Anything can happen with awards

Write what you know: After six decades as a stunningly talented composer, Burt Bacharach branches out in “At This Time” and writes lyrics for the first time. His nomination category? Best pop instrumental album.

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Planet of the apes? Virtual band Gorillaz should be proud of its four Grammy nominations (three for “Feel Good Inc.” featuring De La Soul). Although it’s an animated band, it’s not to be confused with best musical album for children nominee “Green Gorilla, Monster & Me.” Perhaps for clarification, we should all download the Black Eyed Peas’ “Monkey Business.”

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Do we have the right awards? Yes, these are the Grammy nominations. Music, comedy recordings, polka. Don’t let the fact that nominees include Martin Scorsese, Clint Eastwood, Sean Penn, Jamie Foxx and Kevin Spacey make you believe otherwise.

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Sign of the times: Should we be worried about the violence suggested in the names of the groups nominated in the rock performance by a duo or group with vocals category? They include the Foo Fighters, the Killers, U2 and Franz Ferdinand (come on, make the mental leap ... World War I). Looks like the WMDs and the Dirty Bombs will have to wait till next year.

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Future trivia question: In what 2005 Grammy category did nominees include the Ramones, Johnny Cash, Ray Charles, jazz musician Albert Ayler and banjo player Charlie Poole? No, not best Hawaiian music album. The answer is kind of a cheat. They’re up for best boxed or special limited edition package.

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Last laugh: Stevie Wonder’s 10-years-in-the-making “A Time to Love” was widely dismissed by critics and largely ignored by consumers. We bet he can hardly stand the pain as he basks in his six Grammy nominations.

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We’re surrounded: Until now, we’d refused to believe that our 20-pound, 8-track-playing boombox had become obsolete. But somehow we think the nominees in the surround sound album category were meant for better things.

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“American Idol” 2.5: Former “A.I.” winners and current pop divas Kelly Clarkson and Fantasia square off for a whole new round of voting. With Fantasia receiving four nods to Clarkson’s two, she may have the edge. All we know for sure is that William Hung has our vote.

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-- Elena Howe