Thursday, February 2, 2012

Best Pop Solo Performance 2012



Alright, this is the first installment of our examination of 2012's Grammy Awards. We're going to start with something that should be familiar to everyone... Best Pop Solo Performance... well, kind of.

In previous years, there was no "Best Solo Pop Performance". There was, instead, three different categories:  Best Male Pop Solo Performance, Best Female Pop Solo Performance and Best Pop Instrumental Performance. In order to cancel out the separation of the genders and decrease the overall number of categories of the whole ceremony, these three have been combined into one. Will we lose anything because of this move? Not necessarily, however it does seem that the "Pop Instrumental" songs will get the short end of the stick, because... really... how likely is it for an instrumental song to be recognized over a vocal performance? Not very. (Not impossible, I'll give you that... but I still say it's kind of messed up.)

In the first outing of this newly amalgamated category, there are four female artists and one male artist... none of whom are performing instrumental songs (so much for the whole balancing out idea...). Aside from the basic stats, the category is an interesting mix. Two songs are performances dedicated to wasted or misplaced love, one is about picking up where you left off (who says you can't go home?), while the other two are upbeat spirit boosters. These songs are all among Billboard's top 100 songs of 2011. Are they the five best performances of the year? No, I don't think so, however, we'll save that for another article. So let's deal with the songs at hand.



Someone Like You - Adele. This is a rather somber song. It is very well performed and even touching. Adele sings a tale of "bumping into" an old friend, with the hopes of reigniting their old flame. Things don't work out so well. So the song ends up being about the confirmation of lost love. It's a pretty swan song of giving up hope... a farewell, although not so fond. Key Lyrics: "Who would have known how bitter sweet this would taste?" Song in one word: Sad. Pick: Possible dark horse... but, sadly, nope.



You and I - Lady GaGa. This song is a country song with a rock pretense. A simple ballad. A love story about reclaimed love. As a performance, it's a complete shift for Lady Gaga, who is known for being the queen of club/dance music and the spokeswoman for all that is freaky. This is very warm and down to earth. Key Lyrics: "...This time I'm not leavin' without you." (Give me that Grammy!) Song in one word: Triumphant.  Pick: Really, really, really close... but no cigar. (Although she could upset Katy... yes, I know I'm hedging a bit... however, this ain't Vegas!) 


Grenade - Bruno Mars. I've already spoken about the lunacy of this song in a previous article.... It hasn't changed. They should've nominated Just the Way You Are. Key Lyrics: "(blah, blah, blah)... but you won't." Song in one word: Stupid. Pick: Thanks for coming, Kid... better luck next time.

Firework - Katy Perry. This song is big. In many ways I think it's the best song of the lot. It's very upbeat and inspiring. It's bright pounding dance beats move you, then give way to the soft strings that beckon Katy's impassioned vocals. It's a classic song. Key Lyrics: "Do you ever feel like a plastic bag, drifting through the wind wanting to start again?" (Sure, we all have.) "You just gotta ignite the light..." Song in one word: Inspirational. Pick: Winner (just over You and I).



F**kin' Perfect - P!nk. This is another inspirational song. It's from a different vantage point. P!nk sings from the experience of having been constantly doubted and misunderstood. Her determination shines through and grabs the listener, shaking them and making them take this shot in the arm to boost their confidence. Key Lyrics: " Pretty, pretty please, don't you ever ever feel like you're less than fuckin' perfect." Song in one word: Inspired. Pick: Not this time.
Let's see how this pans out...

Stay tuned and keep reading!
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