Boy, the “Where the Wild Things Are” items are coming fast and furious this morning. I didn’t plan it this way, I swear.
Anyway, generally around late August I begin to start compiling a list of the original song contenders. It’s generally the last category that begins to fall into place after all, so it’s folly to speculate from too far out (which is why you’re greeted with the “coming soon” note in the sidebar for seven months out of the year).
A potential nominee could be in our midst with Karen O’s “All is Love” from “Where the Wild Things Are,” which you can listen to over at MySpace. Any fan of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs is bound to enjoy this bouncing little ditty.
Meanwhile, Queen guitarist Brian May was apparently “blown away” by Adam Lambert’s original song for Roland Emmerich’s “2012.” I’m sure that combination is nails on a chalkboard for more than a few people.
Here’s May’s quote in context:
And I was privileged to hear a track that the guys have finished for Adam Lambert … a song for a forthcoming film, 2012. I have to say I was completely blown away … it’s truly sensational. In fact it’s so obviously a number one smash, any bookie would be mad to take bets on it. I am not kidding. I’m not easily moved to jelly by male vocalists … but Adam’s voice reaches out with sensitivity, depth, maturity, and awesome range and power which will make jaws drop all around the world. Its an awesome performance. No doubt about it. The world of Rock has a bright new star.
Say what you will, but given the publicity around this being Lambert’s first official track since his American Idol days, this thing could slide in there. Of course, it has everything to do with how the tune is implemented.
As we learned last year with the criminal snub of Bruce Springsteen’s “The Wrestler,” a song has to be used in the context of the overall film to register with voters, who screen small snippets of the film where the song is present. Seeing as Springsteen song plays over black for about 15 seconds until the credits begin to roll, I suppose one could see how voters would nix it. Then again, that doesn’t explain Eddie Vedder’s outright snub in 2007, but oh well.
So what contenders do we have lining up for the 2009 season?
There are a bevy of tracks from Disney’s “The Princess and the Frog,” spearheaded by Randy Newman (who could also find himself in the running for Best Original Score, come to think of it). Tunes from the film include “Down in New Orleans,” “Almost There,” “Dig a Little Deeper,” “If I’m a Human” and “I Got Friends on the Other Side,” so surely one of those will get in. Maybe more.
Elsewhere, Mariah Carey recorded the song “100 Percent” with Jermaine Dupri for the film “Precious.” Depending on how the Academy responds to the material, that could certainly be a contender. And three new songs were composed for Rob Marshall’s “Nine”: “Cinema Italiana” for Kate Hudson’s character, “Take It All” for Marion Cotillard’s and a third for actress Sophia Loren (which includes new lyrics over existing score). Perhaps they could find some room.
Additionally I’m told Jason Reitman’s “Up in the Air” could have as many as two original songs in play, both by new, unknown artists. And if you want to include Linkin Park’s “New Divide” in the mix for “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen,” be my guest. And Sinead O’Connor recorded “Only You” for “The Young Victoria,” which was recently acquired for US release by Apparition.
We know Pixar won’t be in the mix this year as “Up” is the first film from the studio since “The Incredibles” not to feature an original song. Maybe there’s something from “Fame” that I’m unaware of. But the well runs dry for me here. What am I missing? “Hannah Montana?” Please no?
Comments
25 responses to “New tune contenders from ‘2012,’ ‘Wild Things’ — what else?”
Eh… I dig the Yeah Yeah Yeahs but that Karen O song was a little too cutesy for my taste. L-O… V-E… Is A… Mystery. Really? Meanwhile, Kris, when you gonna take a cue from me and swap Wild Things in for Bright Star. That shit ain’t gonna fly. I know you’ve seen it and didn’t care much for it. I can tell just from that B-trailer. No interest cept for seeing Schneids.
Hannah Montana!!!
Seriously, it wouldn’t surprise me.
Just added, a mention that Up in the Air may have two songs in play.
And I suppose we should mention Hannah Montana to be, you know, completists.
Im sure Where the Wild things are will get one song in there, Brian Eno for The Lovely Bones, Princess and the frog is a near guarantee, while The Climb by Miley Cyrus is a frontrunner, sorry kris
There are no songs in The Lovely Bones, I’m told.
Actually Nine has three new songs (Cinema Italiana is the Kate Hudson one, and Take It All is a new one for Marion Cotillard) though one takes a section of just score and adds lyrics for Sophia Loren.
Oh? Thanks for the update, andrew. Been trying to track that down.
Didn’t Bono record something for “Brothers”?
God, I detest Adam Lambert. I would much rather see Miley Cyrus perform than have to see that narcissistic wannabe at the Oscars.
As for the Karen O. song, I think I was expecting more but god if it isn’t infectious.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I was led to believe that there was a distinct possibilty of the Academy Award for Best Original Song being nixed altogether.
“The Young Victoria” has an original song performed by Sinead O’Connor.
Hamer: Possibly. If no more than two songs hit the required score to qualify as a nominee.
D.P.D.: Oh? What’s it called? And thanks.
Oh, there we go. Quick search yields something called “Only You.”
…and it’s pretty bad…but another contender for the list, nevertheless!
Yeah, the Sinead O’Connor song is awful. And I’m a fan of hers.
Hasn’t Jarvis Cocker written some songs for “Fantastic Mr. Fox?”
“All is Love” is kind of trippy (kind of has a Go! Team vibe to it), but I like it… though I am biased and love almost anything associated with Karen O and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs (actually seeing them next month @ Radio City Music Hall–WOOT!).
Since you are including bad movies too, I think “obsessed” has an original song that starts playing before the end credits. Also, didn’t Ed Helms say on Conan that WB asked him to enter his song from the Hangover for consideration?
Haha, that’d be great, RE: The Hangover.
Mr F, the song that plays at the end of “Obsessed” is “Smash Into You”, which appeared on Beyonce’s most recent album. So not original.
Doesn’t Mary J Blige have two contenders this year also? There was word that she did a song for “Precious”, plus she has “I Can Do Bad All By Myself” from the Tyler Perry film of the same name. The clip below seems to imply that Blige performs in the film and not just over the credits.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roQxH9LH800
“All is Love” sounds great. I’m sure with the movie in context it will become even sweeter!
what about “Dove of Peace” from Brüno? :))
Bandslam has a couple or original songs Kris…
Pretty good movie actually, surprisingly. Bad marketing strategy, but if you see it, I’m sure you’ll be pleased…
Up does have an original song. Its called ‘The Spirit Of Adventure’ and is featured on the film’s soundtrack album.
http://www.amazon.com/Up/dp/B002A4ZN1A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dmusic&qid=1251250815&sr=8-1
Its track 23 and I think its quite a good song.
There are no plans to push that for an Oscar, from what I’ve heard. It’s a simple ditty, more background music than anything else.
Leona Lewis has recorden a song on Avatar’s sound track with music from the composer of Titanic.