AceShowbiz - At the 98th Academy Awards on March 15, 2026, HUNTR/X's "Golden" from KPop Demon Hunters joined a very exclusive group of songs that have topped the Billboard Hot 100 and won the Oscar for Best Original Song. This marked the first new addition to this list since "Shallow" from A Star Is Born seven years earlier.

"Golden" achieved eight nonconsecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Hot 100 last year, a rare feat among Oscar-winning songs. Only two others have sustained eight or more weeks atop the chart: Debby Boone's rendition of "You Light Up My Life" from the movie of the same name, which dominated for 10 weeks in 1977, and Eminem's original "Lose Yourself" from 8 Mile, which reigned for 12 weeks between 2002 and 2003.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences first awarded Best Original Song in 1935, while Billboard launched the Hot 100 chart in 1958. Over nearly 68 years of chart history, only 18 songs have achieved the distinction of reaching No. 1 on the Hot 100 and winning the Oscar for Best Original Song. The trailblazer was B.J. Thomas' "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head", from Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, which spent four weeks at No. 1 starting January 3, 1970, before claiming the Oscar that April.

Barbra Streisand and Jennifer Warnes stand out as the only artists to top the Hot 100 twice with Oscar-winning songs, while composers Burt Bacharach, Giorgio Moroder, and lyricist Will Jennings each have two Oscars to their names for songs that achieved No. 1 status.

The 1970s and 1980s were golden decades for songs that won Best Original Song and topped the Hot 100, but this double honor became much rarer starting in the 1990s. That decade produced only two such songs, followed by one each in the 2000s, 2010s, and so far one in the 2020s.

Here is a chronological rundown of the 18 songs that have reached the pinnacle of both the Billboard Hot 100 and the Academy Awards for Best Original Song. The year noted corresponds to the Oscar ceremony year.

B.J. Thomas, "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head" (1970)

From the film: Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
Music by Burt Bacharach, lyrics by Hal David
Weeks at No. 1: Four, starting Jan. 3, 1970
Performed on the Oscars by: B.J. Thomas

This was both Thomas’ first No. 1 hit and Bacharach’s first Oscar-winning song. The award was presented by Candice Bergen, a notable star at the time. Bacharach also won that night for best original score.

Isaac Hayes, "Theme From Shaft" (1972)

From the film: Shaft
Music & lyrics by Isaac Hayes
Weeks at No. 1: Two, starting Nov. 20, 1971
Performed on the Oscars by: Isaac Hayes

Hayes became the first Black songwriter to win Best Original Song. The award was handed over by Joel Grey, soon to win his own Oscar. Hayes also received a nomination that year for best original dramatic score. This was his only Hot 100 No. 1 and his only top 10 hit.

Maureen McGovern, "The Morning After" (1973)

From the film: The Poseidon Adventure
Music & lyrics by Joel Hirschhorn & Al Kasha
Weeks at No. 1: Two, starting Aug. 4, 1973
Performed on the Oscars by: Connie Stevens

The song had not yet entered the Hot 100 at the time of the Oscar ceremony on March 27, 1973. It debuted on the chart in June and hit No. 1 by August. This was McGovern’s first Hot 100 hit and the first Oscar-winning song for Hirschhorn and Kasha, who wrote another Oscar winner two years later. The Oscar was presented by Sonny & Cher, whose variety show was popular at the time.

Barbra Streisand, "The Way We Were" (1974)

From the film: The Way We Were
Music by Marvin Hamlisch, lyrics by Alan & Marilyn Bergman
Weeks at No. 1: Three, starting Feb. 2, 1974
Performed on the Oscars by: Peggy Lee

This classic was Streisand’s first Hot 100 No. 1. It topped the chart two months before the April 2 ceremony. Hamlisch won three Oscars that night, including for this song. Streisand was nominated for Best Actress but did not perform; Peggy Lee sang instead. Streisand later performed the song at the Oscars in 2013 and again in the 2026 In Memoriam segment.

Barbra Streisand, "Evergreen (Love Theme From A Star Is Born)" (1977)

From the film: A Star Is Born
Music by Barbra Streisand, lyrics by Paul Williams
Weeks at No. 1: Three, starting March 5, 1977
Performed on the Oscars by: Barbra Streisand

This became Streisand’s second Hot 100 No. 1 and earned her a second Oscar, making her the only person to win Oscars for both acting and songwriting. The award was presented by Neil Diamond. Streisand expressed amazement at winning, while Williams joked about being "the little people."

Debby Boone, "You Light Up My Life" (1978)

From the film: You Light Up My Life
Music & lyrics by Joseph Brooks
Weeks at No. 1: Ten, starting Oct. 15, 1977
Performed on the Oscars by: Debby Boone

This was Boone’s only Top 40 hit and her first Hot 100 entry. Brooks received his only Oscar nomination for this song. The award was presented by Fred Astaire. Brooks humorously said in his acceptance, "Thank God it's over," reflecting the long journey to the award.

These songs represent a unique blend of commercial chart success and critical acclaim. From the early days of B.J. Thomas to the recent triumph of HUNTR/X's "Golden", the intersection of the Billboard Hot 100 and the Academy Awards highlights music that resonates both with the public and the film industry.

Each song’s journey to the top of the Hot 100 and the Oscars reflects different eras of music and cinema history. The 1970s especially stand out as a period when this double honor was more common, with multiple songs achieving this feat. Since then, the rarity of this accomplishment has only added to its prestige.

These 18 songs not only defined moments in film but also left lasting marks on popular music charts. They showcase the power of film music to capture the public’s imagination and the critical eye of the Academy.

This remarkable list continues to grow, with the recent success of "Golden" signaling that the tradition of Oscar-winning songs topping the Hot 100 is alive and well in the 2020s.