In 2025, the landscape of cinematic music has been particularly rich with compositions that transcend simple background accompaniment, instead serving as crucial elements in character development and narrative progression. This year's Academy Award contenders for Best Original Song underscore this trend, showcasing how expertly crafted musical pieces can profoundly deepen the audience's connection to a film's story and its inhabitants. These nominated songs are not merely beautiful melodies; they are woven into the fabric of the films, amplifying emotional depth and thematic resonance in significant ways.
Stephen Schwartz, a celebrated lyricist and composer, contributed two notable original songs to "Wicked: For Good," which is an extended adaptation of the beloved stage production. While last year's "Wicked" feature did not introduce new music, the expanded runtime of the sequel presented a unique opportunity to enrich the story through fresh musical numbers. Schwartz emphasized that this elongation allowed for the cinematic depiction of events previously alluded to or occurring offstage in the theatrical version, thereby giving the new songs a pivotal role in bringing these unspoken or unseen moments to life.
One of these new additions, "The Girl in the Bubble," performed by Ariana Grande, marks a turning point for the character Glinda. Schwartz explained that this song is pivotal as Glinda confronts her reluctance to engage with life's harsh realities and the implications of her complicity in the actions of those around her. It is a moment of profound introspection where Glinda re-evaluates her identity and resolves to initiate change. The second song, "No Place Like Home," powerfully delivered by Cynthia Erivo, sets the stage for the film's climax. This track illuminates Elphaba's immense self-sacrifice to safeguard Oz, allowing the audience to grasp the depth of her affection for her homeland, even when that affection was not reciprocated. Schwartz noted the complexity involved in conveying intricate emotions through music, revealing that Elphaba's song underwent numerous revisions to achieve its multi-layered emotional impact.
In a contrasting yet equally impactful scenario, director Spike Lee discovered Aiyana-Lee, an emerging British-born singer-songwriter based in Los Angeles, via Instagram for his film "Highest 2 Lowest." Lee sought a fresh, authentic voice to portray a struggling musician auditioning for Denzel Washington's character, a record executive. Aiyana-Lee penned nearly a dozen songs before finding the perfect fit, a process she described as intensely collaborative with Lee, who encouraged her to infuse her personal experiences into the lyrics. The chosen song encapsulates King David's journey of rediscovering his original passion for music, embodying true artistry that he had long neglected. The song's raw and authentic nature resonated deeply with Aiyana-Lee, making it a profound artistic expression.
Diane Warren, a veteran songwriter with 16 Oscar nominations and an honorary Oscar, contributed "Dear Me" to the documentary "Relentless." This film chronicles her unwavering dedication to songwriting. Warren's deeply personal song reflects on her challenging childhood and serves as a letter of encouragement to her younger self, conveying a message of hope and resilience. Despite its personal origins, Warren believes it is her most universally resonant composition, eliciting significant emotional responses from listeners. These diverse musical contributions collectively underscore the critical role of songs in shaping cinematic narratives and enriching the audience's engagement with the characters and their journeys.