Gotye, Frank Ocean, Fun. And Alabama Shakes Nominated For 55th Grammy Awards

Well, after the year of international music we’ve had, it would be hard for the respective authorities to decide on who will be crowned the victor come the awards ceremony. Regardless, the board behind the Grammy Awards have decided on a list of five per category. The announced categories so far are as follows: Best New Artist, Song of the Year, Record of the Year, and Album of the Year.

So, what’s the difference between Record of the Year and Song of the Year I hear you ask? Well, it’s quite simple. In essence, Song of the Year recognises the songwriters themselves for their contribution to the actual creation of the music. It allows songwriters to be fully recognised as opposed to specific artists employing songwriters then stealing all the credit. Conversely, Record of the Year recognises the recording artist and the producer involved with the recording of the specific track. Simple enough right?

Not that it should come as a surprise to anyone, but Gotye is representing Australian music this year, following up last year’s nomination for Cut Copy’s album Zonoscope. What’s more is that all artists on here actually have some credibility to their name – there isn’t any Bieber or One Direction; maybe the world isn’t ending in two weeks time! Anyway, here are the nominations:

Best New Artist

Alabama Shakes

Fun.

Hunter Hayes

The Lumineers

Frank Ocean

Song of the Year

The A Team – Ed Sheeran

Adorn – Miguel

Call Me Maybe – Carly Rae Jepsen, Tavish Crowe & Josh Ramsay (performed by Carly Rae Jepsen)

Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You) – Jörgen Elofsson, David Gamson, Greg Kurstin & Ali Tamposi (performed by Kelly Clarkson)

We Are Young – Jack Antonoff, Jeff Bhasker, Andrew Dost & Nate Ruess (performed by Fun. with Janelle Monae)

Record of the Year

Lonely Boy – the Black Keys

Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You) – Kelly Clarkson

We Are Young – Fun. featuring Janelle Monae

Somebody That I Used to Know – Gotye featuring Kimbra

Thinkin’ Bout You – Frank Ocean

We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together – Taylor Swift

Album of the Year

El Camino – The Black Keys

Some Nights – Fun.

Babel – Mumford and Sons

Channel Orange – Frank Ocean

Blunderbuss – Jack White

Best Pop Solo Performance

Set Fire To The Rain [live] – Adele

Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You) – Kelly Clarkson

Call Me Maybe – Carly Rae Jepsen

Wide Awake – Katy Perry

Where Have You Been – Rihanna

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance

Shake It Out – Florence & the Machine

We Are Young – Fun. featuring Janelle Monáe

Somebody That I Used To Know – Gotye Featuring Kimbra

Sexy And I Know It – Lmfao

Payphone – Maroon 5 & Wiz Khalifa

Best Pop Instrumental Album

24/7 – Gerald Albright & Norman Brown

Impressions – Chris Botti

Four Hands & A Heart Volume One – Larry Carlton

Live At The Blue Note Tokyo – Dave Koz

Rumbadoodle – Arun Shenoy

Best Pop Vocal Album

Stronger – Kelly Clarkson

Ceremonials – Florence & the Machine

Some Nights – Fun.

Overexposed – Maroon 5

The Truth About Love – Pink

Best Dance Recording

Levels – Avicii

Let’s Go – Calvin Harris Featuring Ne-yo

Bangarang – Skrillex Featuring Sirah

Don’t You Worry Child – Swedish House Mafia Featuring John Martin

I Can’t Live Without You – Al Walser

Best Dance/Electronica Album

Wonderland – Steve Aoki

Don’t Think – The Chemical Brothers

Album Title Goes HereBest Traditional Pop Vocal Album

Christmas – Michael Bublé

A Holiday Carole – Carole King

Kisses On The Bottom – Paul Mccartney

Best Rock Performance

Hold On – Alabama Shakes

Lonely Boy – The Black Keys

Charlie Brown – Coldplay

I Will Wait – Mumford & Sons

We Take Care Of Our Own – Bruce Springsteen

Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance

I’m Alive – Anthrax

Love Bites (So Do I) – Halestorm

Blood Brothers – Iron Maiden

Ghost Walking – Lamb Of God

No Reflection – Marilyn Manson

Whose Life (Is It Anyways?) – Megadeth

Best Rock Song

Freedom At 21 – Jack White, songwriter (Jack White)

I Will Wait – Ted Dwane, Ben Lovett, Winston Marshall & Marcus Mumford, songwriters (mumford & Sons)

Lonely Boy – Dan Auerbach, Brian Burton & Patrick Carney, songwriters (the Black Keys)

Madness – Matthew Bellamy, songwriter (Muse)

We Take Care Of Our Own – Bruce Springsteen, songwriter (Bruce Springsteen)

Best Rock Album

El Camino – The Black Keys

Mylo Xyloto – Coldplay

The 2nd Law – Muse

Wrecking Ball – Bruce Springsteen

Blunderbuss – Jack White

Best Alternative Music Album

The Idler Wheel Is Wiser Than The Driver Of The Screw And Whipping Cords Will Serve You More Than Ropes Will Ever Do – Fiona Apple

Biophilia – Björk

Making Mirrors – Gotye

Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming. – M83

Bad As Me – Tom Waits

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