“Train Dreams” is my top pick among the five 2026 Oscar-nominated songs, with “Golden” close behind—and “Golden” won the Oscar. This is a subjective ranking, not the Academy’s: I weigh how well each song works on its own, how it fits its film, and how memorable its musical and lyrical choices are. The Academy confirms the nominees, credits and winner; those preferences are mine.
How the ranking works
The Academy’s Music (Original Song) category recognizes songs written for films. Its record confirms five nominees from five films, but it does not rank them by quality. The ordering below is an editorial judgment, using the same lenses for every entry: standalone impact, connection to the film’s world, distinctiveness of melody and performance, and lyrical effectiveness. The Academy’s 98th Oscars ceremony record lists the official titles and writers.
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The five nominees, ranked
1. “Train Dreams” — Train Dreams
Nick Cave and Bryce Dessner wrote the music, and Cave wrote the lyrics. This is my first choice because the song’s title and film connection make it feel bound to the story rather than interchangeable with another soundtrack cut. It also rewards a focused listen: its appeal rests on the partnership between Cave’s writing and Dessner’s music, not on a novelty hook alone. That makes it the entry I would most readily return to outside the film.
2. “Golden” — KPop Demon Hunters
“Golden” won the Oscar, and it earns its place near the top of this list on its own terms: it has a clear identity as a song associated with a pop-centered animated film. Its credited writers are EJAE, Mark Sonnenblick, Joong Gyu Kwak, Yu Han Lee, Hee Dong Nam, Jeong Hoon Seo and Teddy Park. The win establishes the Academy’s choice, not a requirement that every listener place it first; in this ranking, its strength is its immediate, self-contained appeal.
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3. “I Lied To You” — Sinners
Raphael Saadiq and Ludwig Goransson wrote both the music and lyrics. The title places a confession at the center of the song, giving it a direct dramatic premise that suits a film song: even without summarizing the film, the words point toward tension and consequence. It lands third because its pull is strongest when considered as part of a story-world, rather than as the most instantly distinctive standalone listen in this group.
4. “Dear Me” — Diane Warren: Relentless
Diane Warren wrote the music and lyrics. The direct address in the title gives the song an intimate frame, as if the speaker is addressing another version of themself. That clarity is its advantage: the premise is easy to grasp immediately. In this ranking, it sits below the first three because the other entries make a stronger combined impression as film-linked and standalone songs.
Rank #2
5. “Sweet Dreams Of Joy” — Viva Verdi!
Nicholas Pike wrote the music and lyrics. The title suggests an expansive, hopeful mood, and its connection to a documentary gives it a distinct context among the nominees. It closes this particular list not because the Academy placed it last—it did not rank the nominees—but because, by the criteria used here, it makes a less forceful overall impression than the four songs above it.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Official result and nominee context
The Academy named the five nominees on January 22, 2026, and “Golden” won the Music (Original Song) Oscar at the 98th ceremony. Earlier in the process, the Academy reported 65 eligible songs and 15 songs on its shortlist. Those counts describe successive selection stages, not the final nominee total or any measure of song quality. The Academy says members from each of its 19 branches vote to determine nominees in their respective categories. See its shortlist announcement and nominations announcement.
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Where to listen
ABC’s 2026 nominee guide links to listening options for all five songs. Streaming services and individual tracks may not be available in every region, so check the destination shown in the guide where you live. Apple Music also lists Train Dreams (Soundtrack from the Netflix Film), a 27-song digital album released November 7, 2025, by Netflix Music, LLC; that catalog listing establishes a streaming album, not a CD or vinyl edition. Apple Music album listing.
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