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Members of the music branch came up with these shortlists from longer lists of 75 eligible songs and 170 eligible scores. Members of the music branch will also determine the final nominees, which will be announced on Jan. 13. The entire membership will vote in the final round, which will determine the winners.
Here are the 15 songs and 15 scores that are shortlisted for Academy Awards, together with some top contenders that failed to make the shortlists. They are listed in alphabetical order by film.
Best Original Song
“Speechless” from Aladdin (Disney). Written by Alan Menken, Benj Pasek & Justin Paul. Menken is a four-time winner in this category; Pasek and Paul won for “City of Stars” from La La Land.
“Letter to My Godfather” from The Black Godfather (Netflix). Written by Pharrell Williams & Chad Hugo. Williams was nominated in this category six years ago for “Happy” from Despicable Me 2. The doc is a profile of legendary music executive Clarence Avant.
“I’m Standing with You” from Breakthrough (20th Century Fox). Written by Diane Warren. Warren is a 10-time nominee in this category. She has yet to win.
“Da Bronx” from The Bronx, USA (HBO). Written by Paul Williams & Charles Fox. Williams has had three noms in this category; Fox has had two. Williams won for co-writing “Evergreen” from A Star Is Born (1976). The doc is a socio-cultural history of the Bronx.
“Into the Unknown” from Frozen 2 (Disney). Written by Robert Lopez & Kristen Anderson-Lopez. This song was nominated for a Golden Globe. The Lopezes won their first Oscar with “Let It Go” from the first Frozen (which, like “Into the Unknown,” was performed by Idina Menzel). They have since picked up a second award with “Remember Me” from Coco.
“Stand Up” from Harriet (Focus Features). Written by Joshuah Brian Campbell & Cynthia Erivo. This song was nominated for a Golden Globe. If Erivo wins an Oscar, either for best actress or best original song, she would become an EGOT. Erivo will be 33 on Oscar night, which would make her the youngest EGOT ever. That distinction is currently held by Robert Lopez, who was 39 when he achieved the feat.
“Catchy Song” from The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part (Warner Bros.). Written by Dillon Francis, Alaya High, Jon Lajoie & James Rushent. “Everything Is Awesome” from The LEGO Movie was nominated in this category five years ago.
“Never Too Late” from The Lion King (Disney). Written by Elton John & Tim Rice. The two Brits won in this category 25 years ago for “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” from the first The Lion King.
“Spirit” from The Lion King (Disney). Music and lyrics by Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, Timothy McKenzie & Ilya Salmanzadeh. This song was nominated for a Golden Globe. This would be the first Oscar nom for all three of these writers. Beyoncé is a 23-time Grammy winner, an eight-time Emmy nominee.
“Daily Battles” from Motherless Brooklyn (Warner Bros.). Written by Thom Yorke. This would be the first Oscar nom for Yorke, a founding member of Radiohead.
“A Glass of Soju” from Parasite (Neon). Written by Jung Jaeil & Choi Woo Shik. This nomination for this rock ballad was considered a surprise.
“(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again” from Rocketman (Paramount). Written by Elton John & Bernie Taupin. This song was nominated for a Golden Globe. This would be John’s fourth nomination in this category; Taupin’s first.
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“High Above the Water” from Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am (Magnolia Pictures). Written by Kathryn Bostic. This nomination was considered a mild surprise.
“I Can’t Let You Throw Yourself Away” from Toy Story 4 (Disney/Pixar). Written by Randy Newman. Newman has been nominated 12 times in this category, winning twice.
“Glasgow (No Place Like Home)” from Wild Rose (Neon). Written by Caitlyn Smith, Mary Steenburgen & Kate York. The versatile Steenburgen won a 1980 Oscar for best supporting actress for her role in Melvin and Howard.
