Audition (The Fools Who Dream)

Damien Chazelle wrote the screenplay for La La Land in 2010.{{cite web|last1=Hipes|first1=Patrick|last2=Patten|first2=Dominic|title=Ryan Gosling & Emma Stone Circling Damien Chazelle's 'La La Land'|url=https://deadline.com/2015/04/ryan-gosling-emma-stone-damien-chazelle-la-la-land-1201409697/|access-date=August 20, 2015|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=April 14, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623033255/https://deadline.com/2015/04/ryan-gosling-emma-stone-damien-chazelle-la-la-land-1201409697/|archive-date=June 23, 2018|url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Keegan |first1=Rebecca |title=With 'La La Land,' Emma Stone and director Damien Chazelle aim to show that original musicals aren't all tapped out |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-la-la-land-emma-stone-damien-chazelle-20160907-snap-story.html |website=Los Angeles Times |access-date=October 1, 2023 |date=September 12, 2016}} His idea was "to take the old musical but ground it in real life where things don't always exactly work out",{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/la-la-land-emma-stone-924617 |title='La La Land': Emma Stone, Director Damien Chazelle Talk Bringing Back Hope in Films |first=Ariston |last=Anderson |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=August 31, 2016 |access-date=October 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180622192850/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/la-la-land-emma-stone-924617|archive-date=June 22, 2018|url-status=live}} and to salute creative people who move to Los Angeles to chase their dreams. He conceived the film's concept while he was a student at Harvard University with his classmate Justin Hurwitz.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/features/la-la-land-unrealistic-hollywood-dream-critical-acclaim-942793|title=How 'La La Land' Went From First-Screening Stumbles to Hollywood Ending|first=Rebecca|last=Ford|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=November 3, 2016|access-date=November 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623005006/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/features/la-la-land-unrealistic-hollywood-dream-critical-acclaim-942793|archive-date=June 23, 2018|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=Goldstein|first1=Meredith|title='La La Land' could have been set in Boston|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/names/2016/09/13/land-could-have-been-set-boston/4f5dyIclwCdujpRC059w6L/story.html|work=The Boston Globe|access-date=September 20, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623140753/https://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/names/2016/09/13/land-could-have-been-set-boston/4f5dyIclwCdujpRC059w6L/story.html|archive-date=June 23, 2018|url-status=live}} Chazelle said that La La Land reflects his own experiences as a filmmaker working his way up the Hollywood ladder. Chazelle was unable to produce the film for years as no studio was willing to finance an original contemporary musical with no familiar songs.{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-la-la-land-emma-stone-damien-chazelle-20160907-snap-story.html |title=With 'La La Land,' Emma Stone and director Damien Chazelle aim to show that original musicals aren't all tapped out |first=Rebecca |last=Reegan |work=Los Angeles Times |date=September 12, 2016 |access-date=October 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623005214/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-la-la-land-emma-stone-damien-chazelle-20160907-snap-story.html|archive-date=June 23, 2018|url-status=live}} Five years after Chazelle wrote the script and following the release of his critically acclaimed Whiplash (2014),{{cite web |url=https://www.yahoo.com/movies/emma-stone-on-reteaming-with-ryan-gosling-in-la-la-land-and-her-new-appreciation-of-los-angeles-120240431.html |title=Emma Stone on Reteaming With Ryan Gosling in 'La La Land' and Her New Appreciation of Los Angeles |first=Ethan |last=Alter |work=Yahoo! Movies |date=September 16, 2016 |access-date=October 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170910202822/https://www.yahoo.com/movies/emma-stone-on-reteaming-with-ryan-gosling-in-la-la-land-and-her-new-appreciation-of-los-angeles-120240431.html|archive-date=September 10, 2017|url-status=live}} Summit Entertainment and Black Label Media, along with producer Marc Platt, agreed to invest in La La Land and distribute it.{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/sep/08/damien-chazelle-la-la-land-interview-toronto-film-festival-tiff-venice-telluride |title=Damien Chazelle on La La Land: 'Los Angeles is full of people chasing dreams' |first=Nigel M |last=Smith|work=The Guardian|date=September 8, 2016 |access-date=October 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623032814/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/sep/08/damien-chazelle-la-la-land-interview-toronto-film-festival-tiff-venice-telluride|archive-date=June 23, 2018|url-status=live}}

