Surprises among the nominees this year include:
Cee Lo Green‘s “F**K You” (Record of the Year) and (Song of the Year)
Ray Lamontagne‘s “Beg Steal or Borrow” (Song of the Year)
Esperanza Spalding (New Artist)
Michael Jackson (Pop Male Vocal) — although I did predict it!
Beyonce (Pop Female Vocal) — for a live performance of “Halo,” the song that won her this award last year.
Norah Jones (Pop Female Vocal)
Justin Bieber (Pop Vocal Album)
“Glee” cast (Pop Group)
Herbie Hancock, Pink, Seal, India.Aire, Jeff Beck, Konono No 1 & Oumou Singers (Pop Vocal Collaboration) for “Imagine”
Jeff Beck & Joss Stone (Rock Duo or Group)
Chris Brown (Contemporary R&B Album) (R&B Duo or Group) (Rap/Sung Collaboration)
Jewel (Country Female Vocal); her first nomination since 1997
Notable snubs include the following:
Florence + the Machine getting just one nomination (New Artist)
Lady Gaga‘s “Bad Romance” for Record of the Year and Song of the Year
James Taylor and Carole King in the General and Pop Fields
Sade in the General Field, Best R&B Album and Best R&B Song
The Script in the General Field and Pop Group
Ke$ha for New Artist
Susan Boyle for New Artist and Pop Female Vocal
Sheryl Crow for Pop Album and Pop Female
Jack Johnson for Pop Album and Pop Male
Liza Minnelli for Traditional Pop Vocal Album
Usher & will.i.am‘s “OMG” for Pop Collboration
Jason Derulo in Pop & R&B Fields
Bon Jovi for Pop Group
Nicki Minaj for Best Rap Solo Performance and Best Rap Song
Alicia Keys for R&B Album, R&B Song and R&B Duo or Group
Mary J. Blige in the R&B Field
Corinne Bailey Rae in the R&B Field
Taylor Swift for Country Female Vocal and Best Country Song (“Mine”)
Image: Grammy Awards logo (NARAS)