Above Image via Billboard Magazine

Awards season is here! The Golden Globes kick things off January 7th, 2024 on CBS. It’s usually more entertaining than other award shows because the nominees and presenters drink during the show. Anyway, the best song category is stacked: Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa, Ryan Gosling, Jack Black, Bruce Springsteen, and Lenny Kravitz. Here’s a rundown of each song, along with who should win, and who will actually win!

Dua Lipa “Dance The Night”

This is by far the most uplifting song of the category. Dua Lipa made a huge hit with this incredible dance pop track. It was a radio staple, and it’s nominated for song of the year at the Grammys. The dance scene was one of the coolest moments in Barbie. “Do you guys ever think about dying,” Margot Robbie says. The music stops. Classic movie moment. During any other year it would have a strong chance to win. Dua has been on an incredible ride as of late, releasing her single “Houdini.” Barbie has all the momentum, with nine Golden Globe noms. It would be great to see this win but chances are it won’t take down the other songs nominated from this movie.

Bruce Springsteen “Addicted to Romance”

Bruce Springsteen has won two Golden Globes for best song: Streets of Philadelphia (1994) and The Wrestler (2009). I was excited that he got nominated, considering that I’ve loved his music since I was a teenager, the entire world ahead of me like a long highway. Of course there’s top notch lyrics. “It’s whiskey and it’s water/and it’s one last dance/ Stranger pump that jukebox with your quarters/We all deserve a second chance.” Wow! The chorus has Bruce and his wife Patti Scialfa harmonizing like they’ve always done so impressively. It’s a beautiful song, with the falsetto and strings bringing it home. The film She Came To Me didn’t catch on though. The romantic comedy starred Peter Dinklage and Anne Hathaway. It’ll be tough to beat Barbie.

Billie Eilish “What Was I Made For?”

Easily one of the biggest songs of the year. Barbie was a colossal hit, setting box office records worldwide. This song shows the depth of the movie. It felt different to hear this aching piano ballad all over radio during the summer—nothing like thinking about mortality under a sunny sky! But that’s how they wanted to convey the movie. Barbie was something totally different from what people thought. The strong point is how Billie makes the song so intimate. This could have been a lead single to her own album. It has five Grammy noms, including song and record of the year. She recently had a great SNL performance of the song with her brother Finneas. This song will take home the win.

Jack Black “Peaches”

The Super Mario Bros. Movie was a joyful hit for all ages. Jack Black played the voice of Bowser. He was the perfect choice. During the movie he breaks into a huge piano ballad. It’s really fun and catchy, showing Bowsers crazy love for Peaches. Jack Black channeled all of his rock and roll passion for this song. If it wasn’t for a stacked category, this might have a chance.

Lenny Kravitz “Road to Freedom”

The powerful song features Kravitz singing over piano and a building guitar riff. Rustin is about the gay activist Bayard Rustin, and how he helped co-organize the historic March on Washington. The compelling track has so much feeling, especially at the end, with the choir singing “We’re on the road to freedom” while Kravitz shouts “Freedom.” This could be an awesome performance at the Oscars. It’s a strong contender but the odds are against it.

Ryan Gosling “I’m Just Ken”

Here’s your upset alert! One of the most talked about moments of the year, in both film and music, happened when Ryan Gosling broke into “I’m just Ken” in Barbie. The Broadway style tune was hilarious and heartfelt, letting the audience see Ken’s perspective in the Barbie world. The song still has so much buzz. It’s rumored that he might perform it at the Oscar’s. (Back in 2017, Gosling and Emma Stone won best original song at the Golden Globe’s and Oscar’s for their performance of “City of Stars” in La La Land). SNL even did a parody of the song with Pete Davidson earlier this season. It should win. But here’s the thing—it’s up against Billie. It would only be fitting to have this surprise song win the award.