Glenn here looking to the stars (and elsewhere) for hints on this year's higher profile than usual Original Song category. Ever since the fall out over Alone Yet Not Alone, Oscar's original song category has become far more competitive than I had originally imagined. I think we all figured "Let It Go" from Frozen would take it in a walk, no? But as more and more people come out of the woodwork in support of the other nominees, I'm wondering if that's quite the case anymore so I figure the best way to sort it out is to use arbitrary means of deduction.
What snow, Billboard charts, science, and Amy Poehler backrubs say about the race after the jump...
"Let It Go": Does the Academy have as much fondness for instant karaoke classics and diva-perfect coming out anthems? Hailing from the third highest grossing film of the year (Despicable Me 2 is number 4), and performed by Broadway superstar Idina Menzel, could "Let It Go" suffer from winter fatigue? Everyone over here in New York City has braced a rather long and, yes, frozen winter that just keeps going and going. In fact, Mother Nature is sending her (perhaps misguided) support for the film by ushering in another snow storm Sunday night which means Oscar viewing parties are on high alert. If "Let It Go" loses it will likely be too cold and windy outside for riots and looting throughout Chelsea. We'll riot to the refrigerator and grab another bottle of wine, instead.
"Happy": I don't really 'get' American music charts. Songs seem to hang around for, quite literally, an age. Don't people get sick of them and find new music to latch onto? And I know this has to do with the way Billboard charts are compiled using a mix of sales, radio plays and YouTube views, but it sounds all rather ridiculous. I was equally confused when Pharell's Oscar-nominated "Happy" from Despicable Me 2 reached the Billboard Hot 100 peak at number 1 some five months after the film opened. What were people doing that whole time exactly? $365mil of ticket sales is, I would think, a lot of instant iTunes purchases. Either way, that's a mighty achievement and one that not too many Oscar nominated songs achieve these days (the first since Eminem's "Lose Yourself") and as Nathaniel suggests...
If "Happy" wins the Oscar will it be the first song to win WHILE it was #1 on the Hot 100? (even "My Heart Will Go On" didnt do that)
— Nathaniel Rogers (@nathanielr) February 28, 2014
"Ordinary Love": I noticed on twitter the other day somebody bemoaning that the Academy will give the Oscar to U2 just because they're U-freakin'-2. Obviously that person hadn't boned up on their Oscar history, because U2 have already lost out at the Oscars. And to Eminem to less. However, do the Oscar people know more than they suggest? They say nobody knows the winners in advance, but it seems like an awfully weak excuse to bring the late South African leader's family all the way over to Hollywood just to watch the band perform. U2 did win the Golden Globe for "Ordinary Love", but then again they also won the Golden Globe for the equally dire "The Hands That Build America". Too bad Amy Poehler isn't an Academy members since I doubt Bono and co. will be getting a vote from Cate Blanchett.
"Moon Song": The next full moon isn't until March 16, but scientists did just create a geologic map of Jupiter's moon, Ganymede. Furthermore, Google's director of engineering predicted just last week that an OS like Samantha (voiced by Scarlett Johansson) is entirely likely by 2029. Will Karen O's "Moon Song" be the "I've Had The Time Of My Life" for future generations OS relationships?
Ultimately, I think like Elsa, the cold will not bother the voters and they will (rightly?) give the statue to Frozen's defiant outcast anthem. Any last minute whims or hunches, dear readers?
P.S. Don't forget to vote on the Beauty vs. Beast Frozen poll