Team Experience will be discussing each Oscar category as we head into the precursors. Here's Eurocheese and Baby Clyde...
"Ciao Papa" in GUILLERMO DEL TORO'S PINOCCHIO
EUROCHEESE: Well Baby, It's Cold Outside and you know what that means - we're Falling Slowly into awards season, and it's time to name the songs seeking Glory in the City of Stars. There are a few big hits that Take My Breath Away: Rihanna's "Lift Me Up," which seems to be everywhere at the moment; Lady Gaga's "Hold My Hand" in the year's biggest hit that just won't slow down; and the standout song from Del Toro's Pinocchio, "Ciao Papa," which I expect will make the cut. Do you agree these three are solid initial nominees, or do you have High Hopes that rest elsewhere? Any Secret Love that you see near the top of your list?
BABY CLYDE: Hey Mr Cheese, I Just Called To Say I Love You. The Academy must be salivating at the prospect of this year’s nominees. Am I correct in thinking that Rihanna, Gaga, Taylor and Billie Eilish are all legit contenders in this category...
If that happens, we can forget the acting races the whole ceremony will be based around The Battle of the Big Pop Girls. Is there still time or Adele to get a song on the Babylon soundtrack?
I think you’re right about Pinocchio’s chances (I think that film is set to surprise all round) but the one song that should deffo be in the mix is ‘Love is Not Love’. Billy Eichner joining the lineup of divas would be sublime, but of course this has zero chance of happening after Bros bombed.
What else am I missing?
EUROCHEESE: It would be wild to see that pop girl slate. I'm with you on "Love is Not Love," though I agree it's not happening. Eilish might happen, but the Taylor song - does anyone remember that by now? I'm kind of mystified that OneRepublic's radio hit "I Ain't Worried" from Top Gun: Maverick is making very few predictions lists since it's insanely catchy and everyone knows it when they hear it. And can you imagine the live performance of "Naatu Naatu" from RRR if it sneaks in? What a Feeling (RIP Irene Cara) if we could see that performed live!
But I Need to Wake Up - they are likely to have some safe picks. Diane Warren is back, though they just gave her the lifetime honor. Maybe they'd skip her this year because of that recognition? There were lots of excellent ending credit songs: The Woman King, Till, Everything Everywhere... I just don't know what they'd pick.
Any of these stand out to you as likely picks for Oscar Fame? Convince me. I'm Easy.
BABY CLYDE: You clearly take far more notice of end credit songs that I do. I’m usually up and out of my seat as soon as the film finishes. Call Me Irresponsible but I’m still of the opinion that these shouldn’t be eligible.
I too am gagging for an RRR nomination. Debbie Allen could go wild with the choreography!!! There are so many options for fantastic production numbers at this year’s show. That is of course the main purpose of this award these days. So few of the songs are integral to the film that I only really approve of the category for ceremony purposes. It will be a real shame if the music branch doesn’t grab the opportunity to make a big splash.
Diane’s at it again it. You just want to say, "Is that really The Best That You Can Do (Arthur’s Theme)" until Sooner or Later they start ignoring her. Hopefully, the Honorary Award will do the trick for a while.
There are a few other big names in contention. Joe Jonas co wrote a song from Devotion, Jazmine Sullivan sings the song from Till, Harry Styles has "With You All The Time" from Don’t Worry Darling and Selena Gomes wrote a track for her documentary. We probably shouldn’t discount Pasek and Paul who apparently have an entry from the musical Christmas comedy Spirited on Apple. More fun though would be nominations for Rita Wilson who penned the song from her hubby’s new film A Man Called Otto and the Evergreen Mel Brooks wrote "At The Automat" from The Automat, a documentary about vending machines? At 96 he’d be far and away the oldest Oscar nominee ever. MAKE IT HAPPEN!!!
What else is circling In The Windmills of Your Mind?
EUROCHEESE: You could easily Lose Yourself in the all the possibilities, but here's what I see as the most likely:
- Lift Me Up (Black Panther: Wakanda Forever)
- Hold My Hand (Top Gun: Maverick)
- Ciao Papa (Pinocchio)
- Naatu Naatu (RRR)
- Nobody Like U (Turning Red)
My mind's not totally set on the last two, and I have no idea why our radio friendly hits (I Ain't Worried, Doja Cat's Vegas) aren't front and center. I'm glad you mentioned the Selena Gomez song, which is lovely, and I don't doubt that Pasek and Paul could pop in again. I also didn't mention the song from Bones and All, but it stood out to me at the time as well.
So if you have to make your call on which five are headed to the Last Dance, who makes your cut?
BABY CLYDE: Say You, Say Me. We have the exact same Top 5! Now, I’m not discounting Taylor Swift’s chances and there is a distinct possibility that Diane Warren makes the list again but these definitely seem like a strong quintet of very possible. The finalist lists are up in a couple of weeks so watch half of our choices not make the cut!
Been an absolute pleasure doing this with you Mr Cheese. We Belong Together.
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