My Grammy Predictions (and wants)

It is that time of year again, it is time for my 3rd favourite awards show! I love the Grammys because I love music and I want to see all these amazing artists and creators get celebrated for all their hard work the last 12 months. There has of course been a few snubs and a few surprises. What I am going to do is pick who I want to win the categories I will be watching out for as well as pick who I think will win (unfortunately they rarely match).

RECORD OF THE YEAR - Nominees

Fancy
Iggy Azalea Featuring Charli XCX

Chandelier
Sia

Stay With Me (Darkchild Version)
Sam Smith

Shake It Off
Taylor Swift

All About That Bass
Meghan Trainor

Who I want to win - Sia
Who I think will win - Sam Smith

Don't get me wrong I will always support the fellow Brit at these award shows but for me the wonder from down under just had the best song of the year. She allowed art to become a focus of her music and I will always admire that. The video had everyone talking and the song is one that we all have tried to scream out loud whilst bouncing around our bedroom in our nude onesie, or maybe that was just me.

ALBUM OF THE YEAR - Nominees

Morning Phase
Beck

Beyoncé
Beyoncé

X
Ed Sheeran

In The Lonely Hour
Sam Smith

Girl
Pharrell Williams

Who I want to win - Beyonce
Who I think will win - Ed

Once again my British pride had to take a step back. As much as I enjoyed Ed's and Sam's albums, I couldn't turn my back on Queen Bey. Her album was a huge step forward from her previous work, she experimented and to me it seemed like she has finally done what she wants to do, without input from anyone - so kudos to her. Also one of my favourite songs of the year came from this album (Heaven).

SONG OF THE YEAR - Nominees

All About That Bass
Kevin Kadish & Meghan Trainor, songwriters (Meghan Trainor)

Chandelier
Sia Furler & Jesse Shatkin, songwriters (Sia)

Shake It Off
Max Martin, Shellback & Taylor Swift, songwriters (Taylor Swift)

Stay With Me (Darkchild Version)
James Napier, William Phillips & Sam Smith, songwriters (Sam Smith)

Take Me To Church
Andrew Hozier-Byrne, songwriter (Hozier)

Who I want to win - Hozier
Who I think will win - Meghan Trainor

I am still not sure how this category differs from 'Record of the Year' but I digress. For me Hozier knocked it out of the park with this song, it is dark and haunting with way too many catchy lyrics than any song should have. It is also one of the few songs I haven't gotten bored of yet. I do however think Meghan will win, the song was a huge success, it created a new catchphrase and it empowered a lot of people; and the melody is just too darn catchy.

BEST NEW ARTIST - Nominees

Iggy Azalea

Bastille

Brandy Clark

Haim

Sam Smith

Who I want to win - Haim
Who I think will win - Sam Smith

This category was a tough one to call because it crosses quite a few genres. Brandy Clark definitely has the country vote and there is no denying she could follow in the footsteps of Kacey Musgraves. Bastille created one of my favourite songs (Pompeii) and Sam Smith just exploded on to the scene this year. However I want Haim to win so bad, I saw them live this year and they were incredible, they are only going to get bigger with the 1989 Tour with Taylor. We have waited a while for a second album from them so hopefully this gives them the push to get it out.

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

Who I want to win - Sia
Who I think will win - Sia or John Legend

Sia has to win this one, her vocals are insane and on every live performance you can hear her straining her voice to reach the perfect note. I fell in love with song after the first listen purely because I am a sucker for an amazing powerful  strong vocal. I think John could be a contender because of the pure emotion that seeps out with every word. It is a love song sang by a man in love, there's no sweeter sound.

BEST POP DUO/GROUP PERFORMANCE -  Nominees

Fancy
Iggy Azalea Featuring Charli XCX

A Sky Full Of Stars
Coldplay

Say Something
A Great Big World With Christina Aguilera

Bang Bang
Jessie J, Ariana Grande & Nicki Minaj

Dark Horse
Katy Perry Featuring Juicy J

Who I want to win - A Great Big World With Christina Aguilera
Who I think will win - A Great Big World With Christina Aguilera

This song is just simply stunning. It is sung with such an effortless that emotes every feeling the singers have when singing this song. It makes little children cry for God's sake. Christina doesn't Christina all over it because it didn't need it. Its a simple song with a depressing message - magic. It would be nice for Jessie J to win though, she deserves some recognition and celebration.

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

Who I want to win - Miley Cyrus
Who I think will win - Ed or Sam

I don't think it's an unfair statement to say that the British Boys ruled the music charts this year the world round. So it would be a fair assumption one of them will win this category. However I really want Miley to win, I don't know if it is because I was a Disney kid in my youth or the fact that I actually liked this album. It was a good mix of pop and hip hop and 90's nostalgia. She experimented and definitely set her own tone.

