Monday Movie Music by Eliza

Good evening all!

It may have not escaped your notice that last night, the most glamorous and prestigious event in the film industry occurred, namely, the 92nd Academy Awards ceremony.

Rebranded as ‘The Oscars’ in 2013, the ceremony attracts film fans from all over the world. I was captivated by film stars as a child. I recall my parents watching black and white movies well into the small hours and this has been something I still do to this day!

To give a little bit of background, the Academy Awards was first broadcast in 1930 and televised for the first time in 1953. MGM director, Cedric Gibbons, initially thought of the idea of the design for the Oscar statuette. His idea was to have a knight holding a sword, whilst standing on a film reel. It was sculptor, George Stanley, who was hired to create the statuette.

It is screen legend Katherine Hepburn, who holds the distinction of winning the most Oscars for acting, having won four Academy Awards and been nominated a total of twelve times.

The award category for Best Original Song was introduced at the seventh Academy Awards and the first Academy Award for Best Original Song was awarded in 1934 and now, spanning nine decades, the compositions range from power ballads to gangsta rap. One of my personal Oscar favourites is Moon River from ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ composed by Henry Mancini and Johnny Mercer in 1961.

So, for those of you, who don’t yet know who won the Oscar for the Best Original Song – *drum roll please* – (I’m Gonna) Love Me Again – for ‘Rocketman’, by Sir Elton John (his second Oscar win) and lyricist, Bernie Taupin, whilst Icelandic cellist and composer, Hildur Guðnadóttir won the Oscar for the Best Original Score for ‘Joker’.

So, I’ve chosen, for your enjoyment, perhaps some of the most memorable Oscar song winners, which I hope you’ll listen to at your leisure.

Until next time!

Eliza x

Over the Rainbow – ‘The Wizard of Oz’ – Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg (1939)

The Theme from ‘Shaft’ – Isaac Hayes (1971)

Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do) – ‘Arthur’ – Peter Bacharach, Peter Allen (1981)

Take My Breath Away – ‘Top Gun’ – Giorgio Moroder, Tom Whitlock (1986)

The Streets of Philadelphia – ‘Philadelphia’ – Bruce Springsteen (1993)