Grammy Nomination Picks 2013

In the previous two years, 2011 and 2012, I have made my own selection of what works I think will receive Grammy nominations. My lists have been fairly accurate. Here are my nominations for 2013. The Grammy Nominations Concert Live -- Countdown to Music's Biggest Night will kick off the revealing of nominees with performances by past nominees and winners on Dec. 5 on CBS.

Honestly, some of these picks are just a shot in the dark. I didn't feel like there were really very many front-runners this year. Lots of good stuff came out this year, but nothing was really fantastic. Everyone seemed to do well at about the same level. Not much stood out. (But, Beyoncé's "Love on Top" might as well just be handed the award for R&B Performance. Forget nominating anyone else. Just give the girl her Grammy.)

NOTE: I am not a member of the Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences and this list is in NO WAY official or reflective of their attitudes. Typically, there are five nominations spots in each category but I've left some blank.Nomination eligibility period was October 1, 2011 to September 30, 2012.

Album of the Year

Making Mirrors, Gotye


Record of the Year

"Somebody That I Used to Know," Gotye feat. Kimbra

"Wide Awake," Katy Perry

"We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together," Taylor Swift

"Love on Top," Beyoncé

"We Found Love," Rihanna feat. Calvin Harris

Song of the Year

"Somebody That I Used to Know," Gotye feat. Kimbra; Written by Wally de Backer

"Call Me Maybe," Carly Rae Jepsen; Written by Carly Rae Jepsen, Josh Ramsay, and Tavish Crowe

"Payphone," Maroon 5 feat. Wiz Khalifa; Written by Adam Levine, Benjamin Levin, Ammar Malik, Dan Omelio, Shellback, and Cameron Thomaz


Best New Artist

Carly Rae Jepsen

fun.

Ellie Goulding

Best Pop Solo Performance

"Domino," Jessie J

"Set Fire to the Rain," Adele

"Wide Awake," Katy Perry

"Marry the Night," Lady Gaga

"Boyfriend," Justin Bieber

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance

"Somebody That I Used to Know," Gotye feat. Kimbra

"One More Night," Maroon 5

"We Are Young," fun. feat. Janelle Monáe

"Drive By," Train

"Paradise," Coldplay

Best Pop Vocal Album

Believe, Justin Bieber

Mylo Xyloto, Coldplay

Stronger, Kelly Clarkson


Best Traditional Pop Album

Duets II, Tony Bennett

Someone to Watch Over Me, Susan Boyle

Best Dance Recording

"We Found Love," Rihanna feat. Calvin Harris

"Girl Gone Wild," Madonna

"Levels," Avicii

"First of the Year (Equinox)," Skrillex

"Titanium," David Guetta feat. Sia


Best Dance/Electronic Album

Bangarang, Skrillex

Hurry Up, We're Dreaming, M83

Best R&B Performance

"Love on Top," Beyoncé


Best R&B Song

"Love on Top," Beyoncé; Written by Beyoncé Knowles, Terius Nash, and Shea Taylor




Best Country Solo Performance

"Come Over," Kenny Chesney

"Good Girl," Carrie Underwood


Best Country Duo/Group Performance

"Feel Like A Rock Star," Kenny Chesney feat. Tim McGraw

"Say You, Say Me," Lionel Richie feat. Jason Aldean


Best Country Album

Tuskegee, Lionel Richie

Blown Away, Carrie Underwood

Uncaged, Zac Brown Band

Welcome to the Fishbowl, Kenny Chesney

Best Song Written for Visual Media

"Masterpiece," Madonna; Written by Madonna, Julie Frost, and Jimmy Harry for the film W.E.

"Man or Muppet," Jason Segel, Peter Linz, Bill Barretta, and Jim Parsons; Written by Bret McKenzie for the film The Muppets

"Lay Your Head Down," Sinéad O'Connor; Written by Brian Byrne and Glenn Close for the film Albert Nobbs


Best Musical Theater Album

Once

Leap of Faith



Best Short Form Music Video

"Wide Awake," Katy Perry

"We Found Love," Rihanna feat. Calvin Harris

"Somebody That I Used to Know," Gotye feat. Kimbra