The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced the shortlists for nine of its Oscar categories, including best song. In most categories, specialists in the specific field take a preliminary vote to create shortlists for consideration. After this intermediate stage, they vote again to narrow the contenders to the final five nominations for voting by the full academy membership. This year’s Oscar winners will be announced April 25 during a live broadcast from the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.
The short list for best song includes the Golden Globe nominees “Fight for You” (D’Mile, H.E.R., Tiara Thomas) from Judas and the Black Messiah, “lo Sì (Seen)” (Niccolò Agliardi, Laura Pausini, Diane Warren) from The Life Ahead, “Speak Now” (Sam Ashworth, Leslie Odom Jr.) from One Night in Miami, and “Hear My Voice” (Celeste & Daniel Pemberton) from The Trial of the Chicago 7. Below are Laurie Pausini singing “lo Sì (Seen)” and Leslie Odom Jr. singing “Speak Now.”
Rounding out the list are the background songs “Turntables” (Janelle Monáe, Nate Wonder, George A. Peters II) from All In: The Fight for Democracy, “See What You’ve Done” (Mary J. Blige, et al.) from Belly of the Beast, “Never Break” (John Legend, et al.) from Giving Voice, “Loyal Brave True” (Harry Gregson-Williams, et al.) from Mulan, “Free” (Diane Warren) from The One and Only Ivan, “Show Me Your Soul” (Robert Glasper, Muhammad Ayers) from Mr Soul!, and “Green” (Abraham Marder) from Sound of Metal. Below are Christina Aguilera singing “Loyal Brave True” and Charlie Puth singing “Free.”
The diegetic song contenders include “Wuhan Flu” (Sacha Baron Cohen, et al.) sung by Sacha Baron Cohen in Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, “Húsavík” (Atli Örvarsson, et al.) sung by Will Ferrell and My Marianne in Eurovision Song Contest, “Make It Work” (John Legend) sung by Forest Whitaker and Anika Noni Rose in Jingle Jangle, and “Rain Song” (Emile Mosseri, Han Ye-ri) sung by Han Ye-ri in Minari. Below are the songs “Húsavík” and “Make It Work.”