Grammy Awards performances: Which was your favorite?

By: Lauren Moraski
Topics: Music

Jennifer Hudson performs in memory of the late Whitney Houston during 54th Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, Feb. 12, 2012.

(Credit: Getty)

(CBS) As usual, performances ruled the Grammy Awards Sunday night in Los Angeles. A reunion, a stage return and a touching tribute filled out the three-and-a-half-hour show at the Staples Center.

The night kicked off with Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band's first live TV performance of their new single, "We Take Care of Our Own." That was followed by a prayer for the late Whitney Houston.

Pictures: 2012 Grammys Show Highlights
Pictures: 2012 Grammys Red Carpet Arrivals
Pictures: 2012 Grammys Press Room
Special Section: The 54th Grammy Awards

And after the moving Houston tribute led by host LL Cool J, the ceremony featured wall-to-wall performances. In between all of that, a few of the actual awards were handed out. Many of the awards were presented in a non-televised ceremony earlier in the evening.

Newly-divorced pop star Katy Perry performed her new song "Part of Me" and sang the lyric: "So you can keep the diamond ring." Perhaps a reference to her split from Russell Brand?

Grammy winner Adele made a powerful return to the stage with her first performance since undergoing vocal cord surgery last fall.

Jennifer Hudson did a powerful rendition of "I Will Always Love You" as a tribute to Houston.

Chris Brown graced the stage not once, but twice - his first time invited back to the Grammys since his 2009 assault on then-girlfriend Rihanna. Rihanna also performed at the ceremony - with the group Coldplay.

Although it's the heart of winter, it almost felt like summer when the Beach Boys reunited for the first time in two decades to perform "Good Vibrations."

Dance/electronica had a place at the awards for the very first time with a performance by deadmau5 and David Guetta.

And the evening ended with a surprise second performance by Paul McCartney, who wrapped the show with "Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight/The End" from the Beatles' 1969 "Abbey Road" album. Springsteen and David Grohl of Foo Fighters joined him for the closing number.

In the words of McCartney and the Beatles: "And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make."

Tell us: What were your favorite performances? Sound off in the comments section below.

50 Photos

2012 Grammys: Show Highlights

View the Full Gallery »

1 Comments +

Add a Comment


by wildshovel February 13, 2012 3:40 PM EST: Have to give Springsteen credit: at least he's stepping up, and coming out in support. Most other bands seem scared to death.

Here's another new protest track, this one a cover of the fist-shaking 60s protest / garage rock anthem "NOTHING CAN CHANGE THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME": http://*******.com/7p93vvm

The lyrics are all too relevant:

"There's a new sun rising up angry in the sky.
There's a new voice crying but not afraid to die.
Let the old world make believe it's blind and deaf and dumb
BUT NOTHING CAN CHANGE THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME.

There are changes lying ahead on every road.
There are new thoughts ready and waiting to explode.
When tomorrow is today, the bells will toll for some.
BUT NOTHING CAN CHANGE THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME.

The future's coming on sweet and strong,
And no-one's gonna hold it back for long...

There are new dreams crowding out old realities.
There's revolution sweeping in like a fresh new breeze.
Let the old world make believe it's blind and deaf and dumb,
BUT NOTHING CAN CHANGE THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME. "

(BTW, the whole album is pretty decent, if you are into that vintage 60s garage rock thing. It's a free download http://*******.com/7od26by); Reply to this comment