our nod.
Urban/Alternative Performance
"Sex, Love and Money," Mos Def
"Are You Experienced?" Musiq
"She Wants to Move," N.E.R.D
"Star," The Roots
"Cross My Mind," Jill Scott
Grammy Winner: "Cross My Mind," Jill Scott
CraveOnline Pick: "She Wants to Move," N.E.R.D
N.E.R.D.?s debut In Search Of? may be on of the most significant releases of the past five years. While this year?s follow up didn?t quite match its predecessor, N.E.R.D. is still producing some of the most compelling genre-defying music out there.
Rap Solo Performance
"On Fire," Lloyd Banks
"Just Lose It," Eminem
"99 Problems," Jay-Z
"Overnight Celebrity," Twista
"Through the Wire," Kanye West
Grammy Winner: "99 Problems," Jay-Z
CraveOnline Pick: "Through the Wire," Kanye West
This College Dropout? blah, blah, blah. At this point, we all know he?s good.
Rap Performance by a Duo or Group
"Ch-Check It Out," Beastie Boys
"Let's Get It Started," The Black Eyed Peas
"Don't Say Nuthin'," The Roots
"Drop It Like It's Hot," Snoop Dogg and Pharrell
"Lean Back," Terror Squad
Grammy Winner: "Let's Get It Started," The Black Eyed Peas
CraveOnline Pick: "Don't Say Nuthin'," The Roots
This year?s follow-up to the critically acclaimed Phrenology didn?t produce a hit the likes of Seed 2.0, but these guys are finally getting the popularity and respect they deserve.
Rap Song
"Drop It Like It's Hot," Calvin Broadus, Chad Hugo, S. Thomas and Pharrell Williams (Snoop Dogg)
"Hey Mama," Will Adams and Anthony Henry (The Black Eyed Peas)
"Jesus Walks," C. Smith and Kanye West (Kanye West)
"Let's Get It Started," Will Adams, Mike Fratantuno, Jaime Gomez, George Pajon Jr., Allan Pineda and Terence Yoshiaki (The Black Eyed Peas)
"99 Problems," Shawn Carter and Rick Rubin (Jay-Z)
Grammy Winner: "Jesus Walks," C. Smith and Kanye West (Kanye West)
CraveOnline Pick: "Drop It Like It's Hot," Calvin Broadus, Chad Hugo, S. Thomas and Pharrell Williams (Snoop Dogg)
Just goes to show you- anything Pharrell Williams touches turns to gold.
Rap Album
To the 5 Boroughs, Beastie Boys
The Black Album, Jay-Z
The DEFinition, LL Cool J
Suit, Nelly
College Dropout, Kanye West
Grammy Winner: College Dropout, Kanye West
CraveOnline Pick: College Dropout, Kanye West
Wait a second? The Beastie Boys are still alive???
Country Collaboration with Vocals
"Hey Good Lookin'," Jimmy Buffett, Clint Black, Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, Toby Keith and George Strait
"Creepin' In," Norah Jones and Dolly Parton
"Portland Oregon," Loretta Lynn and Jack White
"Pancho and Lefty," Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard and Toby Keith
"Coat of Many Colors," Shania Twain with Alison Krauss and Union Station
Grammy Winner: "Portland Oregon," Loretta Lynn and Jack White
CraveOnline Pick: "Pancho and Lefty," Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard and Toby Keith
This Townes Van Zandt cover is a great song no matter who plays it.
Country Album
Van Lear Rose, Loretta Lynn
Live Like You Were Dying, Tim McGraw
Tambourine, Tift Merritt
Be Here, Keith Urban
Here for the Party, Gretchen Wilson
Grammy Winner: Van Lear Rose, Loretta Lynn
CraveOnline Pick: Tambourine, Tift Merritt
This young girl is the best thing to come out of Nashville in years. With a voice the likes of Emmy Lou, a great songwriting knack, and enough alternative leanings to draw in traditional rock fans, this is one artist who is sure to get a Grammy or two in the years to come.
Compilation Soundtrack Album for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media
Cold Mountain, various artists
De-Lovely, various artists
Garden State, various artists
Kill Bill--Vol. 2, various artists
Shrek 2, various artists
Grammy Winner: Garden State, various artists
CraveOnline Pick: Garden State, various artists
Although Kill Bill Vol. 2 gave it a run for its money, the combination of Coldplay?s ?Don?t Panic? and Remy Zero?s ?Fair? is enough to get any album an award.
Score Soundtrack Album for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media
Angels in America, Thomas Newman, composer
Big Fish, Danny Elfman, composer
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Jon Brion, composer
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, John Williams, composer
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Howard Shore, composer
Grammy Winner: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Howard Shore, composer
CraveOnline Pick: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, John Williams, composer
The Lord of the Rings series has won enough awards already. Give someone else a chance.
Short Form Music Video
"Take Me Out," Franz Ferdinand
"American Idiot," Green Day
"Flawless," George Michael
"Walkie Talkie Man," Steriogram
"Vertigo," U2
Grammy Winner: "Vertigo," U2
CraveOnline Pick: "Take Me Out," Franz Ferdinand
At this point, you?re more likely to see Bono on C-Span than on MTV. Granted that?s not entirely his fault (when was the last time you saw a video on MTV?), we?re going with Franz Ferdinand again.
Long Form Music Video
John Adams: The Death of Klinghoffer, John Adams and London Symphony Orchestra
Coldplay Live 2003, Coldplay
Concert for George, various artists
Martin Scorsese Presents: The Blues--A Musical Journey, various artists
Tom Dowd and the Language of Music, various artists
Grammy Winner: Concert for George, various artists
CraveOnline Pick: Coldplay Live 2003, Coldplay
An engaging concert DVD with a killer setlist from these Brit-pop posterboys. We just hope the Old 97?s will be nominated next year for their live DVD.
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