Musicians overjoyed at 52nd annual Grammy nominations

Musicians overjoyed at Grammy nominations

Heard at the 52nd annual Grammy nominations:

“This is very surreal for me. I’m not used to this. I’ve been gone for eight years. I’ve been throwing out my trash, buying my milk and living in basic obscurity.” — R&B crooner Maxwell backstage on his six nominations following his absence from the music industry.

“It’s pretty cool to have a record people can tolerate for that long.” — Kings of Leon drummer Nathan Followill backstage on being nominated two years in a row.

“‘Use Somebody’ by Tiger Woods.” — actor-comedian George Lopez mocking the world’s No. 1 golfer, who was accused of having an extramarital affair this week, while reciting the nominees for song of the year.

“I’m happyyyyyy!” — French DJ and producer David Guetta backstage after being nominated for five Grammys.

“You can’t just pretend it’s 1998, put your song out with a video and expect MTV to play it. You have to go out into the world and make it stick. You have to really collaborate with your fans.” — Black Eyed Peas leader will.i.am backstage on how the music industry has changed.

“To be recognized by the Grammys is the ultimate honor, and all I know is that when I write about this in my journal tonight, it will be in all capital letters and underlined four times, and there will be lots of exclamation points in this entry because I never imagined I’d get to write this kind of journal entry.” — Taylor Swift in an AP interview after learning of her eight nods.

“When I was 20 years old, I was playing clubs, learning how to drink Jim Beam and Coke.” — Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles backstage on Taylor Swift’s success at a young age.

“We don’t speak English there, so the only thing that catches you is the melody.” — producer-songwriter RedOne backstage on how music is perceived in his native Morocco.

“Today was a special moment in my life that I can never forget. I used to have trouble going to sleep at an early hour. I used to dream about hearing my name called because I had a Grammy nomination press conference, like this.” — rapper-singer Drake backstage on the two nominations for his song, “Best I Ever Had.”