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?!

Neon Jungle - New Love

I have a lot of love for this new girlband. They are fun, feisty and have an amazing style. Their songs range from club anthems, to dup step to heartbreaking ballads. Their album has it all, it would be hard to categorise them. I am literally telling anyone who will listen that they need to hear this album. I was shocked as I was expecting a lot of dub step - boy was I wrong. The selection of songs is like putting your entire iTunes playlist on shuffle - something for everyone. Also they do a couple of covers, random songs you wouldn't expect like Banks' 'Waiting' and Hozier's 'Take me to Church'. They are both exceptional, these aren't just pretty voices, these girls can siing!

However, the main point of this post is that I wanted to showcase something they do which more people need to see. They do a lot of covers of popular songs, they put their own twist on them and they become something else. From Britney to Miley it seems like they can sing anything if given the chance.

So as I do I have created a list, this is a list of my top 5 favourite Neon Jungle covers.

5. Britney Spears - Work Bitch

4. Miley Cyrus - We Can't Stop

3. Jessie J Mash Up

2. Lorde - Royals

1. Hozier - Take Me To Church

I really could listen to these beauty's all day. They have a unique style about them, I particularly love Asami's voice, not to put anyone else down, but she is special.

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.

The VMA's Restyled By Me

To say the least I was disappointed by the fashion on the red carpet at this years MTV VMA's. It was boring or weird. There was no happy middle ground. If I had to pick some of the best dressed it would be Katy Perry, Ciara and Ellie Goulding. I respected Rita Ora's choice because she chose to go with a bang - nothing says bang like a 20 foot feathered train. 

When it comes to some of these events there are certain people we look out for; these are the fashionable, edgy, cool, classy girls who pull something out of the bag. They may not shock us but they let us know that they are fashion aware and know how to dress. I was hugely disappointed with Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez, Lady Gaga, Rihanna and Miley Cyrus.

Miley Cyrus
What she wore - Dolce and Gabanna
What I would have put her in - Chanel Fall Couture 2013

She is trying too hard here to bring the 90's trend back. It's over the top whilst still being simple. I have a thing against leggings - don't like them and I never will. Pairing them up with oversized gems just angers me. Her hair looks stupid and I am a huge supporter of her new shorter do - but what the hell are those small buns all about? They only looked good on Scary Spice.
I put her in a silver dress from Chanel. I picked this because it keeps her looking youthful aswell as having a bit of a 90's throwback with the smaller skirt over the longer skirt. The length would be perfect on her and allow her to play with footwear - I would consider a shocking pink platform pump. Her shorter hair would also go flawlessly with this look, but instead of buns I would scrape it all back and add some volume on top.

Selena Gomez
What she wore - Atelier Versace
What I would have put her in -  Dior Fall Couture 2013

Lets all remember she is only 21. These are the perfect years to have fun and experiment fashion wise. It looks like she pulled this out of an ageing american soap-star's closet. It's tacky even for a 40 year old woman. I appreciate the playfulness of it with the revealing of undergarments, but there is no shape to it; where is her waist? It's so blah that even a revealed breast doesn't help it. Also full length sleeves should only be worn by women ashamed of their upper arms - I doubt she has this problem.
I put her in this cute Dior dress. The colour is a much more fun and a youthful blue than the one she chose. It's a bit risqué with the slit down the front of the middle of the dress, but it doesn't cross the line into trashy. The length is great for her as she doesn't have the longest of legs, so having it end above the knee will definitely create length. I am also in love with the material manipulation which gives the dress a seamless appearance.

Lady Gaga
What she wore -  Prabal Gurung
What I would have put her in - Giambattista Valli Spring Couture 2013

This dress she chose was so lacklustre, there is nothing special about it and the material is way too shiny that all I see is trash bags. Its like an unconventional materials challenge on 'Project Runway' gone wrong. It looks badly made and the bow is just sad. For a woman who loves to push boundaries she just looks boring.
The dress I chose isn't that different to her choice. Its black, has a fishnet material and isn't too out there. I feel my choice just speaks better for Gaga. Its fun and unconventional whilst being fashionable and edgy. Also I deliberately chose to give her blonde/white hair as it just stands out more and completes the look - she doesn't look so much like Helena Bonham Carter's weird little sister anymore.

Taylor Swift
What she wore - Hervé Léger by Max Azria
What I would have put her in - Ellie Saab Fall Couture 2013

One word for the dress she chose was 'blah' - my god it is so boring, We all know Taylor is loaded so she could have bought any dress she wanted. In recent years she has made some great choices (see the Grammy's this year) but what happened? She has gone for a column dress which are normally reserved for a shorter gal as they give length - Taylor does not need added height. It completely leaves her shapeless and it is so boring. Paired with the hair she looks 20 years older easily - never mind being 22 try 42.
The dress I chose isn't out there because at the end of the day she needs to be comfortable. I chose this emerald green Ellie Saab dress as I think it is very her (especially in the direction she should be going in). Its classy with an added something. The added something is a bit of sparkle but not in a trashy way. The sheerness will keep the youthfulness whilst the 3/4 length sleeve and full length keeps it respectable. This dress has a dropped back so we will see a gorgeous back and profile.

Rihanna
What she wore - Muscle shirt with a picture of MC Lyte and skinny cropped jeans.
What I would have put her in - Bouchra Jarrar Fall Couture 2013

I'm stuck with this one; on one hand I applaud her for choosing to keep it cool and comfortable, on the other hand I really think she could have at least tried. She was obviously in a mood where she didn't give a shit and just came to watch the show, collect her cheque and get gone. She did however provide the best entertainment from the show with her amazing unimpressed expressions.
To keep with her easy laid back style I chose this complete look from Bouchra Jarrar. I decided to keep her in trousers as she has legs for days so she always look amazing in them, I chose a cropped top because she has the abs I would kill for and then a baggy layer on top to keep the street look she has perfected. However from this look I would get rid of the belt - its overkill.

P.S excuse the shocking photoshop-ing, its late and I really wanted to do this post.