Throughout the history of cinema and popular music, some songs have achieved the rare distinction of not only winning the Oscar for Best Original Song but also hitting No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The intersection of these two milestones underscores the cultural impact of certain film songs, crossover appeal, and sometimes even the music industry’s recognition of cinematic masterpieces. In this article, we delve into the fascinating list of the 17 best original song Oscar winners that reached No. 1 on the Hot 100, highlighting their stories, the films they accompanied, and their enduring legacy.

Introduction: The Uncommon Dual Achievement

Since the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences began awarding the Best Original Song statuette in 1935, only a select number of songs have simultaneously ascended to the top of the Billboard Hot 100. Achieving both honors signifies a song’s mass appeal and its integral role in pop culture. Over more than six decades, only 17 songs have managed this feat, marking it as a notable benchmark in both music and film history.

The Significance of Hitting No. 1 and Winning the Oscar

This dual success demonstrates that a song resonates broadly with audiences beyond the movie theater. It indicates that the song has achieved commercial ubiquity and has been deeply ingrained in the cultural fabric. For artists and songwriters, it often signifies career-defining moments, exemplified by wins and chart-topping hits that transcend their cinematic origins.

A Historical Overview of the Double Achievement

Early Pioneers

• B.J. Thomas – “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head” (1970): The first to secure the uncommon honor of topping the Hot 100 and winning an Oscar. From the film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, it spent four weeks at No. 1 prior to its win.

Artists with Multiple Wins

• Barbra Streisand: Topped the charts twice with The Way We Were (1974) and Evergreen (Love Theme from A Star Is Born) (1977).
• Jennifer Warnes: Hit No. 1 with Up Where We Belong (1983) and again with (I’ve Had) The Time of My Life (1988).

Notable Songwriters

• Burt Bacharach, Giorgio Moroder, and Will Jennings: Each has achieved multiple Oscar wins for songs that also topped the Hot 100.

List of the 17 Songs That Achieved the Double

Presented in chronological order (by the Oscar award year), these songs exemplify the rare combination of popular chart success and critical accolade:

1970s Era

• B.J. Thomas, “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head” (1970): From Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, music by Burt Bacharach, lyrics by Hal David.
• Isaac Hayes, “Theme From Shaft” (1972): From Shaft, music and lyrics by Isaac Hayes. Notably, Hayes was the first Black songwriter to win for best original song.
• Maureen McGovern, “The Morning After” (1973): From The Poseidon Adventure, music & lyrics by Joel Hirschhorn & Al Kasha.
• Barbra Streisand, “The Way We Were” (1974): From The Way We Were, music by Marvin Hamlisch, lyrics by Alan & Marilyn Bergman.
• Barbra Streisand, “Evergreen (Love Theme from A Star Is Born)” (1977): Music by Streisand, lyrics by Paul Williams.

1980s Era

• Christopher Cross, “Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do)” (1982): From Arthur, music & lyrics by Peter Allen, Burt Bacharach, Christopher Cross, Carole Bayer Sager.
• Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes, “Up Where We Belong” (1983): From An Officer and a Gentleman, music by Jack Nitzsche & Buffy Sainte-Marie, lyrics by Will Jennings.
• Irene Cara, “Flashdance…What a Feeling” (1984): From Flashdance, music by Giorgio Moroder, lyrics by Irene Cara & Keith Forsey.
• Stevie Wonder, “I Just Called to Say I Love You” (1985): From The Woman in Red, music & lyrics by Stevie Wonder.
• Lionel Richie, “Say You, Say Me” (1986): From White Nights, music & lyrics by Lionel Richie.
• Berlin, “Take My Breath Away” (1987): From Top Gun, music by Giorgio Moroder, lyrics by Tom Whitlock.
• Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes, “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” (1988): From Dirty Dancing, music by John DeNicola, Donald Markowitz & Franke Previte, lyrics by Frank Previte.

1990s and Beyond

• Peabo Bryson & Regina Belle, “A Whole New World” (1993): From Aladdin, music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Tim Rice.
• Celine Dion, “My Heart Will Go On” (1998): From Titanic, music by James Horner, lyrics by Will Jennings.
• Eminem, “Lose Yourself” (2003): From 8 Mile, music by Jeff Bass, Eminem & Luis Resto, lyrics by Eminem.
• Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper, “Shallow” (2019): From A Star Is Born, music & lyrics by Lady Gaga, Mark Ronson, Andrew Wyatt & Anthony Rossomando.

Highlights and Interesting Facts

• First No. 1 & Oscar Winner: “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head” in 1970 set the precedent for this rare feat.
• Artists with Multiple Wins: Streisand and Warnes are among the few to achieve this twice, highlighting their unique crossover appeal.
• Songwriters with Multiple Oscars & Chart-Toppers: Burt Bacharach, Giorgio Moroder, and Will Jennings have carved a distinctive legacy with multiple victories.
• Decade Patterns: The 1970s and 1980s were golden eras for this dual success, but it became increasingly rare from the 1990s onward, emphasizing the changing dynamics of popular music and film marketing.

Conclusion

The convergence of chart success and critical acclaim encapsulated in these 17 songs underscores the power of music in cinema. Achieving such a double distinction places these songs in a unique echelon, where they become cultural touchstones remembered long after their respective films’ releases. As the entertainment industry continues to evolve, such moments of crossover remain noteworthy milestones, illuminating the timeless connection between music and film.

Frequently Asked Questions

Have many songs hit No. 1 on the Hot 100 and won the Oscar for Best Original Song?

Only 17 songs have achieved this dual success since the award’s inception in 1935, making it a rare and prestigious accomplishment.

Which artists have achieved this feat more than once?

Barbra Streisand and Jennifer Warnes stand out as the artists who have topped the Hot 100 twice with Oscar-winning songs.

Are there any recent examples of songs hitting No. 1 and winning the Oscar?

Yes, most recently, “Shallow” by Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper (2019) achieved this. The list is likely to grow if future releases continue this trend.

What contributes to a song achieving both chart success and Oscar recognition?

Factors include widespread appeal, emotional resonance, prominent placement in popular films, and strong marketing strategies that promote both the movie and the song simultaneously.

Discovering these songs offers insight into the harmonious relationship between cinematic storytelling and popular music, highlighting moments when both art forms elevate each other to extraordinary heights.