LOS ANGELES — Beyonce became the most decorated female on a Grammy night as she collected six trophies, including song of the year for her anthem “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It),” but it was another woman — Taylor Swift — who nabbed the top honor, album of the year, for her best-selling “Fearless.”
Swift, who won four awards in all, jumped around like the 20-year-old she is when she beat out Beyonce, the Dave Matthews Band, Lady Gaga and the Black Eyed Peas for the honor.
“Oh, wow — thank you so much! I just hope that you know how much this means to me . . . that we get to take this back to Nashville,” said Swift, whose “Fearless” was last year’s best-selling album of any genre.
“Oh, my God, our families are freaking out in their living rooms,” she said. “My dad and my little brother are losing their minds in the living room right now.”
Although Beyonce also lost out on record of the year, which went to the Kings of Leon’s “Use Somebody,” she still owned the most awards of the evening.
In 2004, Beyonce won five Grammys with her debut album “Dangerously in Love,” a mark tied by the likes of Alicia Keys, Norah Jones, Lauryn Hill, Amy Winehouse and Alison Krauss. She reached that milestone again Sunday en route to the new record. She is the first to reach that mark twice.
She shared song of the year with three writers for “Single Ladies” and also won best R&B contemporary album for “I Am . . . Sasha Fierce.”
“This has been such an amazing night for me, and I’d love to thank the Grammys,” Beyonce said after winning best female pop vocal for “Halo.”
The Kings of Leon were more entertaining when they picked up their record of the year trophy, the family quartet’s third of the night.
“I’m not going to lie — we’re all a little drunk. But we’re happy drunks,” said lead singer Caleb Followill.
Lady Gaga, who won two Grammys during the pre-telecast ceremony, kicked off the night on stage in a green leotard. She sang her Grammy-nominated hit “Poker Face,” then brought out Elton John as they melded her song “Speechless” and his classic “Your Song.”
Swift, who was second to Beyonce in Grammy nominations with eight nods, also won for best country album for “Fearless.” Another country act to take a top award was the Zac Brown Band, which won best new artist.
The Black Eyed Peas had three trophies, as did Jay-Z, who won for best rap solo performance and two awards for “Run This Town” with Rihanna and Kanye West.
Rihanna — who was forced to bow out of last year’s awards as a performer after being assaulted by then-boyfriend Chris Brown — accepted the trophy along with Jay-Z. West was a notable no-show.
The show also included a special 3-D tribute to Michael Jackson. Jackson’s young children, Prince and Paris, accepted a lifetime- achievement award for their late father.
“Through all his songs, his message was simple: love,” Prince said. “We will continue to spread his message and help the world.”
Winners in selected major categories
Record of the Year: “Use Somebody,” Kings of Leon
Album of the Year: “Fearless,” Taylor Swift
Song of the Year: “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on it),” Beyonce
New Artist: Zac Brown Band
Pop Vocal Album: “The E.N.D.,” The Black Eyed Peas
Male Pop Vocal Performance: “Make It Mine,” Jason Mraz
Rock Song: “Use Somebody,” Kings of Leon
R&B Album: “BLACKsummers’night,” Maxwell
R&B Song: “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It),” Beyonce
Rap Album: “Relapse,” Eminem
Rap Song: “Run This Town,” Jay-Z, Rihanna and Kanye West
Female Country Vocal Performance: “White Horse,” Taylor Swift
Male Country Vocal Performance: “Sweet Thing,” Keith Urban
Latin Pop Album: “Sin Frenos,” La Quinta Estacion
Dance Recording: “Poker Face,” Lady Gaga
Electronic Dance Album: “The Fame,” Lady Gaga
Alternative Music Album: “Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix,” Phoenix
Spoken Word Album: “Always Looking Up,” Michael J. Fox
