Hailee Steinfeld’s “Sinners” from “The Bad Seed” Not Eligible for Original Song Oscar Category

October 30, 2025

‘Sinners’ Soundtrack Strategy: Warner Bros. Focuses on Two songs for Oscar Glory

Los Angeles, CA – Warner Bros. Pictures has revealed its plans to submit two original songs from the critically acclaimed film Sinners for consideration in the Best Original Song category at the upcoming Academy Awards. The selections, announced last week, signal a calculated awards campaign for the Ryan Coogler-directed thriller, starring Hailee Steinfeld and Miles Caton. The film,released in April,has garnered widespread praise for its performances,cinematography,and score.

Strategic Song Choices

The studio will champion “I Lied to You,” a collaboration between raphael Sadiq and Ludwig Göransson, and “Last Time (I Seen the Sun),” penned by Alice Smith alongside Göransson and breakout star Miles Caton. This decision appears to be a purposeful effort to maximize the impact of their submissions, acknowledging the Academy’s rules regarding the number of songs per film.

“I Lied to You” is featured during a pivotal and visually stunning sequence in the film – dubbed a “barnburner” by insiders – that represents a turning point in the narrative.Meanwhile, “last Time (I Seen the Sun)” acts as a powerful emotional anchor during the closing credits, offering a further opportunity for Caton to receive recognition. Currently, Caton is ranked ninth in Gold Derby’s predictions for Best Supporting Actor nominations.

Academy Rules and Campaign Considerations

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences allows a maximum of three original songs per film to be submitted for Oscar consideration. Warner Bros.’s choice to submit only two suggests a strategy to avoid diluting votes between multiple entries. According to the Academy’s official guidelines, songs must feature a clearly audible and intelligible rendition of both lyrics and melody within the film or during the start of the end credits.

This criterion excluded other tracks from the Sinners soundtrack, such as “Hazardous,” co-written and performed by Hailee Steinfeld. However, it left the door open for potential consideration of songs like “Pale, Pale Moon” or “Travelin’,” performed by Caton within the film’s narrative.

the Broader Awards Landscape

While the focus remains on the Oscars, the Sinners soundtrack still has opportunities for recognition at other awards ceremonies, including the grammy Awards in their visual media categories. The success of a film’s soundtrack can significantly boost its overall awards profile, and Warner Bros. is clearly aiming for a extensive campaign.

Song Title	Writers	Placement in Film
I Lied to You	Raphael Sadiq, ludwig Göransson	Key sequence (“Barnburner”)
Last Time (I Seen the Sun)	Alice Smith, Miles caton, Ludwig Göransson	End Credits

The Rising Importance of Soundtracks in Awards Season

Original songs have become increasingly influential in awards campaigns. A well-crafted soundtrack can elevate a film’s emotional impact and resonate with audiences long after the credits roll. The success of films like “Encanto” and “A Star is Born” demonstrates the power of music in attracting voters and building momentum toward major awards.

Did You Know? The number of original songs submitted for Oscar consideration has increased in recent years, reflecting a renewed emphasis on musical storytelling in cinema.

Frequently Asked Questions about ‘Sinners’ Oscar Campaign

• what songs from ‘Sinners’ are being submitted for an Oscar? Warner Bros. is submitting “I Lied to You” and “Last Time (I Seen the Sun”).
• Why weren’t more songs submitted? The studio likely chose to focus on two strong contenders to avoid splitting votes.
• What are the Academy’s rules regarding original song submissions? The Academy allows up to three songs per film, and songs must be clearly audible within the film.
• Could ‘Sinners’ still win awards for other songs? Yes, songs like “Dangerous” remain eligible for consideration at awards shows like the Grammys.
• How does Miles Caton factor into the awards buzz? Caton is a key performer in “Last Time (I Seen the Sun)” and is also being considered for a Best Supporting Actor nomination.

What are your thoughts on Warner Bros.’s song selections? Do you believe they’ve chosen the most impactful tracks to represent Sinners at the Oscars? Share your opinions in the comments below!

Why does the Academy differentiate between songs *written for* a project and songs *used in* a project?

