by Chris Feil
Chris here, with your weekly dose of movie music. If this year's list of Oscar nominated songs doesn't help relieve the widely stated concerns for the category, I'm not sure what will. Not only do you have a batch of memorable tunes you would have actually heard, but they also fulfill the branch's aim of being narratively resonant as well. Throw in some popular artists and rousing emotion and it might actually make for a less disposable part of the ceremony this year...
Isn't it a bit surprising (some might say relieving) to not see an unexpected documentary contender among the finalists? While the branch is recently averse to end credits tracks, we get two this year with Mudbound and Marshall. But the category also sees notable previous winners and one long overdue nominee:
"Mighty River" from Mudbound
Music and Lyrics by Mary J. Blige, Rapaael Saadiq, and Taura Stinson
The first of the lineup's end credits songs puts caps Mudbound's study of the racial divide with an ear towards healing. If the sentiment is less complicated than the film's layered and complex examination, the song's clarity through idealism does help guide the audience with what to do with all of the pain the film provides. The biggest congrats here goes to Blige on her double nomination, a first for actor and songwriter in the same year for one film. One wonders if carryover goodwill could help "Mighty River"'s chances.
"Mystery of Love" from Call Me By Your Name
Music and Lyrics by Sufjan Stevens
The only nominee that has been covered here on Soundtracking, and one of the biggest question marks for the category before the announcement. The songwriting branch likes their rock artists to be more mainstream household names, but there are some alternative artists that have broken through: Karen O., Björk, Aimee Mann, Elliott Smith. "Mystery..." occurs in the film during the love story's romantic peak, but I'd still argue it's Sufjan's closer "Visions of Gideon" that remains more potent and thematically synced. Is Sufjan happy to be here or does he benefit from being this category's only Best Picture player?
"Remember Me" from Coco
Music and Lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez
It is strange that this was the only eligible track of Coco's many delightful songs but its power can't be denied. The way the song's meaning evolves over each time it pops back into the narrative shows the Lopezes precise emotional insight into the film's story, but also cements their place in the Disney songwriter pantheon. It's everything the category claims to want in their nominees and everything that makes the audience leave the theatre humming its melody. And should be landing the husband-wife duo their second Oscar after their Frozen win a few years ago.
"Stand Up for Something" from Marshall
Music by Diane Warren, Lyrics by Lonnie R. Lynn and Diane Warren
Another closing credits number, this time from previous winner Common (billed as Lynn) and perennial loser Diane Warren. This is the latter's ninth nomination, but will her untrophied status be made enough of a story to push the song to a win? A safer guarantee is firework vocals from powerhouse Andra Day on the ceremony, and hers is the best vocal among this lineup. We may have forgotten Marshall but I'd bank on her delivering one of the night's memorable moments. Especially against the less convincing bombast of:
"This is Me" from The Greatest Showman
Music and Lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul
Last year's La La Land winners Pasek and Paul are on an unstoppable trophy tour, after winning the Tony for Dear Evan Hansen and likely triumphing here as well. But last year "City of Stars" was an understated and simple bit of introspection, particularly compared to the cataclysmic sound of this apocalyptic self-love anthem. The song holds a gun of self-empowerment to your head and by god you are going to feel better about yourself. Rewarding an original (and financially successful) musical will be easy for voters, however.
Should/Could Win: "Remember Me"
Will Win: "This is Me"
The Best Musical Moments of 2017 | All Soundtracking installments can be found here!