Every Oscar-Nominated Best Original Song Since 2000, Ranked

I listened to all 106 songs and am here to separate the flops from the bops.

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Another year, another five tunes entering the pantheon of great (and not-so-great) Oscar-nominated Original Songs. For this year's telecast, pop powerhouses Rihanna and Lady Gaga will be facing off against a Tollywood dance number, a David Byrne/Mitski collab, and the 14-time-nominee/zero-time-winner Diane Warren. 

Listening to these five songs left me contemplating this bizarre little Oscar category, which has historically deviated far from the expected path: highlighting  tracks that play over credits or those bolstering movies that have otherwise been shut out of the race completely. This year's basically unreleased anthology film Tell It Like a Woman, the oft-mocked soft porn Fifty Shades of Grey, and the obscure documentary about glaciers Chasing Ice are all Oscar-nominated films thanks to this category. 

But for every "Before My Time," we've also gotten a "My Heart Will Go On," or a "Can You Feel the Love Tonight," an undeniably catchy tune that stands the test of time and reminds us why this category still matters. And, for all of the category's chaos and turmoil over the years, it has also given Oscar aficionados an abundance of fascinating factoids to lord over their friends at Trivia Night. (Like the fact that nominees once didn't have to be "original" at all, or that this category once included as many as 14 nominees and as few as two, before finally arriving at a mandated five.)

To assess the quality of the Best Original Song nominees (and because I love a fool's errand), I have decided to rank every Best Original Song nominee since the year 2000 and settle on an unimpeachable ranking of the 106 nominees. My general criteria for evaluating each song was quality, cultural staying power, and usage within the film (so songs that just play over the credits were generally not favored). 

To quote a snubbed track from last year's category, "So may we start? It's time to start!"

106. "I Need to Wake Up" — An Inconvenient Truth (2006)

Island Def Jam / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Melissa Etheridge

Performed by: Melissa Etheridge

Did it win?: Yes!

Thoughts: It may have won an Oscar, but it is not a winner here. This is the epitome of an awful Best Song nominee. It's a snoozy ballad (plenty more to come). It was played over the film's closing credits (boring). It's vaguely uplifting/social justice-y without really saying anything new or fresh. It is so uncatchy it could only aspire to be elevator music. The moment this song ends, all memory of it has evaporated from your mind. And the real coup de grace here is that it somehow managed to beat out all three Dreamgirls songs this year. In the words of Michael Jordan: "And I took that personally." 

105. "Somehow You Do" — Four Good Days (2021)

Universal Music Enterprises / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Diane Warren

Performed by: Reba McEntire

Did it win?: No. It lost to "No Time to Die" from No Time to Die. 

Thoughts: If there are three names you need to remember as we proceed, they are: Randy Newman, Sting, and Diane Warren. This holy trinity of Best Original Song can barely go a year without poking their heads onto a nomination list. Diane Warren has famously been nominated 14 times. Ten of those nominations appear on this list, and this year's is definitely the worst. Another slow, credits-rolling ballad to endure while putting on your coat and walking out of the theater.

104. "Io si (Seen)" — The Life Ahead (2020)

Netflix / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Diane Warren & Laura Pausini

Performed by: Laura Pausini

Did It Win?: No. It lost to "Fight for You" from Judas and the Black Messiah.

Thoughts: 2020's slow Diane Warren power ballad played over the credits of a film hardly anyone saw. This one was translated into Italian, so that's cool, but highly forgettable. 

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103. "Scarlet Tide" — Cold Mountain (2003)

Universal Music Group / Via youtube.com

Nominees: T Bone Burnett & Elvis Costello

Performed by: Alison Krauss

Did It Win?: No. It lost to "Into the West" from The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. 

Thoughts: For whatever reason, the Academy was digging the depressing folk songs in Cold Mountain that dirge their way along into nothingness. This one plays over the credits, so I ranked it lower than our next nominee. 

102. "You Will Be My Ain True Love" — Cold Mountain (2003)

Columbia / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Sting

Performed by: Sting & Alison Krauss

Did it win?: No. It lost to "Into the West" from The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. 

Thoughts: And Sting has arrived to the party! We will be seeing plenty more of his work, but his first entry is this depressing folk song that BARELY plays over a battlefield scene early in the film. 

101. "My Funny Friend and Me" — The Emperor's New Groove (2000)

Walt Disney Records / Via youtube.com

Nominees: David Hartley & Sting 

Performed by: Sting

Did It Win?: No. It lost to "Things Have Changed" from Wonder Boys. 

Thoughts: As someone who dressed up like Kuzco for Halloween, I was shocked to learn that a song from The Emperor's New Groove was nominated for an Oscar. I'd seen the film dozens of times and couldn't remember a musical number. I was even more shocked when I actually listened to this song. If you played this for me and said you'd give me a million dollars if i could guess the movie it was attached to, I would never say this film. This Sting song (because of course it is) sounds like a '90s middle school spring formal slow dance selection. It's dull, and it doesn't fit in the movie at all. Someone in the Academy deserves to be turned into a llama for nominating this. 

100. "This Is a Life" — Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)

A24 Music / Via youtube.com

Nominees: David Byrne, Ryann Lott, and Mitski

Performed by: Son Lux, Mitski, and David Byrne

Did It Win?: We'll find out at the Oscars on March 12. 

Thoughts: This is my favorite film of the year, but I was shocked to learn there was an Original Song in it. Upon listening, however, I realize why I forgot it. This film is not giving everything. It's the equivalent of a week-old, grocery store, plain bagel. Stale and bland. This is the one Oscar, I will go on the record to say Everything Everywhere All at Once does not need. 

99. "Speak Now" — One Night in Miami (2020)

ABKCO Music / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Sam Ashworth & Leslie Odom Jr. 

Performed by: Leslie Odom Jr. 

Did It Win?: No. It lost to "Fight for You" from Judas and the Black Messiah.

Thoughts: Another slow credits song. Odom plays Sam Cooke in the film and obviously is a talented singer, but this is not catchy and never moves out of first gear. 

98. "Hear My Voice" — The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020)

Atlas Artists / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Daniel Pemberton & Celeste

Performed by: Celeste

Did It Win?: No. It lost to "Fight for You" from Judas and the Black Messiah.

Thoughts: The third 2020 credits song to make the list already. It's got a bit more umph than "Speak Now" but not by much. Also, is it just me or does this sound like someone just put new words to a Christmas background track? 

97. "The Place Where Lost Things Go" — Mary Poppins Returns (2018)

Walt Disney Records / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Marc Shaiman & Scott Wittman

Performed by: Emily Blunt

Did It Win?: No. It lost to "Shallow" from A Star Is Born.

Thoughts: Disney is also a perennial favorite in this category, and while many of their songs are catchy bops, this one decidedly is not. It's "Spoonful of Sugar" mixed with a lullaby, and if there is an actual melody here, you'd be hard pressed to remember it. How did this get in over a song from Vox Lux? Too much residual love for "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious."

96. "Suddenly" — Les Miserables (2012)

Universal / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Claude-Michel Schonberg, Alain Boublil, and Herbert Kretzmer

Performed by: Hugh Jackman

Did it win?: No. It lost to "Skyfall" from Skyfall. 

