I don’t watch awards shows any more, such as last night’s Grammy Awards. And yet I always am on top of the important news of the hour, which surprises many people. That, in turn, surprises me; isn’t it normal that, in a world ruled by YouTube and blogs, it would take mere minutes after the telecast is over to know everything there is to know? Actually, let me rephrase that: DUH!
I used to love these shows; the glitz, the glamour, the performances, the heartfelt speeches made for the perfect occasion to have Award Show Night dinners with my friends. But I haven’t done this in about five years, nor do I intend to do it anytime soon, unless something major happens in the music and/or film industries.
Perhaps it’s the looming next decade of my life, perhaps it’s the ever decreasing quality of the arts that are considered popular, perhaps it’s the fact that popular arts are considered to be the benchmark for quality – but I have grown quite weary of these awards shows. It doesn’t seem to be about the music any more as much as it is about being entertained. And I have a pile of 25 books right here that are going to keep me entertained well into the month of March. What I need is quality music to keep me company.
Before YouTube, I was able to simply dismiss the entire thing. But ever since that awesomely addictive platform was developed, like a moth to a flame burned by desire, I can’t help but look up the various performances and highlights of said events (here’s looking at you, Kanye). You could say that I have become a fascinated cynic, unable to stay totally away from the train wreck the industry seems to have become.
I sound like I’m in my 60s, don’t I?
In any case, just like every other show in the last couple of years, I checked out the links to some of the performances from last night. Ever wanted to hear what a fascinated cynic sounds like? Well here’s your chance.
Lady Gaga and Sir Elton John: "Pokerface," "Speechless," and "Your Song"
This year’s Grammys opened with a typically over-the-top Lady Gaga performance. It’s hard to believe that in a mere year she has gone from nothing to, well, everything in the pop music world. And I have to admit that when Elton John appeared on stage, I felt a twinge of envy.
Article comments
1 - Jordan Richardson
I LOVED the inclusion of the Alanis bit into the Beyonce number. Totally fit the "screw you, dude" vibe of the song and amped up her "woman scorned" imagery all the more.
2 - El Bicho
"Using a tribute to do advertising? Not classy."
Are you serious? Everything about the Grammys is advertising.
3 - Sahar
Jordan Richardson: I agree that the lyrics fit perfectly, but the song really didn't do anything for Beyoncé's voice imo.
El Bicho: yes, everything about the Grammys is advertising, but it doesn't mean it should be, especially when the performance is meant to be a tribute. That's my point ;)
4 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
I appreciate the attempt of cynicism but just like the Grammys, I only made it through a portion of your article.
Seriously, there is sooo much other music in this world to be heard that bothering to analyze such a travesty does a disservice to plenty of hard working musicians all over. When people start turning this sh!t off and the ratings are lost then we will see a change. BUT, I doubt that will ever happen.
It's not whether Beyonce, Pink or any other artist on that show can sing,it is the actual music in their respective repertoire that is formulaic & predictive at best They resort to a greater entertainment value because the CDs that these people release don't have a foot to stand on...
You just heard from an apathetic cynic.
5 - Sahar
Good point Brian regarding the fact that there is so much good music out there. We do waste a lot of time on drivel, don't we? It kind of makes the whole argument invalid.
My question, as someone who would love to find these awesome artists, is: where? I'm no music expert (as the use of layman's terms in this article and many others I have written about music clearly demonstrates), and I really don't know where to start. It's sometimes easier to just turn on the radio and listen to something rather than to sit in silence :)
6 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
I can't reveal all of my sources but I recommend you start with googling the genre of music you like,for example, one of my favs is Prog Rock / Metal. I found ProgArchives.com to be a great resource. Next, you can always visit the record label websites for the bands that you currently dig, for example, I love Death Metal as well. One of my favs is Gorod which happens to be on Willowtip. I visited their site and found Neuraxis and so on. If you visit the myspace page of a band you like then you might find some new bands in their "friends" section.
Google can be your best friend but you gotta love music and be willing to spend some time researching.
7 - El Bicho
"yes, everything about the Grammys is advertising, but it doesn't mean it should be"
Then you miss the whole point of the show. It's like complaining there's gambling in a casino
8 - Jordan Richardson
Sahar, it's not the artist that is "awesome." It's your approach to the artist that decides whether something's valid (or "good") or not. Everyone's approach to music or film or literature is different and these awards shows are just self-congratulatory advertisements.
You can find good music if you want to because there's no shortage of artists in all sorts of different genres. While many might find Beyonce "formulaic," I happen to find her fascinating and she's one of my favourite artists.
The point I'm trying to make is that it's not necessarily always what the artists (or the art) brings to you, but it really can be what you bring to the artist that makes all the difference in the world.
9 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
"The point I'm trying to make is that it's not necessarily always what the artists (or the art) brings to you, but it really can be what you bring to the artist that makes all the difference in the world."
HUH?! That doesn't even make any sense...
It's good and all that people will like what they like (Hell, I like me some PepperJack with Triscuits)BUT, Award shows present these "artists" as the best of the best which is just uninformed. They should have to display a disclaimer at the beginning that says something to the effect that these artists sell the most records and that this show wants to award the best at selling records.
Honestly, just because McDonalds is the top selling restaurant doesn't mean they offer the best hamburger!
10 - Sahar
Brian: thanks, but unfortunately, that's my problem - I don't have that much time (yet). Soon, hopefully :)
El Bicho: If you read a little about what the Grammys are supposed to be about rather than what they have become, you might agree with me. The People's Choice, however, is definitely about selling ;)
Jordan: I don't quite understand what you are trying to say...
Brian: Excellent analogy! I think perhaps that's what bothers me the most: that the Grammy Awards are supposedly about the best music, whereas they have become about the best selling music. I love me some Beyoncé, Lady Gaga and even the occasional Britney Spears song, but I know that's not the best music out there.
Perhaps what bothers me the most is this: that music has become about entertainment only; it sometimes feels that not many people sing as a way of enhancing understanding and evoking emotions that cannot be put into words.