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GRAMMYs

A Great Big World's Ian Axel and Christina Aguilera

Photo: Chelsea Lauren/WireImage.com

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The Messages Behind 57th GRAMMY-Nominated Songs

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Dive into the storylines of 10 current GRAMMY-nominated songs by Arcade Fire, Kendrick Lamar, Taylor Swift, and Meghan Trainor, among others
Crystal Larsen
GRAMMYs
Jan 30, 2015 - 11:04 am

Danish author Hans Christian Andersen once famously said, "Where words fail, music speaks." But what happens when you pair powerful lyrics with equally potent music? You get songs that fill fans' hearts and minds with stories of love, loss, recovery, and redemption.

These topics and more are highlighted in songs nominated for the 57th GRAMMY Awards. Below we dive into 10 tunes that carry an important message underneath the music, from Meghan Trainor's positive body image anthem and the heartbreak of "Say Something" by A Great Big World featuring Christina Aguilera, to Sam Smith's vulnerable "Stay With Me" and Glen Campbell's poignant "I'm Not Gonna Miss You."

A Great Big World With Christina Aguilera, "Say Something"
A Great Big World's Ian Axel and Chad Vaccarino found themselves with a surprise hit when their breakup ballad "Say Something" featuring Christina Aguilera soared to No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 after the trio performed the song on an episode of "The Voice." But before it earned a nod for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, the song served as a method of healing for Vaccarino and Axel, who were both struggling with heartbreak while writing the song. "There was this girl in my life … for three years and it was unreciprocated," said Axel during an interview with Ryan Seacrest in 2014. "I think about it now and I get the chills because it's so crazy that that's the [song] that's connecting to everybody because we felt so alone … and now it's like a healing song and people are listening to it and it's helping them."

GRAMMYs

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A Great Big World, Christina Aguilera - Say Something

Arcade Fire, "We Exist"
"We were in Kingston, and we … met some gay Jamaican kids and just kind of talked to them and realized that they were constantly under the threat of violence," Arcade Fire frontman Win Butler told The Advocate about the inspiration for "We Exist." "For me, just meeting these kids in Jamaica and then imagining this conversation between a son and his father, that was the emotional kernel." The song's video, which is up for Best Music Video, highlights the journey of a transgender teen (played by Andrew Garfield) who ultimately triumphs in joining Arcade Fire onstage at Coachella to roaring approval. "We Exist" is featured on the band's fourth studio album, Reflektor, which earned a nod for Best Alternative Music Album.

GRAMMYs

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Arcade Fire - We Exist

Glen Campbell, "I'm Not Gonna Miss You"
Nominated for Best Country Song and Best Song Written For Visual Media, "I'm Not Gonna Miss You" is the final song Campbell says he will ever record, due to his battle with Alzheimer's disease. The song is more than just a solemn country ballad — illustrating, in detail, the heartbreaking experience of losing one's memory. "I'm still here but yet I'm gone," sings Campbell in the song's opening, as the accompanying video highlights footage of his early career to his present-day life. By the time the song reaches its chorus, it sounds as if Campbell has reluctantly accepted his disease: "You're the last person I will love/You're the last face I will recall/And best of all/I'm not gonna miss you."

GRAMMYs

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Glen Campbell - I'm Not Gonna Miss You

Hunter Hayes, "Invisible"
This Best Country Solo Performance-nominated song brings to light the bullying the self-described nerd Hayes says he experienced in high school. While "Invisible" opens on a somber note — "Crowded hallways are the loneliest places/For outcasts and rebels" — the anti-bullying anthem wraps with lyrics that are full of hope: "There's so much more to life than what you're feeling now/And someday you'll look back on all these days/And all this pain is gonna be invisible." Featured on 2014's Storyline, the single peaked at No. 4 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart, proving Hayes' powerful message has been seen and heard by many.