Thoughts: Since songs from stage-to-movie musical adaptations are ineligible for Best Original Song, the cinematic versions often throw in an extra song or two in an attempt to win the trophy. Good job to Les Mis for not just slapping something over the credits, but this tune Jean Valjean sings after rescuing Cosette is a nothing song swallowed alive by the musical's other soaring numbers. 

95. "Take It All" — Nine (2009)

Geffen / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Maury Yeston 

Performed by: Marion Cotillard

Did it win?: No. It lost to "The Weary Kind" from Crazy Heart. 

Thoughts: Another such stage-to-movie musical addition. Marion Cotillard does a striptease to this jazzy number, but again it's a bit lackluster. 

94. "I Can't Let You Throw Yourself Away" — Toy Story 4 (2019)

Walt Disney Records / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Randy Newman

Performed by: Randy Newman

Did it win?: No. It lost to "(I'm Gonna) Love Me Again" from Rocketman.

Thoughts: The first of six Randy Newman entries on this list (he writes on a number of Disney/Pixar titles), this song about Forky trying to throw himself into the trash is fine, but very repetitive lyrically. He's done much better elsewhere. 

93. "A Fool in Love" — Meet the Parents (2000)

Dreamworks Records / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Randy Newman 

Performed by: Randy Newman 

Did it win?: No. It lost to "Things Have Changed" from Wonder Boys. 

Thoughts: Another Randy Newman song from the opening credits of the Ben Stiller comedy. It's an odd song that opens with an extended choir sequence before transitioning into your more typical Randy Newman track. Certainly less repetitive, but also much weirder. 

92. "Everybody Needs a Best Friend" — Ted (2012)

Universal Republic Records / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Walter Murphy & Seth MacFarlane

Performed by: Norah Jones

Did it win?: No. It lost to "Skyfall" from Skyfall. 

Thoughts: This jazzy Norah Jones track plays over the opening credits of Mark Wahlberg's character becoming best friends with his teddy bear. It's a fun little romp (if forgettable), but ultimately fails to be either a great comedic song or a great jazz number. Instead it hovers in the middle unsure what it's aiming for. 

91. "There You'll Be" — Pearl Harbor (2001)

Hollywood Records / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Diane Warren 

Performed by: Faith Hill

Did it win?: No. It lost to "If I Didn't Have You" from Monsters, Inc.

Thoughts: This Diane Warren song was originally offered to Celine Dion before Faith Hill grabbed it, and it shows. Hill has a beautiful voice, but not necessarily for this kind of power ballad. It did become decently popular after the film's release, but is ultimately a bit forgettable. 

90. "Before My Time" — Chasing Ice (2012)

Rumor Mill Records / Via youtube.com

Nominees: J. Ralph

Performed by: J. Ralph, Scarlett Johansson, and Joshua Bell

Did it win?: No. It lost to "Skyfall" from Skyfall. 

Thoughts: There's nothing really wrong with this simple piano and strings number that plays over the credits to this documentary about climate change. It's the slightly more filled out version of "The Moon Song" complete with Scarlett Johansson's vocals. 

89. "Learn to Be Lonely" — The Phantom of the Opera (2004)

Universal Music / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Andrew Lloyd Webber & Charles Hart

Performed by: Minnie Driver

Did It Win?: No. It lost to "Al otro lado del rio" from The Motorcycle Diaries.

Thoughts: Phantom opted to put their original song over the closing credits, giving the piece to Minnie Driver, who doesn't do her own opera singing in the body of the film, but has a nice voice. This is certainly no "Masquerade," but it's inoffensive. 

88. "Until..." — Kate & Leopold (2001)

A & M Records / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Sting

Performed by: Sting

Did it win?: No. It lost to "If I Didn't Have You" from Monsters, Inc.

Thoughts: This waltz ballad from Sting plays over the closing credits to the Meg Ryan time-traveling romance. It's aggressively fine. 

87. "Our Town" — Cars (2006)

Walt Disney Records / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Randy Newman 

Performed by: James Taylor

Did it win?: No. It lost to "I Need to Wake Up" from An Inconvenient Truth. 

Thoughts: In and of itself, this Randy Newman song from Cars is a bit bland, but it is utilized well in the film overtop of a montage showing what Radiator Springs was like in the bustling days before the interstate was put in. 

86. "The Hands That Built America" — Gangs of New York (2002)

Interscope / Via youtube.com

Nominees: U2

Performed by: U2

Did it win?: No. It lost to "Lose Yourself" from 8 Mile. 

Thoughts: It's a U2 song that sounds exactly like a U2 song. If you like U2, then that's great. It does feel a bit jarring over the credits to a film set in 1840s New York though, I will say. 

85. "I Move On" — Chicago (2002)

Epic Records / Via youtube.com

Nominees: John Kander & Fred Ebb

Performed by: Catherine Zeta-Jones & Renée Zellweger

Did it win?: No. It lost to "Lose Yourself" from 8 Mile. 

Thoughts: As much as I adore Chicago, this jazzy over-the-credits add-on is a bit ho-hum. It wants to be "Easy Street" from Annie but never quite musters up the pizzaz. It also struggles to outshine the numerous great songs in its own movie. 

84. "Into the West" — The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)

Reprise / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Annie Lennox, Howard Shore, and Fran Walsh

Performed by: Annie Lennox

Did It Win?: Yes!

Thoughts: Coming off the success of the Enya song over The Fellowship of the Rings' credits, the LOTR team returned with another haunting melody to end the film. Annie Lennox is wonderful, and her voice is always exceptional, but this ballad doesn't ever go anywhere. The 2003 Best Song category was extremely weak (see Cold Mountain), and with the Tolkien sweep, it won a statue that it didn't necessarily deserve. 

83. "Writing's on the Wall" — Spectre (2015)

Capitol / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Jimmy Napes & Sam Smith

Performed by: Sam Smith

Did It Win?: Yes!

Thoughts: Another sequel winning an Oscar on the back of its much better predecessor. Sam Smith's Bond song desperately wants to be "Skyfall" but is decidedly not "Skyfall." For whatever reason, the song gets stuck in a lobotomized moan and never elevates. 2015 wasn't a particularly strong Best Original Song year, but this is easily the worst of the five entrants. Sam Smith's fumbling acceptance speech was just the icing on the cake. 

82. "Belleville Rendez-vous" — The Triplets of Belleville (2003)

Tartan Films / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Benoit Charest & Sylvain Chomet

Performed by: Beatrice Bonifassi

Did it win?: No. It lost to "Into the West" from The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. 

Thoughts: Another nominee from 2003 (quickly shaping up to be the worst year for Best Song). It's a jaunty French number performed at a variety show, but it's more cartoonish than anything. I will admit I'd never heard of this film before writing this list, but this Wikipedia plot summary has me intrigued: "It tells the story of Madame Souza, an elderly woman who goes on a quest to rescue her grandson Champion, a Tour de France cyclist, who has been kidnapped by the French mafia for gambling purposes and taken to the city of Belleville."

81. "Real in Rio" — Rio (2011)

Universal Music Group / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Carlinhos Brown, Sergio Mendes, and Siedah Garrett

Performed by: Anne Hathaway, Jesse Eisenberg, Jamie Foxx, George Lopez, will.i.am, and The Rio Singers

Did it win?: No. It lost to "Man or Muppet" from The Muppets. 

