Beyonce? Taylor? Lady Gaga? The AP's Grammy Picks

Date: Thursday, January 28, 2010, 4:49 pm
By: MESFIN FEKADU & NEKESA MUMBI MOOD, Associated Press Writers

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Beyonce Knowles performs at Madison Square Garden in New York.(AP/Jason DeCrow)

This year's Grammy Awards seem to be shaping up as the battle of the blond divas.

In one corner — Beyonce, the fierce veteran who's already won a dozen Grammys but has yet to grasp the most prestigious Grammy honors — album and record of the year. She's up for those trophies and more, with a leading 10 nominations.

In the other corner — Taylor Swift, the relative newbie whose outstanding sales have made her the reigning queen of pop, despite her proud country tilt. Though she was nominated for best new artist, she also has the chance to become the Grammys' top artist this year, with eight nominations for her best-selling CD, "Fearless."

Yet something tells us these two power-hitters may end up knocking each other out, allowing some winners few anticipated. We'll see how it all goes on Sunday night, when CBS airs the Grammys live from Los Angeles in a show that will feature performances by Swift, Beyonce, Lady Gaga and more, plus a 3-D tribute to Michael Jackson. But here's how we've scripted the night:

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Record of the Year

NOMINEES: "Halo," Beyonce; "I Gotta Feeling," The Black Eyed Peas; "Use Somebody," Kings Of Leon; "Poker Face," Lady Gaga; "You Belong With Me," Taylor Swift.

MOODY: "Halo" was a great anthem, but when you think of Beyonce songs that defined 2009, you think "Single Ladies" — and this ain't it. "I Gotta Feeling" is a better bet, but it's also probably one of the weakest Peas songs. Swift's "You Belong With Me" has more momentum, but it's likely she'll split the blonde Grammy vote with Lady Gaga and Beyonce, so the Kings of Leon benefit.

FEKADU: If Beyonce's "Single Ladies" had been nominated here, it would win. But it's nominated in the song of the year category — a songwriter's award, when it really deserves recognition for its production. That's the only song I could see competing with "Use Somebody," which will win here.

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Album of the Year

NOMINEES: "I Am ... Sasha Fierce," Beyonce; "The E.N.D.," The Black Eyed Peas; "The Fame," Lady Gaga; "Big Whiskey And The Groogrux King," Dave Matthews Band; "Fearless," Taylor Swift.

FEKADU: I'm 23, I speak for the younger generation — and the only album in this category that's not on my iPod is the Dave Matthews Band. So I'm gonna guess the Grammy oldheads will go with them. Plus, it's also a sentimental one since the disc comes after the death of band member LeRoi Moore.

MOODY: So disrespectful, young man! And what's an iPod anyway? Beyonce, Lady Gaga and Swift had the year's most successful records and they truly provided the soundtrack to 2009. One of them would be the obvious choice — but the Grammys don't do obvious. Instead, Grammy voters tend to go for the veterans and the sentimental favorite — and that is the DMB.

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Song of the Year

NOMINEES (songwriters): "Poker Face," Lady Gaga and RedOne; "Pretty Wings," Hod David and Musze; "Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)," Thaddis Harrell, Beyonce Knowles, Terius Nash & Christopher Stewart; "Use Somebody," Caleb Followill, Jared Followill, Matthew Followill and Nathan Followill; "You Belong With Me," Liz Rose and Taylor Swift.

MOODY: Until Beyonce stops writing with a team, she's not likely to win a song of the year nod, no matter how great the tune. "Poker Face" is too edgy for voters, and "Pretty Wings" too urban. While Swift has proven her songwriting mettle, the song is likely to be seen as too lighthearted. "Use Somebody" is both gritty and romantic, which will put it over the top.

FEKADU: It would be lovely to see Maxwell win his first (and overdue) Grammy .....


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