GRAMMYs

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Hunter Hayes - "Invisible" [Official Music Video]

Kendrick Lamar, "I"
Rapper Lamar's uplifting Top 40 ode to self-respect has earned him lots of love, including two GRAMMY nominations for Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song (with co-writer Columbus Smith); Rolling Stone ranked "I" the No. 10 song of 2014. While the anthem has resonated with a larger audience, Lamar revealed in an interview with New York radio station WQHT-FM that he wrote "I" for prison inmates and suicidal teenagers. "I wrote a record for the homies that [are] in the penitentiary," said the Compton, Calif., native. "And I also wrote a record for these kids that come up to my show, with these slashes on their wrist, saying they don't want to live."

GRAMMYs

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Kendrick Lamar - i (Official Video)

Lecrae, "All I Need Is You"
One of two tracks from Lecrae's seventh studio album, Anomaly, to earn a GRAMMY nomination this year, "All I Need Is You" is more than a song about love and hip-hop, it's Lecrae's positive take on healthy, monogamous relationships, which he believes hasn't always been a focal point in hip-hop songs. "When you see Jay Z and Beyoncé, [you think], OK, marriage is cool now. They set a trend and I think that's healthy," said Lecrae about the Best Rap Performance-nominated song during a 2014 interview with MTV.com. "It's just continuing with that trend of — what if we're monogamous? … What if we love somebody and we're not afraid to say it in a hip-hop song? You've gotta continue to set trends and be different."

GRAMMYs

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Lecrae - All I Need Is You (@Lecrae @ReachRecords)

Sia, "Chandelier"
With its airy instrumentation and soaring chorus, Sia's "Chandelier" sounds like the perfect club anthem on first listen. However, the lyrics crystallize the dark portrait of a party girl in the midst of an epiphany. "Sun is up, I'm a mess/Gotta get out now, gotta run from this," sings a troubled Sia. As it turns out, "Chandelier" is a first-person account of the Australia native's personal struggles with alcoholism and prescription drugs. Originally intended for Rihanna, Sia decided to keep the spellbinding song for herself when she "realized it was personal, and that I was attached to it somehow." The Top 10 hit earned Sia GRAMMY nominations for Record Of The Year, Song Of The Year (with co-writer Jesse Shatkin), Best Pop Solo Performance, and Best Music Video.

GRAMMYs

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Sia - Chandelier (Official Video)

Sam Smith, "Stay With Me (Darkchild Version)"
Smith
's quadruple-platinum smash, which earned GRAMMY nods for Record and Song Of The Year and Best Pop Solo Performance, isn't the first song about loneliness and unrequited love. But it has emerged as an anthem for the brokenhearted, particularly for those within the gay community due to the first-time GRAMMY nominee's willingness to sing openly about his love for another man. Smith's unapologetic ballad about a one-night stand and heartache has caught on with listeners worldwide, climbing to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topping the charts in several countries, including the UK, Israel and South Africa. 

GRAMMYs

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Sam Smith - Stay With Me

Taylor Swift, "Shake It Off"
The first single from Swift's 2014 hit album, 1989, "Shake It Off" debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and punctuated her official foray into pop music. But the track is more than just a catchy earworm — it's Swift's jovial dismissal of the "haters." "I've had every part of my life dissected," the GRAMMY winner said in a 2014 interview with Rolling Stone. "When you live your life under that kind of scrutiny, you can either let it break you, or you can get really good at dodging punches. And when one lands, you know how to deal with it. And I guess the way that I deal with it is to shake it off." Co-written by Swift, Max Martin and Shellback, "Shake It Off" is nominated for Record and Song Of The Year and Best Pop Solo Performance.

