The Academy Award for Best Original Song is one of the awards given every year by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). It is given to the songwriters who write the best original song specifically for a movie. Only songs that are "original and written specifically for the motion picture" can win.[1]
The award category was first given at the 7th Academy Awards. That ceremony was for 1934 movies. Nominations are made by Academy members who are songwriters and composers. All Academy members vote for the winner.
1930s
- 1934: "The Continental" – The Gay Divorcee • Music: Con Conrad • Lyrics: Herb Magidson
- "Carioca" – Flying Down to Rio • Music: Vincent Youmans • Lyrics: Edward Eliscu and Gus Kahn
- "Love in Bloom" – She Loves Me Not • Music: Ralph Rainger • Lyrics: Leo Robin
- 1935: "Lullaby of Broadway" – Gold Diggers of 1935 • Music: Harry Warren • Lyrics: Al Dubin
- 1936: "The Way You Look Tonight" – Swing Time • Music: Jerome Kern • Lyrics: Dorothy Fields
- "I've Got You Under My Skin" – Born to Dance • Music and lyrics: Cole Porter
- "Pennies from Heaven" – Pennies from Heaven • Music: Arthur Johnston • Lyrics: Johnny Burke
- "When Did You Leave Heaven" – Sing, Baby, Sing • Music: Richard A. Whiting • Lyrics: Walter Bullock
- "Did I Remember" – Suzy • Music: Walter Donaldson • Lyrics: Harold Adamson
- "A Melody from the Sky" – The Trail of the Lonesome Pine • Music: Louis Alter • Lyrics: Sidney D. Mitchell
- 1937: "Sweet Leilani" – Waikiki Wedding • Music and lyrics: Harry Owens
- "Whispers in the Dark" – Artists and Models • Music: Friedrich Hollaender • Lyrics: Leo Robin
- "Remember Me" – Mr. Dodd Takes the Air • Music: Harry Warren • Lyrics: Al Dubin
- "They Can't Take That Away from Me" – Shall We Dance • Music: George Gershwin (posthumous nomination) • Lyrics: Ira Gershwin
- "That Old Feeling" – Vogues of 1938 • Music: Sammy Fain • Lyrics: Lew Brown
- 1938: "Thanks for the Memory" – The Big Broadcast of 1938 • Music: Ralph Rainger • Lyrics: Leo Robin
- "Always and Always" – Mannequin • Music: Edward Ward • Lyrics: Chet Forrest and Bob Wright
- "Change Partners" – Carefree • Music and lyrics: Irving Berlin
- "The Cowboy and the Lady" – The Cowboy and the Lady • Music: Lionel Newman • Lyrics: Arthur Quenzer
- "Dust" – Under Western Stars • Music and lyrics: Johnny Marvin
- "Jeepers Creepers" – Going Places • Music: Harry Warren • Lyrics: Johnny Mercer
- "Merrily We Live" – Merrily We Live • Music: Phil Craig • Lyrics: Arthur Quenzer
- "A Mist over the Moon" – The Lady Objects • Music: Ben Oakland • Lyrics: Oscar Hammerstein II
- "My Own" – That Certain Age • Music: Jimmy McHugh • Lyrics: Harold Adamson
- "Now It Can Be Told" – Alexander's Ragtime Band • Music and lyrics: Irving Berlin
- 1939: "Over the Rainbow" – The Wizard of Oz • Music: Harold Arlen • Lyrics: Yip Harburg
- "Faithful Forever" – Gulliver's Travels • Music: Ralph Rainger • Lyrics: Leo Robin
- "I Poured My Heart into a Song" – Second Fiddle • Music and Lyrics: Irving Berlin
- "Wishing" – Love Affair • Music and lyrics: Buddy DeSylva
1940s
- 1940: "When You Wish Upon a Star" – Pinocchio • Music: Leigh Harline • Lyrics: Ned Washington
- "Down Argentine Way" – Down Argentine Way • Music: Harry Warren • Lyrics: Mack Gordon
- "I'd Know You Anywhere" – You'll Find Out • Music: Jimmy McHugh • Lyrics: Johnny Mercer
- "It's a Blue World" – Music in My Heart • Music and Lyrics: Chet Forrest and Bob Wright
