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"Big Eyes" is a song by American singer and songwriter Lana Del Rey. It was written by Del Rey and producer Dan Heath and served as the title track to Tim Burton's film Big Eyes. It was officially released on December 23, 2014 via digital download by Interscope Records as part of the movie's soundtrack album. The song's lyrics make reference to the lead character's emotions as she discovers her paintings being sold in a supermarket in the middle of the film.

The song was nominated for Best Original Song at the 72nd Golden Globe Awards. On December 13, the song was shortlisted as one of 79 potential nominees for the Academy Awards for Best Original Song, but failed to earn a nomination.

Background and composition

Del Rey wrote and performed two songs for Big Eyes. The title track is heard during the film, while "I Can Fly" plays over the end credits. According to Larry Karaszewski, one of the film's producers, "Tim showed her the film and she fell in love with it. Women in particular seem to get the movie, and Lana really got the movie. The whole thing is about a woman who can't find her voice. Lana's song expresses what Margaret is feeling so perfectly, it's like a soliloquy of her inner thoughts."

Consequence of Sound said both "Big Eyes" and "I Can Fly" "begin life as minimalist piano ballads before exploding into lush orchestral overtures, with Del Rey’s achy croon providing layer upon layer of heartache and melancholy."

Promotion

A teaser lyric video for "Big Eyes" featuring Amy Adams, who stars in the film, was released on December 1, 2014. The official audio was uploaded on Del Rey's Vevo account on December 19, 2014, reaching over 14.5 million views as of December 4, 2020.

The Weinstein Company, the film studio behind Big Eyes, decided to submit the song to the Academy Award for Best Original Song.

Reception

Billboard's Chris Payne wrote that Del Rey's "vocal theatrics and some harrowingly haunting string-laden production draw us in". Esther Zuckerman of Entertainment Weekly said the title track "delivers on its Del Rey-ian promise with a dramatic, retro flair".

Accolades

"Big Eyes" was shortlisted for the Academy Award for Best Original Song on December 13, 2014, with final nominees announced on January 15, 2015, failing to earn a nomination. On December 11, 2014, the song was nominated for Best Original Song at the 72nd Golden Globe Awards. On December 15, 2014, it received a nomination for Best Song at the 20th Critics' Choice Awards, which took place on January 15, 2015.

References

1. ^ "2015 GOLDEN GLOBE NOMINATIONS". 11 December 2014. Archived from the original on December 12, 2014. Retrieved 11 December 2014.
2. ^ "Academy selects 79 eligible songs". December 12, 2014. Archived from the original on December 28, 2014. Retrieved January 3, 2015.
3. ^ Payne, Chris (December 3, 2014). "Lana Del Rey Shares 'Big Eyes' & 'I Can Fly' From New Tim Burton Film". Billboard. Retrieved December 6, 2014.
4. ^ Ryan, Patrick (November 19, 2014). "Lana Del Rey pens two new songs for 'Big Eyes'". USA Today. Retrieved December 6, 2014.
5. ^ Nelson, Jeff (December 3, 2014). "Amy Adams Stars in the Lyric Video for Lana Del Rey's New Song 'Big Eyes'". People. Retrieved December 6, 2014.
6. ^ "Lana Del Rey Reportedly Has Two New Tracks in Tim Burton's 'Big Eyes'". Spin. November 18, 2014. Retrieved December 6, 2014.
7. Coplan, Chris (December 3, 2014). "Lana Del Rey premieres two new songs "Big Eyes" and "I Can Fly" — listen". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved December 6, 2014.
8. "Lana Del Rey - Big Eyes (Official Audio)". YouTube. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
9. Zuckerman, Esther (December 1, 2014). "Listen to Lana Del Rey's title song for 'Big Eyes'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved December 6, 2014.
10. "Oscars 2015: nominations in full". Retrieved January 23, 2015.
11. ""BIRDMAN" LEADS THE 20th ANNUAL CRITICS' CHOICE MOVE AWARDS NOMINATIONS WITH THIRTEEN". Archived from the original on August 8, 2016. Retrieved January 3, 2015.

• 2010s ballads
• 2014 songs
• Lana Del Rey songs
• Pop ballads
• Songs written for films
• Songs written by Lana Del Rey