Thoughts: 2011 was the bizarre year when only two songs were nominated. I will say nothing on this list of eligible contenders is jumping out at me as a great song, but the two nominees were both meh. First up is the opener from Rio. Because so many different characters (plus a choir) are featured, the whole thing is choppy and all over the place. Not what we're looking for in a poppy animated film. 

80. "Man or Muppet" — The Muppets (2011)

Walt Disney Records / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Bret McKenzie

Performed by: Jason Segel, Peter Linz, Bill Barretta, and Jim Parsons

Did it win?: Yes!

Thoughts: Rio's only slightly better competitor is this jokey ballad in which a man and a muppet struggle to determine if they are, in fact, men or muppets. If you're going to be a joke song nominee, you've got to be clever, and I don't think this song is as witty as the writers may have thought it was. 

79. "Mighty River" — Mudbound (2017)

UMPG Publishing / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Mary J. Blige, Raphael Saadiq, and Taura Stinson

Performed by: Mary J. Blige

Did it win?: No. It lost to "Remember Me" from Coco. 

Thoughts: Back to some more ballads. This crop have a bit more umph to them than those lower on the list but still fail to really break through. This slow gospel number is over the closing credits and, despite Blige's great vocals, is a bit monotonous — especially as it crosses the five-minute mark. 

78. "I'll Fight" — RBG (2018)

Epic / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Diane Warren

Performed by: Jennifer Hudson

Did it win?: No. It lost to "Shallow" from A Star is Born.

Thoughts: Another Diane Warren empowerment ballad. Jennifer Hudson gives it her all for the credits of the RBG documentary, and I will say it's a bit more sticky than Warren's earlier work on this list. 

77. "Applause" — Tell It Like a Woman (2022)

Samuel Goldwyn Films / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Diane Warren

Performed by: Sofia Carson

Did it win?: We'll find out at the Oscars on March 12. 

Thoughts: Let's just knock a few more of these Diane Warren ballads out in succession. This year's nomination is borderline ridiculous as it plays in an anthology film that barely a soul (including yours truly) has seen. The Academy's music branch is clearly dead set on nominating Warren until she wins, but the Academy at large refuses to give her a win that's unearned. While part of me is like, "Just give her the damn Oscar already," this year, she is up against at least two songs that are SIGNIFICANTLY better. Poor Diane. 

76. "I'm Standing with You" — Breakthrough (2019)

UMG Recording Inc. / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Diane Warren

Performed by: Chrissy Metz

Did it win?: No. It lost to "(I'm Gonna) Love Me Again" from Rocketman.

Thoughts: Yet another Diane Warren ballad. The woman is a writing machine. This credits song plays at the end of a Christian movie where a kid falls through the ice and is saved by the power of prayer. In its favor though, this ballad hits you with the proper arc of a ballad that rises, rests, and then finishes with a banger. In Metz's capable hands, it works. 

75. "In the Deep" — Crash (2005)

Blissed Out Records / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Michael Becker & Bird York

Performed by: Bird York

Did it win?: No. It lost to "It's Hard out Here for a Pimp" from Hustle & Flow. 

Thoughts: This haunting Bird York number plays in the middle of the film while a bunch of the ensemble cast stare into the middle distance and contemplate life. The movie is notoriously bad, but the song is fine. The fact she performed it with a burning car behind her at the Oscars is also incredible. 

74. "Grateful" — Beyond the Lights (2014)

Relativity Music Group / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Diane Warren

Performed by: Rita Ora

Did it win?: No. It lost to "Glory" from Selma. 

Thoughts: This is a bit of an odd selection for the Oscars. It's a Diane Warren credits song that is a bit of an inspirational try-hard (the word grateful is repeated seemingly hundreds of times), but its pop bent makes it fun. What's odd, however, is that it is in a movie about a singer that includes other original songs. Why they opted for the credit song over the others seems only in deference to the Oscar legend.  

73. "The Moon Song" — Her (2013)

WaterTower / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Karen O & Spike Jonze

Performed by: Karen O

Did it win?: No. It lost to "Let It Go" from Frozen. 

Thoughts: For whatever reason, Oscar voters also routinely go for little ditties breathily whisper-sung by the movie's stars. Joaquin Phoenix and Scarlett Johansson sing this to each other in the movie, and it's really more like three chords and a nursery rhyme than a real song. BUT it does illustrate the connection that Phoenix is establishing with his AI system. 

72. "I See the Light" — Tangled (2010)

Walt Disney Records / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Alan Menken & Glenn Slater

Performed by: Mandy Moore & Zachary Levi

Did it win?: No. It lost to "We Belong Together" from Toy Story 3. 

Thoughts: This might be controversially low given how popular Tangled was, how good Disney music usually is, and how this is the best song in the film. BUT please tell me that this song is not a copy-n-paste version of "A Whole New World," which Menken also wrote. I had to knock it for that. 

71. "Almost There" — The Princess and the Frog (2009)

Walt Disney Records / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Randy Newman

Performed by: Anika Noni Rose

Did it win?: No. It lost to "The Weary Kind" from Crazy Heart. 

Thoughts: Similarly, this Randy Newman song from The Princess and the Frog is also giving me copy-n-paste vibes from his numerous other nominees. It's a fun number, but lacks some originality. 

70. "I'm Not Gonna Miss You" — Glen Campbell: I'll Be Me (2014)

Big Machine Records / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Glen Campbell & Julian Raymond

Performed by: Glen Campbell & The Wrecking Crew

Did it win?: No. It lost to "Glory" from Selma. 

Thoughts: This is a hard one to rank, because on one hand the song itself is fairly run-of-the-mill. However, the story behind it, the film, and Glen Campbell's writing/recording is incredibly moving. After the legendary performer realized he had Alzheimer's disease, he made a documentary about his last tour, which he wrote and recorded this song for. He won't be able to miss his loved ones  because he won't be able to remember them, and listening to it with that context, really rips your heart out. 

69. "When a Cowboy Trades His Spurs for Wings" — The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (2018)

Milan Records USA / Via youtube.com

Nominees: David Rawlings & Gillian Welch

Performed by: Tim Blake Nelson & Willie Watson

Did it win?: No. It lost to "Shallow" from A Star is Born.

Thoughts: In the Coen brothers' anthology film, Tim Blake Nelson plays a traveling quick draw dueler/folk singer. He plays this little ditty as he's floating up to heaven when he inevitably loses to a younger, quicker hand. It's giving John Denver and gets a lift in the list for being integral to the plot and one of the film's more emotional moments. 

68. "A Kiss at the End of the Rainbow" — A Mighty Wind (2003)

Warner Bros. / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Michael McKean & Annette O'Toole

Performed by: Eugene Levy & Catherine O'Hara

Did it win?: No. It lost to "Into the West" from The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. 

Thoughts: And we come to the best of 2003's five nominees. Really such a snoozer of a year. I would have given the win to this folk song performed by Johnny and Moira Rose as it does factor into the plot of the movie (a mockumentary about a folk musicians reunion) and is nice enough. Bonus points for a zither solo in the middle. 

67. "Raise It Up" — August Rush (2007)

Impact Repertory Theatre / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Jamal Joseph, Charles Mack, and Tevin Thomas

Performed by: Jamia Simone Nash

Did it win?: No. It lost to "Falling Slowly" from Once.

Thoughts: 2007, bolstered by three songs from Enchanted, was one of the better Best Original Song years. This gospel piece which summons Freddie Highmore's character into a church where he will learn music is a fun number. It's a bit uneven, but I liked it. 

