The2025 Oscarsdidn’t include live performances of the year’s Best Original Song nominees, but this particular feature of the ceremony is almost certain to make its return next year. This isn’t the first year the Oscars have cut out the Best Original Song performances, nor will it likely be the last. Time was instead given tothe Oscars’ James Bond tribute, as well as Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande’s tribute toThe Wizard of Oz’s musical history.
Rounding out the2025 Oscars’ musical guestswas Queen Latifah, who performed “Ease on Down the Road” fromThe Wizas tribute to Quincy Jones. Andhost Conan O’Brien’s time-wasting monologue song brought the show to a tally of eight song performances in total. Not all of the 2025 Oscars’ musical performances were equally well received, but the real issue for some was the absence of Best Original Song nominees. Strong contenders such as winner “El Mal” fromEmilia Pérez, Diane Warren’s “The Journey,” and Elton John’s “Never Too Late” all failed to receive hands-on recognition.
The Oscars 2025 Cutting The Live Best Original Song Performances Sparked Controversy
It Wasn’t Entirely Clear Why They Needed To Make Room For James Bond
Aside from the nominees themselves, the biggest critics of the decision not to feature performances of the Best Original Song nominees at the 2025 Oscars were The Society of Composers and Lyricists. The Society, which includes multiple Academy members in its ranks, wrote a letter republished byGold Derbyreferring to the exclusion of the Best Original Song nominees as “a devaluation of music, and its creators.”The ceremony did include clips of each of the nominees and their composers, but very little of the songs themselves were featured in each video.
“El Mal” (winner)
“Like a Bird”
Elton John, Brandi Carlile
Elton John, Brandi Carlile, Bernie Taupin, Andrew Watt
Legendary songwriter Diane Warren, who received her sixteenth Oscar nomination forThe Six Triple Eight’s “The Journey,” noted thatthe Academy has mishandled its Best Original Song nominees before. Warren specifically called out the 2021 pre-show performances, which were not strongly advertised nor broadcast to non-American audiences. On a night full ofrecord-breaking Oscar speeches(that some viewers felt overstayed their welcome) and complaints about theOscars’ In Memoriam omissions(which are a yearly issue), the Best Song exclusions weren’t necessarily the biggest controversy of the night. But there’s one particular complaint that makes them particularly noteworthy.
The Musical Performances At The Oscars 2025 Didn’t Fully Deliver
While Conan O’Brien’s joke song during the2025 Oscars' opening monologuereceived a fair number of laughs and struck many fans as an extension of the comedic style Conan established in his talk show career, the rest of the night’s musical performances received much more mixed reviews. A number of viewers specifically complained about Queen Latifah’s performance of “Ease on Down the Road,” feelingthere were better song choices for honoring Quincy Jones’ legacywhile this particular selection made poor use of Latifah’s vocal strength.
“Over the Rainbow”
“Live and Let Die”
Live and Let Die
“Ease on Down the Road”
Diana Ross, Michael Jackson
The Wiz
Perhapsmost complaints about the Oscars’ musical performances were focused on the James Bond tribute.Many already felt that the2025 Oscars’ James Bond tributewas entirely unnecessary, given the film series wasn’t celebrating any particular milestones aside from a move to Amazon. And as reported byVariety, Doja Cat and Raye both admitted to underperforming in their covers of Shirley Bassey’s “Diamonds Are Forever” and Adele’s “Skyfall.” Lisa’s take on Paul McCartney’s “Live and Let Die” was meanwhile competent yet ultimately unremarkable. But the night’s other three performances are what hint most strongly at Best Original Song’s 2026 return.
The 2026 Oscars Are Sure To Bring Back Live Musical Performances For Best Original Song Thanks To Wicked 2
Wicked’s Highly Anticipated Sequel Makes It Nearly Impossible To Cut The Performances Again
The 2025 Oscars got off to a strong start with a triple feature beginning with Ariana Grande’s powerful performance of “Over the Rainbow” fromThe Wizard of Ozand ending with Cynthia Erivo reprisingWicked’s “Defying Gravity.” Aside from a few moments in which Erivo felt like she was struggling to hear her own voice over the orchestra, the performances were generally received well. More importantly, their placement at the very start of the ceremony illustrates just how muchthe Academy clearly wantedWicked’s stars to be featured, despite the movie receiving no Best Original Song nominations.
Wicked’s Oscars Losses Make It 2025’s Version Of This $1.4Bn Awards Disappointment From Last Year
The 2025 Oscars saw Wicked nominated for many awards, but its lack of wins saw it become this year’s version of a highly successful 2023 movie.
Although the Academy couldn’t likely have worked its tributes toWickedand 007 into the2025 Oscarswithout cutting the Best Original Song performances, that shouldn’t be an issue in 2026. Upcoming sequelWicked: For Goodis set to feature two original songsfor both Erivo and Grande, and it’s probable that one or both will serve as Oscar bait. Since it would be awkward to feature any Best Original Song candidate while ignoring its competition, this should mark a return to form as the 2026 Oscars once again feature live performances of the nominated songs in their full glory.
