The nominees for the 2011 Grammys won’t be announced until December 1st, on a glitzy CBS TV special similar to last year’s event. However, industry insiders and general music fans are buzzing about a rumored “entry list” that was leaked to a public website.
Before a song can be nominated, the record label behind it has to submit it to the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences for consideration. Therefore, the submission list that was posted online has to contain the year’s nominees.
This is a look at likely contenders for the Song of the Year, which is a composer/songwriter’s award. While we can safely assume that submissions like Miley Cyrus’ “Can’t Be Tamed” and Ludacris featuring Nicki Minaj’s “My Chick Bad” are a long shot, remember last year’s winner was Beyonce’s “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)”.
Eminem featuring Rihanna – “Love the Way You Lie”
Most singles this year aimed to be funny, heartfelt, or even cutesy, making this raw, emotional rant of a song really stick out in the crowd. I would be very surprised if “Love The Way You Lie” doesn’t receive a nomination.
Mike Posner – “Cooler Than Me”
The Academy loves new talent, and Posner’s fast, memorable, catchy debut single seems like a sure bet.
Travie McCoy featuring Bruno Mars – “Billionaire”
“Billionaire” is a lyrical time capsule of the year 2010. Its easy-going, non-genre specific style would carry a lot of respect among vastly differing Grammy voters.
Lady Antebellum – “Need You Know”
Even though this country crossover hit borrows much of its catchy, sing-along melody from the Alan Parsons Project’s “Eye in the Sky”, its descriptive lyrics really paint a picture.
Lady Gaga – “Bad Romance”
Because of the Academy’s odd rules of eligibility, this track that debuted over a year ago is up for this year’s nominations. However, its clever rhyme scheme still makes it a contender.
Elton John & Leon Russell – “If It Wasn’t For Bad”
The Grammys love collaborations. Remember the sweep made by Alison Krauss and Robert Plant’s Raising Sand album? This is the main single from Elton & Leon’s team effort, The Union.
Ringo Starr featuring Paul McCartney – “Walk With You”
Another monumental duet this year was the reunion of two former Beatles, Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney. This sentimental, sweet ode to friendship might just be a surprise nominee.
Cee-Lo Green – “F*** You”
How’s this for controversial: a nominee that can’t be named on live television? Despite the “colorful” title, its old-school stylings have been critically praised. I suppose, if nominated, the “Forget You” version (posted below) will be used instead.
Kei$ha – “Tik Tok”
This ode to drunken partying may be shallow, but it does what it does well. Everyone from The Simpsons to soldiers on YouTube did a parody/tribute of “Tik Tok”, adding to the fact that “Tik Tok”, for better of for worse, has 2009/2010 written all over it.
The Script – “Breakeven”
This was the year of the Script, with “Breakeven” taking a huge chunk out of radio playlists around the country. I’m not really sure what it is about this song that makes it seem so Grammy-worthy to me, but it just does.