With Original Song, the precursors are mostly strange. The added impact of the Grammy attention for one of the nominees may muddy the waters, so we only have the SCL to genuinely see what the industry in Hollywood might be thinking.

Best Original Song

Winner Predictions

The Fire Inside – Flamin’ Hot
I’m Just Ken – Barbie PP
It Never Went Away – American Symphony
Wahzhazhe (A Song for My People) – Killers of the Flower Moon
What Was I Made For? – Barbie WLTL

Runner-Up Predictions

I’m Just Ken – Barbie WLTL
What Was I Made For? – Barbie PP

(color and symbol key at bottom of page)

Wesley Lovell: The most challenging decision of this year’s Oscars is which Barbie song goes home with the Oscar. There are factors that favor both. “I’m Just Ken” is a dance spectacle that is very catchy. “What Was I Made For?” is a haunting ballad that gets to the heart of the film itself. Those who work in music writing songs or singing favor “What Was I Made For?” as evidenced by its win at the Grammys for Song of the Year, not just Original Song from a film/TV production, and its win at the Society of Composers & Lyricists. Anyone who’s ever listened to the musical cues knows that it has an instantly emotional feeling to it. “I’m Just Ken,” however, has the preponderance of precursors. It is rare in recent years for ballads to win, most voters prefer excitement over anything else. I’m tempted to give this to “I’m Just Ken,” but the Grammy win might have bolstered “What Was I Made For?” enough to help it win. It’s a tight contest with “What Was I Made For?” probably eking out a victory.
Pete Patrick: It will definitely be one of the Barbie songs, but which one? I have a hunch it will be the catchier “I’m Just Ken”, but it could be either.
Thomas La Tourrette: The two songs from Barbie have been the most talked about of the nominees and one of them surely will win. On merit, I might say that Jon Batiste’s “It Never Went Away” from the documentary about him might be the best song, but I do not think it stands a chance of winning. “Wahzhazhe” and “The Fire Inside” will have to be content with their nominations. “I’m Just Ken” was a fun number and fit well into Barbie, but Billie Eilish and Phineas O’Connell should receive their second Oscar in three years for the wistful “What Was I Made For?”

KEY: