Beyonce wins five Grammys including song of year

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R&B star Beyonce took an early lead at the Grammy Awards on Sunday, winning five prizes including the key song of the year award.

The 28-year-old singer, who leads the field with 10 nominations, won the coveted category with her anthemic hit "Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)," beating tunes by Lady Gaga, Maxwell, Kings of Leon and eight-time nominee Taylor Swift.

Country combo the Zac Brown Band was named best new artist as expected. The Atlanta-based group becomes the first band to win the award since 2005 and beat Keri Hilson, MGMT, Silversun Pickups and the Ting Tings for the prize.

The popular concert draw released its debut album in 2004, but did not achieve national prominence until 2008 when it released its major-label debut "The Foundation," which peaked at No. 17 on the US pop chart.

Beyonce shared her song of the year award with her fellow songwriters, Thaddis Harrell, Terius Nash and Christopher Stewart. But she did not get on stage at the Staples Center to accept it, evidently preparing for an imminent performance that included a self-censored version of Alanis Morissette's "You Oughta Know."

"Single Ladies" also yielded Grammys for R&B song and female vocal performance, and Beyonce was additionally honored for contemporary R&B album with "I Am ... Sasha Fierce," and traditional R&B vocal performance for her cover of "At Last."

Taylow Swift wins three Grammys
Beyonce was also nominated in the film category for her work on the soundtrack to the movie "Cadillac Records" but lost that race. Her career total stands at 15.

Beyonce remained in contention for four awards -- including album and record of the year.

Country-pop singer Taylor Swift picked up three early Grammys, including best country album for her smash second release "Fearless."

Swift, 20, said the victory reminded her of participating in a second-grade talent contest and being jokingly told that she would be at the Grammys one day.

"I just feel like I'm standing here accepting an impossible dream right now," she said.

She also took home statuettes for female country vocal and country song, both for the song "White Horse." She shared the latter award with co-writer Liz Rose, who recalled that she was asked by Swift six years ago -- when the star was an unknown 14-year-old -- to write songs together.

"Thankfully, I said yes," Rose said.

But in addition to losing song of the year, Swift was also eclipsed in another race, pop collaboration with vocals, which went to two-time winner Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat. Swift and Caillat were cited in that category for "Breathe."

Other performers at the ceremony included scantily dressed pop singer Pink who performed the ballad "Glitter in the Air" while suspended high above the crowd.

Dance-pop singer Lady Gaga kicked off the ceremony, teaming with Elton John as they sang her tune "Speechless" and his breakthrough hit "Your Song" on grand pianos.

Lady Gaga, who had five nominations, swept the two categories in the dance field. She was also nominated for album, song and record of the year, alongside Swift and Beyonce.

Other multiple winners included the Black Eyed Peas with three awards, while rapper Eminem, rock band Kings of Leon and soul singer Maxwell each picked up two.

Maxwell was a first-time winner, as were long-snubbed veterans Neil Young, rock band AC/DC and British heavy metal icons Judas Priest.