The 82nd Annual Academy Awards airs tonight. Five songs were nominated for Best Original Song, but none of the artists will perform on the program — perhaps because this year’s nominees are a bit underwhelming. Which song will win? Although Randy Newman penned two of the five songs, my guess is “The Weary Kind” by Ryan Bingham from Crazy Heart. I have not seen the film, but I think this is the strongest of the five nominated songs. Here’s a taste:
Your body aches…
Playing your guitar and sweating out the hate
The days and the nights all feel the sameWhiskey has been a thorn in your side
and it doesn’t forget
the highway that calls for your heart insideAnd this ain’t no place for the weary kind
And this ain’t no place to lose your mind
And this ain’t no place to fall behind
Pick up your crazy heart and give it one more try
Here are the full lyrics, the song, a live performance by Bingham, and another by Jeff Bridges.
UPDATE: And a winner it is.