By Christy Lemire
The Associated Press

NEW YORK - Despite concerns that the Grammy Awards would become a forum for anti-war sentiment, most political messages were muted.

"NO WAR" was written in silver letters on Sheryl Crow's guitar strap as she performed, although her hair usually covered up most of the "NO." Bonnie Raitt slipped in a four-word message, "let's build some peace," before handing out an award. And No Doubt's Gwen Stefani wore a halter top emblazoned with the word, "love," and combat fatigue hot pants.

"I hope we all are in agreeance that this war should go away as soon as possible," said Limp Bizkit lead singer Fred Durst, before he gave out an award.

Wayne Coyne from the rock band Flaming Lips wore a blue bandage below his right eye that he said was a statement against a possible war with Iraq, but he never made it on television to show it off.

"This is my silent way of talking about peace. No black eye," he said.

Even Norah Jones, the demure pop-jazz debutante whose music swept all eight awards for which it was nominated, made a passing political reference while accepting the Grammy for album of the year.

"I just want to say, at a time in the world that's really weird, I feel really blessed," Jones said.