The Farr Side: Beyonce tops Grammy nominations, but is it warranted?

Nominations for the 65th annual Grammy Awards were announced last week. Beyonce leads the pack of this year’s nominees, scoring nine, thanks to her latest album, “Renaissance.”

Kendrick Lamar was right behind with eight nominations. Adele and Brandi Carlile garnered seven noms each.

All I can say is, “wow!” And, that’s coming from a point of excitement. I’m happy for Beyonce. I think she’s a phenomenal artist, but this is a bit extreme for me to accept.

Beyonce’s nominations this year ties her with her husband, Jay-Z, as the most nominated artists in Grammys history. Each has received 88 nominations. I might still be scratching my head over this. Why?

If you recall, Beyonce made history in 2021 when she became the artist, regardless of gender, to have won the most Grammy Awards. She has 28 trophies, so far.

I don't intend to discredit her work, and I don't mean to suggest “Renaissance” is a bad album. But not every single thing an artist releases is award-worthy. Does this deserve Album of the Year?

Of all of Beyonce’s albums to be released since Destiny’s Child disbanded, “I Am … Sasha Fierce,” is her best. It's masterpiece, in my opinion, featuring such classics as “Single Ladies,” “Halo,” “If I Were A Boy,” “Video Phone” and “Sweet Dreams.” Even the songs that weren’t released as singles are good. It was worthy of the 2010 Album of the Year Grammy, but unfortunately, Taylor Swift’s “Fearless" was selected instead.

Fortunately for Beyonce, Swift isn’t nominated for Album of the Year this Grammy season. Swift has won that honor three times. However, Beyonce is up against Adele again. Adele’s album, “30,” is nominated for the honor alongside “Voyage” (ABBA), “Un Verano Sin Ti” (Bad Bunny), “Good Morning Gorgeous” (Mary J. Blige), “In These Silent Days” (Brandi Carlile), “Music Of The Spheres” (Coldplay), “Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers” (Kendrick Lamar), “Special” (Lizzo) and “Harry’s House” (Harry Styles).

I’ll go out on a limb and call it for Carlile. She is a gift to music and one hell of a performer. Carlile doesn’t have to make headlines for leading an interesting life, nor does she have the need to thrive on publicity. Her music stands on its own.

I love Beyonce and Adele. Beyonce has seen her dreams of an Album of The Year win crushed a few times. Adele was the most recent, when “25” beat Beyonce’s “Lemonade” in 2017. Adele offered her award to Beyonce. I think someone should have reminded Adele of how many Grammys Beyonce already had on her mantle.

Anyhow, I think neither will have to worry about an acceptance speech this time, because I believe it’s Carlile’s time to shine. Carlile’s Grammy performance last year of “Right On Time” blew away everyone.

Beyonce likely will score a couple of trophies, but I think her dreams of a sweep will be hampered by “As It Was” (Styles) for Record of the Year” and “All Too Well” (Swift) for Song of the Year.

The 65th Grammy Awards show is scheduled to air Feb. 5 on CBS.

David T. Farr is a Journal correspondent. Email him at farrboy@hotmail.com. 

This article originally appeared on Sturgis Journal: The Farr Side: Beyonce tops Grammy nominations, but is it warranted?