English singer-songwriter Sam Smith is poised for a big night at Sunday’s 57th annual Grammy Awards, carrying nominations in the top three categories of song, record and album of the year, along with a nod for best new artist.
Smith has a total of six nominations, sharing the lead with Beyonce and Pharrell Williams.
Smith’s monster hit “Stay With Me” is up for record of the year, along with song of the year, an award presented to the songwriters. His album “In the Lonely Hour” is up for album of the year.
Beyonce is up for album of the year for her self-titled release, as is Williams for “Girl.” Beck is nominated for “Morning Phase,” while Ed Sheeran rounds out the category for “X.”
Smith’s “Stay With Me” will battle for record of the year with Iggy Azalea and Charli XCX’s “Fancy,” Sia’s “Chandelier,” Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off” and Meghan Trainor’s “All About That Bass.”
With the exception of “Fancy,” the record of the year hopefuls are all nominated for song of the year. Replacing “Fancy” in the category is Hozier’s “Take Me to Church.”
Swift’s blockbuster album “1989” was ineligible for the album of the year category because of its release date, but the “Shake It Off” single was released earlier, landing it in the song and record of the year categories. The 57th annual Grammy Awards cover work released between Oct. 1, 2013, and Sept. 30.
Australian rap/hip-hop artist Azalea is included in the list of nominees for best new artist, along with Smith, English rock band Bastille, country singer-songwriter Brandy Clark and California indie sister act Haim.
Smith’s other nominations are for best pop vocal album for his “In The Lonely Hour” and best pop solo performance for “Stay With Me.”
Azalea is also nominated for best pop duo/group performance for teaming up with Charli XCX on “Fancy” and best rap album for “The New Classic.”
Other artists with four nominations are Beck, Eric Church, Drake, Gordon Goodwin, Jay Z, Miranda Lambert, Sia, Usher and Jack White.
Beyonce’s “Drunk In Love” featuring Jay Z is nominated for best R&B performance and best R&B song. Her album “Beyonce” is up for best urban contemporary album and best surround sound album. “Beyonce & Jay Z: On the Run Tour” scored a nomination for best music film.
For best pop vocal album, Smith’s “In The Lonely Hour” will compete with British band Coldplay’s “Ghost Stories,” Miley Cyrus’ “Bangerz,” Ariana Grande’s “My Everything,” Katy Perry’s “Prism,” and Sheeran’s “X.”
Best urban contemporary album nominees are Beyonce’s “Beyonce,” Chris Brown’s “X,” Jhene Aiko’s “Sail Out,” Mali Music’s “Mali Is” and Pharrell Williams’ “Girl.”
Nominees for best country album are “Riser” by Dierks Bentley, “The Outsiders” by Eric Church, “12 Stories” by Brandy Clark, “Platinum” by Miranda Lambert and “The Way I’m Livin”‘ by Lee Ann Womack.
Former President Jimmy Carter, the late comedian Joan Rivers and Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts, are among the nominees in the best spoken word album. Actor James Franco, singer Gloria Gaynor and movie director John Waters are also nominated.
Sarah Silverman, Louis C.K., “Weird Al” Yankovic, Jim Gaffigan and Patton Oswalt are up for best comedy album.
LL Cool J will again host the main Grammy ceremony at Staples Center.
Among those scheduled to perform during the show, which will be broadcast in California on a tape-delayed basis on CBS, are AC/DC, Madonna, Beck, Chris Martin, Sia, Mary J. Blige, Dwight Yoakam, Herbie Hancock, John Mayer, Questlove, Ed Sheeran, Jeff Lynne’s ELO, Juanes, Tony Bennett with Lady Gaga, Eric Church, Common with John Legend, Ariana Grande, Hozier with Annie Lennox, Jessie J with Tom Jones, Miranda Lambert, Adam Levine with Gwen Stefani, Rihanna with Paul McCartney and Kanye West, Usher and Pharrell Williams.
The bulk of the Grammy Awards will be presented during a pre-telecast ceremony at the Nokia Theatre.
