The short lists for the music categories for the 95th Academy Awards have been revealed, and 15 semifinalists for the Best Original Score and Best Original Song categories will compete for nominations to be announced on January 24, 2023.
Unsurprisingly, the song category finalist list is packed with pop superstars including Taylor Swift, The Weeknd, Lady Gaga, Rihanna and Selena Gomez among the 15; however, last year’s Best Original Song winners Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell missed the cut for their contribution of “Nobody Like U” to Pixar’s “Turning Red.”
And while she received an honorary Oscar this year after 13 nominations in the Best Original Song category, superstar pop songwriter Diane Warren could sneak in at No. 14 with “Applause,” her under-the-radar shortlist. film “Tell it like a woman”.
Oscar-winning composer Hildur Guðnadóttir was recognized on the shortlist for her work on the score for Sarah Polley’s “Talking Women,” but those hoping to see her name twice were out of luck. “Tár”, her other high-profile effort this year, was sadly declared ineligible by the Academy’s music branch for not including enough original material for her consideration.
Doja Cat’s “Vegas,” featured in the movie “Elvis,” was similarly disqualified from consideration in the original song category due to sample lyrics and music. The guidelines state that music entries must be “original and written specifically for the film.”
Another big slight to the Oscars music shortlist is the absence of previous winners Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross (“The Social Network” and “Soul”), who had two eligible scores this year for “Empire of Light.” by Sam Mendes and Luca “Bones with everything” by Guadagnino. Some predictors also expected to see “White Noise” composer Danny Elfman (who never won an Oscar despite decades in the business) also on the shortlist.
John Williams, meanwhile, made the list for “The Fabelmans,” his latest effort with longtime collaborator Steven Spielberg. That semi-autobiographical drama could earn Williams his 53rd Oscar nomination next month, extending his own record as the most-nominated living person ever.
The second round of voting begins on January 12, with nominations announced on January 24 and the 95th Academy Awards on March 12.
MUSIC (ORIGINAL SCORE):
“All Quiet on the Western Front”, Volker Bertelmann
“Avatar: The Water Path”, Simon Franglen
Babylon, Justin Hurwitz
“The Banshees of Inisherin”, Carter Burwell
“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”, Ludwig Goransson
“Devotion”, Chanda Dancy
“Don’t worry honey”, John Powell
“Everything everywhere, all at once”, Son Lux
“The Fabelmans”, John Williams
“Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery”, Nathan Johnson
“The Pinocchio by Guillermo del Toro”, Alexandre Desplat
“No”, Michael Abels
“She Said”, Nicholas Britell
“The King Woman”, Terence Blanchard
“Women Talking”, Hildur Gudnadottir
MUSIC (ORIGINAL SONG):
“Time” from “Amsterdam” (written by Drake, Giveon Evans, Daniel Pemberton and Jahaan Akil Sweet, performed by Giveon)
“Nothing Is Lost (You Give Me Strength)” from “Avatar: The Way of Water” (written by Simon Franglen, Swedish House Mafia and Abel Tesfaye, performed by The Weeknd)
“Lift Me Up” from “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” (written by Tems, Ludwig Goransson, Rihanna and Ryan Coogler, performed by Rihanna)
“This Is A Life” from “Everything Everywhere All at Once” (written and performed by Son Lux, David Byrne and Mitski)
“Ciao Papa” from “Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio” (written by Alexandre Desplat, Roeban Katz and Guillermo del Toro, performed by Gregory Mann)
“Til You’re Home” from “A Man Called Otto” (written by David Hodges and Rita Wilson, performed by Rita Wilson and Sebastian Yatra)
“Naatu Naatu” from “RRR” (written by MM Keeravani, Kala Bhairav and Rahul Sipligun, performed by Vishal Mishra and Rahul Sipligunj)
“My Mind & Me” from “Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me” (written and performed by Selena Gomez)
“Good Afternoon” from “Spirited” (written by Benj Pasek, Justin Paul, Khiyon Hursey, Sukari Jones, and Mark Sonnenblick, performed by Ryan Reynolds, Will Ferrell, and ensemble)
“Applause” from “Tell It Like a Woman” (written by Diane Warren, performed by Sofia Carson)
“Stand Up” from “Till” (written by Jazmine Sullivan and D’Mile, performed by Jazmine Sullivan)
“Hold My Hand” from “Top Gun: Maverick” (written by Lady Gaga, Bloodpop and Benjamin Rice, performed by Lady Gaga)
“Dust & Ash” from “The Voice of Dust and Ash” (written by J. Ralph, performed by J. Ralph, Norah Jones, and Mojgan Shajarian)
“Carolina” from “Where the Crawdads Sing” (written and performed by Taylor Swift)
“New Body Rhumba” from “White Noise” (written by James Murphy, Pat Mahoney and Nancy Whang, performed by LCD Soundsystem)
The final Oscar nominations will be announced on Tuesday, January 24, 2023, and the 95th Academy Awards will air on ABC on March 12, 2023.
