Music (Original Song)
Nominees:
| “Time” from “Amsterdam” Performed by GIVĒON Music and Lyrics by Drake, GIVĒON and Daniel Pemberton |
| “Nothing Is Lost (You Give Me Strength)” from “Avatar: The Way of Water” Performed by The Weeknd Music and Lyrics by The Weeknd, Swedish House Mafia and Simon Franglen |
| “Lift Me Up” from “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” Performed by Rihanna Music and Lyrics by Ludwig Göransson, Rihanna, Ryan Coogler, and Tems |
| “This Is A Life” from “Everything Everywhere All at Once” Performed by Son Lux, Mitski, and David Byrne Music and Lyrics by Son Lux, Mitski, and David Byrne |
| “Ciao Papa” from Guillermo del Toro’s “Pinocchio” Performed by Gregory Mann Music and Lyrics by Alexandre Desplat, Roeben Katz, and Guillermo del Toro |
| “Til You’re Home” from “A Man Called Otto” Performed by Rita Wilson and Sebastián Yatra Music and Lyrics by Rita Wilson, David Hodges, and Matt Rollings |
| “Naatu Naatu” from “RRR” Performed by Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava Music and Lyrics by M. M. Keeravani and Chandrabose |
| “My Mind & Me” from “Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me” Music and Lyrics by Selena Gomez, Amy Allen, Jonathan Bellion, Michael Pollack, Stefan Johnson, Jordan K. Johnson, Alexander “Eskeerdo” Izquierdo, Oliver “German” Peterhof, Marcus “Marc Lo” Lomax and SDHARU and Clarence Coffee Jr. |
| “Good Afternoon” from “Spirited” Performed by Ryan Reynolds and The Spirited Ensemble Music and Lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul |
| “Applause” from “Tell It like a Woman” Performed by Sofia Carson Music and Lyrics by Diane Warren |
| “Stand Up” from “Till” Performed by Jazmine Sullivan and Dernst “D’Mile’ Emile II Music and Lyrics by Jazmine Sullivan and Dernst “D’Mile’ Emile II |
| “Hold My Hand” from “Top Gun: Maverick” Performed by Lady Gaga Music and Lyrics by Lady Gaga and Michael Tucker |
| “Dust & Ash” from “The Voice of Dust and Ash” Performed by J. Ralph and Norah Jones Music and Lyrics by J. Ralph |
| “Carolina” from “Where the Crawdads Sing” Performed by Taylor Swift Music and Lyrics by Taylor Swift and Aaron Dessner |
| “New Body Rhumba” from “White Noise” Performed by LCD Soundsystem Music and Lyrics by Pat Mahoney, James Murphy, and Nancy Whang |
Per the Academy’s press release:
15 songs will advance in the Original Song category for the 95th Academy Awards. 81 songs were eligible in the category. Members of the Music Branch vote to determine the shortlist and the nominees.
Each shortlist is determined by members of that corresponding branch, except for International Feature Film. (Members from all branches are invited to participate in the preliminary round of voting and must meet a minimum viewing requirement to be eligible to vote in the category.)
The nominations for the 95th Academy Awards will be announced on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, while the Oscars ceremony will be held on Sunday, March 12, 2023, at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood and will be televised live on ABC and in more than 200 territories worldwide.
OSCAR NOMINATION PREDICTIONS
“Lift Me Up”
from “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”
Performed by Rihanna
Walt Disney Pictures
“Ciao Papa”
from Guillermo del Toro’s “Pinocchio”
Preformed by Gregory Mann
Searchlight Pictures
“Naatu Naatu”
from “RRR”
Performed by Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava
Variance Films
“Applause”
from “Tell It like a Woman”
Performed by Sofia Carson
Iervolino Entertainment
“Hold My Hand”
from “Top Gun: Maverick”
Performed by Lady Gaga
Paramount Pictures
WHY I CHOSE THOSE FIVE?
Seeing as “Lift Me Up” is just as much a song for the passing of Chadwick Boseman as it is for “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” this has got to be the favorite. And who doesn’t want Rihanna at the Oscars?