Hurwitz described the music as an "unbelievable amount of work and an unbelievable amount of passion". When writing the film's songs and score, he focused on whether the audience would remember them after watching La La Land. Hurwitz began by writing themes for the film and characters, some of which turned into songs. He and Chazelle selected duo Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (known collectively as Pasek and Paul)—who had written the songs to the stage musical Dear Evan Hansen—as the film's lyricists after they pitched the opening lyrics to "City of Stars".{{cite web |last1=Ellwood |first1=Gregory |title=For 'La La Land's' music, it's all about the characters and themes |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/la-en-mn-1208-justin-hurwitz-20161128-story.html |website=Los Angeles Times |access-date=July 11, 2023 |date=December 8, 2016 |archive-date=January 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131153355/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/la-en-mn-1208-justin-hurwitz-20161128-story.html |url-status=live }}

{{Quote box

| quote = "For 'Audition', I wasn't really listening to anything [for inspiration]. I wasn't really trying to sound like anything. I was just composing at the piano, and for that reason, I think the song comes from a very pure place and I felt like I was really composing from a place of emotion."

| source = Justin Hurwitz, Variety{{cite web |last1=Tapley |first1=Kristopher |title='La La Land' Composer Justin Hurwitz Details the Film's Songwriting Process (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2016/film/awards/la-la-land-composer-justin-hurwitz-songs-1201849249 |website=Variety |access-date=July 4, 2023 |date=August 31, 2016 |archive-date=May 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230515133833/https://variety.com/2016/film/awards/la-la-land-composer-justin-hurwitz-songs-1201849249/ |url-status=live }}

| width = 250px

}}

"Audition (The Fools Who Dream)" was the final song Hurwitz wrote since he and Chazelle "wanted to understand what the rest of the music was in the movie before we tackled this". He started writing "Audition" in 2011, after Chazelle had finished La La Land{{'}}s script. He partially based the song on "I Will Wait for You" from the musical film The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964).{{cite web |last1=Ryan |first1=Patrick |title='La La Land': How five swoon-worthy songs came to be |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2016/12/13/la-la-land-behind-the-music-city-of-stars-justin-hurwitz-damien-chazelle/95099348 |website=USA Today |access-date=July 6, 2023 |date=December 13, 2016 |archive-date=July 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707164943/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2016/12/13/la-la-land-behind-the-music-city-of-stars-justin-hurwitz-damien-chazelle/95099348/ |url-status=live }} When La La Land was picked up in 2014, Chazelle and Hurwitz revisited a number of tracks, including "Audition". The song was composed quickly this time.{{cite web |last1=Flock |first1=Elizabeth |title=Inside 'La La Land's' 'Audition,' and what it takes to compose an Oscar-nominated song |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/arts/inside-la-la-lands-audition-takes-compose-oscar-nominated-song |website=PBS NewsHour |access-date=July 4, 2023 |language=en-us |date=January 24, 2017 |archive-date=July 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230704134207/https://www.pbs.org/newshour/arts/inside-la-la-lands-audition-takes-compose-oscar-nominated-song |url-status=live }} According to Hurwitz, this was "because it had been percolating for so long"; as a result, he related to the story and Mia's character much more, as well as "the idea of being frustrated and not being able to do what you can do, ... because of so many years of not being able to get this movie made". According to Hurwitz, Emma Stone, who portrays Mia, sounded "better in one key for the fragile opening, and another for the emotive climax", so the music team had to explore some challenging modulations.{{cite web |last1=de Vries |first1=Marius |last2=Loughrey |first2=Clarisse |title=La La Land: Here's a track-by-track breakdown of the soundtrack by the film's music director |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/la-la-land-soundtrack-oscars-2017-city-of-stars-another-day-of-sun-audition-a7571571.html |website=The Independent |access-date=July 7, 2023 |language=en |date=February 9, 2017 |archive-date=July 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707164718/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/la-la-land-soundtrack-oscars-2017-city-of-stars-another-day-of-sun-audition-a7571571.html |url-status=live }} In the film, "Audition" transitions from speech to song; Hurwitz initially wrote the spoken lines with pitches. He removed them, however, after rehearsing with Stone and Chazelle, and it became evident Mia had to "slip into song".{{cite web |last1=Hirway |first1=Hrishikesh |title=Song Exploder: The Secrets of La La Land's Pivotal Final Number |url=https://www.vulture.com/2016/12/song-exploder-inside-la-la-lands-audition.html |website=Vulture |access-date=4 July 2023 |language=en-us |date=December 21, 2016 |archive-date=4 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230704134204/https://www.vulture.com/2016/12/song-exploder-inside-la-la-lands-audition.html |url-status=live }}

File:Pasek and Paul - Benj Pasek and Justin Paul.JPG (left) and Justin Paul wrote the lyrics to "Audition"]]

