Singin’ on the Screen: A Look at Best Song
Posted on February 20, 2009, 11:36 pm, by admin, under
Best Original Song.
Two songs from Slumdog Millionaire are going up against Peter Gabriel’s “Down
to Earth” from Wall-E for Best Song. Will the Academy be singing “Jai Ho!”
at the Oscars? Or will the Slumdog songs cancel each other out? Our
music experts Adam Spunberg and Catherine Rice offer their critique.
By Adam Spunberg and Catherine Rice
ADAM: There’s a lot of buzz surrounding the nominees this year, thanks to the
global popularity of Slumdog Millionaire and its epic portrayal of Indian
society. Many see “Jai Ho,” Slumdog’s
closing song, as an omnipotent entry. I find it hard to contain my
excitement while listening to such a vibrant, fast-paced extravaganza.
Do you think it’s as wonderful as people are making it out to be?
CATHERINE: The piece incorporates a number of musical and lyrical
elements. The minor refrain that opens the song comes back after the
main theme, slightly altered and in major, which elicits a kind of
nostalgia that gives the piece its poignant quality. The percussive
underlying beat provides rhythmic unity and excitement. Lastly, the
utilization of both Hindi and Spanish makes it internationally
appealing. It is indeed as wonderful as people make it out to be.
ADAM: While Jai Ho is considered the predominant nominee from Slumdog
Millionaire,
Danny Boyle’s film will have to compete against itself. In previous
years, movies with more than one nominee have canceled each other out.
The prime example of this was Enchanted last year, which was blessed with three
nominations, yet lost to the sensational “Falling Slowly” from Once. Slumdog’s
second nominee is “O Saya,”
a more visceral effort that seems to hang more on the movie’s turbulent
episodes than on its euphoric ending. Do you think “O Saya” will take
away votes from “Jai Ho,” and is it of similar quality?
CATHERINE: I agree that there is definitely a more visceral quality
to the piece, which is highlighted by heavy repetition and the stark
contrast between the men’s and women’s voices in the middle of the
song. There are also interesting interjections of screeching tires and
yells that are reminiscent of a strenuous urban atmosphere. I think it
comes down to whether the committee is in a dark, somewhat downtrodden
mood or if they gravitate towards the optimistic feel of “Jai Ho.”
ADAM: You make an excellent point about the mood of the Academy
voters. I tend to think the majority will favor “Jai Ho” because of its
uplifting aftertaste, but will there be enough votes to hold off Peter
Gabriel’s eco-friendly “Down to Earth” from WALL-E?
“Down to Earth” is a more traditional candidate, although I find
something incredibly original about its metallic background rhythms and
benevolent message. Captured within the song is the very essence of the
film: that good-natured robots can remind us of what makes us
spectacularly human. Did you feel any of that, and should “Down to
Earth” be taken seriously as a challenger to “Jai Ho?”
CATHERINE: Unfortunately I think the metallic background rhythms are
the only thing that’s original about this song. The harmonies are
conventional even to the unseasoned listener, and Peter Gabriel’s husky
voice is simply too American when juxtaposed with either of Slumdog’s
comparatively exotic sounds. Of course the song itself wonderfully
compliments the message of the movie that you pointed out, but the
wholly charming and happy quality that the song exhibits pales in
comparison to “Jai Ho’s” compilation of multiple sentiments and
emotions.
ADAM: If your opinion is any indication, “Jai Ho” should take home
the Oscar with relative ease. As a connoisseur of ballet and modern
dance, are you looking forward to the choreographies for “Jai Ho” and
“O Saya?” Surely, this will be like nothing Hollywood has ever seen
before. This year’s Oscars could evolve into one overdramatized bhangra.
CATHERINE: A bhangra number could be one more way for “Jai Ho” and
“O Saya” to gain advantages over “Down to Earth.” If this is indeed the
case, it will take audience members everything they’ve got to not get
up and dance along.
ADAM: Who knows…maybe even the notorious “seat fillers” will jump up
and shake around. It should be a highly intriguing category at an
Oscars where America finds itself unabashedly outsourced. Personally, I
can’t wait!
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