With “RRR” not being selected as India’s submission in the International Feature Film category, if “Naatu Nattu” doesn’t get nominated for Best Original Song, Film Twitter may revolt. There’s an intense contingent lobbying for “RRR,” and I can see that translating into some Academy support.
At this point, should we ever bet against thirteen-time Oscar nominee Diane Warren? The song she’s written this year is from a film that no one’s heard of called “Tell It Like a Woman,” which was the case last year when “Four Good Days” was nominated when no one was talking about that film.
“Top Gun: Maverick” is in the conversation for Best Picture. With that will come support in other categories, including this one. The song is a ballad, and those are often the ones that grab the Academy’s attention. Plus, it’s Lady Gaga, and they’ll want her on hand at the ceremony.
I’m curious how much support will be behind Guillermo del Toro’s “Pinocchio.” Yes, it will likely make the final cut for Best Animated Feature, but will it be enough to get “Ciao Papa” nominated for Best Original Song? The piece itself is relatively small and doesn’t draw huge attention, but the Academy does tend to gravitate toward songs in animated films. There’s a big question mark on this one.
Expect to see Taylor Swift’s name come up if it were to get bumped. There was an uproar when her “short film” (essentially an extended music video) didn’t get nominated for Best Live Action Short. The Academy may attempt to rectify this with a nomination. “Where the Crawdads Sing” was not the best film, but Swift’s song is probably one of the better parts of it. I assume Swift will be in attendance with her role in this year’s “Amsterdam,” so perhaps they’ll get her onstage to sing as well. Also, don’t count out a massive film as “Avatar: The Way of Water” with an artist as prolific as The Weeknd.
“Time”
from “Amsterdam”
Performed by GIVĒON
Music and Lyrics by Drake, GIVĒON and Daniel Pemberton
December 23, 2022
Directed by Damien Chazelle
Produced by Marc Platt, Matthew Plouffe, and Olivia Hamilton
Paramount Pictures
Synopsis: A tale of outsized ambition and outrageous excess, it traces the rise and fall of multiple characters during an era of unbridled decadence and depravity in early Hollywood.
“Nothing Is Lost (You Give Me Strength)”
from “Avatar: the Way of Water”
Performed by The Weeknd
Music and Lyrics by The Weeknd
Produced by Swedish House Mafia and Simon Franglen
December 16, 2022
Directed by James Cameron
Produced by James Cameron and Jon Landau
20th Century Studios
Synopsis: Set more than a decade after the events of the first film, “Avatar: The Way of Water” begins to tell the story of the Sully family (Jake, Neytiri, and their kids), the trouble that follows them, the lengths they go to keep each other safe, the battles they fight to stay alive, and the tragedies they endure.
“Lift Me Up”
from “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”
Performed by Rihanna
Music and Lyrics by Ludwig Göransson, Rihanna, Ryan Coogler, and Tems
November 11, 2022
Directed by Ryan Coogler
Produced by Kevin Feige and Nate Moore
Walt Disney Pictures
Synopsis: In Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett), Shuri (Letitia Wright), M’Baku (Winston Duke), Okoye (Danai Gurira) and the Dora Milaje (including Florence Kasumba) fight to protect their nation from intervening world powers in the wake of King T’Challa’s death. As the Wakandans strive to embrace their next chapter, the heroes must band together with the help of War Dog Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o) and Everett Ross (Martin Freeman) and forge a new path for the kingdom of Wakanda.
“This Is A Life”
from “Everything Everywhere All at Once”
Performed by Son Lux, Mitski, and David Byrne
Music and Lyrics by Son Lux, Mitski, and David Byrne
December 9, 2022
Directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert
Produced by Joe Russo, Anthony Russo, Mike Larocca, Daniel Kwan, Daniel Scheinert, and Jonathan Wang
A24
Synopsis: An aging Chinese immigrant is swept up in an insane adventure, in which she alone can save the world by exploring other universes connecting with the lives she could have led.
