Overheard during the Grammy Awards

Quotes from the 49th Annual

Grammy Awards:

"Ladies and gentlemen, we are the Police and we are back!" — Sting, who reunited with his former bandmates to perform "Roxanne" in the night's opening performance.

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"I have to tell you all, this is a sweet, bittersweet moment. I have to accept this award in memory of my mother." —

Stevie Wonder, accepting his award for best collaboration with

Tony Bennett on "For Once in My Life." Wonder's mother, Lula Mae Hardaway, died May 31, 2006.

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"This song means a lot to me. There was a time in my life when I couldn't love myself enough to love someone else. And now I am in love. For

Mary J. Blige that is rare. Relationships are really hard to keep together, but let me explain to y'all what happened to me." — Mary J. Blige, before her performance of "Be Without You."

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"I just got done playing, and I'm nervous. ... Mind is blanking. It's amazing. This is quite an honor." —

John Mayer, accepting his award for best pop vocal album.

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"I'm ready to make nice!" —

Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks, accepting album of the year.

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"So y'all telling me, all I had to do was cut my hair to win a best rap album? Is that what y'all telling me?" — Ludacris, accepting his award for best rap album.

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"You did so good, girl," —

Justin Timberlake to "My Grammy Moment" winner Robyn Troup, after their performance.

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"There are so many people to thank. I'm going to start at the top. Thank you God. Thank you mom and dad. Thank you Simon Fuller who created the show `American Idol' that got me here." — Carrie Underwood, accepting the award for best new artist.