An Oscar For Neil Finn in 2013?

Last month information surfaced that former Crowded House and Split Enz leader Neil Finn had penned the closing credits song for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.

New Zealander Finn, who spent most of the past year getting back to his roots with his non-commercial project Pajama Club, is believed to have penned the song at the request of the film's director Peter Jackson, also a NZ native. It is not yet known if Finn has provided vocals for the track (all three Lord Of The Rings themes were sung by women) but according to fansites the track will be called Song Of The Lonely Mountain. [UPDATE: Decca have issued a press release confirming the song title and crediting it as being "performed by Neil Finn".]

What is known is that there is already Oscar-buzz surrounding the as-yet unheard song. There is no confirmation that the song has even been submitted for selection as yet, but producers have until 5pm on Friday 30 November to do so.

It is more than likely that Jackson will put the song forward for Oscar consideration as his hobbit films have experienced success in the Best Original Song category in the past.

May It Be by Enya from Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring was nominated in 2001 (though it was beaten by Randy Newman's If I Didn't Have You from Monsters Inc) and Into The West by Annie Lennox from Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King won in 2003 (beating songs from Elvis Costello and Sting).

However, Gollum's Song by the lesser known Emiliana Torrini failed to nab a nomination in 2002 - that year songs from U2 and Paul Simon were beaten by Eminem.

The Original Song category has been subject to some rule changes in recent years but winners in the category tend to come from leftfield/mainstream crossover artists not dissimilar to Finn's own musical background (Glen Hansard, Melissa Etheridge, Lennox and Newman).

And, this year paved the way for New Zealand in the category when Flight Of The Conchords' Bret McKenzie scored the award for his Man Or Muppet song from The Muppets film.

If Finn is nominated he may also be invited to perform at the awards presentation. The Oscars broadcast is one of the most watched TV events annually - this year viewed by over 39 million in the US alone. With this year's host announced as Family Guy creator Seth McFarlane the awards ceremony is expected to rate even higher in 2013.