2006 Grammy Predictions
Here are my 2006 Grammy predictions for the categories in which I'm able to make a fair choice (meaning I've heard all of the nominees) and some notes/thoughts: (the winners will be listed in red)
*disclaimer* I'm trying to be impartial with the whole Mariah thing. It's no secret that she is my favorite artist of all time. Of the 8 Grammys that she is nominated for, I don't think she will win all 8. However, I do feel that she deserves every one that she does win. (and I think that'll be 7, hehe)
Category 1 - Record Of The Year
We Belong Together - Mariah Carey
Feel Good Inc. - Gorillaz Featuring De La Soul
Boulevard Of Broken Dreams - Green Day
Hollaback Girl - Gwen Stefani
Gold Digger - Kanye West
This is kind of a rough choice. While I love Gwen Stefani and truly enjoyed Hollaback Girl and (before it was single) played the hell out of it, I don't think it's worthy of this title. Boulevard of Broken Dreams was excellent. I was also very happy to see the Gorillaz reach as high as they have. However, I think this is going to come down to Mariah and Kanye. Overall, I think Mariah deserves it here and has the better of the two records.
Category 2 - Album Of The Year
The Emancipation Of Mimi - Mariah Carey
Chaos And Creation In The Backyard - Paul McCartney
Love. Angel. Music. Baby.- Gwen Stefani
How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb - U2
Late Registration - Kanye West
This is not a tough choice for me at all. Mariah's album is the #1 seller this year for a reason. I'd say at least 80% of the tracks on the cd are single worthy. I'm afraid she's going to face a challenge against "Grammy darling" U2. I don't think anything they released in the past year should beat anyone else in this category to be honest.
Category 3 - Song Of The Year
Bless The Broken Road - (Rascal Flatts)
Devils & Dust - (Bruce Springsteen)
Ordinary People - (U2)
We Belong Together - (Mariah Carey)
Category 4 - Best New Artist
(For a new artist who releases, during the Eligibility Year, the first recording which establishes the public identity of that artist.)
Ciara
Fall Out Boy
Keane
John Legend
SugarLand
If I could pick, I'd pick Ciara here. But I don't think she's strong enough to beat Fall Out Boy or John Legend. I'm kind of on the fence with these two, but picking Fall Out Boy as I like them better than John Legend.
Category 5 - Best Female Pop Vocal Performance
(For a solo vocal performance. Singles or Tracks only.)
It's Like That - Mariah Carey
Since U Been Gone - Kelly Clarkson
Good Is Good - Sheryl Crow
I Will Not Be Broken - Bonnie Raitt
Hollaback Girl - Gwen Stefani
I'm going to have to say Kelly deserves it here and have faith enough that the deciders will choose who is most deserving. HOWEVER, Sheryl Crow is another "Grammy darling" and of course Hollaback Girl could easily take it here. While I love It's Like That, it's been her weakest single from the cd (not deservingly, if you as me) and doesn't have the power to beat any of the others other than maybe Bonnie Raitt.
Category 6 - Best Male Pop Vocal Performance
(For a solo vocal performance. Singles or Tracks only.)
Sitting, Waiting, Wishing- Jack Johnson
Fine Line - Paul McCartney
Walk On By - Seal
Lonely No More - Rob Thomas
From The Bottom Of My Heart - Stevie Wonder
Category 7 - Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal
(For established duos or groups, with vocals. Singles or Tracks only.)
Don't Lie - The Black Eyed Peas
Mr. Brightside - The Killers
More Than Love - Los Lonely Boys
This Love - Maroon 5
My Doorbell - The White Stripes
Hmmmm, I'm having a tough choice between Maroon 5 and The Killers. I'll go with The Killers but won't be surprised if Maroon 5 win. Also kind of wondering about the Black Eyed Peas. Not worried about the other 2 nominees.
Category 11 - Best Pop Vocal Album
(For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.)
Extraordinary Machine - Fiona Apple
Breakaway - Kelly Clarkson
Wildflower - Sheryl Crow
Chaos And Creation In The Backyard - Paul McCartney
Love. Angel. Music. Baby. - Gwen Stefani
Category 23 - Best Female R&B Vocal Performance
(For a solo vocal performance. Singles or Tracks only.)
1 Thing - Amerie
Wishing On A Star - Beyoncé
We Belong Together - Mariah Carey
Free Yourself - Fantasia
Unbreakable - Alicia Keys
Category 26 - Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance
(For solo, duo, group or collaborative performances, with vocals. Singles or Tracks only.)
Mine Again - Mariah Carey
Summertime - Fantasia
A House Is Not A Home - Aretha Franklin
If I Was Your Woman - Alicia Keys
Stay With You - John Legend
I may be a bit biased with this one. Love the song though.
Category 28 - Best R&B Song
(A Songwriter(s) Award. For Song Eligibility Guidelines see Category #3. (Artist names appear in parenthesis.) Singles or Tracks only.)
Cater 2 U - Rodney Jerkins, Beyoncé Knowles, Ricky Lewis, Kelly Rowland, Robert Waller & Michelle Williams, songwriters (Destiny's Child)
Free Yourself - Craig Brockman, Missy Elliott & Nisan Stewart, songwriters (Fantasia)
Ordinary People - W. Adams & J. Stephens, songwriters (John Legend)
Unbreakable - Garry Glenn, Alicia Keys, Harold Lily & Kanye West, songwriters (Alicia Keys)
We Belong Together - J. Austin, M. Carey, J. Dupri & M. Seal, songwriters; (D. Bristol, K. Edmonds, S. Johnson, P. Moten, S. Sully & B. Womack, songwriters) (Mariah Carey)
Hands down! How Cater 2 U is nominated is beyond me. It's one of the weakest Destiny's Child singles in quite some time, at least, in my opinion.
Category 30 - Best Contemporary R&B Album
(For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.)
Touch - Amerie
The Emancipation Of Mimi - Mariah Carey
Destiny Fulfilled - Destiny's Child
Turning Point - Mario
O - Omarion
I'm sorry, but this category has to be a joke. Destiny Fulfilled was LACKLUSTER. O = Ugh. The Mario cd was ok. And Touch, by Amerie? Um, not here.
Category 33 - Best Rap/Sung Collaboration
(For a Rap/Sung collaborative performance by artists who do not normally perform together. Singles or Tracks only.
1,2 Step - Ciara Featuring Missy Elliott
They Say - Common Featuring Kanye West & John Legend
Soldier - Destiny's Child Featuring T.I. & Lil Wayne
Numb/Encore - Jay-Z Featuring Linkin Park
Rich Girl - Gwen Stefani Featuring Eve
Some interesting choices in this category. I could see Soldier taking this. I just didn't like that song, though.