The Best Original Song Oscar is always a tight race. This year the category is packed with superstarsBeyoncé,Billie Eilish,Diane Warren,Van Morrison, andLin-Manuel Miranda.Encantohas become a pop culture sensation with the song “We Don’t Talk About Bruno'' taking over “Let It Go” as the highest-sellingDisney song in history. However, it is not nominated. Will “Dos Oruguitas” be enough to giveEncantoa win, or will it be another in a long line of popular songs not winning the category? Just because a song is hugely popular doesn’t mean it takes home an Oscar. Here is a list of 15 songs that exemplify this sentiment.
1967 - The Bare Necessities (The Jungle Book)
Written byTerry Gilkysonand performed byPhil Harris(Baloo) andBruce Reitherman(Mowgli), this song is still one of the most famous Disney songs in history. But in this instance, animals who talk lost out to a guy who could talk to animals.
Winner:“Talk to the Animals” from the filmDoctor Dolittlewritten byLeslie Bricusse.It was performed byRex Harrison.
1968 - Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
The titular song from the hit movie,Chitty Chitty Bang Bangperformed byDick Van DykeandSally Ann Howes,and written by theSherman Brotherscame up short for Oscar Gold. However, most people remember this tune way more than the winner.
Winner:“The Windmills of Your Mind” from the filmThe Thomas Crown Affairwritten by Michael Legrand, Alan & Marilyn Bergman, based on the French song “Les Moulins de mon coeur” written byEddy Marnay. It was performed byNoel Harrison.
1973 - Live and Let Die
Bond themes are recurring winners at the Academy Awards, but unfortunately, this one byPaulandLinda McCartneydidn’t measure up. Even though “Live and Let Die” is a stellar theme, it just didn’t have the wings to fly home with the Oscar.
Winner: “The Way We Were” from the film of the same name written by Marvin Hamlisch, Alan & Marilyn Bergman. It was performed byBarbra Streisand.
1977 - Nobody Does It Better (The Spy Who Loved Me)
One of the best Bond themes in history wasn’t able to take home the top prize this year. Written byMarvin HamlischandCarole Bayer Sager,Carly Simonsings that “Nobody Does it Better,” but in this case, someone does.
Winner: “You Light Up My Life” from the film of the same name written byJoseph Brooks. It was performed byDebby Boone.
1978 - Hopelessly Devoted To You (Grease)
Specifically written for the film byJohn Farrar,Olivia Newton-Johnwaxes poetic about her undying love for her boyfriend, Danny (John Travolta). Sure, everyone knows all the words to this power ballad, but it was another ’70s superstar who took home the gold.
Winner:“Last Dance” from the filmThank God It’s Fridaywritten byPaul Jabara. It was performed byDonna Summer.
1979 - Rainbow Connection (The Muppet Movie)
This song may not have won the Oscar, but it won the hearts of viewers of all ages. Written byPaul WilliamsandKenny Ascher,and performed by oneKermit the Frog, this song doesn’t need a trophy to cement it in the zeitgeist forever.
Winner:“It Goes Like it Goes” from the filmNorma Raewritten byDavid ShireandNormanGimbel. It was performed byJennifer Warnes.
1980 - 9 to 5
Dolly Parton’s mega-hit became an anthem for working women everywhere. The hit movie of the same name starring Parton,JaneFonda, andLilyTomlinwas ahead of its time for women in the workplace and taking charge of their lives. But in the Academy’s eyes, it just didn’t measure up to a bunch of high school kids who wanted to be stars.
Winner: “Fame” from the film of the same name written byMichael GoreandDean Pitchford. It was performed byIrene Cara.
1982 - Eye of the Tiger (Rocky III)
It’s hard not to get pumped up when this song comes on, just like Rocky (Sylvester Stallone) does in the third film in this franchise.Jim PeterikandFrank Sullivanfrom the bandSurvivorwrote and performed this workout anthem. However, it didn’t take home the top prize at the Academy Awards.
Winner: “Up Where We Belong” fromAn Officer and A Gentlemanwritten byJack Nitzche, Buffy Sainte-MarieandWill Jennings. It was performed by Jennifer Warnes andJoe Cocker.
1984 - Footloose
It’s a classic ’80s movie about a town that’s afraid to dance and sing. And when they realize their grief is misplaced, they let the kids, led byKevin Bacon, dance the night away to this hit byKenny Loggins. TheFootloosesoundtrack was a huge hit regardless of their Oscar loss.
Winner: “I Just Called to Say I Love You” written and performed byStevie Wonderfrom the filmThe Woman in Red.
1985 - The Power of Love (Back to the Future)
It’s hard to think ofBack to the Futureand not think ofHuey Lewis & the News.Huey Lewiseven has a cameo as a judge that turns Marty (Michael J. Fox) and his band The Pinheads down for their spot in Battle of the Bands. Even without an Oscar, this remains one of the biggest songs of the ’80s.
Winner: “Say You, Say Me” written and performed byLionel Richiefrom the filmWhite Nights.
