25 Songs You Need to Hear Before the GRAMMYs

FUSE TV - 25 Songs You Need to Hear Before the GRAMMYs

We know. You want to be the smartest guy in the office when someone brings up the GRAMMYs, but getting up to speed on pop, rock, dance, hip-hop, R&B and country takes valuable time you don’t have. We got you. With the awards show less than two weeks away, we’ve put together the 25 songs you need to hear to get ready for the big night. Check out the video above to see our friendly hosts give the basics for each track. Want the details? Keep reading to become an instant expert.

And check out our GRAMMY Essentials Playlist on Spotify, featuring all 25 highlighted songs for your listening enjoyment!  

Kanye West, 
“All of the Lights” 
"Jesus Walks” came close, but no song captures ‘Ye’s zeppelin-sized ego like this uber-decadent single from My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. He enlisted 14 guest vocalists, including Elton John, Rihanna, Alicia Keys, John Legend, The-Dream, Elly Jackson (aka La Roux), Fergie and Kid Cudi, plus an army of horns, flutes and strings. The result is a grand production worthy of three GRAMMY nods, including Song of the Year and Best Rap Song.

Katy Perry, “Firework” 
No one should suffer self-image issues as long as Katy Perry’s explosive (zing!) hit “Firework” exists. Admittedly, this glistening pop jam (nominated in two categories, including Record of the Year) should have you singing aloud with all the fun-lovin’ fearlessness of a six year old. It’s positively uplifting: ‘You are sooooo f**king awesome and nothing can dull your beautiful colors,’ Perry sings (well, more or less…). And, look, Perry knows hardship, too. She had acne in high school, okay? But she perseveres.

Jay-Z & Kanye West, "Otis"
For budget-conscious consumers curious about the latest five-figure watch or which Gulfstream jet is currently the best, Jay-Z and Kanye West deliver this restrained paean to the plight and struggles of the average man. Keeds! They like money. Jay and Kanye flip Otis Redding's "Try A Little Tenderness" to shout out things you can't afford and dominate the hip-hop categories.

Foo Fighters, “Walk” 
It’s Dave Grohl doing what Dave Grohl does best: flexing his rock muscle while also flaunting his stargazing, soft-guy side. He’s a sensitive soul with a pickup truck and a gun rack—and neither girls nor guys can resist. On “Walk,” from the band’s ass-kicking new Butch Vig-produced LP Wasting Light, he takes his winning formula to the radio waves and charts, and nabs nominations for Best Rock Song and Best Rock Performance.

Skrillex, “Scary Monsters & Nice Sprites” 
Dance music made a big comeback in 2011 and this former emo rocker led the pack with his blitzkrieg of dub step madness. His breakout hit “Scary Monsters & Nice Sprites” nabbed a nod for Best Electronica/Dance Album and ruled mainstream fests like Coachella and Lollapalooza. Even Skrillex’s personal style—black combat boots, thick-framed glasses, and long black hair, shaved on both sides—was a much-mimicked trend. Ladies and gentleman, meet the leader of the new rave generation.

Check out all the latest coverage now on FUSE's GRAMMY page. 

Latin Grammys

21m

Latin Grammys

The Dirtiest Song Ever Recorded

21m

The Dirtiest Song Ever Recorded

You Need A Certification To Be A Fortune Teller!? Funny US Laws

5m

You Need A Certification To Be A Fortune Teller!? Funny US Laws

Dublab Is Internet Radio Like You've Never Heard Before

1m

Dublab Is Internet Radio Like You've Never Heard Before

We Need To Talk About America

We Need To Talk About America

Don't Swear In Front of The Song

21m

Don't Swear In Front of The Song

Asian Song Festival

21m

Asian Song Festival

We Need To Talk About America - S2 Trailer

1m

We Need To Talk About America - S2 Trailer

You're the Dads Now!

21m

You're the Dads Now!

Danny Trejo Welcomes You to Trejo's Tacos

2m

Danny Trejo Welcomes You to Trejo's Tacos

The Clash of the Corps Cast Plays Would You Rather?

3m

The Clash of the Corps Cast Plays Would You Rather?

I Need A Plane

21m

I Need A Plane

Xristina's Trust Issues, Nya Needs to Step Up at Work: First Look

36s

Xristina's Trust Issues, Nya Needs to Step Up at Work: First Look

Welcome to The 212

20m

Welcome to The 212

Welcome to the Jungle

46m

Welcome to the Jungle

Hail To The King

22m

Hail To The King

Down to the Wire

45m

Down to the Wire

King Keraun Attempts to Become An "Archery Master" YouTube

6m

King Keraun Attempts to Become An "Archery Master" YouTube

If I Should Die Before I Wake

57m

If I Should Die Before I Wake

Does Sports Need a Time Out?

23m

Does Sports Need a Time Out?

