With the unveiling of the Academy’s shortlists, we now know the final 15 tracks in contention for Best Original Song. The biggest snub fell to “Clothed by the Sun” from The Testament of Ann Lee. Given Searchlight Pictures released the song/performance in full on YouTube two weeks ago, they were clearly gunning for a nomination that will now never happen.
As always, there were a few odd inclusions, namely “Dying to Love” from Billy Idol Should Be Dead and “Sweet Dreams of Joy” from the opera documentary Viva Verdi! (which didn’t make it onto the Best Documentary Feature shortlist). And, as expected, Diane Warren scored her umpteenth shortlist mention for the track “Dear Me” from her own documentary Diane Warren: Relentless. Expect her 17th nomination next month to follow.
Both Sinners and Wicked: For Good landed two songs on the Academy’s shortlist, and we’re likely looking at a situation where one of these films gets two Oscar nominations here. The Hollywood Music in Media Awards nominated all four tracks in their Feature Film category, while the Golden Globes and Critics Choice Awards only gave one spot to each.
Just based on its strong showing with the shortlists overall, I’m leaning towards Wicked: For Good seeing both songs in the Academy’s final five, but let’s see how the next few weeks play out. Keep an eye on “Train Dreams” from Train Dreams. The Academy often love to throw in a folksy song in this category, and this one fits the bill perfectly.
BEST ORIGINAL SONG PREDICTIONS:
1. “Golden” from KPop Demon Hunters (Netflix) – CCA, GG, HMMA (animated), SCL
2. “I Lied to You” from Sinners (Warner Bros.) – CCA, GG, HMMA (main), SCL
3. “The Girl in the Bubble” from Wicked: For Good (Universal Pictures) – CCA, HMMA (main), SCL
4. “Dear Me” from Diane Warren: Relentless (Greenwich Entertainment) – HMMA (documentary), SCL
5. “No Place Like Home” – Wicked: For Good (Universal Pictures) – GG, HMMA (main)
IN CONTENTION
“As Alive As You Need Me To Be” from Tron: Ares (Disney)
“Dream as One from Avatar: Fire and Ash (20th Century Studios) – GG, HMMA (sci-fi)
“Drive” from F1 (Apple Original Films) – CCA, HMMA (main), SCL
“Dying To Live” from Billy Idol Should Be Dead (Fremantle) – HMMA (documentary)
“Highest 2 Lowest” from Highest 2 Lowest (Apple Original Films) – HMMA (independent)
“Last Time (I Seen The Sun)” from Sinners (Warner Bros.) – HMMA (main), SCL
“Our Love” from The Ballad of Wallis Island (Focus Features)
“Salt Then Sour Then Sweet” from Come See Me in the Good Light (Apple Original Films) – HMMA (documentary)
“Sweet Dreams Of Joy” from Viva Verdi! (TBD)
“Train Dreams” from Train Dreams (Netflix) – CCA, GG
