My Thoughts on the Grammys

So it’s 10 pm here and technically the Grammys finish at 10:30 but I am very tired, so I am going to write up some quick thoughts on the Grammy Music Awards.

Honestly, it was a beautiful ceremony. Trevor Noah, who hosted The Daily Show on Comedy Central, was the host at the Grammys. He was a really great host tonight; I remember when he hosted the Grammys some time ago, and he was a really good host that time, too. I really loved Fantasia’s tribute to Tina Turner; she performed “Proud Mary,” and she did the Tina dancing and glittery outfit and heels and everything. And Fantasia can BELT a song, man. I haven’t listened to much of her music, but now I really want to see her in The Color Purple. Oprah also gave a really moving introduction to Fantasia’s performance of “Proud Mary,” and she talked about her friendship with Tina. She said that Tina always told Oprah that she should dress up even if she wasn’t going out anywhere, and that really encouraged me because Tina had this incredible confidence and that really taught me the importance of loving yourself and developing confidence in yourself. I remember watching a documentary called TINA, and in the documentary, she talks about her Buddhist practice of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, and how it helped her transform her life in so many ways. I always get so encouraged when I tell people about the practice, and they go, “Oh, yeah, Tina Turner chanted in that movie!” and I remember they are talking about What’s Love Got to Do With It? with Angela Bassett. The movie is still on my watch list and I feel bad saying I haven’t watched it yet even after all these years. I really loved her autobiography, I, Tina, though. I now just have so much appreciation for Tina inspiring so many people.

Miley Cyrus did a performance of “Flowers” and she also channeled that Tina Turner energy. She had a fringe dress and blown out hair, and at the end of her performance she did some dance moves like Tina Turner. They have segments where they introduce each artist, and the artist talks about their work and the inspirations, and Miley said she was inspired by artists like Tina Turner and Dolly Parton, and she wanted to channel their energy into her music. Speaking of legends, Stevie Wonder performed a very moving tribute to Tony Bennett, who passed away last year. He sang “For Once in My Life.” To be honest, I grew up with the Stevie Wonder version, and I didn’t grow up listening to Tony Bennett much, but I remember one day, I was like, I want to explore more of these legends like Barbara Streisand and Tony Bennett and Tina Turner, so I listened to an album Tony had produced with Lady Gaga where he collaborates with her (the album is called Cheek to Cheek.) When I listened to Cheek to Cheek, it was so beautiful and the collaboration between Tony and Lady Gaga’s voices was stunning. It must have been a huge treat to work with Tony Bennett. The In Memoriam part was very moving. I really loved Annie Lennox’s tribute to Sinead O’ Connor. Annie just has such a powerful voice and she put so much soul into her performance.

Author: The Arts Are Life

I am a writer and musician. Lover of music, movies, books, art, and nature. View all posts by The Arts Are Life