Chazelle allowed Pasek and Paul to write lyrics with detailed narratives. According to Paul, "[t]here was never a push to write sort of more accessible pop-ified lyrics that were general and didn't tell stories much." Pasek was told by a musical theater professor that "a theater song you have to approach like it's a verb: It's what the action is and what's going to change"; Pasek and Paul attempted to make "Audition" as much of a "verb" as possible, as once Mia sings it, everything changes for her. They also took inspiration from a monologue Chazelle wrote for Stone.{{cite web |last1=Newman |first1=Melinda |title=Oscars: How 'La La Land' Songwriters Matched Their Music to the Film's Big Moments |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/oscars-how-la-la-land-songwriters-matched-music-films-big-moments-975839 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=July 4, 2023 |date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=July 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705234241/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/oscars-how-la-la-land-songwriters-matched-music-films-big-moments-975839/ |url-status=live }}

During pre-production, the music team worked with Stone extensively. There are no cuts in the scene; thus, it had to be perfected entirely in one shot. Multiple rehearsals were held so she could learn the song's technical points, notes, and form; the plan was for her to memorise "Audition" so well that she focus on her character's emotions when filming. The camera movement was meticulously planned by the filmmakers, who shifted sets, pulled tables out, dimmed lighting, moved the camera around 360 degrees, and pulled back. While this was happening, Stone needed to ignore it and pretend none of it was occurring.{{cite web |last1=Meslow |first1=Scott |title=How 'La La Land' Got Its Unforgettable Music |url=https://www.gq.com/story/la-la-land-music |website=GQ |access-date=July 6, 2023 |date=December 16, 2016 |archive-date=March 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210307115711/https://www.gq.com/story/la-la-land-music |url-status=live }}

Stone performed "Audition" live on set and was not lip-syncing, as the crew did not "want any sort of pre-record that was done a week earlier when she was feeling a different thing or hearing the song a different way ... [or for] her to be boxed in with tempos or pacing or phrasing or anything". Hurwitz played the piano accompaniment live, allowing her to lead the song. Because of this, he was reacting to her, and as a result, the piano was somewhat behind the singing; Hurwitz stated that this contributed to the song's melodic, authentic, and honest feeling. The scene was filmed in approximately seven takes.{{cite web |last1=Ford |first1=Rebecca |title=How 'La La Land's' Music Found Just the Right Note |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/how-la-la-lands-music-found-just-right-note-949191 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=July 6, 2023 |date=November 22, 2016 |archive-date=July 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230708085646/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/how-la-la-lands-music-found-just-right-note-949191/ |url-status=live }}

The song's orchestra includes string instruments and woodwinds. In the final recording, Randy Kerber plays the piano. Hurwitz observed that the piano interacts with the vocals in "such an intimate way and [the team] had to let [Kerber] kind of come to terms with the vocal performance and really feel it with the vocal in the way that [he] was feeling it on set with [Stone]"; he thus believed that it needed to be recorded independently from the orchestra. Writing the orchestral arrangement for "Audition" took some time. The music team spent a long time attempting to make it completely orchestral and eliminate the piano entirely; it took a while to calibrate the orchestra in such a way that it could enter gently and grow in a expansive way without overwhelming Stone's vocals.

In La La Land, "Audition" is a song sung by Mia about what it means to be someone who seeks a career in the arts. It takes place after a long absence of musical numbers, signifying how the film is "back in old-musical Heaven".{{cite web |last1=Gleiberman |first1=Owen |title=A Second Look at 'La La Land': Why It's Not Just Good, But Great |url=https://variety.com/2017/film/columns/la-la-land-emma-stone-ryan-gosling-1201950715 |website=Variety |access-date=July 11, 2023 |date=January 1, 2017 |archive-date=September 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929003600/https://variety.com/2017/film/columns/la-la-land-emma-stone-ryan-gosling-1201950715/ |url-status=live }} Occurring during the third act, it forms the film's climax, in which Mia, an aspiring actress, attends an audition for a role in an upcoming film that will be "built around" her.{{cite magazine |last1=Brody |first1=Richard |title=The Empty Exertions of "La La Land" |url=https://www.newyorker.com/culture/richard-brody/the-empty-exertions-of-la-la-land |magazine=The New Yorker |access-date=July 11, 2023 |date=December 8, 2016 |archive-date=June 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602151916/https://www.newyorker.com/culture/richard-brody/the-empty-exertions-of-la-la-land |url-status=live }} During the audition, she is asked simply to tell a story.{{cite web |last1=Russian |first1=Ale |title=La La Land Director Damien Chazelle Talks Biggest Scenes |url=https://people.com/movies/damien-chazelle-reveals-which-la-la-land-scene-almost-didnt-happen-and-more-behind-the-scenes-secrets-from-the-oscar-frontrunner |website=People |access-date=July 6, 2023 |language=en |date=February 16, 2017 |archive-date=June 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230606072853/https://people.com/movies/damien-chazelle-reveals-which-la-la-land-scene-almost-didnt-happen-and-more-behind-the-scenes-secrets-from-the-oscar-frontrunner/ |url-status=live }} In response, she sings about how her aunt, a failed actress, inspired her to chase her dreams. Though "Audition" focuses on Mia's aunt, it has an overall theme about dreamers and how actors, though they appear somewhat insane, are essential to the world. The latter concept is combined with the film's emotions of love and loss. The scene has no cuts, and consists of a still and simple medium shot with a single spotlight and blue tone. The camera slowly zooms in on Mia's face as she sings.

