ONTD Original: Best Original Movie Songs that DIDN'T Win an Oscar
So, after watching the Bee Gees documentary on HBO Max (special shout out to our indie film curator scriptedending), I realized the TRAVESTY that was the Bee Gees not even being nominated for 1978's Best Original Song, let alone winning. To be eligible for best original song, the song must be a completely original work, released exclusively for the use of the film prior to any other use. I've compiled a list of the Best Original Movie songs that did not win Oscars. This list is based purely off of staying power, as in, songs that still get stuck in our heads randomly and still get radio plays on KLUV stations.
All The Stars (Kendrick Lamar ft. SZA) - Black Panther (2019 Academy Awards)
I mean, it went up against Lady Gaga's "Shallow", so did it ever really have a chance of winning? Probably not. But that doesn't mean the song didn't deserve it. It even lost at the Grammys competing with Childish Gambino's "This is America" for Record and Song of the Year.
Eye of the Tiger (Survivor) - Rocky III (1982 Academy Awards)
Before Survivor sued the GOP campaigns for Newt Gingrich, Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee, "Eye of the Tiger" was the theme song to Rocky III. After Sylvester Stalone was denied by Queen to use "Another One Bites the Dust" he tapped the rock band to record the song he intended to use as the third Rocky installment theme. The song was nominated for the 1982 Academy Award, but lost to "Up Where We Belong" from the Richard Gere film, "An Officer and a Gentleman."
Ghostbusters (Ray Parker Jr.) - Ghostbusters (1985 Academy Awards)
Who you gonna call?! Need I say more? Parker was sued by Huwey Lewis for copyright infringement noting that the song sounded too similar to Lewis's song, "I Want a New Drug." It came out from that lawsuit that Ghostbusters producers gave the track to Parker as a building off point to create the theme song. Parker says he was inspired by late night infomercials to create a jingle like song that the real Ghostbusters would have used as advertisement. The song lost at the 1985 Academy Awards to Stevie Wonders' "I Just Called to Say I Love You," from Gene Wilder's "The Woman in Red." Literally had no idea that Wonders' song was even a theme song.
Rainbow Connection (Kermit the Frog) - The Muppets Movie (1980 Academy Awards)
You've heard countless of covers of this song from Willie Nelson, to Kacey Musgraves, to Gwen Stefani, to Weezer and Hayley Williams, but have you heard the song that it lost to? The 1980 Academy Award winner for Sally Fields "Norma Rae" theme, "It Goes like it Goes," sung by Jennifer Warnes. Paul Williams and Kenneth Ascher wrote the song with inspiration from "When You Wish Upon a Star" from Pinnochio, and had Kermit's particular speech patterns in mind.
When She Loved Me (Sarah McLachlan, written by Randy Newman) - Toy Story 2 (2000 Academy Awards)
Before there was "Up," Toy Story 2 had the most heartbreaking, tear-jerking moment in Pixar history. The backstory of cowgirl Jessie was originally just going to be explained verbally by the character, but Pixar creators wanted Randy Newman to write a song. Throughout the process, Newman doubted that children would be able to pay attention to a slower ballad, but was proven wrong. The song was nominated for the 2000 Academy award, but lost to Phil Collins "You'll Be in my Heart." Tough year, because both songs are so good.
Stayin' Alive (The Bee Gees) - Saturday Night Fever (1978 Academy Awards)
I mean, this song defined not only the entire film, but became the definition for the entire era of disco. Written by the Gibb brothers as an ode to the turmoil occurring in Harlem and NYC at the time (1977 Blackout, extreme poverty and lack of government assistance, Son of Sam serial killer on the loose, NYC on the brink of bankruptcy), and of their ability to just "stay alive." The song became the opening track and featured over Travolta iconically walking the streets of NYC. The song wasn't even nominated for an Oscar, but the soundtrack did go on to win Best Album of the year at the Grammys, becoming the first film soundtrack to do so.
Don't You (Forget About Me) (Simple Minds) - The Breakfast Club (1986 Academy Awards)
The song was written by Keith Forsey and Steve Schiff with the hope that Simple Minds would agree to record it, both being fans of their work. The band initally turned down the offer. It was then shopped to Billy Idol, who also turned it down. Eventually, the band agreed to record it, and did so in 3 hours and according to accounts, "promptly forgot about it, believing that it would be a throwaway song on the soundtrack to a forgettable movie." The film would have been eligible for the 1986 Academy Awards, but wasn't even nominated.
I Have Nothing (Whitney Houston) - The Body Guard (1993 Academy Awards)
Now, this is a tricky year. The most popular song from "The Bodyguard" soundtrack is definitely Whitney's cover of Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You," but since that was a cover song, and not original music, it was ineligible for the award. Thus, all the power was put behind this David Foster song. Ultimately, it lost to "A Whole New World" from Aladdin, but went on to be the best selling movie soundtrack of all time, and the Grammy winner for Album of the Year (the second film to do so).
