It was an event that even shocked the London folk-rockers.
“We figured we weren’t going to win anything because The Black Keys have been sweeping up all day, rightfully so,” Marcus Mumford said.
Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys ended up the night’s top winner with four trophies, including producer of the year and three rock category victories with bandmate Patrick Carney. But it was hardly a clean sweep as The Recording Academy’s thousands of voters spread the love for the year’s top singles.
Fun. took home major awards best new artist, in something of an upset over Frank Ocean, and song of the year for the transcendent anthem “We Are Young,” featuring Janelle Monae.
“I didn’t think we were going to win this one,” lead singer Nate Ruess said after the best new artist win. “Frank Ocean. The Lumineers. Everybody, amazing.”
Like Mumford & Sons, Gotye busted up the predictions, taking record of the year for 2012’s top-selling single, the haunting “Somebody That I Used to Know,” featuring Kimbra, and finished with three awards.
Prince, in hood and sunglasses and carrying a sparkly silver cane, presented him with the record of the year trophy and the Australian paid tribute to The Purple One’s influence.
“A little bit lost for words, to receive an award from the man standing behind us with the cane,” Gotye said. “Many years listening to this man’s music growing up and a big reason I was inspired to make music. Thank you.”
Jay-Z and Kanye West had three wins — sharing one award with Ocean — along with Skrillex, and a slew of nominees had two wins apiece, including former best new artist winner Esperanza Spalding.
Ocean was shut out in the major categories, but took home two trophies, including best urban contemporary album. Only Chris Brown, with whom Ocean scuffled last month, remained seated as the 25-year-old R&B winner walked to the stage during a standing ovation. Ocean beat Brown, who attended with girlfriend Rihanna, in the category.
Ocean also won best rap/sung collaboration for “No Church in the Wild” with fellow top nominees Jay-Z and West, and The-Dream. The win came after victories for Jay-Z and West for best rap song and best rap performance for “N****s in Paris,” another “Watch the Throne” track. Ocean also performed his song “Forrest Gump,” the love song written about a man that first started the buzz that led to his announcement that his first love was a man.
“We Are Young” helped fun. earn a starring role at these Grammys with nominations in all four major categories after the release of their first album, matched only by Christopher Cross in 1981, and six overall. The band turned in a powerful early performance of “Carry On” as a downpour on stage began mid-song and guitarist Jack Antonoff got a kiss from girlfriend, “Girls” creator Lena Dunham, after winning.
The Black Keys took best rock performance for “Lonely Boy” during the main telecast and earlier in the day won best rock song for “Lonely Boy” and best rock album for “El Camino.” Dan Auerbach, group member, also got an assist — but no trophy — on Dr. John’s best blues album “Locked Down,” which he produced.
Other winners included Rihanna, Beyoncé, Mumford & Sons and Taylor Swift, who opened the show as the Mad Hatter. Swift dressed in white top hat, tails, shorts and tall boots during the surreal version of her hummable hit “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” that included a troop of mime clowns and a guy on a tricycle with a flame-thrower attached.
Grammys winners
Record of the year: “Somebody That I Used to Know,” Gotye featuring Kimbra.
Album of the year: “Babel,” Mumford & Sons.
Song of the year: “We Are Young,” Fun.
New artist: Fun.
Pop solo performance: “Set Fire to the Rain (Live),” Adele.
Pop vocal album: “Stronger,” Kelly Clarkson.
Pop/duo group performance: “Somebody That I Used to Know,” Gotye featuring Kimbra.
Traditional pop vocal album: “Kisses on the Bottom,” Paul McCartney.
Rap performance: “N****s in Paris,” Jay-Z, Kanye West.
Rap song: “N****s in Paris,” Shawn Carter, Mike Dean, Chauncey Hollis, Kanye West.
Rap/sung collaboration: “No Church in the Wild,” Jay-Z, Kanye West featuring Frank Ocean, The-Dream.
Rap album: “Take Care,” Drake.
R&B performance: “Climax,” Usher.
Traditional R&B performance: “Love on Top,” Beyoncé.
R&B song: “Adorn,” Miguel Pimentel.
R&B album: “Black Radio,” Robert Glasper Experiment.
Urban contemporary album: “Channel Orange,” Frank Ocean.
Rock performance: “Lonely Boy,” The Black Keys.
Rock song: “Lonely Boy,” The Black Keys.
Rock album: “El Camino,” The Black Keys.
Hard rock/metal performance: “Love Bites (So Do I),” Halestorm.
Alternative music album: “Making Mirrors,” Gotye.
Country solo performance: “Blown Away,” Carrie Underwood
Country duo/group performance: “Pontoon,” Little Big Town.
Country song: “Blown Away,” Josh Kear, Chris Tompkins.
Country album: “Uncaged,” Zac Brown Band.
Gospel song: “Go Get It,” Mary Mary.
Gospel album: “Gravity,” Leerae.
Blues album: “Locked Down,” Dr. John.
Folk album: “The Goat Rodeo Sessions,” Yo-Yo Ma, Stuart Duncan, Edgar Meyer, Chris Thile.
Americana album: “Slipstream,” Bonnie Raitt.
Bluegrass album: “Nobody Knows You,” Steep Canyon Rangers.
Reggae album: “Rebirth,” Jimmy Cliff.
World music album: “The Living Room Sessions Part 1,” Ravi Shankar.
Comedy album: “Blow Your Pants Off,” Jimmy Fallon.
