There were plenty of over-the-top moments during Sunday night's (Monday morning, local time) 52nd annual Grammy Awards, but none of them could outshine Beyonce and Taylor Swift.

The dynamic duo — who were nominated for a combined 16 Grammy Awards — took home 10 of them, with Beyonce winning six and Swift snagging four, including the night's biggest trophy, Album of the Year.

"I hope that you know how much this means to me ... that we get to take this back to Nashville!" Swift squealed while accepting the Album of the Year award. "Our families are freaking out in their living rooms!"

Swift's three other Grammys came in the country category, with "Fearless" winning Best Country Album and her hit "White Horse" grabbing Best County Song and Best Female Country Vocal Performance. Beyonce's haul was spread out across many categories. Her ubiquitous "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" won three Grammys, for Song of the Year, Best R&B Song and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance. "Halo" won for Best Pop Female Vocal Performance, and her version of Etta James' "At Last" took home the award for Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance.

"This has been such an amazing night for me," the diva said while accepting her Best Female Pop award. "I'd like to thank my family, including my husband ( Jay-Z]. I love you."

Following close behind Beyonce and Swift were a pair of artistes who won three Grammys, including Jay-Z (Best Rap Solo Performance, Best Rap Song and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration) and the Kings of Leon, who shocked many when their "Use Somebody" took home Record of the Year.

The Black Eyed Peas won three Grammys (one for Best Short Form Music Video); Eminem, who took home two awards; and Lady Gaga, who won two of her own.

But for all the awardaccepting merriment, it was the performances that shined brightest on this Grammy night. Or at least they shined the loud-

est. Show producers gave out only a handful of awards during the actual telecast, deciding to focus instead on the talents they had assembled inside the Staples Center, and that talent delivered, with one massive spectacle after the next.

Lady Gaga kicked off the show with a theatrical version of "Poker Face" — which featured a steam-powered set dubbed "The Fame Factory," some flames and a pair of seriously

It was a pretty epic opening, but Beyonce didn't back down from the challenge. She stormed into Staples with an army of riot-gear-clad escorts, then got down to belting out a fiery version of "If I Were a Boy," complete with a shredding backing band and a brief foray into Alanis Morissette's "You Oughta Know." She wrapped up her performance by channelling her inner Tina Turner, dropping to her knees and

sparkly shoulder pads — then welcomed Elton John to the stage for a duelling piano take on Gaga's "Speechless" (and a few bars of the John/ Bernie Taupin classic "Your Song"). And, in keeping with the rather flamboyant nature of both artistes, show producers made sure their conjoined piano was topped with severed mannequinarms.

singing for the rafters. By the time she had gotten to her feet, so had the audience, who showered her with applause.

Pink got aerial (and soaking wet) during her performance of "Glitter in the Air," which saw her wrapped in linen, sent soaring above the crowd at Staples, then dipped into a pool of water. The Black Eyed Peas rattled the roof with a booming

medley of their hits, which featured a battalion of electricclad dancers, Fergie donning her Robocop finest and Will.I Am rocking an inexplicable black moulding of his head on his head.

There was also a 3-D tribute to the late Michael Jackson, which featured Celine Dion, Carrie Underwood, Smokey Robinson and Jennifer Hudson performing Jackson's "Earth Song," while 3-D images played around them (and featured unintentionally comical shots of stars like Rihanna, Beyonce and Will.I.Am wearing their 3-D glasses in the audience). It will probably be remembered best for what happened next, as two of Jackson's children -- son Prince and daughter Paris — accepted an honorary lifetime-achievement award in their father's memory.

"Daddy was going to be here; he was going to perform this year, (because] he couldn't perform last year," his daughter Paris added. "Thank you. We love you, Daddy."

This night will probably be best remembered for Beyonce and Swift's dominance, not to mention the sheer spectacle of the performances, which proved that even in dour times, the music industry knows how to throw a party — a massive, eye-popping, over-the-top one at that.

Compiled by Correspondent