Robbie Williams has responded to the Oscars’ decision to remove his song “Forbidden Road” from the shortlist for Best Original Song, expressing a laid-back attitude towards the situation. The song was disqualified because it incorporates elements from an existing track that wasn’t originally created for his upcoming biopic, “Better Man.” The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences enforces strict rules for this category, which stipulate that all nominated songs must be fully original compositions.
While speaking to a reporter from Deadline on the Golden Globes red carpet, Williams acknowledged the rules with grace, stating, “Listen, the rules is the rules, and you have to go by them.” He humorously noted, “And, it would have been nice — but also, as an introvert, it’s another party I don’t have to go to.” His lighthearted perspective continued as he mentioned, “I went through it, I’m on the other side, it’s all good.”
The Academy’s decision to disqualify “Forbidden Road” was linked to its similarities with “I Got a Name,” a classic 1973 song by Jim Croce. Although this disqualification prevents the song from Oscar contention, it still secured a nomination for Best Original Song at the Golden Globes, although it ultimately lost to Emilia Pérez’s “El Mal.”
“Better Man,” which features a unique twist by using a CGI-animated chimpanzee to portray Williams, had a limited theatrical release during the Christmas season, with a wider release set for January 17, 2025.
This situation highlights the often-demanding nature of creative eligibility in prestigious awards and underscores the importance of original content in film scoring. It also reflects Williams’ resilience and positive outlook in the face of industry challenges, a reminder that creativity can take many forms and can still find success even when navigating through the complexities of the industry.