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.
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.
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.
“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.
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