The 91st Academy Awards: Nominations for “Best Original Song”
Awards season is upon us! Check out the songs nominated for “Best Original Song” at the 91st Academy Awards and what song we believe should win.
Written by Delaney Davis
Illustration by Paige Giordano
While musicians receive most of their acclaim during the Grammys, other awards shows also thrust artists into the limelight, and the Oscars are no exception. Keep reading to learn more about the tracks nominated for “Best Original Song” and what song we think should take home Hollywood’s most coveted prize.
“All the Stars” from “Black Panther’
Image courtesy of Interscope Records
Kendrick Lamar and SZA are a match made in vocal heaven, and based on the awards thrown at “All of the Stars” this award season, Hollywood’s elite are certainly in agreement. SZA’s mellow vocals and Lamar’s energetic verses layer together perfectly over a dreamy, melodic beat. Rapping “Confrontation ain’t nothin’ new to me/ You can bring a bullet, bring a sword/ Bring a morgue, but you can’t bring the truth to me,” Lamar calls on the same resilient spirit that made the world fall in love with the nation of Wakanda.
“I’ll Fight” from “RBG”
Music and lyrics by Diane Warren, sung by Jennifer Hudson.
Image courtesy of Epic Records
Feminist icon Ruth Bader Ginsburg deserves an equally iconic song in a documentary focused on her life, and Jennifer Hudson certainly delivers. The lyrics evoke the same perseverance that the Supreme Court justice is known for, most notably in the chorus: “So I’ll fight, fight that war for you/ I’ll fight, stand and defend you/Take your side, that’s what I’m here to do/I’ll be there to be strong/Oh I’ll keep on, keep on the fight.” Hudson’s powerful, swelling vocals are the perfect complement to such inspiring lyrics.
“The Place Where Lost Things Go” from “Mary Poppins Returns”
Music by Marc Shaiman, lyrics by Scott Wittman, sung by Emily Blunt.
Image courtesy of Walt Disney Records
Competing with Julie Andrews, the original Mary Poppins, is no easy feat, but with an Oscar nomination for “The Place Where Lost Things Go,” the cast, crew, and songwriters of Mary Poppins Returns can be assured that their hard work paid off. In typical Mary Poppins fashion, Blunt’s gentle vocals bounce upon a score of an orchestra full of delicate sounding strings and lush woodwind instrumentals. The melancholy song shows off the more serious side to Mary Poppins, showing the emotional depth fleshed out in the character in the classic tale’s return to the big screen.
“Shallow” from “A Star is Born”
Music and lyrics by Lady Gaga, Mark Ronson, Anthony Rossomando, Andrew Wyatt, and Benjamin Rice; sung by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper.
Image courtesy of Interscope Records
Lady Gaga is “far from the shallow, now,” but she may not be far away from her first Oscar win. Teaming up with Mark Ronson, who helped produce Gaga’s latest album Joanne in addition to pioneering the super hit “Uptown Funk,” proved to be an excellent decision. Gaga’s crooning vocals over the soft strum of an acoustic guitar is the perfect backdrop to the tumultuous, passionate love story between Ally and Jackson Maine.
“When A Cowboy Trades His Spurs for Wings” from the “The Ballad of Buster Scruggs”
Music and lyrics by David Rawlings and Gillian Welch, sung by Willie Watson and Tim Blake Nelson.
Image courtesy of Milan Records
The Ballad of Buster Scruggs tells the comedic story of a joyful outlaw named (surprise!) Buster Scruggs. While the western flick is a comedy, “When a Cowboy Trades His Spurs for Wings” is a surprisingly somber song lamenting the death of a cowboy. Willie Watson, who also appears as the character of “The Kid” in the film, has a soft, high-pitched warble reminiscent of country legend Willie Nelson.
And the Oscar goes to…
Image courtesy of We Heart It
While we have no idea who will actually end up taking home the Academy Award, “Shallow” is the clear frontrunner, a title that we believe is well deserved. Gaga’s powerhouse vocals, especially before the final chorus, combined with the equally spectacular songwriting team of Gaga, Ronson, Rossomando, Wyatt, and Rice set “Shallow” above the rest. The song is a vital storytelling element in the film, as it represents a turning point for Ally’s character arc where she grows more confident in her singing and songwriting abilities. With the team already winning a Golden Globe and a Critics Choice Award, we have no doubt that an Academy Award should be their next catch in awards season.
Watch the 91st Academy Awards on February 24th at 7 PM CST.