The 2025 Academy Awards ceremony takes place this Sunday, March 2, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Elton John has the chance to make history at the event, as the pop-rock legend could become the first Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee to win three Oscars in the best original song category.
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Elton is nominated this year for “Never Too Late,” from his 2024 biographical documentary Elton John: Never Too Late. John shares the nomination with his three co-writers—Bernie Taupin, Brandi Carlile, and Andrew Watt.
Currently, Elton and Randy Newman are the only Rock Hall inductees who have taken home two best-song Oscars.
John’s previous Academy Awards were for “Can You Feel the Love Tonight,” from the 1994 Disney film The Lion King; and “(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again,” from the 2019 biopic Rocketman. Elton co-wrote those songs, respectively, with Tim Rice and Taupin.
Newman won his two Oscars for composing songs from two popular animated movies. The first was for “If I Didn’t Have You,” from 2001’s Monsters, Inc.; and the second was for “We Belong Together,” from 2010’s Toy Story 3.
John and Newman, incidentally, were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1994 and 2013, respectively.
Meanwhile, quite a few other Rock Hall inductees have won individual Academy Awards for best original song. In honor of the impending Oscars ceremony, here’s a look at those artists and songs:
Isaac Hayes – “Theme from Shaft” (from Shaft) (1972)
Soul legend Isaac Hayes won his Oscar for the funky “Theme from Shaft,” from the 1971 action/crime drama Shaft. The tune was the first R&B-included song to win an Academy Award.
“Theme from Shaft” also was a chart-topping pop hit. It spent two weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in November 1971.
Hayes was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2002.
Stevie Wonder – “I Just Called to Say I Love You” (from The Woman in Red) (1985)
Stevie Wonder took home his Oscar for “I Just Called to Say I Love You,” a breezy pop/R&B love ballad from the 1984 romantic comedy The Woman in Red.
The song also topped the Hot 100, spend three weeks at No. 1 in October 1984.
Wonder became a Rock Hall inductee in 1989.
Lionel Richie – “Say You, Say Me” (from White Nights) (1986)
Lionel Richie was honored with a best-song Oscar for the ballad “Say You, Say Me,” from the 1985 musical drama White Nights.
The song was yet another Hot 100 chart-topper. It enjoyed a four-week stay at No. 1 during the end of 1985 and the beginning of 1986.
Richie was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2022.
Carly Simon – “Let the River Run” (from Working Girl) (1989)
Carly Simon won the best-song Oscar for the uplifting anthem “Let the River Run,” from the 1988 romantic comedy-drama Working Girl.
Like Richie, Simon was welcomed into the Rock Hall in 2022.
Bruce Springsteen – “Streets of Philadelphia” (from Philadelphia) (1994)
Bruce Springsteen received his Academy Award for the melancholy tune “Streets of Philadelphia,” from 1993 AIDS drama Philadelphia.
The Boss became a Rock Hall inductee in 1999.
Phil Collins – “You’ll Be in My Heart” (from Tarzan) (2000)
Phil Collins scored an Oscar for the ballad “You’ll Be in My Heart,” from the 1999 animated flick Tarzan.
Collins was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Genesis in 2010.
Bob Dylan – “Things Have Changed” (from Wonder Boys) (2001)
Bob Dylan won a best-song Academy Award for the blues-rock tune “Things Have Changed,” from the 2000 comedy-drama Wonder Boys.
The folk-rock icon was inducted into the Rock Hall back in 1988.
Eminem – “Lose Yourself” (from 8 Mile) (2003)
Rapper Eminem took home a golden trophy for “Lose Yourself,” from the 2002 drama film 8 Mile. The artist also known as Marshall Mathers shared the honors with his co-writers, Jeff Bass and Luis Resto. Eminem also made his acting debut as the star of the movie.
“Lose Yourself” also was a hugely successful single. It spent 12 straight weeks at No. 1 on the Hot 100 in 2002 and 2003.
Like Richie and Simon, Eminem was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2022.
Annie Lennox – “Into the West” (from The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King) (2004)
Annie Lennox won a best original song Oscar for the atmospheric anthem “Into the West,” from the epic 2003 fantasy flick The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. Lennox shared the honor with Howard Shore and Fran Walsh, who co-wrote the tune with her.
Lennox was inducted into the Rock Hall as a member of the Eurythmics in, you guessed it, 2022.
More About This Year’s Oscars
The 97th Academy Awards will air live on ABC and stream live on Hulu starting at 7 p.m. ET. Conan O’Brien is hosting the event.
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