GRAMMY CHEW: BILLIE'S "TIME" AFTER OSCAR-NIGHT GLORY?
Could Billie Eilish’s Academy Award for the James Bond theme “No Time to Die” (co-written with brother FINNEAS) and sensational performance on the telecast alter the dynamics of the Grammy race with less than a week to go?
With FINNEAS on piano, the Darkroom/Interscope artist delivered a compelling live rendition of the sinuous Bond theme on the Oscars, starting with whisper-soft dynamics and working her way to a rafter-raising belt. It was an elegant reminder of Eilish’s considerable star power, which earned her a Grammy sweep two years ago.
This was more than a terrific performance, though; it seemed to mark a graduation of sorts as Eilish—an erstwhile youthquake breakout—looked every bit the adult star crooning this cinematic anthem in her all-black ensemble.
She is once again up for six Grammys, including the three Big 4 categories for which she is still eligible. Her Oscar-night glory may not be a trending topic on Twitter, but it resonates strongly as Music’s Biggest Night approaches.
Indeed, all the notoriety around the Will Smith/Chris Rock moment will undoubtedly drive post-broadcast viewing (and re-viewing) of the Oscar show, which was already up 56% in ratings over last year (viewership in 2021 was, admittedly, abysmal, however). Could this ratings bump extend to Grammy?
It’s also noteworthy that Eilish enters the Grammy spotlight squaring off with another IGA diva up for a big Grammy night, Olivia Rodrigo. Could we see something along the lines of Adele’s Grammy face-off against labelmate Beyoncé?
Two years ago, Interscope had a great Oscar night, as Elton John and Bernie Taupin won Original Song for “I’m Gonna Love Me Again” (from Rocketman) and the Eilish/FINNEAS band soundtracked the In Memoriam segment with a sensitive rendering of The Beatles’ “In My Life.” Eilish was fresh off her Grammy sweep. Now she goes straight from the Oscar stage into a tightly competitive Grammy race. She has shown in the past that it’s unwise to bet against her.
