Oscars: Many of those now-iconic songs have more than lived up to the golden title of the greatest original song, which has been awarded by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) since 1934. It’s difficult to think of Pinocchio without humming “When You Wish Upon a Star,” or of The Wizard of Oz without hearing “Over the Rainbow,” or of Dirty Dancing without singing “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life.”
With such notable musicians as Lady Gaga, David Byrne, Mitski, and Rihanna all vying for the title of greatest original song in 2023, the victor will be in very good company. (Plus, who knows? Perhaps this year will bring Diane Warren, the perennial candidate, her much-needed bouquet.)
These Oscar winners have transcended generations and made for one incredible, albeit wildly eclectic, soundtrack. Whether it’s Billie Eilish becoming James Bond musical royalty in 2021 with “No Time to Die,” Eminem putting hip-hop on the map in 2002 with “Lose Yourself,” Bruce Springsteen bringing us all to tears in 1993 with “Streets of Philadelphia,” Isaac Hayes making Oscar history as the first African-American to win the best original song category in 1971 for “Theme from Shaft,” or Irving Berlin crafting a timeless holiday classic in 1942 with “White Christmas,” these winners have touched us all.
These are the top 15 Oscar-winning songs ever, in no specific order. Furthermore, no offense is meant if your personal favorite isn’t on this list.
Table of Contents
Songs that Won the Oscars
1. “Over the Rainbow,” Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg from The Wizard of Oz
They are as classic as they come. The Wizard of Oz’s magnificent rendition of “Over the Rainbow” by the renowned Judy Garland is essentially the benchmark for cinematic magic.
2. “Lose Yourself,” Eminem, Jeff Bass, and Luis Resto from 8 Mile
In 2002, Eminem’s Heightened Anthem created Oscar history by being the first hip-hop song to win the Best Original Song Oscar. Even though other hip-hop musicians have won Oscars in the past, none of them have honored Mekhi Pfifer and Mom’s Spaghetti at the same time.
3. “Falling Slowly,” Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová from Once
Almost all of Once’s songs are Oscar-worthy—“Broken Hearted Hoover Fixer Sucker Guy” included—but “Falling Slowly” is the one that first captured everyone’s attention and led to their eventual success as a Broadway production.
4. “Take My Breath Away,” Giorgio Moroder and Tom Whitlock from Top Gun
Berlin reached unprecedented heights with this soaring, synth-pop ballad that not only topped the Billboard Hot 100 but also earned an Academy Award for songwriters Giorgio Moroder and Tom Whitlock.
5. “Theme from Shaft,” Isaac Hayes from Shaft
The Shaft soundtrack became a must-have record because of the grooviest, funkiest, and overall coolest best original song winner. It also made Oscar history when Isaac Hayes became the first African-American to win in this category. Don’t like it? Keep your mouth shut.
6. “White Christmas,” Irving Berlin from Holiday Inn
Two Oscar wins for best original song—”White Christmas” from 1942’s Holiday Inn and “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” from 1949’s Neptune’s Daughter—became true Christmastime classics. Only one of these timeless favourites, though, has been able to hold up throughout time.
7. “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head,” Burt Bacharach and Hal David from Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
Over his career, the legendary Burt Bacharach received five Oscar nominations and took home two wins in this category. Is there a song that might lift your spirits more than this one? It would be difficult for us to locate.
8. “Moon River,” Henry Mancini and Johnny Mercer from Breakfast at Tiffany’s
The image of Audrey Hepburn strumming a guitar and singing from her New York City window first appeared in films in 1961. Over time, other artists have covered the song, including Andy Williams and Frank Ocean, maintaining its status as a mainstay of popular culture. Nevertheless, nothing compares to the surreal rendition in the movie.
9. “Jai Ho,” A. R. Rahman and Guizar from Slumdog Millionaire
Audiences in Slumdog Millionaire were dancing in the aisles to this Indian pop hit before Marvel films had them securely seated as the credits rolled. (It’s also the only Oscar-winning song that The Pussycat Dolls have ever done a special version of.)
10. “The Way You Look Tonight,” Jerome Kern and Dorothy Fields from Swing Time
Fred Astaire was the only performer who could give spectators the impression that they were floating on air during the Great Depression. It’s one of the most romantic songs ever composed; you’ve probably heard it at a wedding or two hundred if you haven’t seen one of its many versions on the big screen.
11. “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life,” by Franke Previte, John DeNicola & Donald Markowitz from Dirty Dancing
Nobody places Baby in a difficult situation. As a matter of fact, Baby plays the lead in one of the most wonderful film endings ever, set to the sound of ’80s pop.
12. “Last Dance,” Paul Jabara from Thank God It’s Friday
Even though it comes from the worst movie on this list by a long shot, Donna Summer’s rendition of this disco classic has been telling partygoers to get out for the evening since 1978.
13. “When You Wish Upon a Star,” Leigh Harline and Ned Washington from Pinocchio
Disney has won this award before, but it’s difficult to surpass the original winner, “When You Wish Upon a Star.” This 1940 hit song, which features Cliff Edwards as Jiminy Cricket, is arguably the one that is still most closely linked to the film studio.
14. “Streets of Philadelphia,” Bruce Springsteen from Philadelphia
The 1993 drama “Philadelphia” by Neil Young, which was also nominated that year, may have a stronger emotional impact, but you can’t deny The Boss’s impact or the heartbreaking sense of hopelessness it conveys.
15. “Shallow,” Lady Gaga, Mark Ronson, Anthony Rossomando & Andrew Wyatt from A Star Is Born
It’s nearly hard to think of “Shallow” and its momentous Oscars night without being transported back to Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper’s sultry, smoldering live performance. We were all really taken aback by their chemistry.
Wrapping Up
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