By Kati Johnston
Special to MSN Entertainment

It was like music to our ears. For the Grammys' 50th birthday party, we got musicians from every Grammy era -- and the writers were back! (Though Jason Bateman apparently was denied one.) We loved all the winners -- and have a few other awards to present as well:
 
Sweetest Description of the Power of Music: Frank Sinatra's vintage clip opening the show: "If you're in love and tongue-tied, it'll make the pitch for you." Scooby dooby doo.
 
Dreamiest Duet 'With History': Alicia Keys in elegant flowing jade, singing along with a clip of Sinatra to "Learning the Blues."
 
Best Impersonation of a Real-Live Pillow-Fight: Rihanna, who flounced around the stage in what looked like the contents of a golden down comforter. She's a songbird, yes, but...
 
Most Enthusiastic Presentation: Cyndi Lauper's unabashed thrill at announcing Amy Winehouse as best new ah-tist. Yeah!
 
Most Unexpected Tribute: To, of all people, Sanjaya. Alicia Keys, Rihanna and Prince all had elegant hairdos -- but awfully faux-hawky, no?

Most Distracting Choreography: The pole-wielding radiator-bashers performing with Carrie Underwood. Are they supposed to be the "Louisville slugger"? Pipes? Heavy metal-heads? The dudes who'll punish that guy before he cheats?
 
Now It Makes Sense: The Beatles' "A Day in the Life" was only waiting all these years for the Cirque du Soleil to give it those perfect, crazy visuals. We just had to look.
 
Best Goosebumpy Moment: The unadorned, gospel-flavored delivery of "Let It Be." Give that kid a contract already!
 
Second Best Goosebumpy Moment: Kanye West's emotional tribute to his late mother, "Hey Mama."
 
Mini-est Mini: The one on Carrie Underwood -- whose enormous dangling earrings were longer than her hemline.
 
Most Captivating Fashion Statement: Kanye West's night-glo specs (who wants to bet Jack Nicholson's ordered a pair this morning?). But what up with the tail hanging out of his back pocket?
 
Best Performance of a Basketball Arena Disguised as a Massive Mosh Pit: L.A.'s Staples Center, which sacrificed acoustics and intimacy for the big 50th anniversary splash. We kept expecting everyone to flick their Bics at the end.
 
Best Advertisement for Rehab: Whitney Houston, looking healthy and glamorous at Clive Davis' pre-party, glittering in a form-fitting silver-and-black strapless wrap gown, smiling from ear to ear. Whitney, your new life agrees with you.
 
Most Dodgy Advertisement for Rehab: Lindsay Lohan, sporting newly brunette locks but back to her old table-hopping ways. Yes, yes, that was a water bottle in her hand, but girlfriend still managed to club-hop all through the night anyway. What was that you said, Linds, about leaving behind old bad habits?
 
Most Memorable Mane of the Year: No contest, with Amy Winehouse's black beehive-avec-'60s-fall becoming the year's signature coif. Honorable mention: Rihanna, whose sleek pageboy and new, shorter bob both channel Hentai characters.
 
Sparkliest Accessory: Fergie's brand-new engagement ring, which seemed to be front and center as she held her mic.
 
Funniest Self-Reference: Cher's talking about singing since "Lincoln was president." (And she looked amazing! What's the deal she struck with the devil? Same one that Carole King did, apparently.

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