"Audition" is a "sweeping, romantically orchestrated" emotional ballad with "a difficult rangy melody". The song begins in the key of F major and changes to A major. It later shifts to E major and back to A major. Stone's notes span over one octave, with a low of G₃ and high of B₄.{{cite web |title=Audition (The Fools Who Dream) |url=https://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0170420 |website=Musicnotes | date=15 December 2016 |access-date=July 11, 2023 |archive-date=February 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220219200249/https://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0170420 |url-status=live }} During the song, the word she changes to we, which Hurwitz said represented the overall shape of "Audition". According to Salon.com, over the course of "Audition", Stone gradually allows her voice to grow stronger and transition from vulnerability to pride.{{cite web |last1=Kramer |first1=Gary |title=Gotta dance: Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone live up to hype in Damien Chazelle's "La La Land" |url=https://www.salon.com/2016/12/14/gotta-dance-ryan-gosling-and-emma-stone-manage-to-live-up-to-the-hype-in-damien-chazelles-la-la-land |website=Salon.com |access-date=July 8, 2023 |language=en |date=December 15, 2016 |archive-date=July 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230708144706/https://www.salon.com/2016/12/14/gotta-dance-ryan-gosling-and-emma-stone-manage-to-live-up-to-the-hype-in-damien-chazelles-la-la-land/ |url-status=live }}

The song begins softly, with Stone singing as if she is about to cry and is struggling to speak.{{cite web |last1=Macdonald |first1=Moira |title='La La Land' review: Get lost in this dreamy musical |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-la-land-review-get-lost-in-this-dreamy-musical |website=The Seattle Times |access-date=July 7, 2023 |date=December 13, 2016 |archive-date=July 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230708085735/https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-la-land-review-get-lost-in-this-dreamy-musical/ |url-status=live }} During first chorus, the piano begins incorporating more dissonance at the line "Here's to the ones who dream", which is resolved in the major key using a major seventh at the line "Foolish as they may seem". According to Hurwitz, this reduces its "majorness" and makes the emotion feel more nuanced and unsettled, in lieu of simple and obvious. The string instruments—cellos, violas, and first violins—begin playing in the second verse. The winds and the brass enter during the song's second chorus. At the bridge, the woodwinds begin trilling as "[t]he orchestration now really takes over and does the heavy lifting". Stone is also belting in the song for the first time. The piano primarily plays quicker arpeggios for the remainder of "Audition". The strings make an upward gesture immediately following the line "Crazy as they may seem", which is the song's most optimistic moment. During the outro, the flute trills. The penultimate chord is a minor four chord. At the song's conclusion, the A major key is resolved to end "Audition" bittersweetly. Stone finishes the song by singing softly, like she did at the beginning. The piano stops playing at the last word, which is a cappella.

File:Emma Stone 2, 2014 (cropped).jpg's emotional performance in "Audition" garnered critical acclaim]]

