The 17 Best Original Song Oscar Winners That Topped the Hot 100

B.J. Thomas, “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head” (1970)

From the film: Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid

Credits: Music by Burt Bacharach, lyrics by Hal David

Weeks at No. 1: Four, beginning Jan. 3, 1970
Performed on the Oscar telecast by: B.J. Thomas

Notes: This marked both Thomas’ and Bacharach’s first wins for Best Original Song. The award was presented by Candice Bergen, a notable figure before her role in Murphy Brown. Bacharach also secured a second Oscar that night for best original score for a motion picture (non-musical).

Isaac Hayes, “Theme From Shaft” (1972)

From the film: Shaft

Credits: Music & lyrics by Isaac Hayes

Weeks at No. 1: Two, beginning Nov. 20, 1971

Performed on the Oscar telecast by: Isaac Hayes

Notes: Hayes made history as the first Black songwriter to win for Best Original Song. The award was presented by Joel Grey, who starred in the acclaimed musical Cabaret. This was Hayes’ only top 10 hit on the Hot 100.

Maureen McGovern, “The Morning After” (1973)

From the film: The Poseidon Adventure

Credits: Music & lyrics by Joel Hirschhorn & Al Kasha

Weeks at No. 1: Two, beginning Aug. 4, 1973
Performed on the Oscar telecast by: Connie Stevens

Notes: Although this song did not enter the Hot 100 until June, it hit No. 1 by August. This was McGovern’s first Hot 100 hit and the first of two Oscar wins for Kasha & Hirschhorn, both for disaster-themed films.

Barbra Streisand, “The Way We Were” (1974)

From the film: The Way We Were

Credits: Music by Marvin Hamlisch, lyrics by Alan & Marilyn Bergman
Weeks at No. 1: Three, beginning Feb. 2, 1974

Performed on the Oscar telecast by: Peggy Lee

Notes: This song marked Streisand’s first No. 1 hit, achieving the spot two months prior to the Oscars. Hamlisch made history by winning three Oscars in one night.

Barbra Streisand, “Evergreen (Love Theme From A Star Is Born)” (1977)

From the film: A Star Is Born

Credits: Music by Barbra Streisand, lyrics by Paul Williams

Weeks at No. 1: Three, beginning March 5, 1977

Performed on the Oscar telecast by: Barbra Streisand

Notes: Streisand’s second No. 1 hit also earned her a second Oscar, making her the only person to win in both acting and songwriting categories.

Debby Boone, “You Light Up My Life” (1978)

From the film: You Light Up My Life

Credits: Music & lyrics by Joseph Brooks

Weeks at No. 1: Ten, beginning Oct. 15, 1977
Performed on the Oscar telecast by: Debby Boone

Notes: This marked Boone’s only top 40 hit. The award, presented by Fred Astaire, followed what was marked by a candid acceptance speech from Brooks.

Christopher Cross, “Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do)” (1982)

From the film: Arthur

Credits: Music & lyrics by Peter Allen, Burt Bacharach, Christopher Cross & Carole Bayer Sager

Weeks at No. 1: Three, beginning Oct. 17, 1981
Performed on the Oscar telecast by: Christopher Cross

Notes: This was the first time four songwriters shared credit for a best song winner.

Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes, “Up Where We Belong” (1983)

From the film: An Officer and a Gentleman

Credits: Music by Jack Nitzsche & Buffy Sainte-Marie, lyrics by Will Jennings

Weeks at No. 1: Three, beginning Nov. 6, 1982

Performed on the Oscar telecast by: Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes

Notes: This marked the only No. 1 for both artists and Oscar win for both Nitzsche and Sainte-Marie.

Irene Cara, “Flashdance…What a Feeling” (1984)

From the film: Flashdance

Credits: Music by Giorgio Moroder, lyrics by Irene Cara & Keith Forsey

Weeks At No. 1: Six, beginning May 28, 1983
Performed on the Oscar telecast by: Irene Cara and 44 boys and girls from the National Dance Institute

Notes: Cara co-wrote this song, which became her only Oscar nod and No. 1 hit.

Stevie Wonder, “I Just Called to Say I Love You” (1985)

From the film: The Woman in Red

Credits: Music & lyrics by Stevie Wonder

Weeks at No. 1: Three, beginning Oct. 13, 1984

Performed on the Oscar telecast by: Diana Ross

Notes: This was Wonder’s only Oscar winner among his ten No. 1 hits.

Lionel Richie, “Say You, Say Me” (1986)

From the film: White Nights

Credits: Music & lyrics by Lionel Richie

Weeks at No. 1: Four, beginning Dec. 21, 1985
Performed on the Oscar telecast by: Lionel Richie

Notes: Richie lost to Bacharach’s “Arthur’s Theme” in 1982 but won with this track four years later.

Berlin, “Take My Breath Away” (1987)

From the film: Top Gun

Credits: Music by Giorgio Moroder, lyrics by Tom Whitlock

Weeks at No. 1: One, Sept. 13, 1986

Performed on the Oscar telecast by: Melba Moore and Lou Rawls

Notes: This marked Moroder’s third Oscar win, further establishing his legacy in film music.

Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes, “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” (1988)

From the film: Dirty Dancing

Credits: Music by John DeNicola, Donald Markowitz & Franke Previte, lyrics by Frank Previte

Weeks at No. 1: One, Nov. 28, 1987
Performed on the Oscar telecast by: Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes

Notes: This song revived the careers of its performers, marking their return to the top of the charts.

Peabo Bryson & Regina Belle, “A Whole New World” (1993)

From the film: Aladdin

Credits: Music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Tim Rice

Weeks at No. 1: One, March 6, 1993

Performed on the Oscar telecast by: Brad Kane & Lea Salonga

Notes: The song emerged following the death of lyricist Howard Ashman, with Tim Rice stepping in. This was Bryson’s only No. 1 hit.

Celine Dion, “My Heart Will Go On” (1998)

From the film: Titanic

Credits: Music by James Horner, lyrics by Will Jennings

Weeks at No. 1: Two, beginning Feb. 28, 1998
Performed on the Oscar telecast by: Celine Dion

Notes: Dion’s powerful ballad was pivotal in her career and earned Horner and Jennings accolades during the awards.

Eminem, “Lose Yourself” (2003)

From the film: 8 Mile

Credits: Music by Jeff Bass, Eminem & Luis Resto, lyrics by Eminem

Weeks at No. 1: 12, beginning Nov. 9, 2002
Performed on the Oscar telecast by: Not performed

Notes: Eminem became the first hip-hop artist to win for Best Original Song. His absence from the ceremony was notable.

Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper, “Shallow” (2019)

From the film: A Star Is Born

Credits: Music & lyrics by Lady Gaga, Mark Ronson, Andrew Wyatt & Anthony Rossomando

Weeks at No. 1: One: March 9, 2019
Performed on the Oscar telecast by: Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper

Notes: “Shallow” surged to success after the Oscar telecast. Gaga’s dual nomination for acting and songwriting marked a significant achievement.