Feist's musical palette contains many emotional colors, but there's something to be said for joy.

More than anything, a playful spirit explains why this was the Canadian singer-songwriter's breakout year — that, and a well-timed iPod commercial. She's up for four Grammy Awards at Sunday's ceremony, including best new artist.

One of Feist's videos shows her flying through the air and literally being pulled back to Earth by someone suspicious of her fun. Another depicts her dancing through fireworks in what one onlooker at the production told her "looks like what falling in love feels like."

Her clip for the hit "1234" became so well-known that it sparked a "MadTV" parody. She joins dozens of extras in a goofy, colorful dance production in a warehouse.

"The videos are there to make the songs visible, to manifest something audible in a visible way," she said. "For me, what better way to do that for a song that's really childlike and joyful than to dance around in a blue-sparkled pantsuit?"

Feist's disc "The Reminder" was nominated for a Grammy for best pop album and she's looking forward to bringing the friends who helped her make it together at the Grammys for a night of dressing up and having fun.

Leslie Feist, who uses only her last name professionally, is one of those musicians for whom a best "new" artist nod is a chuckle. She's approaching her 32nd birthday, and has been singing on stages for half her life.

"The Reminder" was recorded nearly two years ago in a house outside of Paris. At the end, it was her first record that she felt totally content with.

"I felt like a golden peace," she said. "I was free of any responsibility for whether it was a success or not, because it was already a success in my mind. I had attained freedom before I even tossed the dice to see what the world would think."