"Audition" received praise from film critics. Peter Travers of Rolling Stone called it a "plaintive showstopper",{{cite magazine |last1=Travers |first1=Peter |title='La La Land': Magical Modern-Day Musical Will Sweep You Off Your Feet |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-reviews/la-la-land-review-magical-modern-day-musical-will-sweep-you-off-your-feet-106357 |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=July 5, 2023 |date=December 6, 2016 |archive-date=April 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418202302/https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-reviews/la-la-land-review-magical-modern-day-musical-will-sweep-you-off-your-feet-106357/ |url-status=live }} while USA Today described it as "a show-stopping ode to 'painters and poets and plays.{{' "}}{{cite web |last1=Truitt |first1=Brian |title=Review: Prepare to be enchanted by magical musical 'La La Land' |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2016/12/05/review-la-la-land-movie/94790704 |website=USA Today |access-date=July 5, 2023 |date=December 5, 2016 |archive-date=July 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705070309/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2016/12/05/review-la-la-land-movie/94790704/ |url-status=live }} New York Daily News said the song becomes a nostalgic memory;{{cite web |last1=Dziemianowicz |first1=Joe |title='La La Land,' starring Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, is musical bliss: movie review |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/movies/la-la-land-ryan-gosling-emma-stone-musical-bliss-article-1.2899586 |website=Daily News |access-date=July 5, 2023 |date=December 6, 2016 |archive-date=July 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705065308/https://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/movies/la-la-land-ryan-gosling-emma-stone-musical-bliss-article-1.2899586 |url-status=live }} The Playlist and GamesRadar deemed it "unbelievably gorgeous" and "soul-baring" respectively.{{cite web |last1=Kiang |first1=Jessica |title='La La Land' Starring Emma Stone & Ryan Gosling Is An Absolute Triumph [Venice Review] |url=https://theplaylist.net/venice-review-damien-chazelles-la-la-land-emma-stone-ryan-gosling-20160831 |website=The Playlist |access-date=July 5, 2023 |date=August 31, 2016 |archive-date=May 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230515191618/https://theplaylist.net/venice-review-damien-chazelles-la-la-land-emma-stone-ryan-gosling-20160831/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Graham |first1=Jamie |title=La La Land review: "Will make audiences break into grins like its characters break into song" |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/la-la-land-review |website=gamesradar |access-date=July 5, 2023 |language=en |date=January 9, 2017 |archive-date=June 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629063606/https://www.gamesradar.com/la-la-land-review/ |url-status=live }} The Salt Lake Tribune considered the song "a heartbreaking number that starts as a spoken monologue and crescendos to a full-throated toast".{{cite web |last1=Means |first1=Sean P. |title=Movie review: 'La La Land' is a tender romance set to music |url=https://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=4704664&itype=CMSID |website=The Salt Lake Tribune |access-date=July 5, 2023 |date=December 20, 2016 |archive-date=July 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705065309/https://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=4704664&itype=CMSID |url-status=live }} According to Collider, "Audition" effectively blends Mia's ballad sensibility with Sebastian's melancholy cadence.{{cite web |last1=Formo |first1=Brian |title=La La Land Review: Pure Movie Magic |url=https://collider.com/la-la-land-review/ |website=Collider |access-date=July 5, 2023 |language=en |date=December 7, 2016 |archive-date=July 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705065307/https://collider.com/la-la-land-review/ |url-status=live }} David Sims of The Atlantic described the ballad as "resolute and soaring" and found that its message "feels right out of" classical Hollywood cinema.{{cite web |last1=Sims |first1=David |title=The Double-Edged Nostalgia of 'La La Land' |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2017/01/la-la-lands-double-edged-nostalgia/512351 |website=The Atlantic |access-date=July 5, 2023 |language=en |date=January 9, 2017 |archive-date=July 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705070309/https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2017/01/la-la-lands-double-edged-nostalgia/512351/ |url-status=live }}