66. "Lift Me Up" — Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)

Def Jam Records / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Ryan Coogler, Ludwig Goransson, Rihanna, and Tems

Performed by: Rihanna

Did it win?: We'll find out at the Oscars on March 12. 

Thoughts: I think we can all admit that the hype of Black Panther x Rihanna was much more exciting than the song we finally got. It's a bit of a snoozy ballad that plays over the end credits. Kudos for it being a tribute to Chadwick Bozeman, but I can't really rank it any higher than this. 

65. "Be Alive" — King Richard (2021)

Parkwood Entertainment / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Beyoncé & Dixson

Performed by: Beyoncé

Did it win?: No. It lost to "No Time to Die" from No Time to Die. 

Thoughts: Okay. Beyoncé. Truly my diva. My icon. My legend. While I would love to rank this song first out of fandom, I unfortunately cannot. I did, however, use it as an important benchmark on this list. I think this is the epitome of a solidly fine song. It covers the closing credits, is sung well, has good movement, and does its job. Does it give anything extra special? Not really. We have now entered the stage of the list where the songs are edging upwards from fine. 

64. "The Weary Kind" — Crazy Heart (2009)

New West Records / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Ryan Bingham & T Bone Burnett

Performed by: Colin Farrell & Jeff Bridges

Did it win?: Yes!

Thoughts: We love an Original Song that plays into the film's story, and this slow country song is performed several times in the film as Bridges writes it and then gives it to Farrell to perform. In the movie, Bridge's character thinks it's the best song he's ever written though which...giiiiiiiiiiirl.......really? 

63. "Coming Home" — Country Strong (2010)

Universal Republic Records / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Tom Douglas, Hillary Lindsey, and Troy Verges

Performed by: Keith Urban & Julia Michaels

Did it win?: No. It lost to "We Belong Together" from Toy Story 3. 

Thoughts: One year later, we had another movie about country music with a well-plotted song, this one performed by Gwyneth Paltrow in the film and then later by Keith Urban and Julia Michaels. It's slightly more of a bop than "The Weary Kind" but faced steeper competition its year so didn't take home the trophy. 

62. "Burn It Blue" — Frida (2002)

Zarathustra Music / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Elliot Goldenthal & Julie Taymor

Performed by: Caetano Veloso & Lila Downs

Did it win?: No. It lost to "Lose Yourself" from 8 Mile. 

Thoughts: Here is the credits song from the Frida Kahlo biopic starring Salma Hayek. There's plenty of good energy here, and the authentic Mexican influences and choices of instruments (not common place in the land of Oscar-nominated ballads) help it stand out a bit. It is, however, a credits song lost to time. 

61. "Manta Ray" — Racing Extinction (2015)

Rumor Mill Records / Via youtube.com

Nominees: J. Ralph & Anohni

Performed by: Anohni

Did it win?: No. It lost to "Writing's on the Wall" from Spectre.

Thoughts: First up on our should-have-beat-"Writing's on the Wall" tour is this haunting, small piano song from a documentary about animal extinction. It is very slight, but earwormy nonetheless.

60. "The Empty Chair" — Jim: The James Foley Story (2016)

Universal Music Group / Via youtube.com

Nominees: J. Ralph & Sting

Performed by: Sting

Did it win?: No. It lost to "City of Stars" from La La Land. 

Thoughts: I'm sorry to say that this is as high as dear ole Sting will be appearing on this list. This song (like "Manta Ray," which is also by J. Ralph) is another haunting piano number. Sting's voice is tender and somehow alluring over the credits of this documentary about a war journalist. It should also be noted that this is the lowest ranked entry from 2016, which in totality is the strongest year without a single tragic nomination.

59. "Fight for You" — Judas and the Black Messiah (2020)

RCA Records / Via youtube.com

Nominees: D'Mile, H.E.R., and Tiara Thomas

Performed by: H.E.R.

Did it win?: Yes!

Thoughts: Here is a surprise winner. I do love H.E.R., and the '60s soul vibes here are great. It is, however, a credits song that hadn't registered much before the win (a surprise) or frankly much after. But then again, such is her fate as an awards darling without much pop culture cache. 

58. "Stand Up for Something" — Marshall (2017)

Warner Records / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Diane Warren & Common

Performed by: Common & Andra Day

Did it win?: No. It lost to "Remember Me" from Coco. 

Thoughts: The team that made Marshall had clearly seen Selma and gave Common the brief: "more of that please." They subbed in the Diane Warren/Andra Day team for John Legend, but this is another soulful anthem credit song with rapping from Common played at the end of a civil rights biopic. It is a good song, but never reached "Glory"'s glory. 

57. "Ordinary Love" — Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom (2013)

Interscope / Via youtube.com

Nominees: U2

Performed by: U2

Did it win?: No. It lost to "Let It Go" from Frozen. 

Thoughts: If you like U2 over the credits, might I suggest this song, which is significantly better than their Gangs of New York contribution. It plays over pictures of Nelson Mandela in this biopic. A respectable nomination I'd say. 

56. "(I'm Gonna) Love Me Again" — Rocketman (2019)

Universal Music Publishing / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Elton John & Bernie Taupin

Performed by: Elton John & Taron Edgerton 

Did it win?: Yes!

Thoughts: I loved Rocketman, and the charm that both John and Edgerton brought to the film/press tour/awards shows was undeniable. Also, this song is an upbeat, catchy disco number that fit in with the rest of John's discography on display in the biopic. I do not think it was the best song that year, but it is not a slow ballad, and for that I'm thankful. 

55. "Happy Working Song" — Enchanted (2007)

Walt Disney Records / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Alan Menken & Stephen Schwartz

Performed by: Amy Adams

Did it win?: No. It lost to "Falling Slowly" from Once.

Thoughts: Of the three Enchanted entries, I think this is the weakest. While the lyrics are clever and Adams does a wonderful job with it in the film, it is a bit "old school Disney" in its lack of catchiness. I know that's what it's going for, but I'm not in love. 

54. "Al otro lado del rio" — The Motorcycle Diaries (2004)

Smart Studios / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Jorge Drexler

Performed by: Jorge Drexler

Did it win?: Yes!

Thoughts: This Spanish guitar-led number is the credits song from this Che Guevara biopic about a motorcycle trip he took early in his life. The song (like the film) is a bit lost to time, but I liked it. 

53. "Loin de Paname" — Paris 36 (2009)

Pathe / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Reinhardt Wagner & Frank Thomas

Performed by: Nora Arnezeder

Did it win?: No. It lost to "The Weary Kind" from Crazy Heart. 

Thoughts: Very similar thoughts on this folky French number from a film about a music hall where a murder was committed. I do love the accordion here though. That's always a fun touch (as Lady Gaga knows well). 

52. "Lost Stars" — Begin Again (2014)

Interscope / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Gregg Alexander & Danielle Brisebois

Performed by: Adam Levine

Did it win?: No. It lost to "Glory" from Selma. 

Thoughts: It feels right that the Maroon 5 frontman would be settling here dead center, doesn't it? This pop/rock tune sorta sounds like any Maroon 5 number and is a fun upbeat love ballad that plays an integral part to this film's plot. We'll be seeing less and less credits songs as we move on. 

