Lady Gaga came into the Grammys hidden in an egg but she hatched a winner - she captured three trophies by mid-evening, including best pop vocal album for The Fame Monster.
But while she emerged as one of the evening's early leaders, the singer - normally the most flamboyant performer on any bill - found herself out-Gaga'd by Cee Lo Green, Gwyneth Paltrow and Jim Henson Co's puppets, who gave a hilarious performance of Forget You that would have done Elton John proud.
Decked out in feathers of seemingly every hue, Green - who was nominated for record and song of the year for the dirty version of the song, (Expletive) You, crooned alongside a gaggle of puppets and Paltrow, who performed Forget You on the Fox TV show Glee and perhaps should seriously consider joining hubby Chris Martin of Coldplay as a regular recording artist.
It was easily the show stopper in a night of performances that included Gaga, a tribute to Aretha Franklin, a retro performance from Bruno Mars, a raspy Bob Dylan and Justin Bieber getting upstaged by 12-year-old Jaden Smith.
British rock band Muse performed on their Grammy debut and won best rock album for The Resistance.
They beat out Pearl Jam, Neil Young and British guitarist Jeff Beck, who won twice for instrumental performances.
The performances overshadowed the evening's early winners. Jay-Z, John Legend and Lady Antebellum joined Gaga with three trophies, making them early winners.
Train, who had one of the year's top songs with Soul Sister but found themselves shut out of contention for song or album of the year, got a major consolation prize as they took home a trophy for best pop performance by a duo or group with vocals for the live version of their ubiquitous song.
Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Hudson, Martina McBride, best new artist nominee Florence Welch of Florence and the Machine, and gospel singer Yolanda Adams gave their soulful, riffing best in an ear-popping tribute to a recovering Aretha Franklin that kicked off the show.
The Queen of Soul, who had surgery for an undisclosed ailment late last year, made her first televised appearance before a national audience and thanking well-wishers: "I wish that I could have been with you all tonight, but since I couldn't, next year."
That performance was followed shortly afterward by a typically over-the-top one by Gaga, who debuted her new anthem Born This Way by being 'born'.
She appeared out of an Alien-looking cocoon and seemed to transform into Madonna, circa 1987, as she pranced through the uptempo song, the first off her upcoming album.
Eminem was the leading nominee with 10, but his chance of a huge Grammy sweep was diminished as he lost five of the awards in the pre-telecast ceremony. He still picked up one - best rap solo performance, for Not Afraid.