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from AM New York on amny.com
When Texas singer-songwriter Ryan Bingham, who is known for his country-rock tales of hard living, won an Oscar for Best Original Song for “The Weary Kind,” the theme from the Jeff Bridges movie “Crazy Heart,” he joined a list of winners that ranges from long-forgotten one-hit wonders (see Berlin’s “Take My Breath Away” from “Top Gun”) to legends such as Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen.
Here’s a look at some of the best — and worst — winners of the Academy Award for Best Original Song.
‘Lose Yourself’
By Eminem from ‘8 Mile’ (2002)
The first hip-hop song to win an Oscar — the theme from Marshall Mathers’ film also won two Grammys.
‘It’s Hard out Here for a Pimp’
By Three Six Mafia from ‘Hustle & Flow’ (2005)
A surprise winner, the hip-hop group’s victory led host Jon Stewart to remark “To recap: Three Six Mafia: 1. Martin Scorsese: 0.”
‘Theme from Shaft’
By Isaac Hayes from ‘Shaft’ (1971)
This wah-wah heavy funk classic made Hayes the first African-American to win the Best Song Oscar, or, for that matter, any Oscar for something other than acting.
‘Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do)’ By Christopher Cross
from ‘Arthur’ (1981)
The best year of Christopher Cross’ life began with an Oscar and continued a few months later with five Grammys, including Best New Artist. His career was essentially finished two years later.
‘My Heart Will Go On’
By Celine Dion from ‘Titanic’ (1997)
This Oscar winning song is the one most likely to make you want to cut your ears off, but it remains one of the best-selling singles of all time, moving more than 10 million copies. Chalk it up to the power of Leo.
If you go: Ryan Bingham & The Dead Horses is performing on Thursday at 9 p.m. at The Bowery Ballroom. 6 Delancey St., 212-533-2111. $17.