51. "I've Seen It All" — Dancer in the Dark (2000)

One Little Indian / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Bjork, Sjon, and Lars von Trier

Performed by: Bjork

Did it win?: No. It lost to "Things Have Changed" from Wonder Boys. 

Thoughts: I don't even know how to begin to rate this very Bjork, atonal number from the middle of this Lars von Trier musical. She sings the song about her degenerative eye condition as a train is passing her, so it definitely gets points for plot importance. It's also iconic in that this is the song Bjork was performing when she wore the swan dress. But it is a very odd song. 

50. "A Love Before Time" — Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)

Sony Music Entertainment / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Jorge Calandrelli, Tan Dun, and James Schamus

Performed by: Tan Dun 

Did it win?: No. It lost to "Things Have Changed" from Wonder Boys. 

Thoughts: A slightly better (or at least easily rated) song from that same year comes from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. The slow Chinese number is haunting and resonant and sticks with you even if you don't know the language. 

49. "If I Rise" — 127 Hours (2010)

Interscope Records / Via youtube.com

Nominees: A. R. Rahman, Rollo Armstrong, and Dido

Performed by: A. R. Rahman & Dido

Did it win?: No. It lost to "We Belong Together" from Toy Story 3. 

Thoughts: If you love a musical MOMENT in a film, here is one for you. This beautiful, tragic piece plays as James Franco is escaping from the rocks after 127 hours. It's a beautiful piece of music employed properly in a film that isn't a musical. Why more Oscar bait films aren't employing this technique to hunt for a Best Original Song trophy, I will never know. 

48. "Audition" — La La Land (2016)

Interscope / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Justin Hurwitz & Pasek & Paul

Performed by: Emma Stone

Did it win?: No. It lost to "City of Stars" from La La Land. 

Thoughts: Thanks to the rule change that limits a film to two Best Original Song nominees, this is one of La La Land's pair. Emma Stone performs it in a single take while auditioning, and this is definitely the number that won Emma Stone her Oscar (and also won La La Land Best Picture briefly). "We are the fools who dream" is a captivating refrain for the modern day musical, and certainly catchy. 

47. "Earned It" — Fifty Shades of Grey (2015)

Republic / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Belly, DeHeala, Stephan Moccio, and The Weeknd

Performed by: The Weeknd

Did it win?: No. It lost to "Writing's on the Wall" from Spectre.

Thoughts: Another song better than "Writing's on the Wall" is this R&B number with some big band influence from the kinky opener to the Fifty Shades series. I think its attachment with the franchise proved this song's downfall, as it would for the even better songs represented in the film's second and third installments. I don't the Pixar stans coming for me, but Zayn should have an Oscar over the Coco team...

46. "If I Didn't Have You" — Monsters, Inc. (2001)

Walt Disney Records / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Randy Newman 

Performed by: John Goodman & Billy Crystal

Did it win?: Yes!

Thoughts: Another Randy Newman x Pixar collab. Sully and Mike perform this one over the closing credits. It's cute. It's comedic. It's not as good as "Put That Thing Back Where It Came From or So Help Me" which is a legendary theatrical number. 

45. "Things Have Changed" — Wonder Boys (2000)

Columbia / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Bob Dylan 

Performed by: Bob Dylan 

Did it win?: Yes!

Thoughts: The rightful winner of the 2000s Oscar race (we love it when that happens) is this Bob Dylan number that is very Bob Dylan. It's an upbeat credits song, but it's Bob Dylan and that, it turns out, makes it instantly better than most Oscar-nominated songs. 

44. "Father and Daughter" — The Wild Thornberrys Movie (2002)

Jive/Nick / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Paul Simon

Performed by: Paul Simon

Did it win?: No. It lost to "Lose Yourself" from 8 Mile. 

Thoughts: There was a LOT of intrigue regarding the 2002 Best Original Song Oscar race in my household growing up. Obviously, I dragged my family to the theaters to see The Wild Thornberrys Movie, and we all loved the soundtrack (which we had on CD). My dad, in particular, loved this song about fathers and daughters, and so we were excited to see it compete on Oscar night. Needless to say, my very Christian family had PLENTY to say when it lost to Eminem. While I now recognize that it shouldn't have won an Oscar, I do still love the song. 

43. "We Belong Together" — Toy Story 3 (2010)

Walt Disney Records / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Randy Newman

Performed by: Randy Newman

Did it win?: Yes!

Thoughts: The correct winner from 2010, this also happens to be one of Randy Newman's best Disney songs. It's a jaunty, upbeat track with a lot more complexity and interest than some of his other more child-friendly numbers. But still not his best. 

42. "Down in New Orleans" — The Princess and the Frog (2009)

Walt Disney Records / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Randy Newman

Performed by: Dr. John

Did it win?: No. It lost to "The Weary Kind" from Crazy Heart. 

Thoughts: I would argue that Randy Newman's best Oscar song on the list (and the song that should have won the 2009 Oscar) is this opener from The Princess and the Frog. It's sung over an early working montage in the film and is a jazzy, horn-filled delight. Fans of Holes will also recognize Dr. John from "Let's Make a Better World" which I had on CD and listened to constantly. 

41. "Down to Earth" — WALL-E (2008)

Walt Disney Records / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Peter Gabriel & Thomas Newman

Performed by: Peter Gabriel

Did it win?: No. It lost to "Jai Ho" from Slumdog Millionaire. 

Thoughts: I really think the work going on here is next level genius. Obviously, WALL-E has an incredible score. (It has to, as no one is speaking for most of the film). And so rather than just slapping a completely unrelated song over the end credits, they interwove the Peter Gabriel song with Thomas Newman's score. This is some A+ thinking, and I'd like to see more song/score intertwining please. 

40. "Pi's Lullaby" — Life of Pi (2012)

Sony Masterworks / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Mychael Danna & Bombay Jayashri

Performed by: Bombay Jayashri

Did it win?: No. It lost to "Skyfall" from Skyfall. 

Thoughts: Life of Pi is another great song/score film (again necessitated by no speaking). This Tamil song, which plays over the film's intro, also integrates parts of the score. It's a soothing lullaby, and I'd say generally underrated. 

39. "Vanilla Sky" — Vanilla Sky (2001)

Reprise Records / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Paul McCartney 

Performed by: Paul McCartney

Did it win?: No. It lost to "If I Didn't Have You" from Monsters, Inc.

Thoughts: Vanilla Sky is honestly one of the worst movies I've ever sat through. Disastrous. This Paul McCartney song, however, is very listenable. It's a jaunty rock/folk number that plays right after the Times Square dream sequence. So you like the song before you get progressively enraged by the viewing experience. 

38. "Til It Happens to You" — The Hunting Ground (2015)

Interscope / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Lady Gaga & Diane Warren

Performed by: Lady Gaga

Did it win?: No. It lost to "Writing's on the Wall" from Spectre.

Thoughts: This song from a documentary about sexual assault on college campuses should have won Warren her Oscar. If we were looking to give her a legacy award, this was the time to do it (rather than giving the trophy to Sam Smith). Lady Gaga sings her heart out, and the Oscars performance where they were joined on stage by other sexual assault survivors was devastatingly powerful. 

37. "Believe" — The Polar Express (2004)

Warner Bros. / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Glen Ballard & Alan Silvestri

Performed by: Josh Groban 

Did it win?: No. It lost to "Al otro lado del rio" from The Motorcycle Diaries.