Stone's performance was also well-received. /Film argued Stone "brings the house down with the power of her emotion";{{cite web |last1=Han |first1=Angie |title=Emma Stone And Ryan Gosling Sparkle In Damien Chazelle's 'La La Land' [TIFF Review] |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/546502/la-la-land-review |website=/Film |access-date=July 5, 2023 |date=September 13, 2016 |archive-date=May 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230529152629/https://www.slashfilm.com/546502/la-la-land-review/ |url-status=live }} similarly, News.com.au asserted that her "expressive" eyes were mesmerising.{{cite web |last1=Ma |first1=Wenlei |title=La La Land is for anyone who loves love and dreams |url=https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/movies/new-movies/la-la-land-is-for-anyone-who-loves-love-and-dreams/news-story/b601425ab07b1e92bc463a71cb024c34 |website=News.com.au |access-date=July 5, 2023 |date=December 27, 2016 |archive-date=June 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210618054801/https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/movies/new-movies/la-la-land-is-for-anyone-who-loves-love-and-dreams/news-story/b601425ab07b1e92bc463a71cb024c34 |url-status=live }} Den of Geek found her dazzling,{{cite web |last1=Crow |first1=David |title=La La Land is the Perfect Fantasy for Our Times |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/la-la-land-is-the-perfect-fantasy-for-our-times |website=Den of Geek |access-date=July 5, 2023 |date=December 5, 2016 |archive-date=February 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230212020623/https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/la-la-land-is-the-perfect-fantasy-for-our-times/ |url-status=live }} while Film School Rejects said that the scene might be key to an Academy Award win.{{cite web |last1=Laffly |first1=Tomris |title=La La Land Review: A Flourishing Romance Amid Ambitious Dreams |url=https://filmschoolrejects.com/la-la-land-review-9e25c1b247ca/#.9aqf5xp1e |website=Film School Rejects |access-date=July 5, 2023 |date=December 6, 2016 |archive-date=July 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705065308/https://filmschoolrejects.com/la-la-land-review-9e25c1b247ca/#.9aqf5xp1e |url-status=live }} According to Us Weekly, Stone shines in the film, especially in the "heartbreaking" "Audition".{{cite web |last1=Reinstein |first1=Mara |title=Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone's 'La La Land' Gets Four Stars: Review |url=https://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/ryan-gosling-and-emma-stones-la-la-land-gets-four-stars-review-w438457 |website=Us Weekly |access-date=July 5, 2023 |date=September 13, 2016 |archive-date=July 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705070309/https://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/ryan-gosling-and-emma-stones-la-la-land-gets-four-stars-review-w438457/ |url-status=live }} Variety{{'s}} Owen Gleiberman stated that once she performs the song, Stone "is every inch a star".{{cite web |last1=Gleiberman |first1=Owen |title=Film Review: 'La La Land' |url=https://variety.com/2016/film/reviews/la-la-land-review-venice-ryan-gosling-emma-stone-1201846576 |website=Variety |access-date=July 5, 2023 |date=August 31, 2016 |archive-date=February 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228062209/https://variety.com/2016/film/reviews/la-la-land-review-venice-ryan-gosling-emma-stone-1201846576/ |url-status=live }} Washington City Paper commented that the various emotions she expressed in the scene are "remarkable".{{cite web |last1=Olszewski |first1=Tricia |title=La La Land Reinvigorates the Modern Musical |url=https://washingtoncitypaper.com/article/327166/la-la-land-reviewed |website=Washington City Paper |access-date=July 5, 2023 |date=December 15, 2016 |archive-date=July 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705070311/https://washingtoncitypaper.com/article/327166/la-la-land-reviewed/ |url-status=live }} Parade wrote that "her raw, close-up performance ... will make you want to stand up and cheer".{{cite news |last1=Pond |first1=Neil |title=Movie Review: 'La La Land' Sweeps You Away in Sweet Sunshine of Musical Movie Magic |url=https://parade.com/531955/npond/movie-review-la-la-land-sweeps-you-away-in-sweet-sunshine-of-musical-movie-magic |newspaper=Parade: Entertainment, Recipes, Health, Life, Holidays |access-date=July 5, 2023 |language=en |date=December 15, 2016 |archive-date=July 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705065326/https://parade.com/531955/npond/movie-review-la-la-land-sweeps-you-away-in-sweet-sunshine-of-musical-movie-magic/ |url-status=live }} Jackson McHenry of Vulture, who was critical of Stone's singing, described the music as her "saving grace", stating "Audition" features "the world's most accommodating key change, the equivalent of going half a speed faster on a treadmill".{{cite web |last1=McHenry |first1=Jackson |title=If We're Going to Cast Movie Stars in Musicals, It's Time to Bring Back Dubbing |url=https://www.vulture.com/2017/03/beauty-and-the-beast-proves-its-time-to-bring-back-dubbing.html |website=Vulture |access-date=July 15, 2023 |language=en-us |date=March 13, 2017 |archive-date=December 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208184833/http://www.vulture.com/2017/03/beauty-and-the-beast-proves-its-time-to-bring-back-dubbing.html |url-status=live }} Tampa Bay Times commended the direction of the musical sequence—including the blue lighting and the single spotlight on the Mia—stating it helped the audience immerse themselves.{{cite web |last1=Persall |first1=Steve |title=Review: 'La La Land' is the exuberant musical we all thought was extinct |url=https://www.tampabay.com/things-to-do/movies/review-la-la-land-is-the-exuberant-musical-we-all-thought-was-extinct/2306299 |website=Tampa Bay Times |access-date=July 5, 2023 |language=en |date=December 21, 2016 |archive-date=July 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705065334/https://www.tampabay.com/things-to-do/movies/review-la-la-land-is-the-exuberant-musical-we-all-thought-was-extinct/2306299/ |url-status=live }}

