Oscars Shortlist: 15 Original Songs Pared Down for 94th Academy Award Nomination

December 21, 2021 / Leave a Comment

MUSIC (ORIGINAL SONG) SHORTLIST:

“So May We Start?” from “Annette”
Written by Sparks (Russell Mael & Ron Mael)
Performed by Sparks, Adam Driver, Marion Cotillard feat. Simon Helberg

“Down To Joy” from “Belfast”
Written by Van Morrison
Performed by Van Morrison

“Right Where I Belong” from “Brian Wilson: Long Promised Road”
Written by Brian Wilson
Performed by Brian Wilson and Jim Hames

“Automatic Woman” from “Bruised”
Written by H.E.R., Van Hunt, and Starrah
Performed by H.E.R.

“Dream Girl” from “Cinderella”
Written by Idina Menzel & Laura Veltz
Performed by Idina Menzel

“Beyond The Shore” from “CODA”
Written by Nicholai Baxter, Matt Dahan, Marius de Vries, and Siân Heder
Performed by Emilia Jones

“The Anonymous Ones” from “Dear Evan Hansen”
Written by Benj Pasek, Justin Paul and Amandla Stenberg
Performed by Amandla Stenberg

“Just Look Up” from “Don’t Look Up”
Written by Nicholas Britell, Ariana Grande, Scott Mescudi (Kid Cudi), Taura Stinson
Performed by Ariana Grande & Kid Cudi

“Dos Oruguitas” from “Encanto”
Written by Lin-Manuel Miranda
Performed by Sebastián Yatra

“Somehow You Do” from “Four Good Days”
Written by Diane Warren
Performed by Reba McEntire

“Guns Go Bang” from “The Harder They Fall”
Written by Jeymes Samuel, Scott Mescudi (Kid Cudi), Shawn Carter (Jay-Z)
Performed by Kid Cudi & JAY-Z

“Be Alive” from “King Richard”
Written by Beyoncé Knowles-Carter and Dixson
Performed by Beyoncé

“No Time To Die” from “No Time to Die”
Written by Finneas O’Connell and Billie Eilish
Performed by Billie Eilish

“Here I Am (Singing My Way Home)” from “Respect”
Written by Jennifer Hudson, Carole King, and Jamie Hartman
Performed by Jennifer Hudson

“Your Song Saved My Life” from “Sing 2”
Written by U2 (Larry Mullen Jr, Adam Clayton, The Edge, & Bono)
Performed by U2

Eighty-four songs were eligible in the category. Members of the Music Branch vote to determine the shortlist and the nominees.

Per the Academy’s press release:

Nominations voting begins on Thursday, January 27, 2022, and concludes on Tuesday, February 1, 2022. Nominations for the 94th Academy Awards will be announced on Tuesday, February 8, 2022. The 94th Oscars® will be held on Sunday, March 27, 2022, at the Dolby® Theatre at Hollywood & Highland® in Hollywood and will be televised live on ABC and in more than 200 territories worldwide.

OSCAR NOMINATION PREDICTIONS

“Dos Oruguitas”
from “Encanto”
Written by Lin-Manuel Miranda
Performed by Sebastián Yatra
Walt Disney Pictures

“Somehow You Do”
from “Four Good Days”
Written by Diane Warren
Performed by Reba McEntire
Vertical Entertainment

“Be Alive”
from “King Richard”
Written by Beyoncé Knowles-Carter and Dixson
Performed by Beyoncé
Warner Bros. Pictures

“No Time To Die”
from “No Time to Die”
Written by Finneas O’Connell and Billie Eilish
Performed by Billie Eilish

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

“Your Song Saved My Life”
from “Sing 2”
Written by U2
Performed by U2
Universal Pictures

#1: “No Time To Die” from “No Time to Die”
Written by Finneas O’Connell and Billie Eilish

Billie Eilish has the best chance of winning Best Original Song. The last two artists who wrote Bond themes, Adele and Sam Smith, both won, and Eilish’s theme is way better than Smith’s. Eilish is in the public eye right now and I think that only helps her case. She’s getting a nomination, 100%, but I think she takes the whole thing.