Thoughts: Okay, we're finally getting to some of the iconic songs on this list that I'd say the general public would recognize. Would they know this Josh Groban song only because it plays on the radio every year during the month of December? Possibly. But notoriety is worth a lot in this ranking, and so we have Mr. Groban's yuletide carol here. 

36. "Patience" — Dreamgirls (2006)

Columbia / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Henry Krieger & Willie Reale

Performed by: Eddie Murphy, Anika Noni Rose, and Keith Robinson

Did it win?: No. It lost to "I Need to Wake Up" from An Inconvenient Truth. 

Thoughts: *takes a deep breath* When I think about Dreamgirls at the Oscars, my blood still boils all these years later. Yes, it did lead the nomination count with eight noms, but it should have had more. Snubbed in Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress (Beyoncé), and Best Adapted Screenplay. Plus, Eddie Murphy lost in a surprise upset! But the most egregious mistake was letting all three of its blisteringly good Best Original Song nominees go home empty-handed, while the snoozy last-place credits song won an Oscar. Watch this performance and tell me they didn't deserve to win! "Patience" is the worst of the three nominated songs, and it's still in the top third of this list. When Beyoncé pops up out of the floor and gives that screech. Magic. 

35. "Remember Me" — Coco (2017)

Walt Disney Records / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Kristen Anderson-Lopez & Robert Lopez

Performed by: Benjamin Bratt, Gael Garcia Bernal, Anthony Gonzalez, and Natalia Lafourcade

Did it win?: Yes!

Thoughts: If I was writing a "top movie songs you cried during" list, this would be first place with a bullet. The simple lullaby forms a powerful conclusion to the film as the titular Grandma Coco sings the tune with her grandson. You can't really begrudge it the Oscar. It is powerful, even if it is a bit on the slight side. 

34. "Dos Oruguitas" — Encanto (2021)

Walt Disney Records / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Lin-Manuel Miranda

Performed by: Sebastian Yatra

Did it win?: No. It lost to "No Time to Die" from No Time to Die. 

Thoughts: This is the "good-but-not-god-tier" Disney song section of the list. Mr. Miranda is back on the hunt for his EGOT with this Spanish ballad from Encanto. It beautifully plays over Abuela's backstory at the emotional climax of the film, so you can see why they submitted it for the Oscar. However, it is not "We Don't Talk About Bruno," which would have ranked higher on my list should it have been submitted by Disney. 

33. "So Close" — Enchanted (2007)

Walt Disney Records / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Alan Menken & Stephen Schwartz

Performed by: Jon McLaughlin

Did it win?: No. It lost to "Falling Slowly" from Once.

Thoughts: Really love this beautiful song that plays over the ball dancing sequence toward the film's end. It has not carried with it the same cultural resonance as other Enchanted songs, but musically it's exquisite. 

32. "Into the Unknown" — Frozen II (2019)

Walt Disney Records / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Kristen Anderson-Lopez & Robert Lopez

Performed by: Idina Menzel & Aurora

Did it win?: No. It lost to "(I'm Gonna) Love Me Again" from Rocketman.

Thoughts: The "Let It Go" followup for the second Frozen movie is very catchy and allows Menzel the chance to belt into the void yet again. It fits perfectly into the film (before the plot becomes extremely convoluted) and probably would have won if the Anderson-Lopez household hadn't taken home two other statues in the previous six years. 

31. "How Far I'll Go" — Moana (2016)

Walt Disney Records / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Lin-Manuel Miranda

Performed by: Auli'i Cravalho

Did it win?: No. It lost to "City of Stars" from La La Land. 

Thoughts: And last up in this Disney-segment is the Moana nominee also by Lin-Manuel Miranda. He was never going to beat La La Land, but boy oh boy is this song catchy. 

30. "Travelin' Thru" — Transamerica (2005)

Blue Eye Records / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Dolly Parton 

Performed by: Dolly Parton

Did it win?: No. It lost to "It's Hard out Here for a Pimp" from Hustle & Flow. 

Thoughts: Transamerica is a bit of a cursed film. First, it stars a cis woman playing a trans woman. Then, there's the fact that that cis woman is Felicity Huffman. Oof. BUT we cannot say a bad word against Dolly Parton, and this Dolly song that plays over the credits is very sweet and fun. 

29. "May It Be" — The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

WEA / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Enya, Nicky Ryan, and Roma Ryan 

Performed by: Enya

Did it win?: No. It lost to "If I Didn't Have You" from Monsters, Inc.

Thoughts: The OG LOTR credits song is a moody, operatic, Celtic haze from Enya. It's sad. It's echoey. It's haunting. And while it is a credits song, it fits within the film perfectly, as we're left with the death of Boromir and a whole lot of journey still in front of our heroes. It should have won the Oscar. 

28. "Hold My Hand" — Top Gun: Maverick (2022)

Interscope / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Bloodpop & Lady Gaga

Performed by: Lady Gaga

Did it win?: We'll find out at the Oscars on March 12. 

Thoughts: Okay this is a great ballad, and Lady Gaga, who has won in this category before, has the chops to belt it. Unlike other end credit ballads lower on this list, "Hold My Hand" is woven throughout the film, its melody being mixed with the score as Gaga serves as a Music Supervisor on the film. In plenty of years, I'd gladly hand Gaga her second Oscar for this (since she didn't get it for House of Gucci). 

27. "Stand Up" — Harriet (2019)

Verve Music / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Joshuah Brian Campbell & Cynthia Erivo

Performed by: Cynthia Erivo

Did it win?: No. It lost to "(I'm Gonna) Love Me Again" from Rocketman.

Thoughts: When producers ask for an original credits song, this is what they are aiming for. Erivo delivers a modernized old spiritual that builds and builds and builds. The lyrics are much more complex than those of the standard ballad. Her vocals hits the deep lows and singing highs of her register. It is powerful and delicate at the same time. It should have won the Oscar. 

26. "O...Saya" — Slumdog Millionaire (2008)

Interscope / Via youtube.com

Nominees: A. R. Rahman & M.I.A.

Performed by: A. R. Rahman & M.I.A.

Did it win?: No. It lost to "Jai Ho" from Slumdog Millionaire. 

Thoughts: The Slumdog Millionaire soundtrack is FIRE. FIRE. FIRE. Every track hits, and of the two nominated songs, the less iconic "O...Saya" still cracks the top 25 here. It plays early in the film while the boys are running through the slums, and the drum beats mixed with M.I.A.'s rap set up the energy of the entire film. 

25. "No Time to Die" — No Time to Die (2021)

Darkroom/Interscope / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Billie Eilish & Finneas O'Connell

Performed by: Billie Eilish

Did it win?: Yes!

Thoughts: This was an obvious choice last year. Everyone loves Billie Eilish. It already won a Grammy. They gave freaking Sam Smith a Bond Oscar, and he didn't even deserve it. Plus, Eilish's voice is perfect for a moody opening credits song. 

24. "Down to Joy" — Belfast (2021)

Exile Productions, Ltd. / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Van Morrison

Performed by: Van Morrison

Did it win?: No. It lost to "No Time to Die" from No Time to Die. 

Thoughts: But. If I had my way, the trophy last year would have gone to the jaunty Van Morrison number that plays over the opening shots from Belfast. It's an upbeat, horn-filled tune that bookends the film with a credits spot as well. 

