Grammy Showdown: 2012

Record of the Year

"Rolling in the Deep" Adele

"Holocene" Bon Iver

"Grenade"  Bruno Mars

"The Cave" Mumford & Sons

"Firework"  Katy Perry

The Experts Say

Adam Lambert "Firework" is really inspiring. I enjoyed hearing Katy Perry expand her range and comfort level.

Kelly Clarkson I don't think radio has played a song like "Rolling in the Deep" since Tina Turner. It brings back an old-school vibe, but it's also contemporary.

Common There's a certain originality to Mumford & Sons' sound, and "The Cave" embodies that. It takes me to another vibe.

Vegas Odds Favor

Adele 2-3

Who Should Win: Adele

21's undeniable single united virtually all humans with a retro-mendous hook and a soul-baring vocal for the ages.

• 
  MUSIC 100 Greatest Debut Albums
• 
  MOVIES 'Great Gatsby' Is a Crushing Disappointment
• 
  TV Why You Should Watch 'Happy Endings'
• 
  POLITICS No Price Big Banks Can't Fix

Song Stories

“My President”

Young Jeezy | 2008

Young Jeezy teams up with Nas on this track, in which he compare his own success with the idea of an African-American winning the Democratic Party's nomination in the 2008 presidential election. "When I pulled up in my car, that s--- was unbelievable to people in my neighborhood because they were like, 'We grew up with him. How the hell did he accomplish this?'" he told Rolling Stone. "I feel like it was the same way with Obama. I grew up all this time, but I've never seen a black man this close to running this country."

More Song Stories entries »

Twitter