- "Love of My Life" – Second Chorus • Music: Artie Shaw • Lyrics: Johnny Mercer
- "Only Forever" – Rhythm on the River • Music: James V. Monaco • Lyrics: Johnny Burke
- "Our Love Affair" – Strike Up the Band • Music and Lyrics: Roger Edens and Georgie Stoll
- "Waltzing in the Clouds" – Spring Parade • Music: Robert Stolz • Lyrics: Gus Kahn
- "Who Am I?" – Hit Parade of 1941 • Music: Jule Styne • Lyrics: Walter Bullock
- 1941: "The Last Time I Saw Paris" – Lady Be Good • Music: Jerome Kern • Lyrics: Oscar Hammerstein II
- "Baby Mine" – Dumbo • Music: Frank Churchill • Lyrics: Ned Washington
- "Be Honest With Me" – Ridin' on a Rainbow • Music and Lyrics: Gene Autry and Fred Rose
- "Blues in the Night" – Blues in the Night • Music: Harold Arlen • Lyrics: Johnny Mercer
- "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy of Company B" – Buck Privates • Music: Hugh Prince • Lyrics: Don Raye
- "Chattanooga Choo Choo" – Sun Valley Serenade • Music: Harry Warren • Lyrics: Mack Gordon
- "Dolores" – Las Vegas Nights • Music: Louis Alter • Lyrics: Frank Loesser
- "Out of the Silence" – All-American Co-Ed • Music and Lyrics: Lloyd B. Norlin
- "Since I Kissed My Baby Goodbye" – You'll Never Get Rich • Music and Lyrics: Cole Porter
- 1942: "White Christmas" – Holiday Inn • Music and Lyrics: Irving Berlin
- "Always in My Heart" – Always in My Heart • Music: Ernesto Lecuona • Lyrics: Kim Gannon
- "Dearly Beloved" – You Were Never Lovelier • Music: Jerome Kern • Lyrics: Johnny Mercer
- "How About You?" – Babes on Broadway • Music: Burton Lane • Lyrics: Ralph Freed
- "I've Heard That Song Before" – Youth on Parade • Music: Jule Styne • Lyrics: Sammy Cahn
- "(I've Got a Gal in) Kalamazoo" – Orchestra Wives • Music: Harry Warren • Lyrics: Mack Gordon
- "Love Is a Song[broken anchor]" – Bambi • Music: Frank Churchill (posthumous nomination) • Lyrics: Larry Morey
- "Pennies for Peppino" – Flying with Music • Music: Edward Ward • Lyrics: Chet Forrest and Bob Wright
- "Pig Foot Pete" – Hellzapoppin' • Music: Gene de Paul • Lyrics: Don Raye
- "There's a Breeze on Lake Louise" – The Mayor of 44th Street • Music: Harry Revel • Lyrics: Mort Greene
- 1943: "You'll Never Know" – Hello, Frisco, Hello • Music: Harry Warren • Lyrics: Mack Gordon
- "Change of Heart" – Hit Parade of 1943 • Music: Jule Styne • Lyrics: Harold Adamson
- "Happiness is a Thing Called Joe" – Cabin in the Sky • Music: Harold Arlen • Lyrics: Yip Harburg
- "My Shining Hour" – The Sky's the Limit • Music: Harold Arlen • Lyrics: Johnny Mercer
- "Saludos Amigos" – Saludos Amigos • Music: Charles Wolcott • Lyrics: Ned Washington
- "Say a Prayer for the Boys Over There" – Hers to Hold • Music: Jimmy McHugh • Lyrics: Herb Magidson
- "That Old Black Magic" – Star Spangled Rhythm • Music: Harold Arlen • Lyrics: Johnny Mercer
- "They're Either Too Young or Too Old" – Thank Your Lucky Stars • Music: Arthur Schwartz • Lyrics: Frank Loesser
- "We Mustn't Say Good Bye" – Stage Door Canteen • Music: James V. Monaco • Lyrics: Al Dubin
- "You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To" – Something to Shout About • Music and Lyrics: Cole Porter
- 1944: "Swinging on a Star" – Going My Way • Music: Jimmy Van Heusen • Lyrics: Johnny Burke
- "I Couldn't Sleep a Wink Last Night" – Higher and Higher • Music: Jimmy McHugh • Lyrics: Harold Adamson
- "I'll Walk Alone" – Follow the Boys • Music: Jule Styne • Lyrics: Sammy Cahn
