Winner’s Circle: Sam Smith is the Grammys MVP
2014 was the year we came to terms with not being the only one. When we latched on to love and begged significant others to stay (with me). An era when we all had money on our minds… especially, in the lonely hour. With sing-a-long ballads and a distinct voice reminiscent of Adele’s rise—though he doesn’t care for the comparison—Sunday night’s Grammy Awards belonged to the one, the only, Sam Smith.
The English newcomer took home four awards, including trophies for Best New Artist, Record, and Song of the Year. His Grammys triumph was all but predicted by critics and fans alike, but in true form, the 57th annual ceremony had its share of surprises and snubs. Like when Kanye West took to the stage—in jest, we think—to jokingly contest Beck ’s Album of the Year win over Pharrell Williams, Smith, Ed Sheeran, and Beyoncé. Or the fact that Beck won Album of the Year over Beyoncé. Yeah.
Still, there were plenty of times when the Recording Academy got it right: like with Kendrick Lamar’s first-ever win for his performance on “i,” and when the haunting “Say Something” from A Great Big World and Christina Aguilera earned multiple honors. But Beck… over Beyoncé?! Nah.
Album of the Year: Beck, Morning Phase
Record of the Year: Sam Smith, “Stay With Me” (Darkchild Version)
Best Country Album: Miranda Lambert, Platinum
Best Pop Vocal Album: Sam Smith, In the Lonely Hour
Best Urban Contemporary Album: Pharrell Williams, G I R L
Best Pop Solo Performance: Pharrell Williams, “Happy”
Best Rock Song: Paramore, “Ain’t It Fun”
Best Rock Album: Beck, Morning Phase
Best New Artist: Sam Smith
Best Country Song: Glen Campbell, “I’m Not Gonna Miss You”
Best Reggae Album: Ziggy Marley, Fly Rasta
Best Rap Performance: Kendrick Lamar, “i”
Best Traditional Pop Album: Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett, Cheek to Cheek
Best Alternative Album: St. Vincent, St. Vincent
Song of the Year: Sam Smith, “Stay With Me” (Darkchild Version)
Best Soundtrack: Frozen
Best Americana Album: Rosanne Cash, The River & the Thread
Best Pop/Duo Performance: A Great Big World and Christina Aguilera, “Say Something”
Best Music Video: Pharrell, “Happy”
Best Dance Recording: Clean Bandit and Jess Glynn, “Rather Be”
Best Spoken-Word Album: Joan Rivers, Diary of a Mad Diva
Best Comedy Album: Weird Al Yankovic, Mandatory Fun
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