# Anyone else here watching the 2024 Grammys? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** talk-variety-show, music\ **Created:** [February 5, 2024, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-here-watching-the-2024-grammys/997111 "2024-02-05T01:46:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2024, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-here-watching-the-2024-grammys/997111/21 "2024-02-05T03:51:51Z")
Observations: The memorial segment was well done, though _long_ by other awards-show standards. OTOH that is what would happen when you have a whole stage production number for Tina Turner, a complete Tony Bennett/Stevie Wonder duet song and Annie Lennox doing Nothing Compares 2 U. The segment with U2 performing at the Sphere reminded me something I already knew: when your onetime faves are doing a Vegas residence, you know you are getting old and so are they. In between acts and awards the program does seem to bog down and Trevor going table by table just did not really click with me. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2024, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-here-watching-the-2024-grammys/997111/22 "2024-02-05T04:21:02Z")
I am reminded, suddenly, of my post from a few months back. > [@Discussion thread for the "Polls only" thread (Part 1)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/7792): > > Man does Billy Joel put my teeth on edge. All of it utterly unlistenable for me. > > I was at a corporate dinner event once that had a surprise guest, which turned out to be a famous Billy Joel imitator, who led the room in about 90 minutes of singalong. Just kill me. Fortunately I’d been having a running disagreement with another person at work, and he brought it up at dinner, and we took the argument it to another room to hash it out. The music was still audible, but at least I didn’t have to sit there with my fellow boomers and sub-boomers while they sang Billy Joel at the tops of their lungs. ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2024, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-here-watching-the-2024-grammys/997111/23 "2024-02-05T04:22:17Z")
Not watching, but reading on twitter. Something about Jay Z. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2024, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-here-watching-the-2024-grammys/997111/24 "2024-02-05T04:35:54Z")
_Midnights_, eh? Should not be surprised. _Guts_ is so much better of an album. But, eh, it’s the Grammys. Don’t take them too seriously. I mean, Christ, Metallica won another Grammy this year. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2024, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-here-watching-the-2024-grammys/997111/25 "2024-02-05T04:38:48Z")
True, but Laurie Anderson also got a lifetime award this year, so that’s great. Yeah, Taylor is clearly got a lot of fans in the voting members. And I understand why Taylor wanted Lana Del Rey on the stage with her, but it’s a little weird to drag her up there given that she just defeated her. ---
**Author:** ![Nayna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ebca7d/32.png) [@Nayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nayna)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2024, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-here-watching-the-2024-grammys/997111/26 "2024-02-05T05:09:54Z")
Speaking just for my household/daughter/nieces/Taylor Swift buzz - there was a lot of speculation that she’d announce Reputation (Taylor’s Version) at the Grammys, so when she announced a different album, we were completely thrown off. It’s possible that the audience was having the same reaction. I agree that Taylor Swift herself seemed awkward and uncomfortable during the announcement. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanubv.2/32/3260_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUBv.2)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2024, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-here-watching-the-2024-grammys/997111/27 "2024-02-05T06:20:03Z")
I tuned in late, on account of I keep forgetting I’m in PST now. I’m not passionate about it like I was when I was younger, but music and pretty clothes are fun. I didn’t recognize Beyonce (when I first tuned in and thought "nice hat; how many peoples’ view are you blocking?) until JayZ got his award. Any idea what he was talking about? I mean, I got the gist, but it sounded like there was some undertone with “some people are in the wrong category”. I thought the banter between Meryl Streep and Mark Ronson was fun and a good way to explain the different categories. The In Memorium was a little too “busy”. Agree that Taylors announcement was a misstep. I don’t usually perceive her as obtuse, but it came off as inappropriate for the occasion and I cringed a little. Joni is formidable, as always. Good to see Celine Dion there. While not a big fan, I feel for her in light of her medical situation. The audience’s reception and the close-ups of some people with real love on their face was very touching. Did it seem like the producers of the show were trying harder than usual to appeal to a wider age range? Oh, and @Maserschmidt 's quote made me chuckle. That’s exactly how I feel about Olivia Rodrigo. One thing about music awards shows, they give you the opportunity to / make you endure new music, depending on your pov. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2024, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-here-watching-the-2024-grammys/997111/28 "2024-02-05T06:35:24Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](#): > > Agree that Taylors announcement was a misstep. Well, then it’s a misstep she’s made before, at the Grammys and the VMAs. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanubv.2/32/3260_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUBv.2)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2024, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-here-watching-the-2024-grammys/997111/29 "2024-02-05T06:47:10Z")
Oh, so this is how she just usually does these things? Honest question, no snark. In any case, by “misstep” I didn’t mean damage to herself in any way. It just struck an off chord for _me_. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2024, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-here-watching-the-2024-grammys/997111/30 "2024-02-05T07:00:31Z")
She announced _Midnights_ at the VMAS. She didn’t do an initial announcement (that was at her tour), but did publicize the release date of _1989 (Taylor’s Version)_ last Grammys. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanubv.2/32/3260_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUBv.2)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2024, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-here-watching-the-2024-grammys/997111/31 "2024-02-05T07:05:15Z")
Yep, makes sense now, thanks. Gads, I feel like that was a glimpse of the world through old fogey glasses. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2024, 8:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-here-watching-the-2024-grammys/997111/32 "2024-02-05T08:53:05Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > “Fast Car” is the last song in the world any white man should be covering. I dunno. There was a Dolly Parton tribute a few years ago where this Duck Dynasty lookin’ dude covered “9 to 5,” and that seemed pretty freakin’ off-center to me. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2024, 9:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-here-watching-the-2024-grammys/997111/33 "2024-02-05T09:28:56Z")