9 to 5 (Dolly Parton) - 9 to 5 (1981 Academy Awards)
Dolly wrote the theme song to the movie after being inspired for the beat with her acrylic nails rubbing together. The sound reminded her of a typewriter, and the rest followed. The song lost to the theme song to "Fame," another tough year, but 9 to 5 remains one of Dolly's most iconic hits. The song earned her a Grammy for Best Country Song.
That Thing You Do! (The Oneders) - That Thing You Do! (1997 Academy Awards)
The title song from the movie about a fictional 1960s boyband from Eerie, Pennsylvania was written by Fountains of Wayne bassist, Adam Schlesinger (of Stacy's Mom fame). To me, this song is powerful because you spend a good portion of the movie wondering if this is a biopic or a work of fiction. The song is that much of a ear worm. The song lost to "You Must Love Me" from Evita. Idk who would be more upset by the loss, Tom Hanks or Maxwell Scheffield.
I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing (Aerosmith) - Armageddon (1999 Academy Awards)
The song was written by Diane Warren and was inspired by a Barbara Walters interview with James Brolin and Barbara Streisand where Brolin said he missed Streisand when they were asleep. Diane noted down "I don't want to miss a thing," and the song was born. The song became the only number one single for the band Aerosmith. The song lost to "When You Believe" from "The Prince of Egypt" sung by Whitney and Mariah. The inclusion of this song on the list does not mean "When You Believe" was an undeserving winner.
Independent Woman Pt. I (Destiny's Child) - Charlie's Angels (2001 Academy Awards)
Naturally, this is not a song that would have been nominated for an Oscar. But that doesn't mean it isn't an iconic movie theme song. Afterall, it was nominated for a Grammy for best original movie song! Allegedly, Matthew Knowles submitted this song to producers for consideration for inclusion without Beyonce's knowledge. If it had been nominated, it would have lost to Bob Dylan's "Things Have Changed," from Wonder Boys.
Hopelessly Devoted to You (Olivia Newton John) - Grease (1979 Academy Awards)
Grease, America's favorite movie about 30 year-old teenagers, knew they had to feature an original song to be considered for the Academy Awards. So, John Farrar penned this song. Of it he said, "I spent the longest period writing the lyrics of any song I've ever written. Every thesaurus and every rhyming dictionary I had, just trying to really make it work properly." The song was Grease's only oscar nom and eventually lost to "Last Dance," from "Thank God it's Friday."
ONTD, what are you favorite movie theme songs that didn't win Oscars?
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All The Stars (Kendrick Lamar ft. SZA) - Black Panther (2019 Academy Awards)
Click to viewI mean, it went up against Lady Gaga's "Shallow", so did it ever really have a chance of winning? Probably not. But that doesn't mean the song didn't deserve it. It even lost at the Grammys competing with Childish Gambino's "This is America" for Record and Song of the Year.
Eye of the Tiger (Survivor) - Rocky III (1982 Academy Awards)
Before Survivor sued the GOP campaigns for Newt Gingrich, Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee, "Eye of the Tiger" was the theme song to Rocky III. After Sylvester Stalone was denied by Queen to use "Another One Bites the Dust" he tapped the rock band to record the song he intended to use as the third Rocky installment theme. The song was nominated for the 1982 Academy Award, but lost to "Up Where We Belong" from the Richard Gere film, "An Officer and a Gentleman."
Ghostbusters (Ray Parker Jr.) - Ghostbusters (1985 Academy Awards)
Who you gonna call?! Need I say more? Parker was sued by Huwey Lewis for copyright infringement noting that the song sounded too similar to Lewis's song, "I Want a New Drug." It came out from that lawsuit that Ghostbusters producers gave the track to Parker as a building off point to create the theme song. Parker says he was inspired by late night infomercials to create a jingle like song that the real Ghostbusters would have used as advertisement. The song lost at the 1985 Academy Awards to Stevie Wonders' "I Just Called to Say I Love You," from Gene Wilder's "The Woman in Red." Literally had no idea that Wonders' song was even a theme song.
Rainbow Connection (Kermit the Frog) - The Muppets Movie (1980 Academy Awards)
You've heard countless of covers of this song from Willie Nelson, to Kacey Musgraves, to Gwen Stefani, to Weezer and Hayley Williams, but have you heard the song that it lost to? The 1980 Academy Award winner for Sally Fields "Norma Rae" theme, "It Goes like it Goes," sung by Jennifer Warnes. Paul Williams and Kenneth Ascher wrote the song with inspiration from "When You Wish Upon a Star" from Pinnochio, and had Kermit's particular speech patterns in mind.
