By Anna Meany
At the risk of sounding like a complete music snob, I disagree with everything the Grammys represent. The obsession with mainstream, platinum-selling artists that cater to iTunes and Rolling Stone makes me sick. We shouldn’t be dealing out golden record players to just any pop music wannabe Michael Jackson. The premise of the show – to delegate awards to musicians and music groups who have been successful (in record sales) – is stupid. Hours of pre-show footage are filled with anchors drooling over celebrities, attempting to build anticipation for the Grammys. The hype is far from equal to any actual emotion you will feel during the show. You will wonder why that interviewer is so infatuated with Justin Timberlake’s shoes. Then Katy Perry shows up with Russell Brand and we forget that, just minutes ago, she was singing about her promiscuity with women. They discuss married life and the TV journalist pretends to care. Can’t we obsess over global warming rather than where Nicki Minaj buys her wigs?
Aside from the unfortunate clutter of celebrities, there is actually a show concerning music. After every celebrity who’s worth an interview passes the red carpet, camera crews drag us into a room and try to convince us that these awards are somewhat meaningful. You will wonder why Lil Wayne is thanking God for the success of “Ice Cream Paint Job.” Catch the irony here: That song is not godly at all. Numerous categories satisfy a range of musical genres, highlighting the best selling music of the past year. In between appearances, popular acts showcase their stage talent. How nice of them to give us a sneak peak of their concerts, considering very few viewers are able to afford the $100-plus Justin Bieber tickets. Let’s also consider the music industry’s other sources of wealth: live performances and merchandise. So, while the industry whores out its latest No. 1, we sit in anticipation. Who will win Album of the Year?
This brings up a great point. Arcade Fire, an up-and-coming indie rock band, saddened Lady Gaga fans everywhere by taking Album of the Year. The Arcade Fire win is a ploy for the music industry to gain from the indie rock scene. Bands like Mumford & Sons and movies like “Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist” have incorporated indie music into mainstream culture. The Grammys are trying to infringe on a culture that simply won’t fit with them.
At this past show, a number of my personal favorite acts won. These included Them Crooked Vultures, The Black Keys and Neil Young. In my opinion, these bands are too talented to be subjected to a Grammy.
Other nominations, such as the “Glee” rendition of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing,” rather upset me. You cannot deem a cover, especially a “Glee” cover, worthy of any award. Because of this, I have no faith in the Grammys to successfully allot recognition.
Is it a realistic view of our society’s taste in music? For the most part, teenage girls crowd around television sets to watch Lady Gaga emerge from an egg and Lil Wayne demoralize women. A true music lover recognizes the materialistic attempts at awarding good music. It is merely a popularity contest, much like my student council elections in middle school. After many words of complaining about the Grammys, I conclude that there is no need to worry about these artists who sell out and purely compete for attention.
