10 Great Oscar Winning Songs on iTunes

 The 84th Academy Awards telecast is now just days away and the anticipation amongst actors and fans is building for the world’s most prestigious event for movies. Each year, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences not only acknowledges excellence in acting, directing, costume design and the movies themselves, it also acknowledges the best musical arrangements for film.

While it’s a great time to reflect on some of the best movies of years past, there is also an interest in the outstanding music that supports these classics. Some of the most memorable songs have been featured in movies, while winning the Oscar for Best Original Song. You are bound to recognize most, if not all of the following suggested compositions. All of these songs are available on iTunes and is just a very small sampling of some of the best music to come out of Hollywood. As you can guess, the list is not in any particular order.

1. Lose Yourself by Eminem  – The 2002 movie “8 Mile” starred Eminem and the late Brittany Murphy. Not everyone likes rap or hip hop but Eminem clearly deserved the Oscar for this brilliant composition. The rap star went on to win two Grammy awards for the song.
2. My Heart Will Go On by Celine Dion – You can test most any moviegoer and they’ll remember this song from the 1997 blockbuster movie, “Titanic” The song went on win four major Grammy awards including Record of the Year and Song of the Year.
3. Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head by B.J. Thomas – From the 1969 movie, “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” starring two of the biggest names in Hollywood during that era, Robert Redford and the late Paul Newman. I’m not really sure how this song ties in with the movie but the song performed by Thomas is unforgettable and instantly recognizable.
4. Theme from Shaft by Isaac Hayes – From the 1971 movie, starring Richard Roundtree as Shaft. The lead actor exudes nothing but coolness in the lead role and Issac Hayes pretty much backs it up. The song has been covered by a number of singers, including Jay Z, Young MC and Sammy Davis Jr.
5. The Way We Were – From the 1973 movie by the same name, it starred Barbra Streisand and Robert Redford. The song still sounds relevant even after nearly 40 years.
6. Flashdance – What a Feeling – From the 1983 movie “Flashdance”, many Academy Award followers might consider this Irene Cara classic their all time favorite song from a movie. The movie seems like a likely precursor to American Idol.
7. (I’ve Had) The Time of My Life – Even if you’re weren’t around in 1986, chances are you’re still familiar with this popular hit from the popular summer love movie, “Dirty Dancing". I can still picture Jennifer Grey flying through the air with the late Patrick Swayze. Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes, sing this timeless classic. Ms. Warnes previously won an Oscar for her song with Joe Cocker “Up Where We Belong” in 1982
8. Take My Breath Away – Here’s another 80s hit you might know from the 1986 movie “Top Gun” starring Tom Cruise and Kelly McGillis. Terri Nunn and her band Berlin released this song the same year the late Whitney Houston came out with one of her best songs – “The Greatest Love of All”.
9. Moon River – From the 1961 movie, “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”, based upon the novel written by Truman Capote. The incomparable Audrey Hepburn sings the song written by Johnny Mercer in the movie but the most memorable version might have been by Andy Williams. Mercer won again the following year for another great tune, “Days of Wine and Roses”.
10. Evergreen – From the 1976 movie, “A Star is Born” starring Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson. Although the movie was thoroughly trashed by critics, it won several Golden Globe Awards and, of course, the Oscar for Best Song.