Final Oscars Predictions – Best Original Song

It’s been an odd season in the race for Best Original Song. The song (“Compress/Repress” from Challengers) with the majority of wins from the critics groups didn’t land an Oscar nomination. The presumed Oscar frontrunner (“El Mal” from Emilia Pérez) couldn’t score a win at either the Hollywood Music in Media Awards or the Society of Composers & Lyricists Awards. Nor was it even nominated by the Guild of Music Supervisors.

But “El Mal” has taken out wins at both the Golden Globe Awards and the Critics Choice Awards, so it remains our leader. Will the Karla Sofía Gascón controversy hurt its chances? Eh, it doesn’t feel likely to really affect this particular category. Could there be an upset on the cards for 16-time nominee Diane Warren? If the Gascón saga really did destroy the chances of Emilia Pérez across the board, “The Journey” would be the one to benefit. But it’s unlikely to happen and Warren will have to hope the 17th time’s the charm.

BEST ORIGINAL SONG PREDICTIONS:
1. “El Mal” by Clement Ducol, Camille and Jacques Audiard from Emilia Pérez (Netflix) – CCA, GG, HMMA (feature), SCL
2. “The Journey” by Diane Warren from The Six Triple Eight (Netflix) – HMMA (feature), SCL
3. “Like a Bird” by Abraham Alexander and Adrian Quesada from Sing Sing (A24) – GMS
4. “Never Too Late” by Elton John, Brandi Carlile, Andrew Watt, and Bernie Taupin from Elton John: Never Too Late (Disney+) – HMMA (documentary), SCL
5. “Mi Camino” by Clement Ducol and Camille from Emilia Pérez (Netflix) – CCA, GG, HMMA (feature), SCL

Will win: “El Mal”
Should win: Uhhh, can I say none of them?
Possible shocker: “Never Too Late”