2022 Grammy Awards: Music’s Biggest Night Could be “Sour” or “Happier Than Ever”

Kate Geiger, Columns Editor

On April 3, all the big names in music will come together for the 2022 Grammy Awards.  Some of the musicians will be on the edge of their seats because they might be the winner of music’s most prestigious award.

Here are top five categories we’re watching, along with the list of nominees and our prediction for which artist will walk away triumphant.

Album of the Year

 Nominees:

  • We Are by Jon Batiste.
  • Love For Sale by Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga
  • Justice (Triple Chucks Deluxe) by Justin Bieber
  • Planet Her (Deluxe) by Doja Cat
  • Happier Than Ever by Billie Eilish
  • Back Of My Mind by H.E.R.
  • Montero by Lil Nas X
  • Sour by Olivia Rodrigo
  • Evermore by Taylor Swift
  • Donda by Kanye West

Our Prediction:  Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga’s Love for Sale 

According to USA Today, “…members of the Recording Academy will want to send the legendary Bennett into retirement with one more accolade…[Bennett and Gaga] share a mutual respect of the classics, and while this tribute to Cole Porter is hardly groundbreaking, it’s a solidly crafted paean delivered by a couple of adored pros.”

Song of the Year

 Nominees:

  • ‘Bad Habits’ by Ed Sheeran
  • ‘A Beauiful Noise’ by Alicia Keys & Brandi Carlile 
  • drivers license’ by Olivia Rodrigo
  • Fight For You’ by H.E.R.
  • Happier Than Ever’ by Billie Eilish
  • Kiss Me More’ by Doja Cat Featuring SZA
  • Leave The Door Open’ by Silk Sonic
  • Montero (Call Me By Your Name)’ by Lil Nas X
  • Peaches’ by Justin Bieber Featuring Daniel Caesar & Giveon
  • Right On Time’ by Brandi Carlisle

Our Prediction: The prediction of the winner for this category is the one and only: “drivers license” by Olivia Rodrigo. 

According to Entertainment Tonight, “…this is likely the category where ‘drivers license’ gets its chance to shine. It takes a special talent to craft such a smash on your very first single, and Rodrigo has it in spades here.” 

Record of the Year

Nominees:

  • I Still Have Faith In You by ABBA
  • Freedom by Jon Batiste
  • I Get A Kick Out Of You by Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga
  • Peaches by Justin Bieber Featuring Daniel Caesar & Giveon
  • Right On Time by Brandi Carlile
  • Kiss Me More by Doja Cat Featuring SZA
  • Happier Than Ever by Billie Eilish
  • Montero (Call Me By Your Name by Lil Nas X
  • drivers license by Olivia Rodrigo
  • Leave The Door Open by Silk Sonic

Our Prediction: The prediction is Happier Than Ever by Billie Eilish.

According to Entertainment Tonight, “…it’s looking like Billie Ellish — and FINNEAS, of course — will pull a three-peat (Eilish took home the award in 2020 and 2021, for ‘Bad Guy’ and ‘Everything I Wanted,’ respectively) and take home the gramophone once again with ‘Happier Than Ever.'”

Best New Artist

Nominees:

  • Arooj Aftab
  • Jimmie Allen
  • Baby Keem
  • FINNEAS
  • Glass Animals
  • Japanese Breakfast
  • The Kid LAROI
  • Arlo Parks
  • Olivia Rodrigo
  • Saweetie

Our Prediction: Olivia Rodrigo

“[Rodrigo] rose to fame as a child actress on shows including ‘High School Musical: The Musical: The Series,’ then released her chart-topping debut album ‘Sour’ in 2021, as well as the number-one singles ‘Drivers License’ and ‘Good 4 U.’ ” – Goldderby

Nominees:

  • ‘Anyone’ by Justin Bieber
  • ‘Right On Time’ by Brandi Carlile
  • ‘Happier Than Ever’ by Billie Eilish
  • ‘Positions’ by Ariana Grande
  • ‘drivers license’ by Olivia Rodrigo

Our Prediction: Olivia Rodrigo’s “drivers license” is the predicted winner for this category.

According to Goldderby, “This category seemed like a safe bet for Olivia Rodrigo; this has not changed. Still, [she] would definitely still be in the lead with ‘drivers license,’ and one could make the argument that even ‘Deja Vu’ could still grant the newcomer a victory.”

We are looking forward to see the winners for all categories. The 2022 Grammy Awards will be held on April 3.