Bustle ranked "Audition" La La Land{{'s}} second-best song, commenting that it was "[s]tunning in both its specificity ... and its universality".{{cite web |last1=Grubbs |first1=Jefferson |title=The 'La La Land' Musical Numbers Ranked, From Simple Tunes To Showstoppers |url=https://www.bustle.com/p/the-la-la-land-musical-numbers-ranked-from-simple-tunes-to-showstoppers-25780 |website=Bustle |access-date=July 6, 2023 |language=en |date=December 23, 2016 |archive-date=July 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707162009/https://www.bustle.com/p/the-la-la-land-musical-numbers-ranked-from-simple-tunes-to-showstoppers-25780 |url-status=live }} Screen Rant named it the ninth-best song in the film, describing it as "very impactful" and praising Stone's emotion.{{cite web |last1=Wilkinson |first1=Matthew |title=La La Land: Every Song, Ranked Worst To Best |url=https://screenrant.com/la-la-land-every-song-ranked-best-worst |website=Screen Rant |access-date=July 6, 2023 |language=en |date=January 2, 2021 |archive-date=July 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230708124100/https://screenrant.com/la-la-land-every-song-ranked-best-worst/ |url-status=live }}

{{See also|List of accolades received by La La Land}}

Hurwitz wanted "Audition" to be La La Land{{'s}} "award song", as he felt it was the "most special". However, industry professionals advised that "City of Stars" should take that role.{{cite magazine |last1=Rich |first1=Katey |title=Justin Hurwitz Gives Everything to His Movie Scores, and He's Not Going to Stop |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2023/02/awards-insider-highlight-reel-justin-hurwitz |magazine=Vanity Fair |access-date=July 11, 2023 |date=February 10, 2023 |archive-date=March 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329020028/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2023/02/awards-insider-highlight-reel-justin-hurwitz |url-status=live }} Both songs were submitted for consideration for the Academy Award for Best Original Song.{{cite web |last1=Chitwood |first1=Adam |title=Oscars: Best Original Song Is One of the Year's Most Exciting Races |url=https://collider.com/oscars-best-original-song-predictions-2017 |website=Collider |access-date=July 11, 2023 |language=en |date=December 14, 2016 |archive-date=October 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006064844/https://collider.com/oscars-best-original-song-predictions-2017/ |url-status=live }} Journalists expected both to be nominated for the award.{{cite web |last1=Carden |first1=Andrew |title=2017 Oscar predictions (Best Original Song): 'La La Land' likely to reap category maximum two bids |url=https://www.goldderby.com/article/2016/oscar-prediction-best-original-song-2017-la-la-land |website=GoldDerby |access-date=July 11, 2023 |date=November 23, 2016 |archive-date=June 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190619172504/https://www.goldderby.com/article/2016/oscar-prediction-best-original-song-2017-la-la-land/ |url-status=live }}{{cite magazine |last1=Hogan |first1=Mike |last2=Lawson |first2=Richard |last3=Rich |first3=Katey |last4=Busis |first4=Hillary |title=2017 Oscar Nominations Predictions |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2017/01/oscar-nominations-predictions-2017 |magazine=Vanity Fair |access-date=July 11, 2023 |date=January 20, 2017 |archive-date=June 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602214737/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2017/01/oscar-nominations-predictions-2017 |url-status=live }} Alongside "City of Stars", "Audition" received a nomination for Best Original Song at the 89th Academy Awards.{{cite web |last1=Dove |first1=Steve |title=Oscar Nominations 2017: View the Complete List of Nominees |url=https://abc.com/shows/oscars/news/nominations/oscar-nominations-2017-view-the-complete-list-of-nominees |publisher=ABC |access-date=July 11, 2023 |language=en |date=January 24, 2017 |archive-date=December 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221210061817/https://abc.com/shows/oscars/news/nominations/oscar-nominations-2017-view-the-complete-list-of-nominees |url-status=live }} Commentators predicted that it would not win, and expected "City of Stars" or Moana{{'s}} "How Far I'll Go" to prevail,{{cite web |last1=Thompson |first1=Anne |title=2017 Oscar Predictions: Best Original Song |url=https://www.indiewire.com/awards/industry/2017-oscar-predictions-best-original-song-1201760914 |website=IndieWire |access-date=July 11, 2023 |date=December 20, 2016 |archive-date=July 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230716131526/https://www.indiewire.com/awards/industry/2017-oscar-predictions-best-original-song-1201760914/ |url-status=live }}{{cite magazine |last1=Leight |first1=Elias |title=Oscars 2017: Sting, Timberlake, 'La La Land,' 'Moana' Vie for Best Song |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-news/oscars-2017-sting-timberlake-la-la-land-moana-vie-for-best-song-109790 |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=July 11, 2023 |date=January 24, 2017 |archive-date=November 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221128030043/https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-news/oscars-2017-sting-timberlake-la-la-land-moana-vie-for-best-song-109790/ |url-status=live }} though Vox stated "Audition" deserved the award.{{cite web |last1=James |first1=Emily St |title=Will La La Land set an all-time Oscar record? These 10 technical categories will decide. |url=https://www.vox.com/culture/2017/2/23/14689740/oscar-predictions-2017-technical-oscar-pool |website=Vox |access-date=July 11, 2023 |language=en |date=February 23, 2017 |archive-date=April 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402001814/https://www.vox.com/culture/2017/2/23/14689740/oscar-predictions-2017-technical-oscar-pool |url-status=live }} Ultimately, "City of Stars" won.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2017/01/oscar-nominations-2017-full-list|title=Oscar Nominations 2017: See the Full List|accessdate=January 24, 2017|date=January 24, 2017|magazine=Vanity Fair|archive-date=February 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170219195852/http://oscar.go.com/nominees|url-status=live}} "Audition" also received nominations for the Critics' Choice Movie Award, Hollywood Music in Media, and Satellite Award for Best Original Song, all of which it lost to "City of Stars".{{cite web|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/critics-choice-awards-2016-film-winners-complete-list-955065/item/best-picture-critics-choice-noms-2016-951821|title=Critics' Choice Awards: The Complete Winners List|accessdate=January 24, 2017|date=December 11, 2016|work=The Hollywood Reporter|first1=Kimberly|last1=Nordyke|first2=Patrick|last2=Shanley|archive-date=December 15, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161215154109/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/critics-choice-awards-2016-film-winners-complete-list-955065/item/best-picture-critics-choice-noms-2016-951821|url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=McNary |first1=Dave |title='La La Land' Scores Three Hollywood Music in Media Nominations |url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/la-la-land-hollywood-music-in-media-nominations-1201907464 |website=Variety |access-date=July 5, 2023 |date=November 2, 2016 |archive-date=March 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327024443/https://variety.com/2016/film/news/la-la-land-hollywood-music-in-media-nominations-1201907464/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=HMMA Winners |url=https://www.hmmawards.com/hmma-winners |publisher=Hollywood Music In Media Awards |access-date=July 11, 2023 |archive-date=January 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230129060316/https://www.hmmawards.com/hmma-winners/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=2016 Winners & Nominees |url=https://www.pressacademy.com/award_cat/current-nominees |publisher=International Press Academy |access-date=July 11, 2023 |archive-date=March 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230306041525/http://www.pressacademy.com/award_cat/current-nominees/ |url-status=live }} The St. Louis Film Critics Association picked it as the best song of the year.{{cite web |title=2016 StLFCA Annual Award Winners |url=http://www.stlfilmcritics.org/2016-stlfca-annual-award-winners |publisher=St. Louis Film Critics Association |access-date=July 11, 2023 |archive-date=December 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171216161115/http://www.stlfilmcritics.org/2016-stlfca-annual-award-winners |url-status=live }}