GRAMMYs

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Taylor Swift - Shake It Off

Meghan Trainor, "All About That Bass"
Trainor not only brought booty back, she shook her boom boom to the top of the Billboard Hot 100. "All About That Bass" creatively combines the right musical "junk in all the right places," including a bouncy bass line and a sugary refrain, with a lyric that promotes a positive self-image message: flaunt your "bass" proudly, no matter your size. The anti-treble smash earned Trainor her first career GRAMMY nominations for Record and Song Of The Year (with co-writer Kevin Kadish). "It's scary going out there with a song like this," Trainor told GRAMMY.com. "But seeing the reaction really helps me being confident. It's a song that has helped so many people, and me included."

GRAMMYs

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Meghan Trainor - All About That Bass

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Your 57th GRAMMY Winners Social Roundup

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A Great Big World, Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, And Rihanna are featured in the social posts featuring 57th GRAMMY winners that we didn't want you to miss
Crystal Larsen
GRAMMYs
Feb 9, 2015 - 4:24 pm

The 57th Annual GRAMMY Awards delivered many memorable moments, from the many standout performances and signature GRAMMY Moments to the poignant acceptance speeches. Sam Smith won the first four GRAMMYs of his career and Beck took home the prestigious award for Album Of The Year for Morning Phase. Other big winners included Beyoncé, Rosanne Cash and Pharrell Williams, who won three GRAMMYs each.

Below are select reactions posted on Twitter from 57th GRAMMY Award winners.

Full list of 57th Annual GRAMMY Awards winners

 

I am so happy and proud to win a #Grammy! Thank y'all for the support all these years! #TiestoAtTheGrammysWithAGrammy pic.twitter.com/g5no6sHyVD

— Tiësto (@tiesto) February 8, 2015

We won a Grammy!! What an incredible moment, thank you @xtina, thank you everyone for taking this ride with us. pic.twitter.com/Dq8FhMqOLz

— A Great Big World (@AGreatBigWorld) February 8, 2015

SCREECHING WITH YOU OH MY GAHHHHH “@taylorswift13: @TheGRAMMYs @yelyahwilliams @paramore I'M SCREECHING IN MY HOTEL ROOM OH MY GOD HAYLEY”

— hayley from Paramore (@yelyahwilliams) February 8, 2015

Me after finding out we won! What an honor to be even be nominated but to win! And with Tony! pic.twitter.com/8G8YyaBDEp

— Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) February 9, 2015

Congrats @OfficialRJDio! This @TheGRAMMYs win is for you. \m/ pic.twitter.com/EvsayFCCYv

— Tenacious D (@RealTenaciousD) February 9, 2015

WE WON! @therealrobertglasper @lalahhathaway @dhodgeworld @stutzmcgee @markcolenburg #JesusChildren #grammywinners

A photo posted by Malcolm-Jamal Warner (@malcolmjamalwar) on Feb 8, 2015 at 7:19pm PST

we just won a GRAMMY!!! Congrats @eminem

A photo posted by badgalriri (@badgalriri) on Feb 8, 2015 at 3:33pm PST

The best night of my entire life

A photo posted by Sam Smith (@samsmithworld) on Feb 8, 2015 at 9:03pm PST

A photo posted by Beyoncé (@beyonce) on Feb 8, 2015 at 7:37pm PST

#Repost @thegrammys with @repostapp.
・・・
Thanks for all the love. I feel like we all won tonight. #116

A photo posted by lecrae (@lecrae) on Feb 8, 2015 at 9:30pm PST

Buy the 2016 GRAMMY Nominees album
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Buy the '2016 GRAMMY Nominees' album now 2016-grammy-nominees-album-now-available

'2016 GRAMMY Nominees' album now available

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Collection features 21 hits from Alabama Shakes, Kendrick Lamar, Little Big Town, Maroon 5, Chris Stapleton, Taylor Swift, The Weeknd, and more
THE GRAMMYs
GRAMMYs
May 15, 2017 - 2:36 am

The 2016 GRAMMY Nominees album is now in stores and available via digital retailers. Released by The Recording Academy's GRAMMY Recordings and Republic Records, the 22nd installment of the best-selling series features 21 chart-topping hits from a diverse array of this year's GRAMMY-nominated artists and songwriters. A portion of the proceeds from album sales will benefit the year-round efforts of the GRAMMY Foundation and MusiCares.

The album includes artists and songs in the Record Of The Year, Album Of The Year, Song Of The Year, Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, and Best Country Solo Performance categories. Artists featured on the collection include Alabama Shakes, Cam, D'Angelo And The Vanguard, Florence & The Machine, Wiz Khalifa, Kendrick Lamar, Little Big Town, Maroon 5, Mark Ronson, Ed Sheeran, Chris Stapleton, Taylor Swift, The Weeknd, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, and Lee Ann Womack, as well as Best New Artist nominees Courtney Barnett, James Bay, Sam Hunt, Tori Kelly, and Meghan Trainor.

Order the 2016 GRAMMY Nominees Album

"The 2016 GRAMMY Nominees album represents some of the finest songs and talented artists that make up this year's remarkable nominees," said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy. "We thank Republic Records for collaborating with us on this project, which also provides much needed support for the invaluable programs and initiatives our charities produce year-round. We look forward to another successful GRAMMY compilation."

"It's an honor to partner with the Recording Academy for the 2016 GRAMMY Nominees album," says Republic Records Founder/President Avery Lipman. "It's a very special project that captures the year through showcasing its biggest and best songs and simultaneously benefits some very important causes."

The 58th Annual GRAMMY Awards will broadcast live on CBS on Feb. 15 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. For updates and breaking news, visit The Recording Academy's social networks on Twitter and Facebook.

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The Ultimate GRAMMY Viewer's Guide

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Get ready for Music's Biggest Night with this handy guide to all the action taking place at GRAMMY.com
Crystal Larsen
GRAMMYs
Feb 2, 2015 - 12:13 pm

Each year the GRAMMY Awards telecast delivers iconic music moments that ripple through all parts of popular culture. More than just an awards show, the GRAMMYs has the power to influence fans (engaging in a game of Lorde karaoke), artists, fashion (Pharrell Williams' hat), social media, and music sales. This is what we call "The GRAMMY Effect," and it can even manifest itself in a metal fan headbanging to Taylor Swift.

What happens on the GRAMMY stage transcends the show itself, and music fans everywhere are looking forward to seeing what the 57th GRAMMY telecast brings on Feb. 8.

With GRAMMY Week in full force, we want to make sure you experience the full GRAMMY.com Effect too. So, we've created this Ultimate GRAMMY Viewer's Guide to ensure you don't miss a thing, without even leaving your couch.

GRAMMY Live-Blog
Beginning Monday, Feb. 2, the GRAMMY live-blog will be your one-stop destination for breaking GRAMMY Week news, photos and more. Then on Feb. 8 it will segue into the only official live-blog complement to Music's Biggest Night. Beginning at 3 p.m. ET/noon PT, join us for exclusive coverage of the GRAMMY Awards Premiere Ceremony before we dive into one hour of exclusive red-carpet coverage as the stars arrive in style. Then, as you tune in to the telecast beginning at 8 p.m. ET on CBS, join us for up-to-the-minute commentary on the telecast, breaking news and reactions on this year's GRAMMY winners, the only live updates you'll find anywhere from the GRAMMY "mosh pit." And, of course, to share your thoughts during the performances and as winners are announced.

GRAMMY Live
Beginning at 3 p.m. ET/noon PT on Feb. 8, GRAMMY Live will deliver exclusive GRAMMY coverage you won't want to miss. From the only place to view the GRAMMY Awards Premiere Ceremony (see below) and live interviews from the red carpet, to the backstage action at the 57th GRAMMY Awards and the official GRAMMY wrap-up show, GRAMMY Live is the best second screen in the biz.