- "I'm Making Believe" – Sweet and Low-Down • Music: James V. Monaco • Lyrics: Mack Gordon
- "Long Ago (and Far Away)" – Cover Girl • Music: Jerome Kern • Lyrics: Ira Gershwin
- "Now I Know" – Up in Arms • Music: Harold Arlen • Lyrics: Ted Koehler
- "Remember Me to Carolina" – Minstrel Man • Music: Harry Revel • Lyrics: Paul Webster
- "Rio de Janeiro" – Brazil • Music: Ary Barroso • Lyrics: Ned Washington
- "Silver Shadows and Golden Dreams" – Lady, Let's Dance • Music: Lew Pollack • Lyrics: Charles Newman
- "Too Much in Love" – Song of the Open Road • Music: Walter Kent • Lyrics: Kim Gannon
- "The Trolley Song" – Meet Me in St. Louis • Music and Lyrics: Ralph Blane and Hugh Martin
- 1945: "It Might as Well Be Spring" – State Fair • Music: Richard Rodgers • Lyrics: Oscar Hammerstein II
- "Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive" – Here Come the Waves • Music: Harold Arlen • Lyrics: Johnny Mercer
- "Anywhere" – Tonight and Every Night • Music: Jule Styne • Lyrics: Sammy Cahn
- "Aren't You Glad You're You?" – The Bells of St. Mary's • Music: James Van Heusen • Lyrics: Johnny Burke
- "The Cat and the Canary" – Why Girls Leave Home • Music: Jay Livingston • Lyrics: Ray Evans
- "Endlessly" – Earl Carroll Vanities • Music: Walter Kent • Lyrics: Kim Gannon
- "I Fall in Love Too Easily" – Anchors Aweigh • Music:Jule Styne • Lyrics: Sammy Cahn
- "I'll Buy That Dream" – Sing Your Way Home • Music: Allie Wrubel • Lyrics: Herb Magidson
- "Linda" – The Story of G.I. Joe • Music and Lyrics: Ann Ronell
- "Love Letters" – Love Letters • Music: Victor Young • Lyrics: Edward Heyman
- "More and More" – Can't Help Singing • Music: Jerome Kern (posthumous nomination) • Lyrics: Yip Harburg
- "Sleighride in July" – Belle of the Yukon • Music: James Van Heusen • Lyrics:Johnny Burke
- "So in Love" – Wonder Man • Music: David Rose • Lyrics: Leo Robin
- "Some Sunday Morning" – San Antonio • Music: Ray Heindorf and M.K. Jerome • Lyrics: Ted Koehler
- 1946: "On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe" – The Harvey Girls • Music: Harry Warren • Lyrics: Johnny Mercer
- "All Through the Day" – Centennial Summer • Music: Jerome Kern (posthumous nomination) • Lyrics: Oscar Hammerstein II
- "I Can't Begin to Tell You" – The Dolly Sisters • Music: James V. Monaco (posthumous nomination) • Lyrics: Mack Gordon
- "Ole Buttermilk Sky" – Canyon Passage • Music: Hoagy Carmichael • Lyrics: Jack Brooks
- "You Keep Coming Back Like a Song" – Blue Skies • Music and Lyrics: Irving Berlin
- 1947: "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah" – Song of the South • Music: Allie Wrubel • Lyrics: Ray Gilbert
- "A Gal in Calico" – The Time, the Place and the Girl • Music: Arthur Schwartz • Lyrics: Leo Robin
- "I Wish I Didn't Love You So" – The Perils of Pauline • Music and Lyrics: Frank Loesser
- "Pass That Peace Pipe" – Good News • Music and Lyrics: Ralph Blane, Hugh Martin and Roger Edens
- "You Do" – Mother Wore Tights • Music: Josef Myrow • Lyrics: Mack Gordon
- 1948: "Buttons and Bows" – The Paleface • Music: Jay Livingston • Lyrics: Ray Evans
- 1949: "Baby, It's Cold Outside" – Neptune's Daughter • Music and Lyrics: Frank Loesser
1950s
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Year |
Winning songwriter(s) |
Nominees |
1950 |
"Mona Lisa" – Captain Carey, U.S.A. – Music and Lyrics: Ray Evans and Jay Livingston |
