Best Oscar Song?

👋 Remember when Lady Gaga’s "Shallow" felt inescapable? That's the power of an Oscar-winning song. This Sunday, we'll find out which nominee joins the pantheon of earworms that have been following us around since "Over the Rainbow" first took flight in 1939.

Read time: 3 minutes | 510 words

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• 🔮 Will Tate McRae score her first No. 1 Album? "So Close to What" challenges Billboard 200 next week.

• 📱 Drake and PARTYNEXTDOOR's "$ome $exy $ongs 4 U" breaks Apple Music record for biggest R&B album (but why cancel the tour?).

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• 🎤 Remember when Tom Cruise crushed The Weeknd's "Can't Feel My Face" as the undisputed Song of Summer? (Flawless spin at 1:19.)

FEATURE

🎵 Oscars 2025: The Battle for Best Original Song

The Academy's musical battleground has transformed dramatically over nine decades, evolving from studio songwriters to global musical talents.

1. 2025's Musical Gladiators

As the 97th Academy Awards approaches on March 2, the Original Song category presents fierce competition. "El Mal" from Emilia Pérez enters with momentum after Golden Globe and Critics Choice victories. The film secured dual nominations with "Mi Camino" also recognized, while dominating Oscar nominations with 13 nods (here’s all of the nominees).

Elton John's "Never Too Late" represents the establishment, as he returns after his 2020 victory. Meanwhile, Diane Warren makes her remarkable 16th attempt at Oscar gold with "The Journey" from The Six Triple Eight.

2. Nine Decades of Evolution

When "The Continental" claimed the inaugural award in 1934, Best Original Song primarily showcased studio compositions for musicals. The category transformed when "Over the Rainbow" transcended its origins to become a cultural touchstone in 1939.

By the 1980s, nominated songs drove massive commercial success. Disney dominated with Alan Menken and Howard Ashman's revolutionary work transforming animated features into musical powerhouses between 1989-1994.

The 21st century brought unprecedented diversity. Eminem's "Lose Yourself" shattered boundaries in 2003 as the first hip-hop winner. The global expansion continued when "Naatu Naatu" made history in 2023 as the first song from an Indian production to claim the prize.

SONG OF THE WEEK (SONGS YOU CAN SKIP)

📀 Drake and PARTYNEXTDOOR | ⭐ 2.1/5

“Gimme a Hug” and “Die Trying” are the highest rated songs on Drake’s new album, $ome $exy $ongs 4 U, but overall here’s what the boards are saying…

• aly._: “Couldn’t sleep tonight, glad this happened.”

• woahcam: “This was a chore to get through…”

• ntingram: “This is Anti-Canadian Propaganda.”

• swimming.in.circles: “Sounds like something two high schoolers made.”

Disagree or want to read more? Leave your review right here.

Songs to clear your palate:

• AG Club’s “Mary” | This one makes you want to fall in love.

• Allen Haley’s “Taken Back” | This is your new obsession.

• The Beatles “Don’t Let Me Down” | Remastered for you.

MEME