The 53rd Annual Grammys was near nonstop dance party (well, until Babs took the stage) with performances by the biggest names in music, including Justin Bieber, Usher, Drake, Eminem, Katy Perry, Rihanna, Bob Dylan and even Mick Jagger. And the little bit of country provided by Lady Antebellum and Miranda Lambert provided emotional respite from the rush.

The show opened with a misplaced tribute (so early in the show?) to the ailing Aretha Franklin that allowed Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Hudson, Martina McBride, Florence Welch and Yolanda Adams to show off their singing chops.

Then it was Lady Gaga's turn to deliver her just-dropped insta-hit Born This Way. And in typical Gah fashion, her performance proved cracked -- this time literally -- as the popster emerged on stage from an egg.

But the night's highest notes were delivered by lesser-known acts who captivated the crowd with their raw talent and passion. Shoutouts to Bruno Mars whose medley of songs with B.o.B and Janelle Monae stole the night, along with the Mumford & Sons' tight rollicking rendition of their hit Little Lion Man.

Cee Lo Green, dressed in feathered regalia bursting in color, delivered a fun duet with the co-opter of his song Fuck You, Gwyneth Paltrow that was backed by the Muppets. Getting cussed at never sounded so joyful.

Duet performances by Justin Bieber and Usher, Eminem and Rihanna and Eminem and Drake kept the show rolling but their now-familiar tracks didn't provide any emotional highs to the night.

You couldn't say the same about Mick Jagger's performance of Everybody Needs Somebody To Love. Jagger emerged onstage just as the record academy ended its tribute to artists' who had passed away then proceeded to strut around like some immortal rock God. Jagger's fierceness, and the audience's apparent recognition that they were in the presence of rock royalty, underscores the truth that music doesn't live and die on just one artist's contributions: It's about the continuum.

Check out a list of the night's winners here.

Some random leftovers:

Did you see how Yolanda Adams and Jennifer Hudson gave a smiling nod to each other as they sang the lyrics of Aretha Franklin's Sisters are doing it for themselves at the top of the show? And what a mighty fine example these sisters are setting, too. You go, ladies.

The belle of the ball was jazz bassist Esperanza Spalding, whose Grammy win for best new artist delivered the night's biggest upset. The eclectic beauty's biography on Wikipedia was attacked after she beat out Justin Bieber, Drake, Mumford & Sons and Florence & The Machine.

Is it me, or did Eminem seem miffed about something? Or should I say more miffed than normal? The rapper lost to Jay-Z in the category of best rap collaboration, and best rap song, awards that were given out before the broadcast. Did something transpire between the two?

Em did win best rap solo for Not Afraid as well as best rap album for Recovery. Em gave a shoutout to Detroit while accepting the Grammy adding "Stand Up!" What was that: tough love or encouragement to stand proud?

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