But for a few exceptions, most everyone looked amazing on the red carpet. I loved all the shiny bling that some folks were wearing … particularly Kristin Cavallari who wore a simple vintage dress and looked absolutely amazing in it. The show itself was really fun .. the opening tribute performance to MJ was really very cool and except for Kanye West’s douchey behavior, the show was very entertaining. Here are a few pics from the show and some deets about what went down:

Planned and random acts of kindness reigned at the MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall on Sunday night. Among the planned acts: Janet Jackson’s opening tribute to her brother Michael, whose death at age 50 on June 25 rocked the music world. The production began with Madonna recalling her encounter with Michael and reminding the audience that “Michael Jackson was a hero.” And while “he seemed otherworldly,” she added, “he was also a human being.” And then, the performance began. Dancers crept up on stage with original Thriller video airing in the background. The dancers’ moves duplicated the ones being performed on the video. Then a sequence of Michael’s hits played. Bad and Smooth Criminal led to Scream, his duet with Janet, who broke through glass to make her way onstage and sing along with the video. The loud, almost angry performance had the audience on its feet. After the tribute, Madonna said backstage that “it was good to finally get to say my piece.” And then near the end of the show, in a gracious act of kindness, video-of-the-year winner Beyoncé offered young country music star Taylor Swift a second chance to say her piece with an acceptance speech. The moment came after Kanye West took everyone by surprise early in the show when he went onstage to interrupt Swift’s acceptance speech for best female video for You Belong With Me … The teen country star returned for her live performance of You Belong With Me later in the show. Celebrities reacted backstage. Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong said, “Well, you know, she’s young, I think she’ll get over it. I think he needs to get it over it also. It was very uncomfortable sitting there.” “I feel bad for Taylor,” said Kristin Cavallari. “I think it was really disrespectful” … Other music-related news items had guests talking at the awards show, too. American Idol’s Kara DioGuardi was asked about her new colleague at the judges’ table, Ellen DeGeneres. “I feel fantastic. I feel ecstatic. I can’t wait for January, when we can all be on the panel.” DioGuardi added that she has been in touch with former judge Paula Abdul. “I’ve spoken to her, and she seems to be doing really well, and that’s what matters.” Abdul is set to play host at the VH1 Divas special on MTV’s sister network on Thursday night (9 ET/PT). Faye Dunaway had two divas she was looking forward to seeing on Sunday at the VMAs. “Lady Gaga and Beyoncé. How could you not love Beyoncé?” Dunaway asked. Ne-Yo echoed Dunaway’s sentiment. When asked who he was rooting for, he replied, “Besides myself?” and then added, “I’m here to see Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Pink, everyone. I’m here just to enjoy the electricity.” And the atmosphere was electric, with returning host Russell Brand doling out his brash brand of humor. Among the stars: Jennifer Lopez, Alicia Keys, Eminem, Jermaine Jackson, Katy Perry, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner.

For me, the live performances were the highlight of the entire night. After the jump, check out a few photos from the press room and watch a couple of my fave performances from the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards …

As usual, Beyoncé put on a killer performance … here is video of her performance of Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It) which took home the biggest award of the night — Video of the Year:

First the lad confesses to have a crush on Daniel Craig, then he shows us that he is a Beyoncé fan of the strongest magnitude … is he trying to tell us something? I mean … dancing around to Single Ladies is funny and cute and all … but to do so in a leotard and high heels seems to be taking things a bit far. But, you know what? More power to him!! You do your thang, Joe Jonas! Ain’t no shame in your game. After the jump, check out the video in full and judge for yourself …

In the #10 position, Beyoncé’s I Am …:

Altho I didn’t love every single track on this album, much of it is really fun and very memorable. Honestly, for Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It) alone the album is a hit. I may not be totally on board with the whole Sasha Fierce thing but as long as Beyoncé keeps bringin’ the jams like the ones on this album, I think I can get used to it.

At #9, Jason Mraz’s We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things.:

I’ve been a minor Jason Mraz fan for a while now but this album really won me over to Team Mraz. I must admit, I didn’t really pay that much attention to him before he started blogging on My Space but once he got my attention, I was hooked. I’ve yet to listen in full to Jason’s other albums but if this one is any indication, I think I’m gonna like what I hear. Additionally, Mraz just published his own book of Polaroid photos … which wins my heart in other ways as well.

At #8 is Juliana Hatfield’s How To Walk Away:

Juliana always comes at us with great music and this album is proof positive that she’s still got it. For me, this album was an even better treat because I ordered it from her official website and it came packed with a bonus disc of demos that were recorded with the album. I really wish more people knew about Juliana … I think she appeals to so many people. I’m just glad that she continues to make music because discs like this one are always welcome on my iPod.

