In 2014, the Oscar for original song suddenly and unexpectedly became one of the award’s biggest talkers. First, there was the out-of-nowhere nomination for an unknown song, “Alone Not Yet Alone,” from an unknown movie of the same name. Then there was the disqualification of that very nomination when it was revealed that the song’s writer, a former member of the Academy’s board, had inappropriately lobbied for the nod.
Even if that hadn’t happened, it’d still have been a banner year for the category, as a heavy head-to-head emerged between Idina Menzel’s “Let It Go” from “Frozen” and Pharrell’s “Happy” from “Despicable Me 2,” two bona fide radio smashes.
So what does 2015 have in store? Seventy-nine songs have been shortlisted for the nominations, which will be announced next Thursday. Let’s explore the possibilities of the notoriously unpredictable category — both the realistic and the bizarre.
Technically, ‘Rio 2’ has the best odds . . .
The animated musical about blue macaws has more songs on the shortlist than any other film, with four potential nods, meaning technically it could have the best numerical shot. Of the four songs, though, the one most likely to have a shot is “What Is Love,” given the star power of its vocalist, Janelle Monáe.
. . . but a movie you’ve never heard of could get a nomination
Among the films represented on the shortlist are several that most movie-going audiences would never recognize. What, you didn’t see “Girl on a Bicycle”? How about “The Hornet’s Nest”? Surely “Hot Guys With Guns”? Each of those films has at least one song on the list.
Superstars abound
Per usual, the shortlist is loaded up with megawatt stars working toward EGOT status. Lana Del Rey has “Big Eyes” from the movie of the same name, Lorde has “Yellow Flicker Beat” from “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1,” Patti Smith has “Mercy Is” from “Noah,” John Legend and Common have “Glory” from “Selma” — and those are just the ones that already have Golden Globe noms in the bag.
Other famous musicians who might score an Oscar nod? Alicia Keys, Fall Out Boy, Glen Campbell and Sia are on the list, with Coldplay a supposed favorite for “Miracles” from “Unbroken.”
Even ‘Transformers: Age of Extinction’ could get an Oscar nod
The maligned Michael Bay flick has a track on the list — “Battle Cry” from Imagine Dragons. Other critical flops with a chance include “The Amazing Spider-Man 2” (for Alicia Keys and Kendrick Lamar’s “It’s On Again”) and “Annie” (for Sia’s “Opportunity”).
Decide for yourself which tunes should get the accolades by listening below to all of the songs that have been shortlisted — well, at least the ones available on Spotify.