23. "Look to Your Pain" — The Chorus (2004)

WEA Music / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Bruno Coulais & Christophe Barratier

Performed by: Jean-Baptiste Maunier

Did it win?: No. It lost to "Al otro lado del rio" from The Motorcycle Diaries.

Thoughts: You probably haven't seen this film unless you, like me, were required to watch it in French class. The song's performed by the boys choir the film is about and so has plot significance. It's also just a banger. I have no idea what they are saying, but I had this on my iPod Shuffle after watching the film. Also, Beyoncé performed it at the Oscars oddly enough! Love whoever did the booking on that. 

22. "Listen" — Dreamgirls (2006)

Columbia / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Scott Cutler, Henry Krieger, and Anne Preven

Performed by: Beyoncé

Did it win?: No. It lost to "I Need to Wake Up" from An Inconvenient Truth. 

Thoughts: Speaking of Beyoncé at the Oscars, the power Deena's number added to the Dreamgirls film is so damn strong. It kills me this song isn't in the top 10, but we've got some truly great stuff coming up (including another Dreamgirls hit). 

21. "Falling Slowly" — Once (2007)

Overboat Recordings / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova

Performed by: Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova

Did it win?: Yes!

Thoughts: This Twee-Era indie ballad comes from a tiny Irish drama, and has seemingly lived a thousand lives as everyone and their mother has released a cover of this over the years (not to mention your ex-boyfriend definitely played it at a coffee house open mic). Somehow, the Oscars landed ahead of the curve with this win, but the song is catchy and certainly iconic now. 

20. "Husavik" — Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga (2020)

MXM Productions / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Rickard Goransson, Fat Max Gsus, and Savan Kotecha

Performed by: Molly Sanden & Will Ferrell

Did it win?: No. It lost to "Fight for You" from Judas and the Black Messiah.

Thoughts: 2020's Oscar nominations should have just been five songs off of the Eurovision Song Contest album. There are no bad songs there, and most of them are original to the movie. This one especially is integral to the plot of the film and is performed at the climax. Laughable that it didn't win. I call snooty bias on the part of the Academy for not wanting to award the win to something Will Ferrell performed background vocals on. 

19. "This Is Me" — The Greatest Showman (2017)

Atlantic Records / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Pasek & Paul

Performed by: Keala Settle

Did it win?: No. It lost to "Remember Me" from Coco. 

Thoughts: Another under-appreciated, modern, original film musical is The Greatest Showman, which similarly could have landed multiple nominations. "Come Alive" and "Rewrite the Stars" are both certainly worthy. This power anthem sung by the bearded lady and her band of circus freaks in the face of the richy riches is certainly the most iconic though. 

18. "Can't Stop the Feeling!" — Trolls (2016)

RCA / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Max Martin, Shellback, and Justin TImberlake

Performed by: Justin Timberlake

Did it win?: No. It lost to "City of Stars" from La La Land. 

Thoughts: You may want to rip your skin off upon hearing this song, but that's simply because it was OVERPLAYED at every birthday party, wedding, Bar Mitzvah, and football game for YEARS. Rarely does a song from a film get a general cultural cache separate from its use in the film. You may not like this song anymore, but you can't begrudge it a high spot. 

17. "Happy" — Despicable Me 2 (2013)

Columbia / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Pharrell Williams

Performed by: Pharrell Williams

Did it win?: No. It lost to "Let It Go" from Frozen. 

Thoughts: See entry for "Can't Stop the Feeling!" 

16. "Everything Is Awesome" — The Lego Movie (2014)

WaterTower / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Shawn Patterson 

Performed by: Tegan and Sara & The Lonely Island

Did it win?: No. It lost to "Glory" from Selma. 

Thoughts: For reasons we'll never understand, The Lego Movie was not nominated for Best Animated Feature, but its incredibly catchy lead song did manage to snatch a nomination. The song is used in a variety of ways throughout this film and its sequel, and every version slaps harder than the last. 

15. "City of Stars" — La La Land (2016)

Interscope / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Justin Hurwitz & Pasek & Paul

Performed by: Ryan Gosling & Emma Stone

Did it win?: Yes!

Thoughts: Is there a set of piano notes more recognizable in cinematic history? The moment you hear the opening duh-duh-duh-dunn duh-duh-duh, you can't help but flash back to Ryan Gosling and co. saving jazz. One of the greatest modern musicals made for film, La La Land was completely worthy of this Oscar. It is one of the most iconic Oscar films and songs (for countless reasons including its Best Picture loss), and even as a Moonlight apologist, I have to recognize all the incredible work put in here. 

14. "Simple Song #3" — Youth (2015)

Milan Records

Nominees: David Lang

Performed by: Sumi Jo

Did it win?: No. It lost to "Writing's on the Wall" from Spectre.

Thoughts: Rarely do we get a piece of classical/operatic music in the Best Original Song race, and this one stands out from the pack by delivering grand orchestral swells paired with a sweeping soprano. As a piece of music alone, it's exquisite, but it also plays a pivotal role in the film as Michael Caine's magnum opus connected to the memory of his wife, which everyone begs him to play but which he continues to refuse. When we finally hear the piece in the film's climax, it is everything we had hoped for. The Academy was smart to nominate this song, and if they weren't going to dole out the legacy Oscar to Diane Warren for "Till It Happens To You," then this song should have taken home the grand prize. 

13. "It's Hard out Here for a Pimp" — Hustle & Flow (2005)

Atlantic / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Frayser Boy, Juicy J, and DJ Paul

Performed by: Three 6 Mafia

Did it win?: Yes!

Thoughts: Every now and again, the Academy really slam dunks on a win, and giving this rap song with a Taraji P. Henson chorus the Oscar is the stuff of Oscar legend (especially over the burning car song from Crash). A film about a pimp turning into a rapper is not complete without a rap about being a pimp. It may not be as well-known as some other songs still to come, but its win was certainly unexpected, historic, and well-deserved. 

12. "Naatu Naatu" — RRR (2022)

Lahari Musiv / Via youtube.com

Nominees: M. M. Keeravani & Chandrabose

Performed by: Rahul Sipligunj & Kaala Bhairava

Did it win?: We'll find out at the Oscars on March 12. 

Thoughts: Sorry Lady Gaga, but this year's winner should be "Naatu Naatu." What the song lacks in notoriety (although the Oscar performance might change that), it makes up for everywhere else. The song and dance number, performed at a massive party in the film, is a testament to the power of choreography and an upbeat hit. It works well within the film, is infectious to watch, and is a stand-alone banger. More nominees like this, please. 

11. "Let It Go" — Frozen (2013)

Walt Disney Records / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Kristen Anderson-Lopez & Robert Lopez

Performed by: Idina Menzel

Did it win?: Yes!

Thoughts: Just missing out on the top 10, we have every parent's least favorite song of the last 10 years. This is a banger from Frozen that has been overplayed to DEATH but is still the greatest Disney animation song of this century. I have distinct memories of people selecting this on the jukebox at my college bar and wailing along drunkenly at least once a week. It comes at a climactic moment in the film, and most importantly, it gave us the legendary John Travolta moment. 

10. "Love You I Do" — Dreamgirls (2006)

Columbia / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Henry Krieger & Siedah Garrett

Performed by: Jennifer Hudson

Did it win?: No. It lost to "I Need to Wake Up" from An Inconvenient Truth. 