#2: “Dos Oruguitas” from “Encanto”
Written by Lin-Manuel Miranda

It’s honestly surprising not more songs from “Encanto” were shortlisted, but since this is only one, I say it is almost guaranteed a nomination. For one thing, “Encanto” seems to have been enjoyed, so that helps it right there. Secondly, anything with Lin-Manuel Miranda attached to it is bound to get not only get noticed, but have the chance to win. It’s a touching song with cultural all over it. If I weren’t so partial to “No Time To Die,” I would predict this one to win.

#3: “Be Alive” from “King Richard”
Written by Beyoncé Knowles-Carter and Dixson

“King Richard” is a film that has what it takes to pull an upset and win it all. It will likely show up in several categories and have enough fight to be a contender in the Best Picture category. With that love, there is definitely a chance for its song to pull through, especially with the much loved Beyoncé at the helm.

#4: “Somehow You Do” from “Four Good Days”
Written by Diane Warren

Diane Warren has been nominated for twelve Academy Awards, many of which were for songs from movies that did not get any other awards attention. There’s absolutely no way I’m going to bet against that streak.

#5: “Your Song Saved My Life” from “Sing 2”
Written by U2

The song itself and the movie it’s from are not groundbreakers, but I can’t help but feel that U2, and especially Bono, are too big to stop. Pair that with potentially having U2 at the Oscars to perform this song, and that’s just too big of a draw not to get nominated. The masses love U2, so I’ve got to imagine the Academy is filled with people who do as well.

REST OF SHORTLIST

#6: “Here I Am (Singing My Way Home)” from “Respect”
Written by Jennifer Hudson, Carole King, and Jamie Hartman

It’s hard to bet against Jennifer Hudson and a film about Aretha Franklin, so if any film is able to crack the top five, I believe this will be one of them.

#7: “Just Look Up” from “Don’t Look Up”
Written by Nicholas Britell, Ariana Grande, Kid Cudi, anndn Taura Stinson

Besides Billie Eilish’s “No Time To Die,” the song I most want to sneak in is Ariana Grande’s “Just Look Up,” because it so perfectly fits the film it’s from. Like “Eurovision” last year, I’m hoping enough people find the heart and humor in this one to push it through.

#8: “Down To Joy” from “Belfast”
Written by Van Morrison

Not to bash the Academy too badly, but it being filled with old white dudes, a song by Van Morrison might just make it through because it hits that demographic. Also, this song from “Belfast” has been landing elsewhere, so it wouldn’t be a huge surprise.

#9: “Dream Girl” from “Cinderella”
Written by Idina Menzel & Laura Veltz

I don’t think the “Cinderella” remake was very well received, so I’d be a little surprised to see this one get a nomination. However, if it does, it will be on the held-over respect for Idina Menzel and all she’s given us.

#10: “Guns Go Bang” from “The Harder They Fall”
Written by Jeymes Samuel, Kid Cudi, & Jay-Z

Another song on my list that I would ultimately like to see get some attention, it would also be great to see a Jay-Z versus his wife Beyoncé in the nominations. Also, this is Kid Cudi’s second chance to get in. I also just loved the film.

#11: “So May We Start?” from “Annette”
Written by Sparks

I haven’t had a chance to see “Annette” yet, but this song definitely peaks my interest. The fact that the Sparks documentary didn’t make the shortlist leads me to believe the support for the band just won’t be there for this song to push through.

#12: “Beyond The Shore” from “CODA”
Written by Nicholai Baxter, Matt Dahan, Marius de Vries, and Siân Heder

It’s hard to tell how much, if any, support there will be for the film “CODA.” It won Sundance and should at the very least get some attention for Troy Kotsur, so who knows.

#13: “Automatic Woman” from “Bruised”
HBO Original DocuWritten by H.E.R., Van Hunt, and Starrah

H.E.R. won an Academy Award for her song from “Judas and the Black Messiah” last year when I thought she had zero chance, so that tells me the support for her within the Academy is strong and should not be counted out. I’m not sure if anyone saw “Bruised,” but I’m also not sure that matters.