2020 Oscar for best original song: My picks and a look at the contenders

 

 

My picks:

 

Western Stars by Bruce Springsteen

(The Academy have previously nominated songs from documentaries, so why not again? One of 2019’s best songs for me)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Can You Hear Me Now? by Donald McMichael (The Art of Self-Defense soundtrack)

(I’d love to see get nominated but a long shot. I can’t stop listening)

 

 

 

 

 

Stand Up by Cynthia Erivo (Harriet soundtrack)

(Anthemic, uplifting, can potentially reach a big audience. In the same vein as Glory by Common & John Legend. If I had to pick a winner this is the most powerful. Although Disney/Beyoncé may run a better Oscar campaign so who knows)

 

 

 

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The rest of the contenders:

 

As for the winner, Disney will likely dominate the category though I suspect Cats, Harriet or Rocketman stand a good chance of a nomination if the Academy go with five songs. They have been known to only pick three songs in total. I’m not going to talk about Best Score here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Lion King: Spirit
Music & Lyrics by Beyoncé, Ilya Salmanzadeh & Labrinth

(I don’t like the autotuned intro. No complains about Beyoncé’s singing which she can be proud of. An epic song though is it memorable enough to triumph?)

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Lion King: Never Too Late
Lyrics by Elton John, Tim Rice & Lebo M
Music by Greg Kurstin & Lebo M

(Passable. Not as good as Elton John’s Lion King hits from the 90s. Prefer it to the Rocketman contender I’m Gonna Love Me Again)

 

 

 

 

 
Aladdin: Speechless
Music & Lyrics by Alan Menken, Benj Pasek & Justin Paul

(Didn’t have enough emotion or personality. Too “produced”)

 

 

 

 

 
Toy Story 4: The Ballad of the Lonesome Cowboy
Performed by Chris Stapleton

(Makes sense to write a country song for a toy cowboy. Unfortunately the vocal and lyrics failed to move me)

 

or
Toy Story 4:  I Can’t Let You Throw Yourself Away
Music & Lyrics by Randy Newman

(In contrast, this one hit me in the gut! Hope it gets nominated)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Frozen 2: Into the Unknown
Idina Menzel, AURORA

(Easily remembered but is it too calculated? Arguably a rip-off of the oscar-winning classic “Let it Gooooooooo“. “Into the Unknnownoooooon!!!”)

or

Frozen 2: Some Things Never Change
sung by Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Josh Gad and Jonathan Groff

(I need the context of the movie to assess its value. Catchy and the lyrics are not bad)

 

 

 

 
Cats: Beautiful Ghosts by Taylor Swift 
Performed by Taylor Swift.
Written by Taylor Swift & Andrew Lloyd Webber

(An interesting collaboration.  A good but not a great song)

 

 

 

 
Rocketman: (I’m Gonna) Love Me Again
Lyrics by Bernie Taupin & Elton John
Music by Giles Martin

(Bernie Taupin & Elton John created amazing music in the past. With emphasis on “past”. This new tune is merely ok and too syrupy. I haven’t see the film though, so I reserve the right to change my opinion)

 

 

 

 

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Should get nominated:
Stand Up by Cynthia Erivo (from: Harriet)
Western Stars by Bruce Springsteen (from: Western Stars)
Can You Hear Me Now? by Donald McMichael (from: The Art of Self-Defense)
I Can’t Let You Throw Yourself Away by Randy Newman (from: Toy Story 4)
Some Things Never Change (from: Frozen 2)

 

 
Will get nominated:
Stand Up by Cynthia Erivo (from: Harriet) (prediction: winner)
Spirit by Beyoncé (from: The Lion King)
Beautiful Ghosts by Taylor Swift (from: Cats)
Into the Unknown by Idina Menzel, AURORA (from: Frozen 2)
I Can’t Let You Throw Yourself Away by Randy Newman (from: Toy Story 4)

 

 

 

 

 

Still early days, so not set in stone. What do you think? As always, comments are welcome