You're Cut

20m

You're Cut

Need Advice? Ask 'Transcendent' Star Bambiana Anything

34s

Need Advice? Ask 'Transcendent' Star Bambiana Anything

Back To The Heart Attack Grill

2m

Back To The Heart Attack Grill

The Legend of Baron To'a

1h 39m

The Legend of Baron To'a

That Back To The Future Ish

20m

That Back To The Future Ish

Lauv Gets a Magic Trick Before His Firefly Set

2m

Lauv Gets a Magic Trick Before His Firefly Set

"Become Who You Are"

46s

"Become Who You Are"

Come As You Are

1h 42m

Come As You Are

You Always Pick Scissors

20m

You Always Pick Scissors

The Legend of Baron To'a - Trailer

1m

The Legend of Baron To'a - Trailer

Wearing Your Shower Curtain to the Club

41m

Wearing Your Shower Curtain to the Club

King Keraun Goes "Back to the Future"

6m

King Keraun Goes "Back to the Future"

Papa You Are My Dad

21m

Papa You Are My Dad

All You Ever Wished For

1h 21m

All You Ever Wished For

Come As You Are - Trailer

2m

Come As You Are - Trailer

'Transcendent' First Look: An Emotional Look to the Past & Toward the Future

21s

'Transcendent' First Look: An Emotional Look to the Past & Toward the Future

What To Expect On Clash of the Corps

1m

What To Expect On Clash of the Corps

Got to Be in it To Win it: America's Obsession with the Lottery

2m

Got to Be in it To Win it: America's Obsession with the Lottery

Can You Keep Your Wishing Down?

21m

Can You Keep Your Wishing Down?

All You Ever Wished For - Trailer

2m

All You Ever Wished For - Trailer

Comedians React to Unbelievably Strange Laws in the US

6m

Comedians React to Unbelievably Strange Laws in the US

Yesenia Gives Financial Advice To Mia | Clash of The Corps

2m

Yesenia Gives Financial Advice To Mia | Clash of The Corps

Trevor Noah: You Laugh Because It's True

1h 21m

Trevor Noah: You Laugh Because It's True

The Fluffy Crew Says Hello to Rebellion's 'Fat Boy Finesse'

3m

The Fluffy Crew Says Hello to Rebellion's 'Fat Boy Finesse'

Clash of The Corps Is Putting DCI Stereotypes To Rest

1m

Clash of The Corps Is Putting DCI Stereotypes To Rest

King Keraun Learns How To Make The Perfect At Home Pillow Fort

6m

King Keraun Learns How To Make The Perfect At Home Pillow Fort

Is Tossing Your Man's Salad The Way To His Heart: Dear Bambiana

2m

Is Tossing Your Man's Salad The Way To His Heart: Dear Bambiana

Tina Serves Up Sass In "Me and You" Music Video

3m

Tina Serves Up Sass In "Me and You" Music Video

Should You Ever Sleep With A Trump Supporter: Dear Bambiana

1m

Should You Ever Sleep With A Trump Supporter: Dear Bambiana

The River and the Wall

1h 45m

The River and the Wall

The Beatles: In the Life

1h 2m

The Beatles: In the Life

So You Can't Get Pregnant By Smiling at a Boy?

2m

So You Can't Get Pregnant By Smiling at a Boy?

The Best of The Best Clash

2m

The Best of The Best Clash

The Canvas LA: Spotlight How Rhianna Went From Flea Markets to Her Jewelry Line, Vidakush

9m

The Canvas LA: Spotlight How Rhianna Went From Flea Markets to Her Jewelry Line, Vidakush

The Blue Devils Bring The Parade

1m

The Blue Devils Bring The Parade

The Citizen

1h 34m

The Citizen

The Motorcycle

23m

The Motorcycle

The Reunion

45m

The Reunion

The Decision

44m

The Decision

The Hustle

20m

The Hustle

The Pilot

21m

The Pilot

The 212

The 212

The Feels

1h 21m

The Feels

The FP

1h 20m

The FP

The Canvas

The Canvas

The Exchange

1h 27m

The Exchange

Maid To Order

45m

Maid To Order

Filmmakers To Watch

Filmmakers To Watch

Two to Tango

46m

Two to Tango

Toe to Toe

1h 43m

Toe to Toe

Right To Twerk

20m

Right To Twerk

Care to Laugh

1h 16m

Care to Laugh

License to Breed

23m

License to Breed

Welcome To Hollywood

21m

Welcome To Hollywood

Ian Sings His Heart Out in "Starts With You Baby" Music Video

3m

Ian Sings His Heart Out in "Starts With You Baby" Music Video

The Ladies Play "Fill In The Blanks"

1m

The Ladies Play "Fill In The Blanks"

All the Focus is on the Diamonds

21m

All the Focus is on the Diamonds

Peder Cho Shows How to DIY A Pair of Jeans into the Ultimate Y2K Mini Skirt

10m

Peder Cho Shows How to DIY A Pair of Jeans into the Ultimate Y2K Mini Skirt

Does Finance Talk Stress You Out? Amara La Negra & Sharelle Rosado Tell All

5m

Does Finance Talk Stress You Out? Amara La Negra & Sharelle Rosado Tell All

Out With The Old, In With The New

20m

Out With The Old, In With The New

The Hilarious Reality of the American Rat Race

2m

The Hilarious Reality of the American Rat Race

Who Came To Win?

20m

Who Came To Win?

The 212 - Trailer

59s

The 212 - Trailer

The Winner Is…

44m

The Winner Is…

The Right Girls

1h 22m

The Right Girls

The All-Americans

1h 36m

The All-Americans

The Third Strike

1h 3m

The Third Strike

The Great Director

23m

The Great Director

Meet The Jets

48m

Meet The Jets

Rock the Bells

21m

Rock the Bells

Behind The Snow

22m

Behind The Snow

Cassandro, The Exotico!

1h 15m

Cassandro, The Exotico!

The Sex Clinic

The Sex Clinic

The North Shore

22m

The North Shore

Free The Robots

9m

Free The Robots

Create The Future

20m

Create The Future

Mind the Mints

21m

Mind the Mints

The Glow Up

20m

The Glow Up

The Read - Trailer

57s

The Read - Trailer

Surfing the Skies

22m

Surfing the Skies