Among the contenders in this year’s original song race are two on opposite ends of multiple spectrums. One is an intimate empowerment ballad from a Tyler Perry historical drama on Netflix. The other is the equivalent of an “I want” song (more like an “I will” song) from a Disney animated sequel.
One is the latest contender by a 15-time nominee and honorary Oscar recipient who has been in the business for more than 40 years, sung by a recent Oscar winner herself. The other is the first big-screen work by a pair of 20-something prodigies who made a splash with the equivalent of unauthorized musical fan fiction — which won them a Grammy. Here, the songs “The Journey” and “Beyond.
” “The Journey” “ The Journey ” feels different. It’s an empowerment anthem, sure, and Diane Warren has crafted many of those. But this one moves unexpectedly yet assuredly from major to minor in flowing modulations that convey the unsure terrain faced by women of color who wanted to serve their country in World War II.
(Tyler Perry’s film “The Six Triple Eight” concerns the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion and stars Kerry Washington and Oprah Winfrey.) “All the times they thought that they could hold you back / But you’ve always known there was no chance of that / You’re made / Too strong ,” sings H.E.
R., in a glorious vocal on the track she produced and performs. “I feel this is not only one of the best songs, if not the best song, I’ve written f.