If you, like me, blocked out the majority of the 2019 Grammy Awards, you may have forgotten that the night was full of “empty posturing”: Alicia Keys paraded out a bunch of women to the stage to discuss “the power of music,” in what could best be read as an attempt to correct years of Academy oversight. And while the nominations seemed more diverse, any political posturing felt shallow at best. This year’s 2020 Grammy nominations—eight for Lizzo, six for Billie Eilish and Lil Nas X—look promising if you remove the words “Post Malone” from your vocabulary.
Eilish is nominated in all four major categories: Song of the Year, Album of the Year, Record of the Year, and Best New Artist—a decision I support. Taylor Swift is back on the list after her notable absence last year (and something tells me she is free to show up this time). Lil Nas X and Lizzo are all over the place, as expected. And I will wait patiently for someone to tell me what a “Lewis Capaldi” is and why he’s the only male musician in the Song of the Year category.
Here are the major nominations for the 2020 Grammy Awards.
Song of the Year:
“Always Remember Us This Way,” Natalie Hemby, Lady Gaga, Hillary Lindsey & Lori McKenna, songwriters (Lady Gaga)
“Bad Guy,” Billie Eilish O’Connell & Finneas O’Connell, songwriters (Billie Eilish)
“Bring My Flowers Now,” Brandi Carlile, Phil Hanseroth, Tim Hanseroth & Tanya Tucker, songwriters (Tanya Tucker)
“Hard Place,” Ruby Amanfu, Sam Ashworth, D. Arcelious Harris, H.E.R. & Rodney Jerkins, songwriters (H.E.R.)
“Lover,” Taylor Swift, songwriter (Taylor Swift)