Top 10 Oscar Nominated Musical Performances

As Oscar night draws near, StageVids has put together a list of the top 10 performances in the Best Song category. Whether they won or lost, these performances shined as bright as Oscar himself.

10. 1971 "Theme from Shaft" – Shaft Music and Lyrics: Isaac Hayes (Winner)

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Isaac Hayes took home the 1971 Oscar for Best Song. The performance featured Hayes singing the iconic tune among the cacophony of musicians and dancers.

9. 2005 "In the Deep" – Crash • Music: Kathleen York and Michael Becker • Lyrics: Kathleen York (Lost)

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Crash took home Oscars at the 78th Academy Awards in 2005. The stunning performance lost to Hustle and Flow's "It's Hard Out There for a Pimp," but won over audiences.

8. 2012 Shirley Bassey - Goldfinger (50 Years Of Bond)

Chris Pizzello / AP / Via 2012 <a target="_blank" href="youtube.com Bassey - Goldfinger (50 Years Of Bond)

Technically, this is a tribute. Shirley Bassey performs "Goldfinger" in gold at the 85th Annual Academy Awards, as part of the 50 Years of Bond tribute. Audiences everywhere couldn't deny the chill as she sang "Gooooold Fingeeeeer!"

7. 1972 Michael Jackson "Ben" – Ben • Music: Walter Scharf • Lyrics: Don Black (Lost)

Michael Jackson performs the Oscar nominated song, "Ben," at the 45th annual Academy Awards. At 14 years old, young Michael sings the sweet and simple melodies with his youthful tone, while holding his own against the other nominated and more seasoned songbirds. Though "The Morning After," from, "The Poseidon Adventure," took home the Oscar, Michael's performance wins in our book.

6. 1992 Lea Salonga and Brad Kane "A Whole New World" – Aladdin – Music: Alan Menken • Lyrics: Tim Rice (Won)

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Disney is no stranger to Oscar Gold. In 1991, "Beauty and the Beast," took home the Oscar for Best Song, and songs from "The Lion King," "Pocahontas," "Tarzan", and "Frozen," would later join the list...but Lea Salonga and Brad Kane's vocal performance along with the spectacular staging of the piece remains the most Oscar-worthy.

5. 1976 Barbra Streisand "Evergreen (Love Theme from A Star Is Born)" – A Star Is Born – Music: Barbra Streisand • Lyrics: Paul Williams (Won)

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At the 49th Annual Academy Awards, Barbra Streisand took the stage, armed with only with a microphone and her voice. The song won the gold statute, but everyone in attendance went home a winner after experiencing Babs in all her glory.

4. 1998 Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey "When You Believe" – The Prince of Egypt – Music and Lyrics: Stephen Schwartz (Won)

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Do we even have to say anything? Two of the biggest divas sharing the stage was reason enough to tune in to the 71st ceremony of Oscar.

3. 2014 "Glory" – Selma – Music and Lyrics: John Legend and Common (Won)

This Glorious performance had everyone in the audience on their feet. When the camera pans to a weeping David Oyelowo (he played Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the nominated film, Selma), it was enough to melt the Frozen hearts of the at-home audiences. Get it? Frozen? ...because Frozen won last year. Nevermind.

2. 1992 Whitney Houston "I Have Nothing" – The Bodyguard • Music: David Foster • Lyrics: Linda Thompson (LOST)

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Ok. We are torn here because in 1992, "A Whole New World," took home the statue for Best Original song... BUT CAN WE PLEASE TALK ABOUT WHITNEY?!! Just...look!

1. 2007 Will Ferrell and Jack Black (feat. John C. Riley) A Comedian at the Oscars

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Neither a nominated song, nor a tribute, but still the best Oscar performance to us! At the 79th Annual Academy Awards, Funnymen friends Will Ferrell and Jack Black lament over their lack of Oscar nominations, but never fear! John C. Riley to the rescue, to remind them that a comedian at the Oscars can take home the gold too! "You can be in both Boogie AND Talladega Niiiiiights!"