And of course, there’s this: > **[Straight Outta Compton - Nina Gordon](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NG2EGOB9-lc%2F)** > > Nina Gordon (Veruca Salt) covers NWA...seriously. Amusing but defies comparison. Word. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2024, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-here-watching-the-2024-grammys/997111/34 "2024-02-06T00:10:25Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > “Fast Car” is the last song in the world any white man should be covering. I thought my head would explode when I first heard of the Comb’s cover and it didn’t get better when Chapman and Combs sang the duet. I just don’t get that at all. What part of the song can’t be universal and why is it about race? It’s about escaping poverty and wishing for a better life. Tracy Chapman doesn’t have a problem with it. It certainly touched Luke Combs at a young age which is why he covered it when he was able to. To me it was the only good part of a dumpster fire of a night. My wife doesn’t usually want to watch those things but she wanted to this year. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2024, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-here-watching-the-2024-grammys/997111/35 "2024-02-06T00:29:35Z")
I guess it shouldn’t surprise me that there isn’t much uproar over Molly Tuttle winning her category. So - how much time did they give her on the broadcast? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanubv.2/32/3260_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUBv.2)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2024, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-here-watching-the-2024-grammys/997111/36 "2024-02-06T04:27:41Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > I just don’t get that at all. What part of the song can’t be universal and why is it about race? It’s about escaping poverty and wishing for a better life. Tracy Chapman doesn’t have a problem with it. It certainly touched Luke Combs at a young age which is why he covered it when he was able to. I don’t mean to speak for @Exapno_Mapcase but I share their feeling. To me, the story it tells and the voice that tells it are very specific, not just to Tracy Chapman herself, but to a very specific life situation. TC is obviously ok with it as you say (and that is puzzling to me) so it’s essentially none of my beeswax, but I tend to change the channel when his version comes on. ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2024, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-here-watching-the-2024-grammys/997111/37 "2024-02-06T04:35:58Z")
I have no problem with _Fast Car_ being covered by a white guy, but I do feel that Combs doesn’t really seem to bring anything to the song with his cover. He sings it nicely, but it doesn’t make me feel anything, which certainly isn’t the case when Tracy sings it. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2024, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-here-watching-the-2024-grammys/997111/38 "2024-02-06T04:57:59Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](#): > > > [@Loach](#): > > > > I just don’t get that at all. What part of the song can’t be universal and why is it about race? It’s about escaping poverty and wishing for a better life. Tracy Chapman doesn’t have a problem with it. It certainly touched Luke Combs at a young age which is why he covered it when he was able to. > > I don’t mean to speak for @Exapno_Mapcase but I share their feeling. To me, the story it tells and the voice that tells it are very specific, not just to Tracy Chapman herself, but to a very specific life situation. TC is obviously ok with it as you say (and that is puzzling to me) so it’s essentially none of my beeswax, but I tend to change the channel when his version comes on. It’s specific. It’s not unique. I didn’t grow up that poor but I grew up poor enough for the song to resonate with me. ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2024, 10:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-here-watching-the-2024-grammys/997111/39 "2024-02-06T10:07:27Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > I just don’t get that at all. What part of the song can’t be universal and why is it about race? It’s about escaping poverty and wishing for a better life. Tracy Chapman doesn’t have a problem with it. It certainly touched Luke Combs at a young age which is why he covered it when he was able to. I agree, with the caveat that a couple of lines are gender- leaning. In particular, working as a “checkout girl”. Also late in the song when the singer notes the partner spends more time with friends than with the kids. But then I knew a couple that that was true, or true enough. He was more likely to be watching the kids/ changing the diapers than her. She had impulse control issues, and the kids actually ended up living with grandma. Being broke, dropping out of school to take care of a sick(ish) parent, having trouble finding a good job, wanting to escape, and finding a sense of belonging in the arms of someone you love all seem very relatable. > [@Gorsnak](#): > > but I do feel that Combs doesn’t really seem to bring anything to the song with his cover. He sings it nicely, but it doesn’t make me feel anything, which certainly isn’t the case when Tracy sings it. I find that amusing, since the duet felt more to me like Tracy Chapman phoning it in while Luke Combs was clearly invested. Even the radio version, I can feel Luke’s emotion and connection to the song, which is why the lines I mentioned above don’t bother me much when he sings them. I will also say that Fast Car is one of those songs I kinda tuned out, but Luke’s cover made me reassess the song. Credit to Tracy Chapman, and a new respect. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2024, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-here-watching-the-2024-grammys/997111/40 "2024-02-06T13:15:03Z")
I think we’ve just reached the century mark, or may be a little more, of white people using the music of black artists to their own advantage. What’s encouraging is the extent to which people talk about that now… Even 20 or 30 years ago, I think this was only a small part of the conversation, and very little of it from white folks. And that’s what I first thought of when I heard about that cover. But. That’s the legend herself on the stage. And unless she’s under duress, or mentally incapacitated, it takes a lot of agency to decide to get up on that stage… and if she’s fine with it, but somehow I’m strenuously arguing it’s wrong, I feel like I’m just doing the same thing people have been doing for a century, but in a different format. It’s her call [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-here-watching-the-2024-grammys/997111.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-here-watching-the-2024-grammys/997111.md?page=3)