Academy Award for Best Original Song

Lore & Background

The award's eligibility rules were changed after the 1941 ceremony, when "The Last Time I Saw Paris" won despite being written and recorded before its use in the film Lady Be Good. Composer Jerome Kern, who felt the song should not have won, successfully pushed the Academy to require that songs be "original and written specifically for the motion picture." This rule also excludes songs from stage musicals adapted into films, though additional original songs written for such adaptations may be nominated.

From 1946 to 2011, nominations were determined by a points system among Music Branch members, often resulting in five nominees but occasionally fewer. After only two songs were nominated in 2011, the Academy established a fixed system of five nominees starting with the 85th Academy Awards. A 2008 rule limits any single film to a maximum of two nominated songs, following consecutive years where one film received three nominations but lost all.

Nominated songs are typically performed live at the ceremony, a tradition that began at the 18th Academy Awards in 1946. Over time, rules governing who may perform have shifted, sometimes allowing the original film performer, sometimes a cover artist, or another entertainer chosen by producers. In 2004, the winning song "Al otro lado del río" became the first in Spanish to win, and its composer Jorge Drexler was not allowed to perform it on the telecast.

Reader's Guide

The Academy Award for Best Original Song has shaped how film music is created and recognized, enforcing strict originality requirements that distinguish it from other song awards. Its eligibility rules, refined after the 1941 controversy, ensure that nominated songs are composed specifically for their films, preventing pre-existing works from competing. This has influenced filmmaking, particularly in adaptations of stage musicals, where new songs are often added to qualify for the category.

The award's voting system has evolved from open nominations to a fixed five-nominee structure, reflecting efforts to maintain competitive integrity. The limit of two nominated songs per film, instituted after multiple nominations from single films failed to win, demonstrates the Academy's responsiveness to voting dynamics. The category also highlights the tension between artistic merit and commercial performance, as seen in the debate over "Falling Slowly" and "In the Deep," where songs released before their films were deemed eligible due to the timing of the film version's recording.

Performances at the ceremony have become a platform for both original and cover artists, occasionally sparking controversy, such as when Phil Collins was rejected to perform his nominated song in 1985. The award's global reach expanded with non-English winners like "Never on Sunday" and "Al otro lado del río," though the latter's composer was denied a performance slot. Overall, the award remains a key benchmark for original songwriting in cinema.

Did You Know?

• Only four films have featured three nominated songs: Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, Dreamgirls, and Enchanted.
• The 2008 winner 'Falling Slowly' was released on two albums before its film Once, but the Academy deemed those uses inconsequential to eligibility.