Thoughts: If you thought for one single, solitary second that I was not going to put a Dreamgirls song in the top 10, then clearly you have not read enough of my articles. It is wild that this song isn't a carryover from the original musical, because it is honestly one of the best in the entire show. Effie sings it to Curtis, and my oh my, does it leave you with chills. If you're adapting a stage musical, this is how you incorporate an original piece of music. A bop and a half, and another half a bop! Brb, gonna go listen to it again before I finish writing. 

9. "All the Stars" — Black Panther (2018)

Aftermath Records / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Kendrick Lamar, Sounwave, Anthony Tiffith, and SZA

Performed by: Kendrick Lamar & SZA

Did it win?: No. It lost to "Shallow" from A Star is Born.

Thoughts: My disdain for a credit song has been addressed ad nauseam by this point in the list, but this is a SONG. Not like "good for a song from a movie" good but "play this in the club and people will pop off" good. It plays over the Black Panther credits, but I think earned special cultural significance because of the radio play as well as being a part of Black Panther: The Album, which was released ahead of the film. The strategy of releasing an album attached to the film but including music mostly not used in the film is a move we've seen repeated since to varying results (The Gift, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, etc.), but Black Panther did is perfectly. 

8. "Glory" — Selma (2014)

Columbia / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Common & John Legend

Performed by: Common & John Legend

Did it win?: Yes!

Thoughts: The final true over-the-credits song on this list is "Glory," which I would argue is a near perfect piece of music. The juxtaposition of Common's stark rap and John Legend's crooning is an ideal mix of light and shade. The song's slow build to the a cappella finish is goose-bump inducing. The arrival of the choir at just the right time is momentous. And then, of course, there is the cultural significance of the words and their attachment to both the Civil Rights Movement of Martin Luther King Jr. (whom Selma is about), but also the modern day Black Lives Matter movement. Earlier songs on this list have attempted to make such a statement and largely failed, but "Glory" sticks the landing. Also, the Oscars performance is one of the greatest in recent memory. 

7. "Skyfall" — Skyfall (2012)

Columbia / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Adele & Paul Epworth

Performed by: Adele

Did it win?: Yes!

Thoughts: Perhaps the only song in Oscar history to be so good it won two Oscars (the second, of course, being Sam Smith's, which Adele basically handed him). Whenever Adele releases new music, you know that it's going to be powerful because she has singing chops unlike any other. This haunting Bond opener, however, is one of her greatest songs in a career of greats. It played well on the radio and defined the modern Bond song, a genre in and of itself. Every other Bond song for the foreseeable future will be chasing the majesty of this one. 

6. "Lose Yourself" — 8 Mile (2002)

Interscope / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Jeff Bass, Eminem, and Luis Resto

Performed by: Eminem

Did it win?: Yes!

Thoughts: If you've been to any sort of high school sporting event, have listened to any kind of workout playlist, or watched the most recent Super Bowl halftime show, then you are well acquainted with this rap track. The lead title from the semi-autobiographical film about Eminem became an instant classic. It's still a little shocking that this song won an Oscar (especially after it wasn't allowed to be performed on the telecast), but the pumping beat and the energy Eminem delivers are undeniable. You'll never look at your mom's spaghetti the same way again. 

5. "That's How You Know" — Enchanted (2007)

Walt Disney Records / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Alan Menken & Stephen Schwartz

Performed by: Amy Adams

Did it win?: No. It lost to "Falling Slowly" from Once.

Thoughts: It's only fitting that a Disney number makes it into the top five as they've taken up 1/5 of the slots on this list by my count. While not in a fully animated film, this song is Disney at its absolute best. It's a sunny, catchy, campy classic about falling in love that will leave you smiling and humming along (even if against your will a la Patrick Dempsey in this scene). Not only is the music marvelous, but this scene is infectious and easily one of the most joyful, chaotic-good sequences in recent musical history. Amy Adams prances around Central Park with hundreds of dancers bedecked in colorful ensembles. The whole thing was shot on location, and is a PRODUCTION. The choreography and design here is unmatched on this list. 

4. "Jai Ho" — Slumdog Millionaire (2008)

Interscope / Via youtube.com

Nominees: A. R. Rahman & Gulzar

Performed by: A. R. Rahman

Did it win?: Yes!

Thoughts: In 2008, much to the surprise of the world, the tiny drama about an Indian boy competing on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? became the runaway sensation. The film ends with a magnificent dance number paying homage to Bollywood, and the cast performs to "Jai Ho." The infectious melody took over the airwaves (both with the help of Nicole Scherzinger and without) and introduced many Westerners to the magic of Bollywood. 

3. "Accidentally in Love" — Shrek 2 (2004)

Geffen / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Counting Crows, Adam Duritz, and Dan Vickrey

Performed by: Counting Crows

Did it win?: No. It lost to "Al otro lado del rio" from The Motorcycle Diaries.

Thoughts: GAH! I love this song so so so so much! The Shrek soundtracks are UNDERRATED and include so many iconic songs, but this is one of the few original to the film franchise itself. It plays over the opening montage of Shrek and Fiona's honeymoon where they recreate scenes from recent hits like Lord of the Rings and Spider-Man in their messed up fairy tale world. You can't listen to this song and not smile. Also, this is the perfect song to listen to as you think about your crush (which I am wont to do often). 

2. "Mystery of Love" — Call Me by Your Name (2017)

SME / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Sufjan Stevens

Performed by: Sufjan Stevens

Did it win?: No. It lost to "Remember Me" from Coco. 

Thoughts: Call Me by Your Name is a great movie, but this song transcends the film. Sufjan Stevens provided three songs for the gay Italian romance, and he nailed the mood perfectly. The forlorn, lovesick, tragic pieces of music intertwine with the beautiful landscape shots to provide the film with an elevated score. This song plays while Elio and Oliver travel together, giving the whole sequence a fleeting, hauntingly beautiful feeling. Every sad boy or girl has these locked and loaded on their Spotify playlist, and with no disrespect to Coco, this song should have won the Oscar. 

1. "Shallow" — A Star Is Born (2018)

UMG / Via youtube.com

Nominees: Lady Gaga, Mark Ronson, Anthony Rossomando, and Andrew Wyatt

Performed by: Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper

Did it win?: Yes!

Thoughts: EVERYTHING. That is what this song is delivering. Tens, tens, tens across the board. It's a catchy earworm that builds, placing perfectly crafted vocal brick on top of brick. Whether it be the opening "Tell me something girl" or "In the shallow, sha-a-a-low" or Gaga's wailing over the bridge, this is a perfect piece of music. I'd also be hard-pressed to find a song better used in the film itself. Gaga begins to sing it to Cooper softly while they're sharing a tender moment in a grocery store parking lot. And then there is her bursting onto the stage to sing along with him in the film's most memorable moment (sorry, peeing at the Grammys). This is the turning point for Gaga's Ally, and the music supports that. 

It's a meme. It's a Billboard #1. It's a Grammy winner. It's an Oscar winner. It's a great karaoke song. It's one of the most memorable Oscar performances of all time. Everyone knows this song. Lady Gaga is an absolute legend (who should have been nominated again this year for House of Gucci), and it will take an awful lot for someone to topple her from the top spot here. I just want to take another listen to ya. 

Rent A Star Is Born on Prime Video. 

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