With the unveiling of the Academy’s shortlists, we now know the final 15 films in contention for Best Original Song. In my opinion, the biggest snub fell to Miley Cyrus and her track “Beautiful That Way” from The Last Showgirl. It’s a gorgeous track and the perfect accompaniment for the film. Given Cyrus’ recent love at the Grammys and the fact she landed a Golden Globe nomination, it’s surprising she didn’t make it through.
As expected, both “El Mal” and “Mi Camino” from Emilia Pérez made it through to the shortlist to add to their nominations at the Golden Globes, Critics Choice Awards, Hollywood Music in Media Awards, and Society Of Composers & Lyricists Awards. “Kiss the Sky” from The Wild Robot and “Compress/Repress” from Challengers also scored nods at all four awards, so they feel like our top four heading into Oscar nominations announcement.
That leaves the final spot open for grabs. My initial thoughts were that Robbie Williams could become a first-time nominee, given his huge appeal with international members of the Academy (despite his lack of success in the U.S., he’s legitimately one of the biggest popstars of all time in places like Europe and Australia). But “Forbidden Road” has since been disqualified for featuring too many similarities to the song “I Got a Name.” Frustratingly, the Academy aren’t filling the spot with another track.
Maybe it will be CCA, HMMA, and SCL nominee “Harper and Will Go West” from Will & Harper. The Academy isn’t averse to nominating a more comedic song, so it’s plausible. But you can’t deny 15-time nominee Diane Warren only has to sneeze and she gets nominated, so expect her to receive her 16th nomination for “The Journey” from The Six Triple Eight.
BEST ORIGINAL SONG PREDICTIONS:
1. “El Mal” by Clement Ducol, Camille and Jacques Audiard from Emilia Pérez (Netflix) – CCA, GG, HMMA (feature), SCL
2. “Kiss the Sky” by Delacey, Jordan Johnson, Stefan Johnson, Maren Morris, Michael Pollack & Ali Tamposi from The Wild Robot (Universal Pictures) – CCA, GG, HMMA (animated), SCL
3. “Compress/Repress” by Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross & Luca Guadagnino from Challengers (Amazon MGM Studios) – CCA, GG, HMMA (feature), SCL
4. “Mi Camino” by Clement Ducol and Camille from Emilia Pérez (Netflix) – CCA, GG, HMMA (feature), SCL
5. “The Journey” by Diane Warren from The Six Triple Eight (Netflix) – HMMA (feature), SCL
IN CONTENTION
“Beyond” by Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear from Moana 2 (Walt Disney Pictures)
“Forbidden Road” by Robbie Williams, Freddy Wexler & Sacha Skarbek from Better Man (Paramount Pictures)
“Harper and Will Go West” by Sean Douglas, Kristen Wiig & Josh Greenbaum from Will & Harper (Netflix)
“Like a Bird” by Abraham Alexander, Brandon Marcel & Adrian from Sing Sing (A24)
“Never Too Late” by Elton John & Brandi Carlile from Elton John: Never Too Late (Walt Disney Pictures)
“Piece by Piece” by Pharrell Williams from Piece by Piece (Universal Pictures)
“Out of Oklahoma” by Lainey Wilson, Luke Dick & Shane McAnally from Twisters (Universal Pictures/Warner Bros)
“Sick In The Head” by Móglaí Bap, Mo Chara, DJ Próvaí, Adrian Louis Richard Mcleod, and Toddla T from Kneecap (Sony Pictures Classics)
“Tell Me It’s You” by Lin-Manuel Miranda from Mufasa: The Lion King (Walt Disney)
“Winter Coat” by Nicholas Britell, Steve McQueen, and Taura Stinson from Blitz (Apple Original Films)