“Ciao Papa”
from Guillermo del Toro’s “Pinocchio”
Performed by Gregory Mann
Music and Lyrics by Alexandre Desplat, Roeben Katz, and Guillermo del Toro
November 9, 2022
Directed by Guillermo del Toro and Mark Gustafson
Produced by Guillermo del Toro, Lisa Henson, Gary Ungar, Alexander Bulkley, and Corey Campodonico
Netflix
Synopsis: Academy Award®-winning director Guillermo del Toro and award-winning, stop-motion legend Mark Gustafson reimagine the classic Carlo Collodi tale of the fabled wooden boy with a whimsical tour de force that finds Pinocchio on an enchanted adventure that transcends worlds and reveals the life-giving power of love.
“Til You’re Home”
from “A Man Called Otto”
Performed by Rita Wilson and Sebastián Yatra
Music and Lyrics by Rita Wilson and David Hodges
Produced by Rita Wilson and Matt Rollings
December 30, 2022
Directed by Marc Forster
Produced by Fredrik Wikström, Rita Wilson, Tom Hanks, and Gary Goetzman
Columbia Pictures
Synopsis: Based on the comical and moving New York Times bestseller, A Man Called Otto tells the story of Otto Anderson (Tom Hanks), a grumpy widower whose only joy comes from criticizing and judging his exasperated neighbors. When a lively young family moves in next door, he meets his match in quick-witted and very pregnant Marisol, leading to an unexpected friendship that will turn his world upside-down.
“Naatu Naatu”
from “RRR”
Performed by Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava
Music and Lyrics by M. M. Keeravani and Chandrabose
March 25, 2022
Directed by S.S. Rajamouli
Produced by D.V.V. Danayya
Variance Films
Synopsis: A fictitious story about two legendary revolutionaries and their journey away from home before they started fighting for their country in the 1920s.
“My Mind & Me”
from “Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me”
Performed by Selena Gomez
Music and Lyrics by Selena Gomez, Amy Allen, Jonathan Bellion, Michael Pollack, Stefan Johnson, Jordan K. Johnson, Alexander “Eskeerdo” Izquierdo, Oliver “German” Peterhof, Marcus “Marc Lo” Lomax and SDHARU and Clarence Coffee Jr.
November 4, 2022
Directed by Alek Keshishian
Produced by Michelle An, Caitlin Daley, Aleen Keshishian, Alek Keshishian, Katherine LeBlond, Stephanie Meurer, and Zack Morgenroth
Apple TV+
Synopsis: After years in the limelight, Selena Gomez achieves unimaginable stardom. But just as she reaches a new peak, an unexpected turn pulls her into darkness. This uniquely raw and intimate documentary spans her six-year journey into a new light.
“Good Afternoon”
from “Spirited”
Performed by Ryan Reynolds and The Spirited Ensemble
Music and Lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul
November 11, 2022
Directed by Sean Anders
Produced by Sean Anders, John Morris, Ryan Reynolds, George Dewey, Will Ferrell, Jessica Elbaum, and David Koplan
Apple TV+
Synopsis: A musical version of Charles Dickens’s story of a miserly misanthrope who is taken on a magical journey.
“Applause”
from “Tell It like a Woman”
Performed by Sofia Carson
Music and Lyrics by Diane Warren
October 7, 2022
Directed by Silvia Carobbio, Catherine Hardwicke, Taraji P. Henson, Mipo Oh, Lucía Puenzo, Maria Sole Tognazzi, and Leena Yadav
Produced by Lucas Akoskin, Monika Bacardi, Andrea Iervolino, and Chiara Tilesi
Iervolino Entertainment
Synopsis: Tell It Like A Woman comprises of seven segments that are directed by female directors from different parts of the world and shot in Italy, India, Japan, and the U.S. Each segment is an inspirational and empowering story about women, by women, for everyone.
“Stand Up”
from “Till”
Performed by Jazmine Sullivan and Dernst “D’Mile’ Emile II
Music and Lyrics by Jazmine Sullivan and Dernst “D’Mile’ Emile II
October 28, 2022
Directed by Chinonye Chukwu
Produced by Keith Beauchamp, Barbara Broccoli, Whoopi Goldberg, Thomas Levine, Michael Reilly, and Frederick Zollo
United Artists Releasing
Synopsis: Till is a profoundly emotional and cinematic film about the true story of Mamie Till Mobley’s relentless pursuit of justice for her 14 year old son, Emmett Till, who, in 1955, was brutally lynched while visiting his cousins in Mississippi. In Mamie’s poignant journey of grief turned to action, we see the universal power of a mother’s ability to change the world.