When She Loved Me (Sarah McLachlan, written by Randy Newman) - Toy Story 2 (2000 Academy Awards)
Before there was "Up," Toy Story 2 had the most heartbreaking, tear-jerking moment in Pixar history. The backstory of cowgirl Jessie was originally just going to be explained verbally by the character, but Pixar creators wanted Randy Newman to write a song. Throughout the process, Newman doubted that children would be able to pay attention to a slower ballad, but was proven wrong. The song was nominated for the 2000 Academy award, but lost to Phil Collins "You'll Be in my Heart." Tough year, because both songs are so good.
Stayin' Alive (The Bee Gees) - Saturday Night Fever (1978 Academy Awards)
I mean, this song defined not only the entire film, but became the definition for the entire era of disco. Written by the Gibb brothers as an ode to the turmoil occurring in Harlem and NYC at the time (1977 Blackout, extreme poverty and lack of government assistance, Son of Sam serial killer on the loose, NYC on the brink of bankruptcy), and of their ability to just "stay alive." The song became the opening track and featured over Travolta iconically walking the streets of NYC. The song wasn't even nominated for an Oscar, but the soundtrack did go on to win Best Album of the year at the Grammys, becoming the first film soundtrack to do so.
Don't You (Forget About Me) (Simple Minds) - The Breakfast Club (1986 Academy Awards)
The song was written by Keith Forsey and Steve Schiff with the hope that Simple Minds would agree to record it, both being fans of their work. The band initally turned down the offer. It was then shopped to Billy Idol, who also turned it down. Eventually, the band agreed to record it, and did so in 3 hours and according to accounts, "promptly forgot about it, believing that it would be a throwaway song on the soundtrack to a forgettable movie." The film would have been eligible for the 1986 Academy Awards, but wasn't even nominated.
I Have Nothing (Whitney Houston) - The Body Guard (1993 Academy Awards)
Now, this is a tricky year. The most popular song from "The Bodyguard" soundtrack is definitely Whitney's cover of Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You," but since that was a cover song, and not original music, it was ineligible for the award. Thus, all the power was put behind this David Foster song. Ultimately, it lost to "A Whole New World" from Aladdin, but went on to be the best selling movie soundtrack of all time, and the Grammy winner for Album of the Year (the second film to do so).
9 to 5 (Dolly Parton) - 9 to 5 (1981 Academy Awards)
Dolly wrote the theme song to the movie after being inspired for the beat with her acrylic nails rubbing together. The sound reminded her of a typewriter, and the rest followed. The song lost to the theme song to "Fame," another tough year, but 9 to 5 remains one of Dolly's most iconic hits. The song earned her a Grammy for Best Country Song.
That Thing You Do! (The Oneders) - That Thing You Do! (1997 Academy Awards)
The title song from the movie about a fictional 1960s boyband from Eerie, Pennsylvania was written by Fountains of Wayne bassist, Adam Schlesinger (of Stacy's Mom fame). To me, this song is powerful because you spend a good portion of the movie wondering if this is a biopic or a work of fiction. The song is that much of a ear worm. The song lost to "You Must Love Me" from Evita. Idk who would be more upset by the loss, Tom Hanks or Maxwell Scheffield.
I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing (Aerosmith) - Armageddon (1999 Academy Awards)
The song was written by Diane Warren and was inspired by a Barbara Walters interview with James Brolin and Barbara Streisand where Brolin said he missed Streisand when they were asleep. Diane noted down "I don't want to miss a thing," and the song was born. The song became the only number one single for the band Aerosmith. The song lost to "When You Believe" from "The Prince of Egypt" sung by Whitney and Mariah. The inclusion of this song on the list does not mean "When You Believe" was an undeserving winner.
Independent Woman Pt. I (Destiny's Child) - Charlie's Angels (2001 Academy Awards)
Naturally, this is not a song that would have been nominated for an Oscar. But that doesn't mean it isn't an iconic movie theme song. Afterall, it was nominated for a Grammy for best original movie song! Allegedly, Matthew Knowles submitted this song to producers for consideration for inclusion without Beyonce's knowledge. If it had been nominated, it would have lost to Bob Dylan's "Things Have Changed," from Wonder Boys.
Hopelessly Devoted to You (Olivia Newton John) - Grease (1979 Academy Awards)
Grease, America's favorite movie about 30 year-old teenagers, knew they had to feature an original song to be considered for the Academy Awards. So, John Farrar penned this song. Of it he said, "I spent the longest period writing the lyrics of any song I've ever written. Every thesaurus and every rhyming dictionary I had, just trying to really make it work properly." The song was Grease's only oscar nom and eventually lost to "Last Dance," from "Thank God it's Friday."
ONTD, what are you favorite movie theme songs that didn't win Oscars?
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