Awards season is in full swing as we hurtle towards the end of 2017, preparing for the upcoming Golden Globes, Oscars, and, Grammys. While Game of Thrones is not exactly eligible for Oscar consideration, we know that HBO intends to submit Kit Harington and Emilia Clarke for lead acting nominations at the upcoming Golden Globes. Although we have no further word on other submittals, good news has begun to role in for GoT season 7, in its first of what we hope are many major award nominations. Not only that, but with the announcement of the 2018 Grammy Nominations, GoT can officially count itself a Grammy nominee!
Ramin Djawadi, who has been the sole composer of the iconic Game of Thrones score since day 1, is long overdue for a nomination, with the incredible work he’s done…but better late than never! Shockingly, Djawadi has only even been nominated for one Emmy, when in 2014 he was recognized for his work on season 4. It is truly a shame that the GoT theme, seemingly one of the most well-recognized theme songs in all of pop culture of the last 7 years (perhaps all time?) is no longer eligible. There are many excellent selections from the season 7 score, among which my favorites include ‘Dragonstone,’ ‘The Queen’s Justice,’ and ‘Ironborn.’
The full category title is: Best Score Soundtrack For Visual Media, which translates to:
“(Award to Composer(s) for an original score created specifically for, or as a companion to, a current legitimate motion picture, television show or series, video games or other visual media.)”
And with this, season 7 faces some tough competition, being the sole representative of the small screen going against three Oscar nominated movies, and an upcoming Oscar hopeful. Scores frequently make or break a movie for me, and I happen to have seen every other nominee in this category: Dunkirk (Hans Zimmer), La La Land (Justin Hurwitz), Arrival (Jóhann Jóhannsson), and Hidden Figures (Benjamin Wallfisch, Pharrell Williams & Hans Zimmer). All have exceptional scores befitting their film, and Djawadi faces some stiff competition from some pretty recognizable names. Zimmer, of The Dark Knight, Inception, and Pirates of the Caribbean fame (among many others) is nominated for two, and Hurwitz won the Oscar for La La Land earlier this year. Keep your fingers crossed for Game of Thrones!!!
Can’t get enough of [potential Grammy winner!] Ramin Djawadi? That’s what we’re here for. You can check WOTW’s own Petra’s excellent video essay on Djawadi’s use of leitmotifs, an episode of HBO’s Inside Game of Thrones devoted to Djawadi’s musical creation and evolutionary process, or you can hopefully check him out on tour at the 2nd Game of Thrones Live Concert Experience if you are lucky enough to be able to attend!
What’s your favorite selection from the season 7 score? How do you stack season 7 up against the other nominees? Let us know in the comments below!
Fingers crossed for a win! I’m honestly surprised they haven’t been nominated every year. I’d expect a win, too, but a nomination just seems like a must. The music is always amazing. I still get chills when I listen to Goodbye Brother and Home, my two favourite songs from the show. I also love I Dreamt I Was Old.
About bloody time. Ramin Djawadi’s music is one of the reasons I love the programme so much, seeing him next year and can’t wait. Good luck to him, fingers crossed 👍
Good luck to Ramin! The dude deserves a lot more award nominations than he’s gotten, and definitely some wins as well. “Light of the Seven” for example was certainly worthy of more than just a sole award nomination (IFMCA).
Hard to believe this is the show’s first nom for its world famous score, and richly deserved!
Well deserved!!
I didn’t know that was a Grammy category!
Maybe it will jar things for other Emmy nominations, it truly passes beyond understanding as to why Ramin has not been nominated for each season.
He may get a shot at a nom for Westworld .
I completely see why Ramin was nominated this year. “Truth” is absolutely haunting, not to mention paired with the climax (ahem) of the finale. Good luck to him!
What the hell took so long? Why hasn’t he been nominated more?
HE BETTER FOOKIN WIN.
Hope he wins!
Good luck Ramin Djawadi!
And I’m looking forward to shear your music live next year in Belgium!
Go Ramin!! Hope he wins, but he faces tough competition.
My own favourite track from season 7 is ‘Winter is Here’ and ‘Truth’ a close second. When the show begins King’s Landing is this hot and heavy place, but now the snow is falling, the streets are empty, getting dark and people lighting fires to get warm. With this scene you really getting the sense that the story is coming to its end.
One of my favourite scenes from season 7. Also like that it’s really quiet, not one word is uttered and they let the visuals and music speak for itself.
Wait what?
This is first time? Season 2 and 3 are amazing. All are great, but what the f?
My favourite: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hz_FihBoqho
Just the moment when you where nothing. Just a girl in wildling army and a boy in black. Yet one will die and one will do great things..
NK,
Thanks NK that was lovely on a cold winter night 😢
Carole Hurst,
Carole, you beat me to it: “About bloody time.” indeed! He’s deserved this for years, and last year’s ST is one of my favourites (and I collect soundtracks), with Light of the Seven as an instant classic. This year IMO ‘Truth’ is the standout, along with Home, No One walks Away from Me, and the lovely version of the title music they play when snow falls on KL.
About time! Congratulations 🙂
I can’t believe he’s received so few nominations. Fucking brilliant work. I consider myself very lucky to have seen the Concert Experience (with Wolf Pup #2), and will try to see it again!!!
Wonderful news – congratulations Ramin! Fingers, toes and eyes crossed!!!
Ramin has deserved this for a long time. Season 6 had such a mind-blowing soundtrack and I was so disappointed that it didn’t secure a nomination at least!