The Unique Oscar Year of 1985 When Every Best Original Song Nominee Topped the Charts
“Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)”
From the film: Against All Odds
Music and lyric: Phil Collins
Recorded by: Phil Collins
Weeks spent at No. 1: Three
Performed on Oscar telecast by: Ann Reinking with Gary Chryst
Notes: This marked Collins’ first nomination. He received another nomination in 1989 for “Two Hearts” from Buster, which he co-wrote with Motown legend Lamont Dozier. Collins eventually won an Oscar in 2000 for “You’ll Be in My Heart” from Tarzan.
Despite the song’s success as one of his seven No. 1 hits on the Hot 100, the producers did not invite Collins to perform. Instead, Ann Reinking and dancer Gary Chryst were chosen. When Collins was nominated for “Two Hearts,” none of the nominated songs were performed on the telecast. He was, however, invited to perform when nominated for “You’ll Be in My Heart.”
“Footloose”
From the film: Footloose
Music and lyric: Kenny Loggins and Dean Pitchford
Recorded by: Kenny Loggins
Weeks spent at No. 1: Three
Performed on Oscar telecast by: Debbie Allen
Notes: This was Loggins’ first and only No. 1 hit on the Hot 100. “Footloose” solidified his reputation as a primary artist for film soundtracks in the 1980s. Following this hit, he released “Danger Zone” from Top Gun, “Meet Me Halfway” from Over the Top, and “Nobody’s Fool” from Caddyshack II, all of which reached the top 15 on the Hot 100.
The film’s iconic status led to a 2011 remake, in which Blake Shelton performed the title song. He also opened that year’s Country Music Association Awards with a rendition featuring Loggins. This reunion helped compensate for Loggins’ absence at the 1985 Oscars, where Debbie Allen delivered a heavily-choreographed performance of the song instead, much to the dismay of fans.
“Ghostbusters”
From the film: Ghostbusters
Music and lyric: Ray Parker Jr.
Recorded by: Ray Parker Jr.
Weeks spent at No. 1: Three
Performed on Oscar telecast by: Ray Parker Jr.
Notes: This was Parker’s first and only No. 1 hit on the Hot 100. The song contributed to the film’s two nominations, including a nod for best visual effects. During the Oscar telecast, Parker performed the song in a lavish production number featuring a cameo by comedian Dom DeLuise.
Ghostbusters was the year’s top-grossing film at the domestic box office. Among the other films nominated for best original song, Footloose ranked No. 6, The Woman in Red came in at No. 33, and Against All Odds placed No. 39.
“I Just Called to Say I Love You”
From the film: The Woman in Red
Music and lyric: Stevie Wonder
Recorded by: Stevie Wonder
Weeks spent at No. 1: Three
Performed on Oscar telecast by: Diana Ross
Notes: This was Wonder’s eighth out of nine No. 1 hits on the Hot 100. Diana Ross performed the song during the Oscar telecast. Upon receiving the Oscar from actor-dancer Gregory Hines, Wonder expressed disbelief at his win and offered thanks to several individuals, including Nelson Mandela, for whom he dedicated his award due to his activism.
As noted in Inside Oscar: The Unofficial History of the Academy Awards, Wonder’s support for Mandela, the South African civil rights leader imprisoned since 1964, led to his music being banned by the South African government.
Notably, Wonder was the first blind person to win an Oscar.
“Let’s Hear It for the Boy”
From the film: Footloose
Music and lyric: Tom Snow and Dean Pitchford
Recorded by: Deniece Williams
Weeks spent at No. 1: Two
Performed on Oscar telecast by: Deniece Williams
Notes: This was Williams’ first and only No. 1 hit on the Hot 100. She performed the song during the Oscar telecast. Pitchford and Snow received another nomination in 1990 for “After All” from the film Chances Are.
In a noteworthy anecdote, when Clive Davis was overseeing Whitney Houston’s debut album, he sought a spirited song to complement her ballads, reminiscent of “Let’s Hear It for the Boy.” He discovered “How Will I Know,” which also topped the Hot 100. Pitchford later collaborated directly with Houston when he co-wrote “All the Man That I Need,” another song that achieved No. 1 status.
