Best Songs of 2007: Re-examining the Oscar Race and Beyond

While the movie August Rush might be remembered for its saccharine sweetness, overlooking its musical contributions, particularly “Raise It Up,” would be a mistake. In the realm of the Best Original Song Oscar category, history has shown a penchant for recognizing songs from films that aren’t necessarily critical darlings. Think of past winners from movies like Armageddon, The Bodyguard, and Pearl Harbor – all films arguably less nuanced than August Rush.

“Raise It Up,” performed with incredible passion by Jamia Simone Nash and the Impact Repertory Theatre, is a genuine highlight. This soaring gospel-infused anthem was a surprise Oscar nominee, especially given the lukewarm reception of August Rush and the song’s limited pre-awards season buzz. The Academy’s recognition of its power is commendable.

In a year brimming with memorable movie music, the Oscar ultimately went to “Falling Slowly” from Once. Composed and performed by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, “Falling Slowly” is undeniably beautiful, carrying a delicate and poignant emotional weight. Its win was well-deserved, capturing a subtle, bittersweet essence that resonated deeply with audiences. While universally praised, and rightfully so, it’s worth considering if its understated charm overshadowed other contenders with perhaps more overt dynamism.

The 2007 Best Original Song category was particularly strong, largely due to Disney’s Enchanted. Amy Adams, in a role that deserved wider Oscar recognition, lent her enchanting voice to not one, but two nominated songs: “Happy Working Song” and “That’s How You Know.” “Happy Working Song,” a delightful and quirky tune, arguably edges out the more celebrated “That’s How You Know.” While “That’s How You Know” is a vibrant and classic Disney-esque number, “Happy Working Song” possesses a unique charm and wit, showcasing Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz’s songwriting prowess alongside Adams’ captivating performance. However, even with Adams’ energy, these songs, while enjoyable, might not reach the iconic heights of Menken and Schwartz’s previous collaborations. The third nomination from Enchanted, “So Close,” performed by Jon McLaughlin, unfortunately, falls into a more forgettable ballad territory, lacking the spark of its counterparts.

One of the year’s biggest missed opportunities in music recognition was the snub of the hilarious and brilliantly crafted original songs from Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story. This musical parody was packed with uproarious and clever tracks that deserved to be in the awards conversation, proving 2007 was a year rich in diverse and noteworthy movie music, extending far beyond the nominated songs.

Reflecting on the Oscar winners for Best Original Song provides a broader context for the 2007 nominees. Here’s a ranked list of winners, placing “Falling Slowly” in its historical context:

1. “Over the Rainbow,” The Wizard of Oz (1939)
2. “The Way You Look Tonight,” Swing Time (1936)
3. “High Hopes,” A Hole in the Head (1959)
4. “Streets of Philadelphia,” Philadelphia (1993)
5. “Lose Yourself,” 8 Mile (2002)
6. “Whatever Will Be, Will Be (Que Sera, Sera),” The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956)
7. “Mona Lisa,” Captain Carey, U.S.A. (1950)
8. “Baby, It’s Cold Outside,” Neptune’s Daughter (1949)
9. “(I’ve Had) the Time of My Life,” Dirty Dancing (1987)
10. “The Windmills of Your Mind,” The Thomas Crown Affair (1968)
11. “The Way We Were,” The Way We Were (1973)
12. “Let the River Run,” Working Girl (1988)
13. “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head,” Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)
14. “Under the Sea,” The Little Mermaid (1989)
15. “High Noon (Do Not Forsake Me, On My Darlin’),” High Noon (1952)
16. “Can You Feel the Love Tonight,” The Lion King (1994)
17. “Beauty and the Beast,” Beauty and the Beast (1991)
18. “I’m Easy,” Nashville (1975)
19. “You’ll Never Know,” Hello, Frisco, Hello (1943)
20. “On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe,” The Harvey Girls (1946)
21. “Fame,” Fame (1980)
22. “Theme from Shaft,” Shaft (1971)
23. “Secret Love,” Calamity Jane (1953)
24. “White Christmas,” Holiday Inn (1942)
25. “Moon River,” Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961)
26. “Take My Breath Away,” Top Gun (1986)
27. “When You Wish Upon a Star,” Pinocchio (1940)
28. “Thanks for the Memory,” The Big Broadcast of 1938 (1938)
29. “Lullaby of Broadway,” Gold Diggers of 1935 (1935)
30. “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah,” Song of the South (1947)
31. “A Whole New World,” Aladdin (1992)
32. “My Heart Will Go On,” Titanic (1997)
33. “Flashdance…What a Feeling,” Flashdance (1983)
34. “Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do),” Arthur (1981)
35. “I Need to Wake Up,” An Inconvenient Truth (2006)
36. “Last Dance,” Thank God It’s Friday (1978)
37. “Colors of the Wind,” Pocahontas (1995)
38. “Falling Slowly,” Once (2007)
39. “You Must Love Me,” Evita (1996)
40. “Sooner or Later (I Always Get My Man),” Dick Tracy (1990)
41. “Days of Wine and Roses,” Days of Wine and Roses (1962)
42. “For All We Know,” Lovers and Other Strangers (1970)
43. “All the Way,” The Joker Is Wild (1957)
44. “It Might As Well Be Spring,” State Fair (1945)
45. “The Last Time I Saw Paris,” Lady Be Good (1941)
46. “In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening,” Here Comes the Groom (1951)
47. “Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing,” Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing (1955)
48. “It’s Hard Out Here for a Pimp,” Hustle & Flow (2005)
49. “It Goes Like It Goes,” Norma Rae (1979)
50. “Born Free,” Born Free (1966)
51. “Never on Sunday,” Never on Sunday (1960)
52. “I Just Called to Say I Love You,” The Woman in Red (1984)
53. “Up Where We Belong,” An Officer and a Gentleman (1982)
54. “Three Coins in the Fountain,” Three Coins in the Fountain (1954)
55. “Chim Chim Cher-ee,” Mary Poppins (1964)
56. “Call Me Irresponsible,” Papa’s Delicate Condition (1963)
57. “Evergreen (Theme from A Star Is Born),” A Star Is Born (1976)
58. “Al otro lado del río,” The Motorcycle Diaries (2004)
59. “Things Have Changed,” Wonder Boys (2000)
60. “Swinging on a Star,” Going My Way (1944)
61. “Into the West,” The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
62. “If I Didn’t Have You,” Monsters, Inc. (2001)
63. “You’ll Be in My Heart,” Tarzan (1999)
64. “You Light Up My Life,” You Light Up My Life (1977)
65. “Gigi,” Gigi (1958)
66. “The Continental,” The Gay Divorcee (1934)
67. “Sweet Leilani,” Waikiki Wedding (1937)
68. “Buttons and Bows,” The Paleface (1948)
69. “Talk to the Animals,” Doctor Dolittle (1967)
70. “The Shadow of Your Smile,” The Sandpiper (1965)
71. “When You Believe,” The Prince of Egypt (1998)
72. “Say You, Say Me,” White Nights (1985)
73. “The Morning After,” The Poseidon Adventure (1972)
74. “We May Never Love Like This Again,” The Towering Inferno (1974)

In conclusion, 2007 was a year of diverse and compelling movie music. While “Falling Slowly” rightfully earned its Oscar, songs like “Raise It Up” showcased different facets of musical excellence, and the overlooked tracks from Walk Hard highlighted the breadth of creativity in film music that year. Exploring the Best Songs Of 2007 reveals a rich tapestry of sounds and styles, proving that movie music in 2007 was far more than just the Oscar nominees.