Oscars 2023: Here are the Best Original Song musical performances

From "Naatu Naatu" to "Lift Me Up."
 By 
Amanda Yeo
 on 
Dancers perform 'Naatu Naatu' from 'RRR' onstage at the 95th Annual Academy Awards.
Dancers perform 'Naatu Naatu' from "RRR" onstage at the 95th Annual Academy Awards held at Dolby Theatre on March 12, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Credit: Rich Polk / Variety via Getty Images

The 95th Academy Awards, held Sunday at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, celebrated the best films and filmmakers of the past year — as well as the best original songs penned for the silver screen.

As is tradition, the nominees for Best Original Song were performed during the ceremony, giving the audience a break from both the acceptance speeches and host Jimmy Kimmel. This included a sausage-fingered performance of "This Is A Life" from Everything Everywhere All At Once, which led nominations with 11, while Rihanna paid tribute to Chadwick Boseman with Black Panther: Wakanda Forever's "Lift Me Up."

Lady Gaga gave a bare performance of Top Gun: Maverick's "Hold My Hand," while Sofia Carson and Diane Warren shared the stage for "Applause" from Tell It Like A Woman.


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However, the the Oscar for Best Original Song ultimately went to RRR's "Naatu Naatu," which lit up the stage with a delightful dance performance. "Naatu Naatu" lyricist Chandrabose and composer M.M. Keeravani accepted the award together, the latter sticking to the theme by singing a parody of The Carpenters' "Top of the World."

Here are the Oscar performances of 2023's Best Original Song nominees:

"Applause" from Tell It Like A Woman

"This Is A Life" from Everything Everywhere All At Once

"Naatu Naatu" from RRR

"Hold My Hand" from Top Gun: Maverick

Topics Music Oscars

Amanda Yeo
Amanda Yeo
Assistant Editor

Amanda Yeo is an Assistant Editor at Mashable, covering entertainment, culture, tech, science, and social good. Based in Australia, she writes about everything from video games and K-pop to movies and gadgets.

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