The 2007 Academy Awards for Best Original Song is often remembered for Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová’s understated triumph with “Falling Slowly” from Once. It was a beautiful, deserving win, but looking back at the nominees from 2007, there’s a compelling case to be made that the Academy overlooked another equally deserving track: “Raise It Up” from August Rush. While August Rush itself might be considered overly sentimental, this gospel-infused anthem is a genuine surprise, soaring with emotion and performed with incredible power.
Even within a category that has historically rewarded, shall we say, questionable choices, the recognition for “Raise It Up” felt refreshing. Often, the Best Original Song category leans heavily into established names or blockbuster soundtracks. “Raise It Up,” performed by the young Jamia Simone Nash alongside the energetic Impact Repertory Theatre from Harlem, brought a different kind of energy to the nominations. It’s a vibrant, uplifting piece that stands out even if the film it comes from, August Rush, doesn’t always hit the right notes with critics.