Oscars Shortlist: 15 Original Songs Pared Down for 93rd Academy Award Nomination

February 9, 2021 / Leave a Comment

by Christopher Haskell

MUSIC (ORIGINAL SONG) SHORTLIST:

“Turntables” from “All In: The Fight for Democracy”
Written by Janelle Monáe, Nathaniel Irvin III and George “George 2.0.” A. Peters II
Performed by Janelle Monáe

“See What You’ve Done” from “Belly of the Beast”
Written by Mary J. Blige, Darhyl Camper, Jr., Denisia Andrews and Brittany Coney
Performed by Mary J. Blige

“Wuhan Flu” from “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm”
Written by Sacha Baron Cohen, Erran Baron Cohen, Anthony Hines, Peter Baynham, Erica Rivinoja, Dan Swimer, Jena Friedman, Jim Russell, Jerry Holleman
Performed by Sacha Baron Cohen

“Husavik” from “Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga”
Music and Lyrics by Savan Kotecha, Rickard Goransson & Fat Max Gsus
Performed by Molly Sandén and Will Ferrell

“Never Break” from “Giving Voice”
Written by John Legend, Nasri Atweh, Benjamin Hudson McIldowie, Greg Wells
Performed by John Legend

“Make It Work” from “Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey”
Written by John Legend
Performed by Forest Whitaker and Anika Noni Rose

“Fight For You” from “Judas and the Black Messiah”
Written by H.E.R., Dernst Emile II, Tiara Thomas
Performed by H.E.R.

“lo Sì (Seen)” from “The Life Ahead (La Vita Davanti a Se)”
Written by Diane Warren
Performed by Laura Pausini

“Rain Song” from “Minari”
Written by Emile Mosseri and Stefanie Y. Hong
Performed by Emile Mosseri and Han Ye-ri

“Show Me Your Soul” from “Mr. Soul!”
Written by Lalah Hathaway
Performed by Robert Glasper

“Loyal Brave True” from “Mulan”
Written by Jamie Hartman, Harry Gregson-Williams, Rosi Golan and Billy Crabtree, and produced by Jamie Hartman
Performed by Christina Aguilera

“Free” from “The One and Only Ivan”
Written by Diane Warren
Performed by Charlie Puth

“Speak Now” from “One Night in Miami…”
Written by Leslie Odom, Jr. and Sam Ashworth
Performed by Leslie Odom Jr.

“Green” from “Sound of Metal”
Written & Performed by Abraham Marder

“Hear My Voice” from “The Trial of the Chicago 7”
Music by Daniel Pemberton; Lyrics by Daniel Pemberton and Celeste Waite
Performed by Celeste

Good luck picking which five songs will eventually be nominated by the Academy’s Music Branch. Almost every year we try and almost every year, the Best Original Song category surprises us on Oscar nomination morning. We can lean toward what we think the Academy will like, what other bodies have chosen, and where the Academy has voted before. But, at the end of the day, chances are we probably won’t guess right. One snub I’m a little disappointed about is “Rocket To The Moon” from the animated Netflix film “Over The Moon,” as it remains one of the best songs out of a film this year.

Per the Academy’s press release:

Nominations voting begins on Friday, March 5, 2021, and concludes on Wednesday, March 10, 2021.
Nominations for the 93rd Academy Awards will be announced on Monday, March 15, 2021.
The 93rd Oscars® will be held on Sunday, April 25, 2021, and will be televised live on ABC and in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.

OSCAR NOMINATION PREDICTIONS

“Turntables”
from “All In: The Fight for Democracy”

““Husavik”
from “Eurovision Song Contest:
The Story of Fire Saga”

“Never Break”
from “Giving Voice”

“lo Sì (Seen)”
from “The Life Ahead
(La Vita Davanti a Se)”

“Speak Now”
from “One Night in Miami…”

#1: “Turntables” from “All In: The Fight for Democracy”

The “All In” documentary seems almost too timely not to be included this year so the same goes for Janelle Monáe’s song. You’ve got to believe her performance at last year’s Oscars has not been forgotten and seeing her on stage again at the Oscars would be really nice.

#2: “Husavik” from “Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga”

At least one of the “out there” picks will get a nomination, or at least that’s my personal belief. It happens almost every year where a song from a film comes out of nowhere and grabs a nomination. Personally, I’m picking “Husavik” because it’s SUCH a good song and I want to see it performed by the actual singer. It’s hard to imagine “Eurovision” as an Academy Award nominee, but stranger things have happened.

#3: “Never Break” from “Giving Voice”

Is it just me or does it feel like everyone loves John Legend. I sure do. Not only is he an amazing performer, he seems like a genuinely good dude. And he’s one person I’d want on my stage at the Oscars. Although the film he’s representing has zero buzz, listen to the song itself and you’ll see it’s probably the best of the bunch. Please make this happen, Academy.

#4: “lo Sì (Seen)” from “The Life Ahead (La Vita Davanti a Se)”

Never bet against songwriter Diane Warren. There’s a reason she’s had eleven Best Original Song nominations (and zero wins, mind you). I was surprised at the lack of love for the film “The Life Ahead” starring Sophia Loren, but perhaps this is the chance to honor it.

#5: “Speak Now” from “One Night in Miami…”

The front runner heading into nomination morning, “Speak Now,” performed by Leslie Odom Jr., may be the one thing Regina King’s film has in the bag. The song is timely, it perfectly encapsulates the film, and it is superbly performed. From an Oscar showrunner point-of-view, I’d love to see this run of people on my stage, singing.

THOUGHTS ON SOME OF THE REST

Below you’ll find the links to the rest of the shortlisted films. Of them, there’s a few that could easily unseat the ones above. “Loyal Brave True” from “Mulan” is performed by Christina Aguilera, so of course it’s amazing, vocally. But “Mulan” was panned so hard I’m not sure it can overcome that. “The Trial of the Chicago 7″ is sizing up to be a big contender at this year’s Oscars and the song performed by Celeste is very heartfelt and also perfectly encapsulates the movie. Lastly, “Fight For You” from “Judas and the Black Messiah,” performed by H.E.R., has timeliness and star power going for it. Diane Warren also wrote “Free” from “The One and Only Ivan,” so that could easily take the place of “lo Sì (Seen)” from “The Life Ahead (La Vita Davanti a Se),” or she could even end up competing again herself. Anything but “Make It Work” from “Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey.”