Radio LBB: Best Original Song Nominations and Predictions for the Oscars 2023
As the Oscars are fast approaching, the team at A-MNEMONIC share their list of predictions and picks for Best Original Song.
Listen to the playlist here, and read more about Rob Dunham's predictions below!
Giveon – ‘Time’ (Amsterdam)
A timeless and simple song from Giveon. Although I do have to admit, it does sound a little like ‘My Way’. 6/10
The Weeknd – ‘Nothing Is Lost (You Give Me Strength)’ (Avatar: The Way of Water)
The voice of perfection we’re used to from The Weeknd. On its own as a song, I’m not sure it’s something I’d listen to or even recall. I imagine as part of the film it makes more sense. 6/10
Rihanna – ‘Lift Me Up’ (Black Panther: Wakanda Forever)
Yes, Rihanna is back, her first song in 6 years. It’s not what I’d have expected as her comeback. A simple ballad with minimal instrumentation. 6/10
Son Lux, Mitski, and David Byrne – ‘This Is A Life’ (Everything Everywhere All at Once)
I’m not sure what to think of this track. I imagine in the context of the film it makes more sense, but unfortunately, it didn’t really do anything for me. 3/10
Gregory Mann – ‘Ciao Papa’ (Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio)
I’m not a huge fan of songs with kids singing, kind of brings me out in hives, sorry not a fan! 2/10
Rita Wilson – ‘Til You’re Home’ (A Man Called Otto)
This one’s a bit sappy for me, it’s not terrible, just a little cheesy. A simple duet, and gets a bit better towards the end, maybe not ground-breaking, like I said, not terrible! 5/10
Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava – ‘Naatu Naatu’ (RRR)
OK, if you hadn’t already fallen asleep from the previous six songs, then this song will DEFINITELY wake you up! It’s a lively upbeat song, really uplifting, and completely mad. Love it. 10/10
Selena Gomez – ‘My Mind & Me’ (Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me)
A heartfelt ballad, with great vocals. I don’t know anything about this film, but I imagine it helps bring a lot of emotion to the visuals. 7/10
Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell – ‘Good Afternoon’ (Spirited)
Hang on… Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell singing? Yep, you heard that right. A song from their 2022 Christmas musical. Fun, and definitely a song from a musical, but I had to turn it off half the way through. 4.5/10
Sofia Carlson and Diane Warren – ‘Applause’ (Tell It Like a Woman)
Another nomination, another ballad. Meh. 5/10
Jazmine Sullivan – ‘Stand Up’ (Till)
Sounds like a track from the ’90s, feel like I’ve heard it all before. Didn’t really do much for me. 4/10
Lady Gaga – ‘Hold My Hand’ (Top Gun: Maverick)
Another belter from Lady Gaga, I like it, not massively different than some of her other songs, but a really very good song. Definite goosebumps with this one. 9/10
Norah Jones and J. Ralph – ‘Dust & Ash’ (The Voice of Dust and Ash)
I struggled to find this track on Spotify, so you can listen to it here.
Quite a simple yet chilling track with dark lyrics. A great performance from both artists. 7.5/10
Taylor Swift – ‘Carolina’ (Where the Crawdads Sing)
Not being a Taylor Swift fan, I didn’t have any expectations about this song. However, I quite liked it. It has great vocals and good storytelling lyrics. A bit like a Lana Del Ray song to be fair, not a style I’ve heard her sing before but really works. 8/10
LCD Soundsystem – ‘New Body Rhumba‘ from (White Noise)
I’ve heard this track a lot and really like it. I had no idea it was from a film. An upbeat song with an infectious rhythm and melody. 9/10
My prediction for the best original song would be…..
Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava – ‘Naatu Naatu’ from the film RRR.
Find out on Monday 12th March 2023!
