Pop Grammys
Best Pop Solo Performance
Nominees: “All of Me (Live)” – John Legend, “Chandelier” – Sia, “Stay With Me (Darkchild Version)” – Sam Smith, “Shake It Off” – Taylor Swift, “Happy (Live)” – Pharrell Williams
Lisa Pikaard: John Legend’s “All of Me” will be edged out by Taylor Swift’s “Shake it Off.” If there is one thing Swift is good at, it’s performing and telling a story. She is a character and has no problem showing it. Not to mention that this song is the catchiest damn song in existence.
Bill Bodkin: See all my previous Sam Smith thoughts.
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
Nominees: “Fancy” – Iggy Azalea feat. Charli XCX, “A Sky Full of Stars” – Coldplay, “Say Something” – A Great Big World and Christina Aguilera, “Bang Bang” – Jessie J, Ariana Grande, & Nicki Minaj, “Dark Horse” – Katy Perry feat. Juicy J
Lisa Pikaard: “Bang Bang” is a song I didn’t want to like but I love. Jessie J, Ariana Grande, & Nicki Minaj? That’s a powerful trio of women who are at the top of their game. “Say Something” came out too long ago to be a factor any longer and “Fancy” just does not have the same vocal power that “Bang Bang” has.
Al Mannarino: I’m not a huge fan of the category. Mainly because Coldplay is up against some pretty terrible songs here and if they don’t win I will not be too happy about it. Even if I weren’t a fan of them, whom else would I root for? ‘Fancy’ is already in like eight categories, ‘Say Something’ may be the most depressing song I have ever heard, ‘Bang Bang’ is an abomination and a plague to the ear drums, and ‘Dark Horse’ has a cool beat, but Juicy J’s verse sounds like it was written by seven-year-old.
Bill Bodkin: I think The Grammys go a different route and the traditional pop song “featuring a ton of people” will be left behind for Coldplay’s “Sky Full of Stars” which was a fantastic pop song.
Best Pop Vocal Album
Nominees: Ghost Stories – Coldplay, Bangerz – Miley Cyrus, My Everything – Ariana Grande, Prism – Katy Perry, x – Ed Sheeran, In the Lonely Hour – Sam Smith
Lisa Pikaard: For the same reason before, Ed Sheeran deserves this title. He is a multifaceted and overwhelmingly talented musician.
Al Mannarino: Coldplay! Now that I got that out of the way, I think this is easily a way better category than Pop Duo/Group Performance. Surprisingly this is one of Miley Cyrus’ only nominations, and she is up against rivals Ariana Grande and Katy Perry. This could be another win for Sam Smith or Ed Sheeran could sneak in much deserved win. This category just doesn’t have a clear winner.
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