Swift, who turned 20 in December, ended with four awards after being nominated eight times. She also won the Grammy for best country album.

Swift was overshadowed in the overall count by Beyonce, who went home with six statuettes: the most ever won by a woman in a single night.

The surprise of the night went to Kings of Leon, who won Record of the Year with their pop-radio hit "Use Somebody."

Overshadowing the glitzy music fest, however, were two tributes. The first was to Michael Jackson, who received a Lifetime Achievement Award, accepted on his behalf by two of his children, Prince and Paris. Then artists Celine Dion, Jennifer Hudson, Smokey Robinson, Carrie Underwood, and Usher sang Jackson´s Earth Song, while the audience watched a 3D film which was supposed to be part of Jackson´s "This Is It" concert series.

The second tribute was to Haiti, with Wyclef Jean taking the stage in honor of his home country, followed by Mary J. Blige and Andrea Bocelli singing a rendition of "Bridge Over Troubled Water."

Other big moments in the show included a performance by Green Day, who took home the Grammy for Best Rock Album and Zac Brown Band, who earned a Grammy as Best New Artist.

The performance-packed show also included a duet between Lady Gaga and Elton John, an aerial act by Pink, and a rap showdown with Eminem, Drake, and Lil Wayne.