39 Grammy Jokes: The 2015 “Stay With Me & The Beck Surprise” Edition

In 2015, the 57th Grammy Awards were a rollercoaster of British soul and indie rock upsets. Sam Smith became the new face of pop balladry, Pharrell Williams brought “Happiness” (and another big hat) to the stage, and Beck proved that sometimes, the “Loser” from the ’90s can still win the biggest prize of the night.

The 2015 Red Carpet Top 10: “Ruffles, Robots & Rihanna’s Cupcake”

1. Rihanna’s Giant Pink Dress: Why was Rihanna the talk of the carpet? Because she arrived in a pink Giambattista Valli dress so massive that she looked like a beautiful human loofah or a very expensive cupcake.
2. Sam Smith’s Clean Sweep: Why did he win 4 awards? Because he thanked the man who broke his heart for helping him win a Grammy—the ultimate “victory lap” over an ex.
3. The Beck vs. Beyoncé Shock: Why did Morning Phase win Album of the Year? Because the Academy decided that “mellow acoustic vibes” were more important than “Queen Bey’s self-titled revolution,” nearly causing Kanye West to have a 2009 flashback.
4. Kanye’s Stage Rush (Almost): Why did Kanye walk toward Beck? To remind us that even when he’s joking, he’s actually 100% serious about Beyoncé having the best video (or album) of all time.
5. Pharrell’s Short Suit: Why was he dressed like a bellhop? To prove that even if you’re “Happy,” you can still make questionable fashion choices that involve 3D-reflective fabrics.
6. Sia’s Giant Wig: Why couldn’t we see her face? Because in 2015, Sia decided that being a pop star is much easier if you just hide behind a massive platinum bob and let Maddie Ziegler do the dancing.
7. Madonna’s Matador Look: Why was she there? To remind us that she’s “Living for Love” and that she can still pull off a cape better than any superhero—even if she occasionally trips.
8. AC/DC’s Horns: Why did everyone have red horns? Because the show opened with “Rock or Bust,” and the Academy wanted to show they still know how to party (before the sad ballads started).
9. Lady Gaga & Tony Bennett: Why were they the perfect duo? Because they proved that Jazz is the only thing that can bridge the gap between a meat dress and a tuxedo.
10. Iggy Azalea’s Hair: Why was it a meme? Because her braided crown looked less like “fancy” fashion and more like a very intricate bird’s nest or a loaf of challah bread.

The Full 2015 Grammy Jokes Archive

11. Album of the Year: Why Morning Phase? Because it’s the perfect soundtrack for waking up and realizing you just beat Beyoncé for a Grammy.
12. Record of the Year: Why “Stay with Me”? Because Sam Smith’s voice is so smooth it should come with a “caution: slippery” sign.
13. Song of the Year: Why “Stay with Me”? Because Tom Petty liked the melody so much he actually got a co-writing credit on it.
14. Best New Artist: Why Sam Smith? Because the Grammys love a British singer who can make a room full of people cry simultaneously.
15. Best Rock Album: Why Morning Phase? (Beck again. He was the “Quiet Giant” that stole everyone’s lunch money).
16. Best Rock Song: Why “Ain’t It Fun”? Because Paramore proved that leaving your comfort zone is the best way to get a trophy.
17. Best Alternative Music Album: Why St. Vincent? Because Annie Clark is playing the guitar from the year 3000, and we’re just living in it.
18. Best Metal Performance: Why “The Last in Line” by Tenacious D? Because Jack Black winning a metal Grammy for a Dio cover is the most “Tenacious D” thing that ever happened.
19. Best R&B Album: Why Love, Marriage & Divorce? Because Toni Braxton and Babyface together is the musical equivalent of a silk bathrobe.
20. Best Urban Contemporary Album: Why Girl? Because Pharrell made us all feel “Happy” for 12 months straight, whether we liked it or not.
21. Best R&B Song: Why “Drunk in Love”? Because “Surfboard” became the most important word in the English language in 2014.
22. Best Rap Album: Why The Marshall Mathers LP 2? Because Eminem is the only person who can win a Grammy for a sequel.
23. Best Rap Performance: Why “i” by Kendrick Lamar? Because Kendrick reminded us that loving yourself is the first step to winning a Grammy.
24. Best Rap/Sung Collaboration: Why “The Monster”? Because Rihanna and Eminem are the “Toxic Relationship” the Grammys just can’t quit.
25. Best Rap Song: Why “i”? Because it was the most positive thing to happen to Hip-Hop in 2015.
26. Best Pop Solo Performance: Why “Happy” (Live)? Because Pharrell’s happiness is apparently infectious and award-winning.
27. Best Pop Duo/Group Performance: Why “Say Something”? Because Christina Aguilera and A Great Big World made sure nobody had a dry eye for the rest of the year.
28. Best Pop Vocal Album: Why In the Lonely Hour? Because being lonely has never been so profitable.
29. Best Dance Recording: Why “Rather Be”? Because Jess Glynne and Clean Bandit proved that “Classical-Dance-Pop” is a real thing.
30. Best Dance/Electronic Album: Why Syro by Aphex Twin? Because the Grammys finally acknowledged the guy who’s been making weird noises in a dark room since the 90s.
31. Best Country Album: Why Platinum? Because Miranda Lambert is the “Queen of Modern Country,” and her trophy case is proof.
32. Best Country Solo Performance: Why “Something in the Water”? Because Carrie Underwood’s voice is still the most powerful natural resource in Tennessee.
33. Best Reggae Album: Why Fly Rasta by Ziggy Marley? Because if a Marley releases an album, the Grammy office just saves time and pre-engraves the name.
34. Best Comedy Album: Why Mandatory Fun? Because Weird Al Yankovic had the first #1 comedy album in history, and the Academy had to “get weird.”
35. Best Spoken Word Album: Why Diary of a Mad Diva by Joan Rivers? Because even from the great beyond, Joan Rivers is still the funniest person in the room.
36. Best Score Soundtrack: Why The Grand Budapest Hotel? Because Alexandre Desplat’s music is as colorful and symmetrical as a Wes Anderson movie.
37. Best Compilation Soundtrack: Why Frozen? Because “Let It Go” was the official background noise of planet Earth for the entirety of 2014.
38. Best Music Video: Why “Happy”? Because watching people dance on the street for 24 hours is surprisingly compelling.
39. The 2015 Final Grammy Vibe: Why was it a moment? Because it was the night the “Lonely” (Sam Smith) ruled the charts, the “Indie Hero” (Beck) upset the Queen, and we all learned that if Kanye West starts walking toward you on stage, you should probably check if your name is Beyoncé.