In the #7 position is the Ryan Adams and the Cardinals album Cardinology:

Ryan Adams releases music almost on a daily basis and, amazingly, it’s all good. While I wasn’t too crazy about Easy Tiger, I really loved Cardinology. My only regret is that the album is too short. I wish there were about 3 more songs on the disc but, knowing Ryan, I’m sure it won’t be long before we get a whole new disc of stuff to enjoy.

At #6 is the new Leona Naess album Thirteens:

I was SHOCKED when I learned that Leona Naess had released a new album months before I heard about it … but was very happily surprised. Thirteens is a great album of somber and poignant tunes … and comes with 13 bonus tracks that are still downloadable HERE. One can never have too much Leona Naess … the hits just keep on comin’.

After the jump, check out my Top 5 Fave Albums of 2008 including my fave of the bunch AND my list of Top 10 Singles of the Year …

At #5 is Ghosts I-IV by Nine Inch Nails:

This year, NIN finished out their record contract and in celebration released an epic 4 disc collection of instrumental music online, on their terms. While NIN is known for the aggressive style of their music, it is their quieter more melodic music that really surprises listeners. On this years Lights in the Sky Tour, the band unplugged themselves for a portion of the performance to play select Ghosts tracks on regular instruments — stand up bass, xylophone, etc. — which was, by far, my fave portion of the show. Disc 1 of Ghosts is available online for FREE download but I cannot stress enough how amazing the whole collection is as a whole.

At #4 is Britney Spears’s Circus:

Britney Spears is back and her album Circus is a true return to form. Of the 12+ songs on the disc (including the bonus tracks), there are only a couple that I could live without. My Baby, while sweet, is just a bad pop ballad and Mmm Papi is just bad. The rest of the songs, tho, are incredible … with Phonography, Amnesia, Quicksand and Circus as my faves. The disc is really well-rounded and is proof positive that Britney is, indeed, back!

In the #3 position is Pop Up by Yelle:

Yelle has been called the French M.I.A. but I just call her fabulous. The entire album is in French but that does not take away from the infectious nature of the songs. I found my self singing along (poorly) with the songs almost after just one listen. I’m telling you, if the album had been recorded in English she would’ve made a huge splash here in the US with this disc. Altho this album was released digitally last year, it was released domestically in 2008 and quickly became one of my fave albums. I’m not even sure how I heard about Yelle … but, I promise, if you give her a try you’ll prolly love her as much as I do.

My #2 album of the year is the self-titled debut album from Santogold:

Santogold has, too, been compared to M.I.A. but to me she sounds more like a modern version of Siouxsie Sioux of Siouxsie and the Banshees. Her lyrics are so smart, her singing is so beautiful and her style is just cool as hell. If I were to compare Santogold to M.I.A. it would only be in that they are both extremely talented, know how to craft songs around fun beats and will prolly be putting out amazing music for years to come. Santogold’s debut album is an impressive first step in, what I hope will be, a very successful career.

And my fave album of 2008 is The Slip by Nine Inch Nails:

While most NIN albums follow a unified epic theme, The Slip is much less organized and offers tunes that can exist on their own. While I really loved the whole concept of their previous studio album Year Zero (which, incidentally, was my #1 album of 2007) I think I like the pared down nature of this album just as much. As I mentioned before, NIN ended their contract with their record company and are now in a position to release their own music when and how they like … for The Slip, Trent Reznor decided to give the album away to fans for free writing, “This one’s on me.” If you haven’t yet, click HERE to download this album in full for free. This album, by far, was my fave release of the year. I can only hope that NIN will be comin’ at us again soon with a new batch of music in the coming year.

Here are my fave singles of 2008:

1. Beyoncé – Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)
2. Britney Spears – Womanizer
3. Lady Gaga featuring Colby Odonis – Just Dance
4. Mariah Carey – Touch My Body
5. Estelle & Kanye West – American Boy
6. M.I.A. – Paper Planes
7. Madonna – Give It 2 Me
8. Sara Bareilles – Love Song
9. Kid Rock — All Summer Long
10. Duffy – Warwick Avenue

What albums and singles made YOUR list for 2008? I’d love to hear what all y’all thought was the best music of the year.