“Hold My Hand”
from “Top Gun: Maverick”
Performed by Lady Gaga
Music and Lyrics by Lady Gaga and Michael Tucker
May 27, 2022
Directed by Joseph Kosinski
Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, Tom Cruise, David Ellison, and Christopher McQuarrie
Paramount Pictures
Synopsis: After more than thirty years of service as one of the Navy’s top aviators, Pete “Maverick” Mitchell (Tom Cruise) is where he belongs, pushing the envelope as a courageous test pilot and dodging the advancement in rank that would ground him. When he finds himself training a detachment of Top Gun graduates for a specialized mission the likes of which no living pilot has ever seen, Maverick encounters Lt. Bradley Bradshaw (Miles Teller), call sign: “Rooster,” the son of Maverick’s late friend and Radar Intercept Officer Lt. Nick Bradshaw, aka “Goose”. Facing an uncertain future and confronting the ghosts of his past, Maverick is drawn into a confrontation with his own deepest fears, culminating in a mission that demands the ultimate sacrifice from those who will be chosen to fly it.
“Dust & Ash”
from “The Voice of Dust and Ash”
Performed by J. Ralph and Norah Jones
Music and Lyrics by J. Ralph
November 18, 2022
Directed by Mandana Biscotti
Produced by Sam Changizi, Ben Biscotti, Rob Simms, and Fuschia Sumner
Matilda Productions
Synopsis: The untold story of monumental artist and humanitarian Maestro Mohammad Reza Shajarian, hailed by NPR as “one of the 50 greatest voices of all time” and by the Wall Street Journal as “the most important Iranian cultural figure of the last 3 decades.” When Iran’s ayatollah banned music and performances in the entire country, instruments and records became contraband, and artists were exiled, imprisoned, or executed. As the new government began to crush basic human rights, Maestro Shajarian risked everything to confront the regime, singing truth to power and uniting the country in a chorus of millions strong. His life-long pursuit of equality through art is immortalized for generations to come, through his majestic, soaring vocals and lyrics. His internationally renowned hymn, “MORGHE SAHAR”, performed at the finale of all his concerts, is widely considered the Unofficial National Anthem for Iranian Freedom.
“Carolina”
from “Where the Crawdads Sing”
Performed by Taylor Swift
Music and Lyrics by Taylor Swift and Aaron Dessner
July 15, 2022
Directed by Olivia Newman
Produced by Aislinn Dunster, Elizabeth Gabler, Reese Witherspoon, Erin Siminoff, and Lauren Levy Neustadter
Sony Pictures Entertainment
Synopsis: From the best-selling novel comes a captivating mystery. Where the Crawdads Sing tells the story of Kya, an abandoned girl who raised herself to adulthood in the dangerous marshlands of North Carolina. For years, rumors of the “Marsh Girl” haunted Barkley Cove, isolating the sharp and resilient Kya from her community. Drawn to two young men from town, Kya opens herself to a new and startling world; but when one of them is found dead, she is immediately cast by the community as the main suspect. As the case unfolds, the verdict as to what actually happened becomes increasingly unclear, threatening to reveal the many secrets that lay within the marsh.
“New Body Rhumba”
from “White Noise”
Performed by LCD Soundsystem
Music and Lyrics by Pat Mahoney, James Murphy, and Nancy Whang
November 25, 2022
Directed by Noah Baumbach
Produced by Noah Baumbach, David Heyman, and Uri Singer
Netflix
Synopsis: At once hilarious and horrifying, lyrical and absurd, ordinary and apocalyptic, White Noise dramatizes a contemporary American family’s attempts to deal with the mundane conflicts of everyday life while grappling with the universal mysteries of love, death, and the possibility of happiness in an uncertain world.
