Oscars might not care about hearing best song nominees performed, but we do

Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY Thu, March 5, 2026 at 11:04 PM UTC

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Last year, there were none.

This year, movie music fans will at least get to hear two of the five best original song nominees.

In a controversial move – isn't there always one? – the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences decreed that only "Golden" from "KPop Demon Hunters" and "I Lied to You" from "Sinners" would be granted the stage for live performances during the March 15 Oscars ceremony.

As reported by Variety in January, citing a letter from the Oscars' executive producers, the other nominees will be celebrated via custom-produced segments that may include behind-the-scenes footage of the songwriting process.

Songs by Nick Cave and Bryce Dessner ("Train Dreams" from "Train Dreams"), Nicholas Pike ("Sweet Dreams of Joy" from "Viva Verdi!") and perennial nominee Diane Warren ("Dear Me" from her documentary "Relentless") will be scuttled "to create a fast-paced, entertaining and cohesive" show, according to the Academy's letter.

Audrey Nuna, EJAE and Rei Ami pose with their best original song trophy for "Golden" from "KPop Demon Hunters" during the 83rd Golden Globe Awards on Jan. 11.

Last year, the broadcast nixed all of the best original song performances, again citing time constraints. The 2025 Oscars marked the first omission of best song performances since 2012; the category was also deemed unworthy of airtime in 1989 and 2010.

So since we only have a couple of new productions to anticipate, we're taking a look back at a dozen of the most memorable from Oscars past.

The only caveat: Performances didn’t have to equate to a winning song, but said song had to be nominated. Otherwise we’d have Lady Gaga at the 2015 Oscars, who stunned with her tribute to "The Sound of Music," at the top of the list.

12. Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston, 'When You Believe' ('The Prince of Egypt'), 1999

This duet showcased the vocal acrobatics of two of the most deservedly acclaimed female singers in modern music. While the hand holding between Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston feels more staged than genuine and the song hasn’t maintained the instant recognizability as Aerosmith’s competing “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” (probably songwriter Warren’s best chance to have won that still-elusive Oscar), no one is going to quibble with such unadulterated star power. When a choir joins the singers for the final third of the song and both Houston and Carey take flight with their trademark belting, just sit back and marvel.

11. Three 6 Mafia and Taraji P. Henson, 'It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp' ('Hustle & Flow'), 2006

The Southern rappers from Memphis became the first hip-hop group to perform at the Oscars, and later in the ceremony, the first to win the best original song award. Their performance electrifies with a combination of a street savvy set – part living room, part gritty sidewalk – and the group’s loping song. Taraji P. Henson, in a white, Marilyn Monroe-esque dress, delivers the earworm chorus and clearly enjoys moonlighting on stage, especially when she commands the spotlight for a final, bracing note.

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10. The Swell Season, 'Falling Slowly' ('Once'), 2008

Sometimes simplicity is the most effective approach, and it works to brilliant, chills-inducing effect. The folk duo of Irish musician Glen Hansard and Czech singer/ pianist Markéta Irglová, stars of the sweet indie film “Once," oozes quiet chemistry. The film is based on their own burgeoning musical relationship, which turned personal for a couple of years after its release, and their quick glances at each other during the tender song indicates undeniable mutual affection.

9. Diana Ross and Lionel Richie, 'Endless Love' ('Endless Love'), 1982

The vibrations between these two pros is palpable the moment they arrive from the wings on opposite sides of the stage. Lionel Richie, looking fly in his tinted glasses and classic tux, and Diana Ross, in a sublime feathered outfit, snuggle as they progress through the song. But they leave enough space for Ross to toss out a wallop of a crescendo as Richie plays her understated foil.

8. U2, 'The Hands That Built America' ('Gangs of New York'), 2003

Though the Oscar eluded the band (Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” won best original song), they certainly didn’t lose with their rendition of this evocative ballad. As the Edge strums an acoustic guitar, a somber Bono stands uncharacteristically still for the first verse, hands clasped in front of him as he sings. But after taking off to slowly stroll the stage, the inimitable frontman hits a note that sounds more like an operatic cry, so deeply does he feel the music. Throughout the performance, powerful black and white video of immigrants sweating and smiling as they help build New York plays behind the quartet.