Hailee Steinfeld’s “Sinners” From “The Bad Seed” – Why It’s Ineligible for the Original Song Oscar

The buzz around Hailee Steinfeld’s “Sinners,” a standout track from the soundtrack of the Netflix series The Bad Seed, has been notable. Tho, despite its popularity and critical acclaim, the song won’t be vying for an Oscar in the Original Song category. This article breaks down the reasons behind this decision, exploring the Academy’s rules regarding eligibility and the specific circumstances surrounding “Sinners.” We’ll cover everything from pre-existing material to the nuances of soundtrack submissions for the Academy Awards.

Understanding Oscar Eligibility for Original Songs

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has very specific guidelines for what qualifies as an “Original Song.” These rules are designed to ensure fairness and recognise genuinely new musical compositions created for a film or series.Key criteria include:

* Originality: The song must be demonstrably original, meaning it hasn’t been previously released or publicly performed.

* composition for the Motion Picture: The song must be specifically written and incorporated into the film or series’ narrative.

* Commercial Availability: The song generally needs to be commercially available (released for sale or streaming) within the qualifying timeframe.

* Significant Contribution: The song should demonstrably contribute to the film or series’ storytelling.

Failure to meet even one of these criteria can disqualify a song from consideration. The rules are updated periodically, so staying current is crucial for filmmakers and music supervisors.

The “Sinners” Situation: Pre-Existing Material & Release Date

The core reason “Sinners” is ineligible stems from the fact that it wasn’t originally created for The Bad seed. While the song was prominently featured in the series and gained significant traction because of its inclusion, it was initially released as a standalone single in July 2023, several months before the series premiered in August 2023.

This pre-existing release immediately disqualifies it under the Academy’s rules for Original Song. The Academy differentiates between songs written for a project and songs used in a project. “Sinners” falls firmly into the latter category.

Timeline Breakdown: Key dates

Here’s a speedy look at the relevant dates:

1. July 2023: Hailee Steinfeld releases “Sinners” as a single.
2. August 2023: the Bad Seed premieres on Netflix, featuring “Sinners” prominently.
3. October 2025: Oscar eligibility rules are applied, rendering “Sinners” ineligible for the original Song category.

This timeline is critical to understanding the disqualification. The song’s prior release is the determining factor.

The Difference Between “Original Song” and “Original Score”

It’s important to distinguish between the “Original Song” and “Original Score” categories.

* Original Song: Recognizes individual, standalone songs written specifically for a film or series.

* Original Score: Honors the entire musical composition created for a film or series, encompassing instrumental music and frequently enough including songs that are original to the project.

The Bad Seed’s musical score, composed by [Insert Composer Name if known], is eligible for consideration in the Original Score category. This highlights that the series’ music as a whole still has a chance at Oscar recognition, even if “Sinners” doesn’t qualify.

Case Studies: Other Songs Disqualified for Similar reasons

“Sinners” isn’t the first song to face Oscar ineligibility due to pre-existing release. Several high-profile examples exist:

* “Happy” by Pharrell Williams ( Despicable Me 2): Initially deemed ineligible due to its prior release, it was later allowed to compete after a successful appeal arguing its use in the film substantially altered its context. This case demonstrates the Academy’s willingness to review decisions, but also the high bar for overturning a disqualification.

* Various songs from A star is Born (2018): Some songs faced scrutiny regarding their originality and timing of release,requiring careful documentation to prove their eligibility.

These examples illustrate the importance of meticulous planning and adherence to the academy’s rules throughout the filmmaking and music production process.

What This Means for Future Soundtrack Submissions

The “Sinners” situation offers valuable lessons for filmmakers,music supervisors,and artists:

* Prioritize Original Composition: If an Oscar nomination is a goal,prioritize commissioning original songs specifically for the project.

* Strategic Release Timing: Carefully plan the release schedule of any music associated with a film or series. Avoid releasing songs as singles before the project’s premiere.

* Thorough Documentation: Maintain detailed records of the songwriting and production process, including dates, drafts, and intended use within the film or series.

* Consult with Academy Experts: consider consulting with individuals familiar with the Academy’s rules to ensure compliance.

Resources for Oscar Eligibility Facts

* Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Official Rules: https://www.oscars.org/rules (Replace with actual link)

* Variety’s Oscar predictions: [https://variety.com/oscars/](https://variety.