At the 89th Academy Awards, American singer and pianist John Legend sang both "City of Stars" and "Audition", in which he weaved between each song in a single performance. He also played a grand piano. During his performance, dancers encircled lampposts against a purple, starry background resembling Los Angeles.{{cite web |last1=Shanley |first1=Patrick |title=Oscars: John Legend Performs Nominated Songs From 'La La Land' |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/john-legend-s-oscars-2017-la-la-land-performance-watch-980200 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=July 13, 2023 |date=February 26, 2017 |archive-date=July 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220702200556/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/john-legend-s-oscars-2017-la-la-land-performance-watch-980200/ |url-status=live }} Legend later released a recorded version of the two songs accompanied by Hurwitz's piano.{{cite magazine |last1=Weatherby |first1=Taylor |title=John Legend Releases 'La La Land' Medley Following Oscars Performance: Listen |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/john-legend-la-la-land-medley-oscars-official-song-listen-7702258 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=July 13, 2023 |date=February 27, 2017 |archive-date=November 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221128233401/https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/john-legend-la-la-land-medley-oscars-official-song-listen-7702258/ |url-status=live }}

• "Another Day of Sun"
• "City of Stars"

{{reflist}}

{{Pasek and Paul}}

{{Emma Stone}}

{{authority control}}

Category:2016 songs

Category:2010s ballads

Category:Sentimental ballads

Category:Songs written by Justin Paul (songwriter)

Category:Songs written by Benj Pasek

Category:Songs written for films

Category:Songs with music by Justin Hurwitz

Category:Songs from La La Land

Category:Emma Stone

Category:John Legend songs