The Guardian has a list of last night’s Grammy award winners and nominees, which mainly focuses on young person’s artists. You’ll look in vain for an Afterword -friendly act here. But what struck me was the categories. There’s an Album of the Year – we can all understand that one – but also a Record of the Year and Song of the Year.
What’s the difference? To further complicate things, seven of the eight nominations are the same in each category, with Kendrick Lamarr winning Best Record but losing out to Billie Eilish in the Song category. She was, of course, also nominated for Record but lost out to Kendrick.
Anyone have any idea why this duplication of awards is a thing? And what makes Eilish’s a better song than Kendrick’s but not as good a record?
PS I tried to provide the link to the Guardian list but failed miserably – sorry!
Yeah, I just read the list of winners, more bemused by the list of available awards. Nice to see the Cure bag 2, mind.
I will say that Afterword friendly is not an automatic thumbs up of approval in my world and young persons’ records can be as good as any, why shouldn’t they be? Chappell Roan’s Subway is really rather special as is Billie Eilish’s Wildflower. Billie’s album is great in fact.
yup, agree. Wildflower is brilliant
“Afterword-friendly” can never be more than a generalisation at best since, contrary to popular opinion, we don’t actually all like the same music.
For example, I have never voted for (or agreed with) the Afterword best song of all time, or best album of all time, or whatever it was called…
Best record?
Tried searching the site using “best record” – but I’m not seeing the thread where we voted for the Afterword best of all time…
Sorry was just referencing the OP in a subtle bit of side splitting humour.
I don’t find humour funny…
Mavis Staples won a couple as did The Cure for records praised on this here blorum. And Tiggs loves Kendrick almost as much as the Grammy folk do..
Too right. Really chuffed for K Dot.
I see the Dalai Lama beat Milli Vannili’s Fab Morvan.
There y’go
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2026/feb/01/grammy-awards-bad-bunny-kendrick-lamar-anti-ice
Billie Eilish is Afterword friendly I think she’s brilliant
They have always had these convoluted categories, I think it comes down to the Grammys being more about rewarding sales than critical appreciation
Is it, to come over a bit Heppy for a moment?
Best song = a tune your milkman can whistle. E.g. “When I’m 64”.
Best record = great production, but not necessarily tuneful. E.g. “Tomorrow Never Knows”.
You could well be right, and that explanation certainly makes sense, but the fact that seven out of eight nominations are the same in each category suggests that whoever’s doing the nominating doesn’t understand the distinction!
It’s just a way too “honour”more artists and get them performing. The Grammys is all about marketing and ratings
As an aside, I think Ms Roan might have left half her dress in the changing room.
And Heidi Klum went dressed as a cadaver. Her poor kids…
We’ve all done it. As long as it’s the right half or rather not the wrong half. I think it was fake nude actually.
Fake nudes? 🤔
Oh, you know, it won’t come as a surprise to any of you regulars I’m sure but I really couldn’t give a s**t.
No worries. Thanks for popping in!