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 The 22-year-old was also anointed best new artist and his
debut album "In The Lonely Hour" won best pop vocal album. But
rocker Beck robbed Smith of a sweep in the top three Grammy
categories by winning album of the year for "Morning Phase."
"I want to thank the man who this record is about, who I fell in
love with last year," Smith said as he accepted his
gramophone-shaped trophy for record of the year. "Thank you so
much for breaking my heart because you got me four Grammys."
The music industry's biggest night took on a somber note with a
powerful message against domestic abuse delivered by President
Barack Obama by video, by a survivor's testimony and by a Katy
Perry performance.
While Smith was favored to win big, Beck pulled off the surprise
of the night in album of the year, beating out Smith, Pharrell
Williams, Beyonce and Ed Sheeran. "Morning Phase," an album with
a laid-back vibe, won three Grammys on the night, including best
rock album.
"We made this record at my house for the most part, so I would
like to thank my kids for letting me keep them awake a little
bit longer," Beck said as he accepted his trophy from R&B star
Prince.
Other notable winners were Pharrell and Beyonce, who won three
Grammys each and delivered some of the most popular performances
of the night.
Smith's win echoes that of fellow British soul singer Adele, who
swept the Grammys with six wins in 2012 with her heartbreak
album "21" and song "Someone Like You," also about a failed
relationship.
Smith has found his audience by being himself and encouraging
people to discover his music through social media and online
streaming, one of the few growth segments in an industry of
declining record sales.
"Before I made this record, I was doing everything to try and
get my music heard," Smith said. "I tried to lose weight and I
was making awful music and it was only until that I started to
be myself that the music started to flow and people started to
listen."
DOMESTIC ABUSE SPOTLIGHT
Obama delivered a pointed speech in a video message urging
artists at the Grammys to help end domestic violence, saying
"It's not OK and it has to stop" and urging artists to tell
their fans to make a pledge to help stop it.
Survivor Brooke Axtell shared her own story of domestic abuse in
an emotional speech on stage, before introducing Perry on a
white stage. Perry sang her inspirational survival anthem "By
the Grace of God," dressed in a simple white caped dress as
shadows of dancers were projected behind her.
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Backstage, Axtell said she teared up during Perry's song.
The performance was a study in contrasts with Perry's vibrant,
lively and prop-filled spectacular at the Super Bowl a week ago.
On the other end of the spectrum was Pharrell's eclectic rendition
of "Happy" on the Grammys stage, teaming up with film composer Hans
Zimmer to channel a "Grand Budapest Hotel" vibe dressed as a bellhop
and accompanied by pianist Lang Lang and gospel singers.
Australian singer-songwriter Sia recreated her "Chandelier" video
with comedienne Kristen Wiig and teen dancer Maddie Ziegler in a
contemporary dance-off on a set designed like a decrepit apartment.
Madonna delivered an energetic performance of "Living For Love,"
accompanied by male dancers in elaborate horned face masks and
singers dressed in mariachi costumes. She ended the high-octane set
by being suspended above stage in a harness.
DUETS FOR ALL DECADES
But numerous artists opted to strip down their performances to
showcase their music.
Known to be a stage where veterans and current music stars come
together, British singers Jessie J and Tom Jones sang The Righteous
Brothers' classic 1964 song "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'," and
Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga channeled New York-style romance with
their jazz tune "Cheek to Cheek."
Rihanna joined Kanye West and Paul McCartney against a white stage
backdrop to perform the jaunty "FourFiveSeconds," while No Doubt
frontwoman Gwen Stefani and Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine, both
judges on NBC's "The Voice" singing competition, teamed up for a
heartfelt rendition of "My Heart is Open."
The night ended on civil rights with Beyonce and gospel singers
belting out a rendition of the hymn "Precious Lord, Take My Hand,"
before artists Common and John Legend took the stage to perform
their Oscar-nominated "Glory," from the Martin Luther King Jr.
biopic "Selma."
(Additional reporting by Eric Kelsey; Editing by Mary Milliken and
Eric Walsh)
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