7. Beyoncé, Jennifer Hudson and Anika Noni Rose, 'Dreamgirls' medley ('Dreamgirls'), 2007

Talk about a power trio. Jennifer Hudson kickstarts the medley with “I Love You I Do” as she slinks among a foursome of horn-wielding dancers. Then Beyoncé arrives halfway through the song to swish her dress, beam beatifically and uncork her own potent voice. But it’s the tradeoffs between the two on “Listen” that stun. As the pair duet, they perhaps unintentionally push each other’s vocals to the stratosphere, with Beyoncé ultimately taking the spotlight with her fierce, from-the-gut performance. The closing “Patience” with Anika Noni Rose and Keith Robinson is an unquestionably pretty, if understated, finale.

6. Adele, 'Skyfall' ('Skyfall'), 2013

A decade before she wowed audiences in Las Vegas with an astonishing presentation of the titular song from the James Bond film, Adele bewitched with her Oscars performance. The creeping strings and plucked guitar provide the cinematic sweep, but it is Adele’s voice – pure and glasslike – and the dramatic flourishes that infuse her delivery that cement her reputation as a preeminent vocalist of our time.

5. Robin Williams, 'Blame Canada' ('South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut'), 1999

Some – OK, most – would call Robin Williams a national treasure. Same for the guys behind the source material, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, architects of “South Park” and the satirical film from whence this gem of an anthem came. But who better than a game-for-anything, rubber-faced (and limbed!) Williams to bring it all to life, marching with townsfolk, high kicking with dancing Mounties and making us smile on our crankiest days.

4. Bruce Springsteen, 'Streets of Philadelphia' ('Philadelphia'), 1994

With a gentle backbeat chugging behind him, Bruce Springsteen sounded appropriately “bruised and battered” as he unspooled his Oscar-winning ballad from the poignant Tom Hanks movie about a gay man persecuted for having AIDS. The song in general was a perfect tonal fit for the film. But this performance, not much more than Springsteen standing and clasping a microphone, is all that was needed as he sang in a hushed tone both melancholy and hopeful, his background singers adding a haunting touch.

3. Celine Dion, 'My Heart Will Go On' ('Titanic'), 1998

Even though anyone with ears was sick to death of the Celtic-tinged theme to James Cameron’s opus by the time the Oscars rolled around, only those with the stoniest of hearts and iciest of veins (apologies, Jack Dawson) wouldn’t be moved by another Celine Dion master class in singing. On a stark white set and backed by an orchestra, Dion, in contrasting black, pounded her chest, elegantly waved her arms and controlled the song through tranquil dips and skyrocketing climaxes as only she can.

2. Ryan Gosling, 'I'm Just Ken' ('Barbie'), 2024

Oh, where to begin? The fuchsia suit and shades? The suave waltz from the audience to the stage? The “Material Girl”/”Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” set filled with gliding “Kens” (including actors Simu Liu and Kingsley Ben-Adir) in three-piece suits? The guest appearances from Mark Ronson, Slash and Wolfgang Van Halen? It was all so charming, self-deprecating and ridiculous in the best sense that one can only applaud Ryan Gosling for his fearless vindication for Kens everywhere.

1. Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, 'Shallow' ('A Star is Born'), 2019

There is chemistry and then there is smoldering. Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, who shared undeniable harmony in “A Star is Born,” seamlessly transferred that connection to a live audience in a cleverly staged performance that gripped your soul. With the camera facing the audience, the pair walked to the stage hand in hand, their eyes locked as Cooper sat on a stool a few feet in front of Gaga to sing the opening verse. Barely breaking eye contact, Gaga slid behind her piano for her intense portion of the song as Cooper quietly positioned himself next to her. The twosome sat millimeters apart for the closing lyrics, eyes closed and emotions apparent, allowing viewers to share a most intimate moment.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Best Oscars musical performances ranked

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