Once the Oscars shortlists are announced on February 9, we’ll have a clearer picture of the race for Best Original Song. As it stands now, there are literally dozens of potential nominees, given any film with an original track is technically in contention before the Academy lops it down to the shortlist of 15.
As much as well all want to see 11-time nominee Diane Warren finally win an Oscar, I’m starting to think she’s could be looking at her twelfth loss. Since she technically has three eligible songs this year, that would be almost unfathomable. While her main contender, “lo Si (Seen)” could certainly still win (especially if Netflix push Warren’s overdue narrative), it feels like it’s already starting to fade.
Rising to #1 this month is “Speak Now” from One Night in Miami. If it lands a nomination, it will mean Leslie Odom Jr. will be the third person in history nominated for acting and songwriting at the same ceremony. While he remains a strong contender for Best Supporting Actor, we could be looking at a repeat of double nominee Lady Gaga in 2018, who lost for Best Actress but took home an Oscar for songwriting instead.
Joining the contenders this month is “Tigress & Tweed” from The United States vs. Billie Holiday. The song is co-written by star Andra Day, meaning she could very possibly join Odom Jr. as another double nominee, if she can nab a Best Actress nod as well. With the film not released until late February, it will be the last contender to join the race, so let’s wait and see if it can still make the shortlist.
BEST ORIGINAL SONG PREDICTIONS:
1. “Speak Now” – One Night in Miami (Amazon Studios)
Leslie Odom Jr. and Sam Ashworth
2. “lo Si (Seen)” – The Life Ahead (Netflix)
Diane Warren
3. “Rocket to the Moon” – Over the Moon (Netflix)
Christopher Curtis, Marjorie Duffield, and Helen Park
4. “Fight For You” – Judas and the Black Messiah (Warner Bros.)
H.E.R., Dernst Emile II, and Tiara Thomas
5. “Húsavík (My Hometown)” – Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga (Netflix)
Atli Örvarsson
MAJOR CONTENDERS:
“Carried Me With You” – Onward (Disney)
Brandi Carlile, Phil Hanseroth, and Tim Hanseroth
“Free” – The One and Only Ivan (Disney)
Diane Warren
“Hear My Voice” – The Trial of the Chicago 7 (Netflix)
Music by Daniel Pemberton; Lyrics by Daniel Pemberton and Celeste Waite
“(If Only You Could) Save Me” – Mank (Netflix)
Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross
“Just Sing” – Trolls: World Tour (DreamWorks Animation)
Justin Timberlake, Ludwig Göransson, Max Martin, and Sarah Aarons
“Loyal Brave True” – Mulan (Disney+)
Jamie Hartman, Harry Gregson-Williams, Rosi Golan and Billy Crabtree
“Rain Song” – Minari (A24)
Emile Mosseri and Stefanie Hong
“Never Break” – Giving Voice (Netflix)
John Legend, Nasri Atweh, Benjamin Hudson McIldowie, and Greg Wells
“Poverty Porn” – The Forty-Year Old Version (Netflix)
Radha Blank
“See What You’ve Done” – Belly of the Beast (Independent Lens)
Mary J. Blige, Darhyl Camper, Jr., Denisia Andrews, and Brittany Coney
“Tigress & Tweed” – The United States vs. Billie Holiday (Hulu)
Raphael Saadiq and Andra Day
“Turntables” – All In: The Fight for Democracy (Amazon Studios)
Janelle Monáe, Nathaniel Irvin III, and George “George 2.0.” A. Peters II
“Wear Your Crown” – The Prom (Netflix)
Adam Anders, Peer Astrom, Matthew Sklar, and Chad Beguelin
“Wuhan Flu” – Borat: Subsequent Moviefilm (Amazon Studios)
Sacha Baron Cohen, Erran Baron Cohen, Anthony Hines, Peter Baynham, Erica Rivinoja, Dan Swimer, Jena Friedman, Jim Russell, and Jerry Holleman