Think Juno is the only interesting musical plot to follow at Sunday’s Academy Awards? Well, as bizarre as it is to think the best picture of the year could feature music from The Moldy Peaches, a few other stories of interest exist. The major one is which song will take home the little gold statue for best original song in a film. This year’s field looks a little Magic Kingdom-slanted, as three songs from the surprisingly-decent Disney movie Enchanted square off against an Irish flick all the indie kids yapped about and something with Robin Williams. Time to handicap the field.

From the film Once, “Falling Slowly”

A very simple song compared to the usual over-the-top Broadwayesque fare the Academy nominates, this song from the much-adored music film Once seems like the hipster choice to win the award (if hipsters supported anything present at the Academy Awards). The tune relies only on acoustic guitar and piano, with some sappy lyrics, to craft a surprisingly sweet but also sort of mushy folk love song. Honestly, this song wouldn’t sound to out of place in the playlist on some soft-rock “lovey dovey” station, but it would be one of the more enjoyable tracks. A little lame (a boat metaphor? Seriously?) but still more heartfelt than most movie tunes, and the simple arrangement sounds pretty.
Odds: Solid enough, may be a little too loved by people to have a chance though.

From the film August Rush, “Raise it Up”

I totally didn’t know this film featured funny Jumanji man Robin Williams until about four months after it came out. I also never bothered to see this film, as it looked like crap (see the revelation about Robin Williams). Still, the song “Raise it Up” somehow made it into this category, so I had to take a listen. Unsurprisingly, this song sucks just as much as I think the movie it is featured in does. Very boring gospel focusing on voices and hand claps. Maybe if this tune had a little more percussion and pomp it could work, but right now sounds lifeless and unexciting. I’ve heard Kanye beats nabbed from ancient church songs better than this thing.
Odds: A movie nobody liked with a really lame song. Knowing the Oscars, this probably has a great shot.

From the film Enchanted, “Happy Working Song”

And now we hit the Disney songs. First up, “Happy Working Song,” this year’s honorary “novelty” entry in the category. I just can’t see a silly song about putting away socks and scrubbing a toilet winning, even if it’s funny and sounds good. But then again, Three Six Mafia went into the awards ceremony the joke choice two years ago, and left with the Oscar. Stranger things have happened.
Odds: Slim. The Academy has fun sometimes, but this Disney-fun song may be too much fun for them.

From the film Enchanted, “So Close”

Ahhhhh, more like so gross. Of all of Enchanted’s good songs, this piece of emotional slop gets the nod. Have you ever seen those infomercials where Rod Stewart covers classic standards? This song sounds like that commercial, but if someone even more annoying than Rod Stewart did it. Usually, Phil Collins or Randy Newman create bland ballads like this for Mickey and co., but I guess they found someone else for this anti-gem. The lamest and most uninteresting entry in this race.
Odds: Decent, since the Academy digs the trash Randy Newman usually serves them around this time.

From the film Enchanted, “That’s How You Know”

I’m stunned this song exists in the same film as “So Close,” because, as much of my cred it sucks away, this song rocks. OK, now that I’ve lost all cool points, lets talk about how sweet this song is. Like a good musical number, the song overloads itself with various sounds, cramming mariachi horns, wedding bells and European instruments (I don’t even know what that is) into a four-minute long showtune. The ultimate weapon in the song’s arsenal is the reggae influences, especially the steel drums, which make “That’s How You Know” even more upbeat than it already is (it also makes the steel drum fun again, after The Knife turned the instrument into a tool of terror). Overall, no other song sounds as joyous as this one, and that’s why I’m saying it should take home the hardware.
Odds: Pretty good, but may be a bit much for the Oscar.