BEST COUNTRY SOLO PERFORMANCE - Nominees

Give Me Back My Hometown
Eric Church

Invisible
Hunter Hayes

Automatic
Miranda Lambert

Something In The Water
Carrie Underwood

Cop Car
Keith Urban

Who I want to win - Carrie Underwood
Who I think will win - Miranda Lambert

I will feel like a winner either way because I love both these broads. I will never get over Miranda's albums, they are my go to choices. I just think Carrie may have beaten her to the punch with this song. Carrie's vocals are flawless. She nails every note and it seriously knocks me out. I do this weird thing where if a song hits me, or a note is perfect I will raise my arms in the air as if I am reaching for Jesus - I held my arms up for 4 minutes straight for 'Something in the Water'.

BEST COUNTRY DUO/GROUP PERFORMANCE - Nominees

Gentle On My Mind
The Band Perry

Somethin' Bad
Miranda Lambert With Carrie Underwood

Day Drinking
Little Big Town

Tim McGraw Featuring Faith Hill
Track from: Sundown Heaven Town

Raise 'Em Up
Keith Urban Featuring Eric Church

Who I want to win - Miranda and Carrie
Who I think will win - Little Big Town

I have mad love for all the nominees in this category but I have to give it to Miranda and Carrie. This song is a foot stomping, table slapping good time. It's country, it's rock, it is just balls to the wall fun. I do think Little Big Town will win this though, they got a lot of love from country award shows around America for it and it is such a good song, real chill and laid back.

BEST COUNTRY ALBUM -  Nominees

Riser
Dierks Bentley

The Outsiders
Eric Church

12 Stories
Brandy Clark

Platinum
Miranda Lambert

The Way I'm Livin'
Lee Ann Womack

Who I want to win - Miranda
Who I think will win -Miranda

There is no competition for me, she is the best country has to offer right now. The album is country perfection. Her story telling is unrivalled. Her voice is indisputable. Her skills are unmatched. Give her all the awards. Jeez I love Miranda.

Here are some others that I hope win

BEST COMPILATION SOUNDTRACK FOR VISUAL MEDIA - 

Guardians Of The Galaxy: Awesome Mix Vol. 1

BEST URBAN CONTEMPORARY ALBUM - 

Beyonce - Beyonce

BEST RAP/SUNG COLLABORATION - 

Eminem Feat. Rihanna

BEST COUNTRY SONG - 

Miranda Lambert - Automatic

BEST SCORE SOUNDTRACK FOR VISUAL MEDIA - 

The Grand Budapest Hotel

BEST SONG WRITTEN FOR VISUAL MEDIA - 

Let It Go -Kristen Anderson-Lopez & Robert Lopez, songwriters (Idina Menzel)

BEST MUSIC VIDEO - 

Sia - Chandelier

There are 82 categories this year so hopefully I will be happy with some of them. Phew that was a big post, thanks for sticking around if you did. My main predictions will be that it will be a good night for Ed Sheeran and Sam Smith, however Taylor Swift and Iggy Azaelia won't be taking any gold wear away with them unfortunately. But every one will have fun and isn't that what its all about?!

C Festival

I have been to a few festivals and they have been very hit and miss. My main issue is the people that go. Some are great do not get me wrong, but there are a few that ruin it for everybody. Everyone I know can have fun and be respectable, I don't want to sound like a Dad but everyone can be happy if everyone is considerate. Be loud, be energetic but don't throw cups of piss over the crowd and intimidate people. If you can't handle your drink then know your limits, if you can't handle drugs then don't take them. 

Another problem for me is the music, I like a lot of bands from a lot of different genres but there isn't a lot of festivals that cater just to me (regardless of my intense letter writing). I love country music (and proud of it) but England doesn't, there are so many other types of bands or acts that also don't get a chance to show themselves off. Even if they aren't popular they should get a shot in front of a large crowd.

The toilets. Enough said. How can so many people be so disgusting? Flush the toilet, poop in the toilet and use the toilet for toilet reasons only. Simple.

So I have come up with an idea - C Festival. A festival for me. Stay with me - it will have all the music I like and because my taste is diverse there is something for everyone. Plus I have some reunion surprises like Destinys Child and Mis-teeq. Acts from all walks of life will have a slot. Food is free - I would get food vendors to donate food with the promise that this will get their company attention for the future and never disregard word of mouth. Also free alcohol will be available. I would get major drink companies to sponsor the event.

So hands up who wouldn't like this, no one? Thats good. All I will need is a couple hundred companies to sponsor me, a good place to put the festival on and a few thousand people to attend. See ya there folks.

