Who will claim Oscar for song?

The Academy Awards nominations were announced earlier this week.

The big rumble throughout the industry is the snubbing of "Dreamgirls" for best picture, although the film received the most nominations — including three for original song ("Listen," "Love You I Do" and "Patience," all of which had Henry Krieger taking part in writing the music).

I'm interested to see what the outcome will be when the awards are aired on Feb. 25.

Some may think it's unfair that "Dreamgirls" has songs in three of the five nomination slots, but there wasn't too much to choose from this year.

Prince's work in the animated penguin flick "Happy Feet" wasn't up to the Purple One's best. And, thankfully, director Clint Eastwood didn't commission Celine Dion or Faith Hill to belt out a love ballad for "Letters from Iwo Jima," a la "Titanic" or "Pearl Harbor."

I would personally like to see the Oscar go to Melissa Etheridge for "I Need to Wake Up" from "An Inconvenient Truth." Although it was nice to see Randy Newman get a nod for his "Cars" song "Our Town."

Speaking of Randy Newman, his cousin Thomas Newman — who is familiar for his "Lemony Snicket's Series of Unfortunate Events" soundtrack — received a nomination for "The Good German" in the original-score category.

But he's up against some stiff competition: Oscar-winning music vet Philip Glass for "Notes on a Scandal," Javier Navarrete for "Pan's Labrynth," Gustavo Santaolalla for "Babel" and Alexandre Desplat for "The Queen." (Both "The Queen" and "Babel" are also up for best picture.)

I would like to the see the Oscars choose someone totally unexpected for best original score. However, I do have a place in my soul for Glass.

While some may argue that Glass' compositions all sound somewhat alike, the truth is his music sets the tone for a movie without becoming intrusive. And his note progressions are always recognizable.

Then again, it would be great to see Thomas Newman take home the statue. He is a composer who isn't afraid to try new things and expand his style.

All the composers and songwriters nominated this year are deserving; it will be interesting to see who the Academy chooses.

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E-mail: scott@desnews.com