- "Be My Love" – The Toast of New Orleans • Music: Nicholas Brodzsky • Lyrics: Sammy Cahn
- "Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo" – Cinderella • Music and lyrics: Mack David, Al Hoffman and Jerry Livingston
- "Mule Train" – Singing Guns • Music and Lyrics: Fred Glickman, Hy Heath and Johnny Lange
- "Wilhelmina" – Wabash Avenue • Music: Josef Myrow • Lyrics: Mack Gordon
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1951 |
"In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening" – Here Comes the Groom – Music: Hoagy Carmichael • Lyrics: Johnny Mercer |
- "Never"– Golden Girl • Music: Lionel Newman • Lyrics: Eliot Daniel
- "Wonder Why" – Rich, Young and Pretty • Music: Nicholas Brodszky • Lyrics: Sammy Cahn
- "Too Late Now" – Royal Wedding • Music: Burton Lane • Lyrics: Alan Jay Lerner
- "A Kiss to Build a Dream On" – The Strip • Music and lyrics: Burt Kalmar (posthumous nomination), Harry Ruby, and Oscar Hammerstein II
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1952 |
"High Noon (Do Not Forsake Me, Oh My Darlin')" – High Noon – Music: Dimitri Tiomkin • Lyrics: Ned Washington |
- "Am I in Love" – Son of Paleface • Music and lyrics: Jack Brooks
- "Because You're Mine" – Because You're Mine • Music: Nicholas Brodszky • Lyrics: Sammy Cahn
- "Thumbelina" – Hans Christian Andersen • Music and lyrics: Frank Loesser
- "Zing a Little Zong" – Just for You • Music: Harry Warren • Lyrics: Leo Robin
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1953 |
"Secret Love" – Calamity Jane – Music: Sammy Fain • Lyrics: Paul Francis Webster |
- "The Moon Is Blue" – The Moon Is Blue • Music: Herschel Burke Gilbert • Lyrics: Sylvia Fine
- "My Flaming Heart" – Small Town Girl • Music: Nicholas Brodszky • Lyrics: Leo Robin
- "Sadie Thompson's Song (Blue Pacific Blues)" – Miss Sadie Thompson • Music: Lester Lee • Lyrics: Ned Washington
- "That's Amore" – The Caddy • Music: Harry Warren • Lyrics: Jack Brooks
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1954 |
"Three Coins in the Fountain" – Three Coins in the Fountain – Music: Jule Styne • Lyrics: Sammy Cahn |
- "Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep" – White Christmas • Music and lyrics: Irving Berlin
- "The High and the Mighty" – The High and the Mighty • Music: Dimitri Tiomkin • Lyrics: Ned Washington
- "Hold My Hand" – Susan Slept Here • Music and lyrics: Jack Lawrence and Richard Myers
- "The Man that Got Away" – A Star Is Born • Music: Harold Arlen • Lyrics: Ira Gershwin
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1955 |
"Love Is a Many Splendored Thing" – Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing – Music: 'Sammy Fain • Lyrics: Paul Francis Webster |
- "I'll Never Stop Loving You" – Love Me or Leave Me • Music: Nicholas Brodszky • Lyrics: Sammy Cahn
- "Something's Gotta Give" – Daddy Long Legs • Music and lyrics: Johnny Mercer
- "(Love Is) The Tender Trap" – The Tender Trap • Music: Jimmy Van Heusen • Lyrics: Sammy Cahn
- "Unchained Melody" – Unchained • Music: Alex North • Lyrics: Hy Zaret
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1956 |
"Whatever Will Be, Will Be (Qué Será, Será)" – The Man Who Knew Too Much – Music and lyrics: Jay Livingston and Ray Evans |
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1957 |
"All the Way" – The Joker Is Wild – Music: Jimmy Van Heusen • Lyrics: Sammy Cahn |
