There weren't that many films with good original songs this year (basically there was Begin Again and then everything else), but the songs that did I decide upon I rather like. Have a listen to my five Best Original Song nominees after the cut:
(Gregg Alexander, Danielle Brisebois,
Nick Lashley, Nick Southwood)
Though
written by Knightley's character as a love song, it poetically
foreshadows the relationship's ultimate bittersweet fate. “Don't
you dare let our best memories bring you sorrow, Yesterday I saw a
lion kiss a deer, Turn the page - maybe we'll find a brand new
ending, Where we're dancing in our tears...”
“A
Step You Can't Take Back” from Begin Again
(Gregg Alexander,
Danielle Brisebois, John Carney)
Sure,
the visual gimmick that accompanies it feels a little chintzy, but
the song itself is a wonderful intro to Knightley's character,
niftily summing up all her emotional baggage well before we learn
what it is. “Taken all the punches you could take, Took 'em all
right on the chin, Now the camel's back is breakin', Again, again...”
“For
the Dancing and the Dreaming” from How to Train Your Dragon 2
(Jonsi Birgisson, John Powell, Shane MacGowan)
This
romantic little moment between Stoick and his beloved Valka is a
lovely interlude, but also carries a twinge of melancholy for all
those years lost. It even gets a gorgeous instrumental treatment to
underscore a subsequent scene on a far more sorrowful note. “I'd
gladly ride the waves of life if you will marry me...”
“Glory”
from Selma
(John Legend, Common, Rhymefest)
Selma's
glorious rallying cry for the movement it depicts is pointedly summed
up by this truth-spewing anthem: “Now we right the wrongs of
history, No one can win the war individually, It takes the wisdom of
the elders and young people's energy, Welcome to the story we call
victory, Comin' of the Lord my eyes have seen the glory...”
“Song of the Sea” from Song of the Sea (Nolwenn Leroy, Bruno Coulais, Kíla)
With mesmerizing Celtic melody
and orchestrations, this hypnotic lullaby becomes the main theme for
the entire musical score. The lyrics are also, in their own subtle
way, evoking the film's subtext about transitioning through grief:
“Between the here, between the now... Neither quiet nor calm,
searching for love again...”
Just missed:
"Coming Up Roses" from Begin Again (Glen Hansard, Danielle Brisebois)
"Like A Fool" from Begin Again (John Carney)
"Where No One Goes" from How to Train Your Dragon 2 (John Powell, Jonsi)
"Everything is Awesome" from The LEGO Movie (Shawn Patterson et.al.)
"We Will Not Go" from Virunga (J. Ralph)
