This past Sunday was the fifty-sixth Grammy Awards hosted by LL Cool J. With many stars shining on the red carpet, it’s what was inside that really counts. From performances, to speeches, to wardrobe scares, this year’s Grammy’s was nothing to forget.

The show was opened by Queen B herself, Beyonce who bounced back into her slim fitting outfits just two years after the birth of her daughter Blue Ivy. Her performance of “Drunk In Love” coming off her new album that was released by surprise just a few weeks ago. Emily King, ’14, said, “Beyonce and Jay-Z are the power couple of planet Earth. Her performance was a little less flashy than some of the others, but it’s okay because her vocals were a lot better.”

The buzz was about other performances as well. Taylor Swift seemed to be a hot topic at the Grammy’s for her performance of “All Too Well.” Maddy Cambray, ’15, said, “Her performance was really good because it was out of the normal for her to perform in an awards show like that, it was good to see her just sit at the piano and do what she does best and just sing.” Lorde sang one of her top songs “Royals” which seems to be a crowd favorite for the event. Cara Quigley, ’14, said, “Lorde is so freaky, but deserved everything she won.” Pink also performed “Try” and “Just Give Me A Reason” with Fun. Katy Perry sang her new single “Dark Horse.” Robin Thicke, once again, singing his hit “Blurred Lines.” Daft Punk performed for their second time on television with Stevie Wonder with their Grammy winning song “Get Lucky.” Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr performed with each other as well, making the crowd stand on their feet and dance along.

What caught many viewers’ eyes was the side performance of Taylor Swift while Kendrick Lamar and Imagine Dragons performed together. While the live collaboration was fantastic, Swift was the focal point for the performance. Quigley also said, “Taylor Swift’s performance on and off stage was just sad.”

Another highlight of the night was the performance of Macklemore and Ryan Lewis with their song, “Same Love.” Accompanied by Madonna and Queen Latifah as she said, “We are gathered here to celebrate love and harmony,” while thirty-three couples celebrating vows and exchanging rings in front of the audience and all those who watched. Sydney MacLeod, ’14, said, “Macklemore’s performance and the marriages that concluded the 2013 Grammys powerfully communicated the importance of equality and social progress in American culture.”

Awards went out to Macklemore and Ryan Lewis for best new artist, Daft Punk for best pop group and record of the year, Lorde for best pop solo performance and song of the year, Jay-Z with Justin Timberlake for best rap collaboration, Bruno Mars’ “Unorthodox Jukebox” for best pop vocal album, and Kacey Musgraves’ “Same Trailer Different Park” best country album.

Overall, the fifty-sixth annual Grammy Awards was a success with performances, awards and entertainment.

From left to right: Katie Tighe and Courtney Bloniasz