From pen to paper to film, five standout original songs are now on their way to the Oscars.
The competition for best original song is as fierce as it is diverse in 2024, with ballads from the glitzy pink world of feminist dolls going head to head with music from films about Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, the Osage Nation Native American tribe and Jon Batiste’s harrowing love story with Suleika Jaouad.
All five of the nominated tracks will be performed live at the ceremony, which airs Sunday (March 10) on ABC. Billie Eilish will sing “What Was I Made For?” from the Barbie soundtrack with her brother/producer Finneas on the Dolby Theatre stage, while the Greta Gerwig film’s executive soundtrack producer Mark Ronson and Ryan Gosling will deliver what’s sure to be a Ken-ergetic showcase of “I’m Just Ken,” alongside co-writer Andrew Wyatt. “What Was I Made For?” recently took home best original song at the 2024 Golden Globes, while “Ken” won in the same category at this year’s Critic’s Choice Awards.
Also in the running are Flamin’ Hot song “The Fire Inside,” written by Diane Warren and performed by Becky G; Scott George’s “Wahzhazhe (A Song for My People)” from Killers of the Flower Moon, performed by the Osage Singers; and Batiste‘s “It Never Went Away” from his documentary American Symphony, co-written with Dan Wilson.
Beyond the best original song buzz, this year’s Oscars will feature appearances from Ariana Grande, Bad Bunny, Melissa McCarthy, Emily Blunt, Cynthia Erivo, America Ferrera, Sally Field, Ben Kingsley, Issa Rae and more. And while it’s up to the Academy which candidates receive honors, here, you get to decide.
Vote for who you think should win best original song at the 2024 Oscars below.