GRAMMY Awards Premiere Ceremony Live Stream
Tune in to GRAMMY.com/live beginning at 3:30 p.m. ET/12:30 p.m. PT to watch current GRAMMY nominee Hunter Hayes host the event that will reveal the first GRAMMY Awards of the day. Approximately 70 GRAMMY categories will be announced during the Premiere Ceremony, which will also feature performances by current nominees Angie Fisher, Cheyenne Jackson & Alexandra Silber, Old Crow Medicine Show, Ana Tijoux, and an all-star jazz quartet featuring Nathan East, Robert Glasper, Billy Hart, and Joe Lovano.

Photos
If it's true that a picture is worth 1,000 words, you'll have a lot to say about our one-of-a-kind GRAMMY photo galleries. Beginning Wednesday, Feb. 4, visit the Photos section of GRAMMY.com for exclusive snapshots from GRAMMY Week events, including the star-studded Producers & Engineers Wing event honoring Nile Rodgers, the MusiCares Person of the Year tribute to Bob Dylan, Clive Davis' and The Recording Academy's Pre-GRAMMY Gala, and more. Then, on Sunday we'll bring you up-to-the-minute photos from the red-carpet arrivals to GRAMMY performances and backstage as winners embrace their GRAMMY gold. 

Video
We'll be on the ground with our cameras in hand during GRAMMY Week, so keep checking the Video section of GRAMMY.com for interviews and other footage from GRAMMY Week events.

News
Ariana Grande, Madonna, Sam Smith, Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga, and Pharrell Williams are among the performers for the 57th GRAMMY Awards. Check back as we announce more GRAMMY performers and special segments. Also, stay here for all the GRAMMY winners news after the telecast on Sunday.

Polls
Who do you think GRAMMY voters are going to choose in categories such as Song Of The Year, Album Of The Year and Best New Artist, among others? Cast your votes and tell us what you think.

App
With the latest news, photos, video, the ability to stream GRAMMY Live, and more, the GRAMMY App is your perfect on-the-go mobile companion. Download the app for Apple or Android platforms. 

Winners List
Why wait until after the show to see a complete list of winners? We'll be updating our list all day as winners are announced, beginning with the GRAMMY Awards Premiere Ceremony, which will be streamed live at GRAMMY.com/live starting at 3:30 p.m. ET/12:30 p.m. PT.

GRAMMY.com Newsletter
Want to be the first to receive our official GRAMMY wrap-up report following the 57th GRAMMY Awards telecast on the morning of Monday, Feb. 9? Sign up for our GRAMMY.com newsletter. We'll keep you informed about the exciting content we're producing all year round.

Don't forget: The 57th Annual GRAMMY Awards will take place live on Sunday, Feb. 8 at Staples Center in Los Angeles and will be broadcast in high-definition TV and 5.1 surround sound on the CBS Television Network from 8–11:30 p.m. (ET/PT).

For GRAMMY coverage, updates and breaking news, visit The Recording Academy's social networks on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

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Infographic: 57th GRAMMY Nominations Stir Social Buzz

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GRAMMY nominations rollout generates more than 9 million impressions on Twitter
Crystal Larsen
GRAMMYs
Dec 11, 2014 - 1:23 pm

Nominations for the 57th Annual GRAMMY Awards were announced by The Recording Academy on Dec. 5. The nominations were revealed on a rolling basis throughout the day, starting with four categories on "CBS This Morning," followed by a series of video announcements posted by a variety of artists and celebrities on Twitter. The day culminated with the unveiling of Album Of The Year nominations on the one-hour entertainment special "A Very GRAMMY Christmas."

The following infographic summarizes the social impact of the 57th GRAMMY nominations, including the most talked about nominees and categories, GRAMMY-related trending topics, total GRAMMY impressions, and more.

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Some of the content on this site expresses viewpoints and opinions that are not those of the Recording Academy. Responsibility for the accuracy of information provided in stories not written by or specifically prepared for the Academy lies with the story's original source or writer. Content on this site does not reflect an endorsement or recommendation of any artist or music by the Recording Academy.