Candis did an amazing performance of Heart’s song Alone with a Fatal Attraction intro … it was hilarious. She also performed Gimme More by Britney Spears but, unfortch, her stage kinda broke and she kinda took a spill — but ever the pro, she got right back up and finished the song. Afterward, she claimed it was the best impersonation of Britney Spears she’s ever done ;) She also preformed a medley of Here Comes The Rain Again by Eurythmics which segued into Beyoncé’s Single Ladies. She was tres fierce last night. After the jump, check out videos of each of these performances …

Alone by Heart:

Folks … she was amazing. She told some really funny stories, broke the news that she will be appearing on 2 eps of Nip/Tuck next year and, of course, put on a few performances that were just … amazing. After the jump, check out Candis’s performance of Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It) …

Here are a few pics from the show itself:

Here are a few pics from the press room and some deets about what went down at this years AMAs:

Chris Brown was the big winner at the American Music Awards on Sunday night, surprising himself most of all. “I don’t know what to say. I would have given it to Coldplay,” said Brown, who won artist of the year, male pop/rock artist and male soul/R&B artist. Kanye West, still sore at losing male rap/hip-hop artist last year, won the trophy this time – then said Lil Wayne deserved it more. “I want to give this award to Wayne,” he said. “If it was last year it would have been my award.” It was West’s second trophy of the night, following his win for rap/hip-hop album, for Graduation. “It’s our responsibility as musicians to push music to the point it was in the ’60s and ’70s,” he said. “I want to be Elvis.” Host Jimmy Kimmel, who had made West’s ego a running joke, quipped: “Elvis died on the toilet with half a jelly doughnut in his mouth. You may want to rethink that.”

Um, why does Kanye have to be so douchey? I mean, seriously. It’s like he just cannot stop himself from acting like a total a-hole on the public stage. I just don’t get it.

The show climaxed with Keys performing “Superwoman” with Queen Latifah and opera star Kathleen Battle, and ending with a large photo projected on a screen of incoming first lady Michelle Obama. In a big night for American Idol alums, Daughtry – winner of three trophies last year – picked up another this year for pop/rock group, while former Idol champ Jordin Sparks won for adult contemporary music, and Carrie Underwood won for country album for Carnival Ride. Taylor Swift, uncomfortably sharing L.A.’s Nokia Theatre auditorium with ex-boyfriend Joe Jonas, won for female country artist, and Rihanna got two awards for pop/rock female artist and female soul R&B artist … Music’s A-listers were out in force as the show featured blockbuster performances by Christina Aguilera, Mariah Carey, Beyoncé, Rihanna, West, birthday girl Miley Cyrus and Jonas Brothers, who also won the breakthrough artist award. And Justin Timberlake made a surprise appearance to introduce award of merit recipient Annie Lennox.

Much congrats to all the winners this year but, I gotta say, the “prestige” associated with winning an American Music Award seems to have diminished a bit — after all, the soundtrack to the movie Alvin and the Chipmunks took home an award last night.

For me, tho, the highlight was Beyoncé’s live performance of her hit single Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It). Homegirl turned that mutha OUT! After the jump, watch video of her performance in full …

While I think THIS is still my all-time fave AMAs performance ever, Beyoncé really killed it last night:

I think the track is a bit unexpected, I anticipated a more poppy, upbeat song … but I think I like this track. The lyrics (which you can read HERE) are interesting. I’m not sure if the link above will work for those of you outside of the US. If the link above does not work for you, click HERE to hear a shorter clip of If I Were A Boy that should work for everyone. I will update the links if they either stop working or if better ones come along. I’m not crazy in love with the song but I like it … do you?

UPDATE: Head on over to IHeartMusic.com to hear in full Beyoncé’s other new track Single Ladies. The song is much more upbeat, much more the type of song that I expect Beyoncé to release. I’m not sure if the site is authorized to offer the track so check it out while you can in case it gets pulled. Of the two, I think I still prefer If I Were A Boy … which do you prefer?

UPDATE 2: Pink reader Lizette enlightens that If I Were A Boy is a cover song! Singer/songwriter BC Jean already wrote and recorded the track, you can hear her original version HERE on her official website or HERE on her official My Space profile. Um … WTF?! No offense to BC Jean (who wrote a really great song) but why is Beyoncé covering her song when, as a self-professed “legend”, she should be writing and recording her own music? Anyone?

[Source]

I mean … I don’t really get the astronaut vibe of this album artwork but I can appreciate that homegirl opted out of wearing the gaudy red lipstick so … thumbs up. In other Hollywood “It” Girl music news … Lindsay Lohan’s new single Playground will be released to radio on September 30th and will be available for sale on iTunes on October 7th. Her album Spirit In The Dark will drop November 4th. Beyoncé will 2 new singles on the same day that both Rihanna (Breakin’ Dishes) and Britney Spears (Womanizer) are set to release their singles (October 7th). If I Were A Boy (which reportedly has a pop feel) and Single Ladies (which, again reportedly, has a more “urban” feel) are both set to be released before her as-yet untitled new album is released in December. OH and don’t forget … Britney’s Womanizer track will be released to radio tomorrow. Yeesh … there is awful lot of girlpop coming our way … um, or should I just say a lot of awful girlpop music is coming — run for you life?

[thanks Kevin]