THE MOVIES THAT MADE THE MUSIC

THR picks lyrics from each of the nominated original songs that best represent the films for which they were written

“They can’t put out what you got inside you / No way to put out that flame” “THE FIRE INSIDE” BY DIANE WARREN FLAMIN’ HOT

For Eva Longoria’s feature directorial debut, 15-time nominee Warren composed a crowd-pleasing anthem about following one’s dreams. Mexican American singer Becky G sings the track, centering on the theme of self-determination as explored in Longoria’s film about Richard Montañez, the FritoLay janitor turned marketing director who claimed to have invented Flamin’ Hot Cheetos.

“Anywhere else I’d be a 10 / Is it my destiny to live and die a life of blond fragility?” “I’M JUST KEN” BY MARK RONSON AND ANDREW WYATT • BARBIE

One of Oscar nominee Ryan Gosling’s scene-stealing moments is in the blockbuster comedy’s final act. While Margot Robbie’s Barbie suffers existential dread, Gosling’s often shirtless himbo goes to the real world and discovers the patriarchy, complicating his sense of entitlement. The comic ballad devolves into a dance battle with Simu Liu’s rival Ken once toxic masculinity comes to Barbie Land.

“Every time I see your face / The feeling’s just the same / It’s never goin’ away” “IT NEVER WENT AWAY” BY JON BATISTE AND DAN WILSON • AMERICAN SYMPHONY

Singer, songwriter and onetime bandleader Batiste crafted this tune for the Netflix documentary in which he is a subject, following his meteoric rise to fame at the same time his wife, Suleika Jaouad, faces a diagnosis of a rare form of cancer. The song is an ode to everlasting love, with Batiste reflecting on the couple’s past and their uncertain future — with a heartwarming optimism about the latter.

“Wahzhazhe no-zhin te-tha-bey [Osages, stand and be recognized]” “WAHZHAZHE (A SONG FOR MY PEOPLE)” BY SCOTT GEORGE • KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON

Songwriter George describes this tribal song — the 12th song not written in English to earn an Oscar nom — as a call to the Osage people to “stand up and celebrate what we have survived and gotten this far with the help of our Creator.” Heard just before the film’s final credits, the song is a cathartic moment after the three-plus hours of brutality inflicted upon the tribe’s members.

“Takin’ a drive, I was an ideal / Looked so alive, turns out I’m not real” “WHAT WAS I MADE FOR?” BY BILLIE EILISH AND FINNEAS O’CONNELL • BARBIE

Eilish and O’Connell scored their second Oscar noms for this bittersweet ballad inspired by the emotional awakening of Robbie’s Stereotypical Barbie when she discovers that her entire identity has been a lie. The tune scored two Grammys in January, for song of the year and best song written for visual media — a good sign that the songwriting duo will collect another Oscar in March.