Billie Eilish, Finneas, and composer Ludwig Göransson were honored at the recent SCL Awards event, bringing them one step closer to potential Oscar wins. The ceremony took place at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles, where Eilish & Finneas received the outstanding original song award for “What Was I Made For?” from the movie Barbie. On the other hand, Göransson was recognized for outstanding original score for Oppenheimer. These accolades position them as strong contenders for Oscars in the best original song and best original score categories on March 10.
The event was hosted by Siedah Garrett, presented by The Society of Composers and Lyricists, showcasing the collaboration and talent within the music industry.
Renowned director Martin Scorsese was acknowledged with the Spirit of Collaboration Award for his partnership with the late composer Robbie Robertson. A performance of “Between Trains,” written by Robertson for Scorsese’s film The King of Comedy, paid tribute to their enduring collaboration spanning various projects like The Last Waltz, Raging Bull, Shutter Island, The Wolf of Wall Street, The Irishman, and Killers of the Flower Moon, posthumously nominated for an Oscar this year.
Previous recipients of the Spirit of Collaboration Award include notable pairs like Thomas Newman & Sam Mendes, Terence Blanchard & Spike Lee, Carter Burwell & the Coen Brothers, and Justin Hurwitz & Damien Chazelle.
The award for outstanding original song in a drama or documentary was presented to Olivia Rodrigo and Dan Nigro for their work on “Can’t Catch Me Now” from The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Despite being shortlisted for an Oscar, the song did not secure a nomination.
Siedah Garrett, a well-established songwriter and SCL member, has a prolific career highlighted by collaborations with Quincy Jones and contributions to Michael Jackson’s Bad album. With a musical adaptation of The Color Purple on the horizon, Garrett continues to make a lasting impact in the music industry.
The Society of Composers and Lyricists, boasting nearly 4,000 members, serves as a prominent organization for composers and songwriters in the film, television, video game, and musical theater realms.
Looking ahead, the 2024 SCL Awards nominees are already raising anticipation within the industry, as exemplified by the outstanding original score category for studio films, with Ludwig Göransson emerging as the winner for Oppenheimer. The event continues to honor and celebrate excellence in music composition and songwriting across various genres and platforms.