The Greatest 'Best Original Song' Oscar Winners, Ranked

Each year, the Academy awards the best directors, actors, cinematographers, writers, makeup artists, and composers. Since 1935, the Academy has been handing out the Best Original Song Oscar. Con Conrad and Herb Magidson won the first award for "The Continental" from The Gay Divorcee; Johnny Mercer, Randy Newman, Giorgio Moroder, Henry Mancini, Burt Bacharach, and Elton John have won multiple times. Paste ranked the 15 best winners from 90 years of history.

Honorable Mention: "Man or Muppet" (The Muppets, 2011)

Walter's piano ballad, voiced by Jason Segel and Peter Linz. Written by Bret McKenzie, it carries a heart that resonates across all generations, despite being a children's film.

15. "My Heart Will Go On" (Titanic, 1997)

18 million sales worldwide, four Grammys, #1 in 30 countries. Celine Dion gave Titanic its soul. A pop culture treasure that even surpassed its source film.

14. "Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)" (Arthur, 1981)

Christopher Cross's piano ballad. The line "when you get caught between the moon and New York City" is a phrase that conveys the New York dream to generations.

13. "Moon River" (Breakfast at Tiffany's, 1961)

Composed by Henry Mancini, Audrey Hepburn's performance as Holly Golightly on the fire escape.

12. "Flashdance…What a Feeling" (Flashdance, 1983)

An anthem written by Giorgio Moroder and Keith Forsey with Irene Cara, single-handedly summarizing the 1980s pop movement.

11. "The Way You Look Tonight" (Swing Time, 1936)

An immortal standard by Jerome Kern and Dorothy Fields, originally performed by Fred Astaire.

10. "Streets of Philadelphia" (Philadelphia, 1993)

Bruce Springsteen's lament, sung with a muted bass synth. One of the most humane pop songs written about AIDS and exclusion.

9. "Falling Slowly" (Once, 2007)

A folk duet performed by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová. The biggest award won by a low-budget Irish film.

8. "Skyfall" (Skyfall, 2012)

Adele's James Bond anthem. The most mature theme song in the series.

7. "Lose Yourself" (8 Mile, 2002)

Eminem's first Oscar for rap. The rawest, most honest depiction of the "one shot" theme.

6. "Shallow" (A Star Is Born, 2018)

Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper's duet. The most resonant declaration of love of the past decade.

5. "Let It Go" (Frozen, 2013)

Idina Menzel's power song, defining the last fifteen years of animated musicals.

4. "Over the Rainbow" (The Wizard of Oz, 1939)

Judy Garland's rendition, perhaps the most iconic moment in American popular music.

3. "The Windmills of Your Mind" (The Thomas Crown Affair, 1968)

A surreal thought cycle written by Michel Legrand and the Bergmans, performed by Noel Harrison.

2. "White Christmas" (Holiday Inn, 1942)

Irving Berlin classic. Bing Crosby's interpretation remains the best-selling single of all time.

1. "Days of Wine and Roses" (Days of Wine and Roses, 1962)

The pinnacle of the canon by Henry Mancini and Johnny Mercer. A masterpiece about alcohol and loss, transformed into a jazz standard.

Source: Paste Magazine — "The Greatest Best Original Song Oscar Winners, Ranked".