Did They Get it Right? – Best Original Song – Oscars 2002

This was an interesting year at the Oscar for Original Song because the favorite to win U2 for some reason lost to Emimem who had the pleasure of being awarded the Golden statue by Barbara Streisand who looked a bit awkward giving him the Gold statue.  Regardless, the U2 song so much better IMHO and I can’t even say how and why I think Eminem was able to get this win.  It will still go down as one of the most awkward moments in Oscar history.  The rest of the sings are ok and were performed well.

Here are the five nominees: (Winner in Bold)

• “Burn It Blue” – Frida • Music: Elliot Goldenthal • Lyrics: Julie Taymor

• “Father and Daughter” – The Wild Thornberrys Movie • Music and Lyrics: Paul Simon

• “The Hands That Built America” – Gangs of New York • Music and Lyrics: Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen, Jr. (U2)

• “I Move On” – Chicago • Music: John Kander • Lyrics: Fred Ebb

• “Lose Yourself” – 8 Mile – Music: Eminem, Jeff Bass, and Luis Resto • Lyrics: Eminem

Song (s) that I think should have been included in the mix: (Not sure if all really are eligible according to Oscar standards…)

• Die Another Day – Madonna (Die Another Day)

• Here I am – Bryan Adams (Spirit: Stallion of the Cimmaron)

• The Channuka Song Part 3 – Adam Sandler (Eight Crazy Nights)

• Gollum’s Song – Emiliana Torrini (The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers)

• I’m Still Here (Jim’s Song) – Johnny Rzeznik (Treasure Planet)

My Rankings:

Songs

• 5. – Burn it Blue
• 4. – I Move On
• 3. – Father and Daughter
• 2. – Lose Yourself
• 1. – The Hands that Built America

Movies

• 5. – Chicago
• 4. – Frida (Never Seen)
• 3. – 8 Mile (Never Seen)
• 2. – Wild Thornberrys (Never Seen)
• 1. – Gangs of New York

Do I agree with the Oscar winner? – Nope. The Hands That Built America is an amazing song and really should have beat Lose Yourself.

Let me know what you think about these songs!