2011 Grammy Awards: the good, the bad, and the unexpected

The 53rd Annual Grammy Awards, the music industry's highest honor, took place at the Los Angeles Staples Center Feb. 23 with hot performances and surprising winners. The ceremony started with a tribute to 18-time Grammy winner Aretha Franklin.

The first award of the night, Best Pop Performance for a Duo or Group, went to Train for their catchy tune, "Soul Sister." The group gave a quick, humorous thanks to Justin Bieber for not being a duo or group.

The anticipated performance of Lady Gaga had stirred commotion and bewilderment earlier in the evening, as she entered the red carpet in an egg-shaped capsule carried by men and woman. She said she was "incubating" for her performance, which was her new single "Born This Way." She also took home Best Pop Vocal Album for The Fame Monster.

"I didn't see it, but I heard [about Lady Gaga's egg-shaped capsule]. I really turn my head every time she's mentioned. I feel like she's from New York so I feel like she's a little attention-starved," senior Michelle Ramirez said.

Up against some of the biggest names in the music business, country music's Lady Antebellum took home five Grammy Awards. The title track, "Need You Now," off the trio's sophomore release earned Hillary Scott, Dave Haywood, Charles Kelley and their team the coveted Grammy's for Song of the Year and Record of the Year.

While accepting the Grammy for Record of the Year, an emotional Hillary Scott first thanked her mom and remarked on how it has been such an amazing year for her and the group.

For the second year in a row, Lady Antebellum also picked up the Grammy for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group for "Need You Now."

The ceremony also included performances by Justin Bieber, Usher, Rihanna, Eminem, Drake, Janelle Monae, Bruno Mars and even Mick Jagger and Barbra Streisand.

Eminem was awarded Best Rap Album for Recovery, while triple-threat jazz bassist, singer, composer Esperanza Spalding took the Best New Artist award away from hyped nominees Florence & the Machine and Bieber.

A memorable performance came from Cee Lo Green's muppet-themed stage decor and collaboration with actress Gwyneth Paltrow, as the duo performed Green's "Forget You."

Finishing the night was a well-deserved and mind blowing win. Taking Album of the Year was Canadian indie band Arcade Fire for their album The Suburbs. Overjoyed with their first Grammy award, Arcade Fire took to the stage one last time to celebrate their win, performing "Ready to Start" from the album.

"I don't understand how the Glee cast and Justin Bieber are nominated, the Grammys are supposed to be the music equivalent to the Oscars. It's not old-school Grammys anymore, it should be taken more seriously," senior Kristin Gonzalez said.

"It's all about the drama and the performances now, and who's wearing what, it's not real anymore. Like why is Kim Kardashian walking the red carpet? What does she have to do with music?" she continued.