VOA慢速英语2015 歌手萨姆·史密斯赢得格莱美大奖

（单词翻译）

Singer Sam Smith Wins Big at the Grammys 歌手萨姆·史密斯赢得格莱美大奖

Soulful singer Sam Smith was the big winner Sunday night at the 57th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California. Smith took home four awards: Best New Artist, Best Pop Vocal¹ Album, Song of the Year and Record of the Year.

The British artist’s 2014 album, “In the Lonely Hour,” was about the painful break-up he experienced last year with someone he loved. But Smith noted² the happy ending. He accepted his final award for Record of the Year by thanking the one who broke his heart, “cause you got me four Grammys,” he said.

The big surprise of the night was in the Album of the Year category. Many expected Beyoncé to win for her self-titled album. But musician Beck took home the award for his album “Morning Phase.”

The recording³ was also honored with the Best Rock Album award.

Kanye West played a little trick on Beck and the crowd at the Staples⁴ Center.  He jumped up on stage as Beck was accepting the award. The move was similar to the bad behavior he displayed at the 2009 Video Music Awards. At that event, West interrupted Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech to tell the crowd that Beyoncé deserved the award that Swift had just received.

However, Sunday night, West left the stage immediately, laughing. The audience realized it was just a prank⁵. West even fooled Beyoncé’s husband, Jay-Z, who gave a look of horror when West jumped on the stage.

Beyoncé did not go home with empty hands Sunday night. She won three Grammys, including Best R&B Song and Best R&B Performance for her song, “Drunk in Love.”

Other Grammy winners included country singer Miranda Lambert and rapper-singer Pharell Williams. The show included a video message from President Barack Obama about ending domestic violence.

?Critical opinion was mixed about the musical performances at the Grammy Awards. Most critics praised Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett for their delivery of “Cheek to Cheek.”

The combination of Paul McCartney, Kanye West and Rihanna performing her new song “FourFiveSeconds” was also well received.

And the crowd roared for the performance of Sia’s song, “Chandelier.” Actresses Kristen Wiig and Maddie Ziegler danced to the song.

Opinion was not as singular when it came to Beyoncé’s performance of the gospel song, “Take My Hand, Precious Lord.” Many critics praised it, but social media posts show a mixed reaction.

Many tweets expressed anger that the Grammy Awards changed the plan for the song last week. Reports say Ledisi had been set to perform the song but Beyoncé asked to take her place.

Other posts on social media had some fun with the clothing fashions of the night. Some wrote that Rihanna’s large, bright pink dress looked like a “cake topper.” 

Others compared reality show Kim Kardashian’s sparkly outfit⁶ to a robe worn by professional wrestler⁷ Ric Flair⁸.

Pharell Williams received not so welcome comments about his choice of short pants, hotel worker hat and glittering, yellow shoes that seemed just a little brighter than the sun.

Words in this Story

category  - n. a group of people or things that are similar in some way

display – v. to show that you have (an emotion, quality, skill, etc.)

prank -– n. a trick that is done to someone, usually as a joke

fool -– v. to make (someone) believe something that is not true: to trick (someone)

domestic -– adj. relating to or involving someone's home or family

fashion – n. a popular way of dressing⁹ during a particular time or among a particular group of people

glittering – adj. shining brightly