- "An Affair to Remember" – An Affair to Remember • Music: Harry Warren • Lyrics: Harold Adamson and Leo McCarey
- "April Love" – April Love • Music: Sammy Fain • Lyrics: Paul Francis Webster
- "Tammy" – Tammy and the Bachelor • Music and lyrics: Ray Evans and Jay Livingston
- "Wild Is the Wind" – Wild Is the Wind • Music: Dimitri Tiomkin • Lyrics: Ned Washington
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1958 |
"Gigi" – Gigi – Music: Frederick Loewe • Lyrics: Alan Jay Lerner |
- "Almost in Your Arms (Love Song from Houseboat)" – Houseboat • Music and lyrics: Jay Livingston and Ray Evans
- "A Certain Smile" – A Certain Smile • Music: Sammy Fain • Lyrics: Paul Francis Webster
- "To Love and Be Loved" – Some Came Running • Music: Jimmy Van Heusen • Lyrics: Sammy Cahn
- "A Very Precious Love" – Marjorie Morningstar • Music: Sammy Fain • Lyrics: Paul Francis Webster
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1959 |
"High Hopes" – A Hole in the Head – Music: Jimmy Van Heusen • Lyrics: Sammy Cahn |
- "The Best of Everything" – The Best of Everything • Music: Alfred Newman • Lyrics: Sammy Cahn
- "The Five Pennies" – The Five Pennies • Music and lyrics: Sylvia Fine
- "The Hanging Tree" – The Hanging Tree • Music: Jerry Livingston • Lyrics: Mack David
- "Strange Are the Ways of Love" – The Young Land • Music: Dimitri Tiomkin • Lyrics: Ned Washington
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1960s
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1970s
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Year |
Winning songwriter(s) |
Nominees |
1970 |
"For All We Know" – Lovers and Other Strangers – Music: Fred Karlin • Lyrics: Robb Royer and Jimmy Griffin |
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1971 |
"Theme from Shaft" – Shaft – Music and Lyrics: Isaac Hayes |
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1972 |
"The Morning After" – The Poseidon Adventure – Music and Lyrics: Al Kasha and Joel Hirschhorn |
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1973 |
"The Way We Were" – The Way We Were – Music: Marvin Hamlisch • Lyrics: Alan Bergman and Marilyn Bergman |
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1974 |
"We May Never Love Like This Again" – The Towering Inferno – Music and Lyrics: Al Kasha and Joel Hirschhorn |
- "Benji’s Theme (I Feel Love)" – Benji • Music: Euel Box • Lyrics: Betty Box
- "Blazing Saddles" – Blazing Saddles • Music: John Morris • Lyrics: Mel Brooks
- "Wherever Love Takes Me" – Gold • Music: Elmer Bernstein • Lyrics: Don Black
- "Little Prince" – The Little Prince • Music: Frederick Lowe • Lyrics: Alan Jay Lerner
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1975 |
"I'm Easy" – Nashville – Music and Lyrics: Keith Carradine |
- "How Lucky Can You Get" – Funny Lady • Music and Lyrics: Fred Ebb and John Kander
- "Theme from Mahogany (Do You Know Where You're Going To)" – Mahogany • Music: Michael Masser • Lyrics: Gerry Goffin
- "Richard’s Window" – The Other Side of the Mountain • Music: Charles Fox • Lyrics: Norman Gimbel
- "Now That We’re in Love" – Whiffs • Music: George Barrie • Lyrics: Sammy Cahn
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1976 |
"Evergreen (Love Theme from A Star Is Born)" – A Star Is Born – Music: Barbra Streisand • Lyrics: Paul Williams |
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1977 |
"You Light Up My Life" – You Light Up My Life – Music and Lyrics: Joseph Brooks |
