On The Download: Grammy Picks, Best Female Pop Vocal Performance

It was indeed a year of strong voices and strong performances from the crop of Best Female Pop Vocal Performance nominees:

Adele for “Chasing Pavements”
Sara Bareilles for “Love Song”
Duffy for “Mercy”
Leona Lewis for “Bleeding Love”
Katy Perry for “I Kissed A Girl”
Pink for “So What”

Leona Lewis’ “Bleeding Love” was a sweeping power ballad that was huge in 2008. The song put Lewis on the map and secured her future success in the industry.

Duffy’s “Mercy” brought us a retro ‘60s feel and had a different vibe than any other song in this category. Duffy could almost be called this year’s sober version of Amy Winehouse, who walked away with several Grammys at the ceremony last year.

“I Kissed A Girl,” from Katy Perry, had a life of its own this Grammy year. It was on TV, on the radio and played at all the clubs. Perry became a star and her quirky style and demeanor helped bring her to the forefront of today’s pop culture.

Along the same lines, Pink’s “So What” was a song that you had to dance or stop and listen to every time you heard it. It was rocking, rolling and oh, so fun.

We also enjoyed “Love Song,” sung oh so well by the sweet Sara Bareilles, which is also a Song of The Year nomination. Bareilles belted out the tune but it doesn’t stand up as well against the other songs.

Acclaimed UK import Adele’s “Chasing Pavements” brought her rave reviews. Though a strong contender for the award, during the Grammy consideration period, it did not garner as much attention as other songs, so voters may not have been as familiar with it.

Who Should Win: Katy Perry for “I Kissed A Girl.”

Who Will Win: Leona Lewis for “Bleeding Love.”