By Laina Dawes
Like every year, the 2015 Academy Awards nominees for Best Original Song are as musically diverse as the subject matter of the films where they appear. The list of choices this year runs from the nutty “Everything Is Awesome” to the powerful anthem “Glory” and even includes the final recording of country-pop legend Glen Campbell.
Related: Glen Campbell…I’ll Be Me Soundtrack Album Getting Full Release
Historically, two factors have often been used to predict the winner in this category.
First is the Golden Globes, which have always served as a decent indicator. Since 1965, approximately 50% of the Best Original Song winners at the Golden Globes have gone on to receive an Academy Award. The winner at the 2015 Golden Globes? “Glory,” the song performed by John Legend and Common from the film Selma.
Related: Our Predictions for the 2015 Oscar Winners
The ‘buzz’ about who was selected to contribute to a film also serves as a great indicator. Of course, that’s somewhat complicated this year by the fact that songs performed from popular and provocative artists such as Lorde, Lana Del Rey and Coldplay were set aside.
Related: The 10 Biggest Oscar Snubs for Best Original Song
So which songs made the final list? And from which films? Below is a recap of this year’s Oscar nominees for Best Original Song.
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“Everything Is Awesome” from The Lego Movie
Music and Lyric by Shawn Patterson
The most commercially successful single from the list of nominees, “Everything Is Awesome”—from the collaborative trio of producer and Devo frontman Mark Mothersbaugh, Canadian duo Tegan and Sara, and comedy troupe the Lonely Island—has been on radio for over a year. Incredibly catchy and subversively funny, the single landed on the Billboard Hot 100 and has sold over 400,000 copies. Previously nominated for a GRAMMY, the hyper-upbeat EDM track has won six other awards. Could an Oscar make seven?
“Glory” from Selma
Music and Lyric by John Stephens and Lonnie Lynn
The powerful anthem written by rapper/actor Common and singer John Legend is highly favored to win, but why? The best indication is that the song has already won a Golden Globe, but it’s also picked up quite a bit of controversy. Selma only received two nominations (including Best Picture), and many felt that the critically and commercially acclaimed film was snubbed. Also, when the Legend and Common performed on the GRAMMYs, Legend chose to have Beyoncé sing “Take My Hand, Precious Lord” as a way to introduce “Glory” instead of Ledisi, who plays Mahalia Jackson in Glory and sings the song in the film.
“Grateful” from Beyond the Lights
Music and Lyric by Diane Warren
February has been an extremely busy month for Rita Ora. The British singer and actor appears as the sister of Christian Grey in the film Fifty Shades of Grey, and she will be performing “Grateful” at the Academy Awards. While legendary songwriter (and six-time Oscar nominee) Diane Warren’s trademark is palatable in the soul-inflected, power-pop track, the decision to have the young up-and-coming singer—who has garnered respect both in the urban music industry and Hollywood—to add a touch of modernity and attitude was wise.
“I’m Not Gonna Miss You” from Glen Campbell…I’ll Be Me
Music and Lyric by Glen Campbell and Julian Raymond
The 2014 documentary Glen Campbell…I’ll Be Me chronicles the legend country singer’s fight with Alzheimer’s disease, and how he dealt with that during his final tour in 2012. Simple and short, the song is a painful, sober love letter to his family. In the song Campbell acknowledges that while his health and memory might fade, the love he has for them is strong and everlasting. Interspersed with footage that spans his career, the film focuses his final tour. There is a palatable sadness in Campbell, but there’s also an undeniable resilience, which this song captures honestly.
“Lost Stars” from Begin Again
Music and Lyric by Gregg Alexander and Danielle Brisebois
Singer Adam Levine hits it out of the park with this beautiful, folksy tune, which is a musical departure from his main music gig in Maroon 5. The song is from Begin Again, a rom-com about a washed-up record label executive who discovers an up-and-coming English ingénue, and it’s about trying to build her career while reinventing himself.
Related: If “Lost Stars” Wins Best Original Song, Who Will Take Home the Statue?
The only Academy Award nomination for the film, Levine will perform the song during this Sunday’s Oscars ceremony.