You don't know you're beautiful? Listen to these.

There is a type of song that I absolutely love, and that type of song would be the girl power song. I know I know I am one of those penis carriers. I shouldn't even listen to these songs as they aren't for my kind - the men. However they clutter my iTunes. There is something so beautiful about them, these music icons are putting aside their own dramas and lives to write and sing songs that let their young female fans know that they aren't alone out there. For every insecurity they have and every issue they are currently dealing with they are letting their fans know they aren't alone. These fans can bond over this and maybe just maybe listen to these songs and find the courage to face their demons and live. So, as I do I have written a short list of some of my favourite acts that sing some kick ass girl power songs:

1. Destiny's Child - Story Of Beauty/Independent Women Part 1/Survivor

This band can be described as a true champion of women. They have written a few songs for woman to chant, fist bump and scream too. My favourite girl power song would be 'Story Of Beauty'. It tells a story of a young girl who doesn't know her worth after she has had a troubled life.

Favourite lyric - 'I hope one day she realise and sees the beauty in her eyes. All she needs is prayer and strength because she is beautiful'

2. TLC - Unpretty

This has to be an anthem for a generation of girls who never felt pretty enough. Instead of being condescending they sing about feeling the same way. TLC have always been about girl power, mainly about how girls are not be messed with and they are just as strong as men - so it must have been comforting for the female fans to know that Left Eye, T-Boz and Chilli also have their insecurities.

Favourite Lyric - 'Why do I look to all these things, To keep you happy. Maybe get rid of you and then I'll get back to me'

3. Little Mix - Little Me/Change Your Life/Wings

Instead of singing about boys and love, these girls came running out the gate singing about girl power. First song 'Wings' was a marching anthem for all girls to know they can fly and do what they want. For young girls these girls are great, as we have watched them from the audition stages we know they are four average lasses who achieved the impossible. Favourite girl power song of theirs would be 'Little Me' - it sings about being who you are and not being afraid, the catch is the song is actually written to their younger selves.

Favourite Lyric - 'You gotta speak up, you gotta shout out, And know that right here, right now, You can be beautiful, wonderful, Anything you wanna be'

4. Christina Aguilera - Beautiful/Fighter/Can't Hold Us Down

Everyone knows 'Beautiful' and most will know the words. Its an amazing song about feeling beautiful in ugly situations. Fun fact about this song is that the released version is the first demo she did, the writer liked the rawness and organic feeling it had, she didn't want another version. This is definitely a song that young girls need to hear and take in.

Favourite Lyric - 'We are beautiful in every single way. Yes, words can't bring us down, oh, no. So don't you bring me down today'

5. Jessie J - Who You Are

If its not her killer vocals that slay you then its the message of this song. It tells about the struggle to just be you. Its hard to express one's self sometimes, Jessie captures the thoughts of so many of us in the song. It is one my favourite songs of all time (and also one of my favourite songs to scream along to when home alone, or when I want to piss off the twin). For the past 4 acts I have picked favourite lyrics, but basically every word is perfect - but to keep the flow I have chosen one.

Favourite Lyric - 'Its okay not to be okay'

6. Selena Gomez - Who Says

This is one of those songs that we would love to shout at our bullies. She is basically calling out her tormentors and asks them why, whilst also talking to her fans about how they are entitled to feel beautiful even if others pull you down. I love the message of this song, I mean it is so right. Who says we can't be what we want to be? No one has that control.

Favourite Lyric - 'I’m sure you got some things. You’d like to change about yourself. But when it comes to me I wouldn’t want to be anybody else.'

7. P!nk - Fuckin' Perfect

If theres one thing that I love about P!nk its her brutal honesty. She sings about what she wants and does what she wants. This song didn't come as a shock because she has always been a champion of the underdog. This song is just fucking perfect. The video made me weep like a hungry child. This is one of those songs that you know helped a lot of people.

Favourite Lyric - 'Pretty, pretty please, if you ever, ever feel like you're nothing, you're fucking perfect to me'

8. Lady Gaga - Born This Way

This song isn't just about girl power, its about humans. It is written for all of us. It is a song we can raise a fist too and scream at the top of our longs if we ever feel like we can't be us. Don't apologise for not been like someone else. We are who we are. She does a lot for her fans with making them feel special and I feel like she encapsulates in this song. If she was to leave this earth tomorrow that would be her legacy.

Favourite Lyric - 'No matter gay, straight, or bi, Lesbian, transgendered life, I'm on the right track baby, I was born to survive. No matter black, white or beige Chola or orient made, I'm on the right track baby, I was born to be brave.'