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1978 |
"Last Dance" – Thank God It’s Friday – Music and Lyrics: Paul Jabara |
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1979 |
"It Goes Like It Goes" – Norma Rae – Music: David Shire • Lyrics: Norman Gimbel |
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1980s
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1990s
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2000s
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Year |
Winning songwriter(s) |
Nominees |
2000 |
"Things Have Changed" – Wonder Boys – Music and Lyrics: Bob Dylan |
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2001 |
"If I Didn't Have You" – Monsters, Inc. – Music and Lyrics: Randy Newman |
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2002 |
"Lose Yourself" – 8 Mile – Music: Eminem, Jeff Bass, and Luis Resto • Lyrics: Eminem |
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2003 |
"Into the West" – The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King – Music and Lyrics: Fran Walsh, Howard Shore, and Annie Lennox |
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2004 |
"Al otro lado del río" – The Motorcycle Diaries – Music and Lyrics: Jorge Drexler |
- "Accidentally in Love" – Shrek 2 • Music: Adam Duritz, Charlie Gillingham, Jim Bogios, David Immerglück, Matthew Malley and David Bryson • Lyrics: Adam Duritz and Daniel Vickrey (all of Counting Crows)
- "Believe" – The Polar Express • Music and Lyrics: Glen Ballard and Alan Silvestri
- "Learn to Be Lonely" – The Phantom of the Opera • Music: Andrew Lloyd Webber • Lyrics: Charles Hart
- "Vois sur ton chemin (Look to Your Path)" – The Chorus • Music: Bruno Coulais • Lyrics: Christophe Barratier
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2005 |
"It's Hard out Here for a Pimp" – Hustle & Flow – Music and Lyrics: Juicy J, Frayser Boy and DJ Paul |
- "In the Deep" – Crash • Music: Kathleen York and Michael Becker • Lyrics: Kathleen York
- "Travelin' Thru" – Transamerica • Music and Lyrics: Dolly Parton
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2006 |
"I Need to Wake Up" – An Inconvenient Truth – Music and Lyrics: Melissa Etheridge |
- "Listen" – Dreamgirls • Music: Henry Krieger and Scott Cutler • Lyrics: Anne Preven
- "Love You I Do" – Dreamgirls • Music: Henry Krieger • Lyrics: Siedah Garrett
- "Our Town" – Cars • Music and Lyrics: Randy Newman
- "Patience" – Dreamgirls • Music: Henry Krieger • Lyrics: Willie Reale
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2007 |
"Falling Slowly" – Once – Music and Lyrics: Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová |
- "Happy Working Song" – Enchanted • Music: Alan Menken • Lyrics: Stephen Schwartz
- "Raise It Up" – August Rush • Music and Lyrics: Jamal Joseph, Charles Mack, and Tevin Thomas
- "So Close" – Enchanted • Music: Alan Menken • Lyrics: Stephen Schwartz
- "That's How You Know" – Enchanted • Music: Alan Menken • Lyrics: Stephen Schwartz
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2008 |
"Jai Ho" – Slumdog Millionaire – Music: A. R. Rahman • Lyrics: Gulzar |
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2009 |
"The Weary Kind" – Crazy Heart – Music and Lyrics: Ryan Bingham and T-Bone Burnett |
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2010s
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