When comparing the nominees’ streams and fee income, one song is clearly ahead.
The nominees for this year’s Oscars could already be viewed in January 2024. Now a study has been published showing which candidate in the “Best Original Song” category is likely to take home the award in 2024. This forecast was made based on factors such as Spotify streams and royalty income. The winning songs from the past ten years were also analyzed.
“What Was I Made For” is the frontrunner
The “Barbie” song “What Was I Made For?” by Billie Eilish and Finneas is the song with the most royalties – i.e. the creators’ income. With over 633 million streams, the song has brought in an estimated $2.5 million (around three million euros) so far. The song has already recouped 1.75 percent of the film’s production costs, which are said to have been 145 million US dollars (around 133 million euros).
Ranking of the nominated songs:
- “What Was I Made For” (“Barbie”) – approx. 633 million streams – approx. 2.5 million. US Dollar Royalties
- “I’m Just Ken” (“Barbie”) – approximately 105 million streams – approximately $420,000 in royalties
- “The Fire Inside” (“Flamin Hot”) – approximately one million streams – approximately $4,700 in royalties
- “It Never Went Away” (“American Symphony”) – approximately 690,000 streams – approximately $2,700 in royalties
- “Wahzhazhe (A Song for My People)” (“Killers Of The Flower Moon”) – approximately 79,000 streams – approximately $318 in royalties
The most successful winning song of the past ten years
When comparing the winners of the last ten years in the “Best Original Song” category, one track clearly stands out. The hit “Shallow” by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper from the film “A Star Is Born” has around 2.3 billion streams and around 9.3 million US dollars (around 8.5 million euros) in revenue, making it the absolute leader . The play also earned 25.88 percent of the film’s budget with its royalties. This was 36 million US dollars (around 33 million euros).