9. Demi Lovato - Skyscraper

She recorded this song after a very dark period of her life. This song was her coming out song if you like, she didn't let her illness bring her down. It is a beautiful song with even more beautiful vocals behind it. It sends a message that if your truly believe in yourself you can do whatever you want.

Favourite Lyric - 'Go on and try to tear me down, I will be rising from the ground, Like a skyscraper'

10. Kelly Clarkson - Stronger/People Like Us/Mr Know It All/Miss Independent/Dark Side

Our Kelly sure knows how to belt a powerful song out. Her voice is flawless and really can make you stop in your tracks sometimes. My favourite songs of hers are always her positive anthems. The power of her voice really reflects the power of the message she tries to tell. My favourite is probably 'People Like Us', this song came and went rather unnoticed which was unfortunate as it says a lot that people should hear.

Favourite Lyric - 'People like us, we've gotta stick together. Keep your head up nothing lasts forever. Here's to the damned, to the lost and forgotten. It's hard to get high when you're living on the bottom'

Honourable Mentions

Beyonce - Pretty Hurts

One Direction - That's what makes you beautiful

Ke$ha - We Are Who We Are

Alicia Keys - Girl On Fire

Nicki Minaj - Fly

Katy Perry - Firework

Glee Cast - Loser Like Me

30 Seconds To Mars - The Edge

Kellie Pickler - Don't You Know You're Beautiful

Aretha Franklin - Respect

Des'ree - Gotta Be

Keri Hilson - Pretty Girl Rock

Who Doesn't Love A Good Song And A Dance?

I really enjoy award shows, but the thing is I couldn't care less about the awards. Its the performances I love. The artists go all out and put on a 5 minute spectacle. The MTV Video Music Awards are showing on Monday and I am more than excited. With performances from Lady Gaga, Katy Perry and Miley Cyrus to look forward to. So I thought I would have a gander at some of my favourite past performances.

The best ones in my eyes are the ones that shock. With Lady Gaga on the roster we are almost guaranteed a few surprises. I am basing this on her record - once coming out dressed as her male alter-ego and another time where she appeared to kill her self on stage. Britney Spears doesn't come up short when it comes to the shocks. She has been known to dance with a python, strip off whilst singing a Rolling Stone's song and of course the kiss heard around the world with Madonna (everyone seems to forget Madge did the dirty with Christina Aguilera aswell). Justin Timberlake's face was my favourite bit from that entire performance.

Then there are the performance where artists take the opportunity to show what they got. Beyonce singing 'Love On Top' stopped me in my tracks - I think I even held my breath so I could listen with all I had. Eminem performing with Rihanna was also special - he will always be my favourite rapper. Also Eminem's debut performance with a hundred dopple-ganger's was something special.

Monday can not come soon enough. I am rather excited. I can't wait to see the red carpet. Most importantly you know the performances are going to be epic. Gaga and Perry are both using this opportunity to sing their new songs for the first time. Yay.

Check below to remind yourself of some special performances.

Fingers crossed no one jumps on stage to interrupt an acceptance speech (looking at you Kanye!)

Divas Live

I have been to my fair share of concerts. For some reason about 80% of them are female performers. I love a show where a female is singing her heart out and putting on a spectacle for us to sit back and watch in awe.

My first ever concert was the Spice Girls. It was when they were a 4 (I have since seen them as a 5 on their reunion tour). It was amazing, it felt even better because we got the tickets for free (they arrived in the mail and we didn't question it). Since then I have made sure I go to concerts of all my favourite singers.

When seeing a show I prefer arena gigs. The production value is awesome - there is fire, lasers, screens, lights, smoke and on multiple occasions flying. One of my favourite concerts I ever went to was Destiny's Child on their Destiny Fulfilled and Lovin' It (they were sponsored by McDonald's). at the beginning the whole arena went black, then the screen came on and simply said 'Say My Name' and BANG toaster pop and the girls were on stage. I almost pissed myself with excitement.

I have been to smaller venues to see the likes of The Veronicas, Ke$ha and Ellie Goulding. These are special because it is purely about the talent. Their voices are perfect and there is a real vibe of community as the whole crowd is feeling the music. Another thing I like to do is festivals - I haven't been to as many as I would like to but I will always be thankful for V Festival for getting Taylor Swift. I got so close to the stage and I was in awe.

When huge acts come to England, more precisely Manchester I have to go. I have seen Carrie Underwood, Britney Spears, Lady Gaga and Christina Aguilera live and it. was. awesome. They live upto the hype and standing in the same room as them gets me a little bit starstruck.

I don't have a lot of gigs to look forward to right now except from V Festival and Ellie Goulding. I hope to see a lot more and 30 Seconds To Mars have just announced a tour so I will be looking for someone to go with me. There is something about being in  dark room, sweating and listening to music that just gets me.