Best Music: 1980s

Best Original Score:

1980: The Empire Strikes Back (John Williams)

Oscar winner: Fame (Michael Gore)

Was this nominated?: Yes

1981: Raiders of the Lost Ark (John Williams)

Oscar winner: Chariots of Fire (Vangelis)

Was this nominated?: Yes

1982: One from the Heart (Tom Waits)

Oscar winner: E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (John Williams)

Was this nominated?: Yes (in the original song score/adaptation score category)

1983: Return of the Jedi (John Williams)

Oscar winner: The Right Stuff (Bill Conti)

Was this nominated?: Yes

1984: Once Upon a Time in America (Ennio Morricone)

Oscar winner: A Passage to India (Maurice Jarre)

Was this nominated?: No

1985: Back to the Future (Alan Silvestri)

Oscar winner: Out of Africa (John Barry)

Was this nominated?: No

1986: The Mission (Ennio Morricone)

Oscar winner: 'Round Midnight (Herbie Hancock)

Was this nominated?: Yes

1987: Empire of the Sun (John Williams)

Oscar winner: The Last Emperor (Ryuichi Sakamoto, David Byrne and Cong Su)

Was this nominated?: Yes

1988: Grave of the Fireflies (Michio Mamiya)

Oscar winner: The Milagro Beanfield War (Dave Grusin)

Was this nominated?: No

1989: Cinema Paradiso (Ennio Morricone)

Oscar winner: The Little Mermaid (Alan Menken)

Was this nominated?: No

Best Original Song:

1980: "Out Here on My Own" - Fame

Oscar winner: "Fame" - Fame

Was this nominated?: Yes

1981: "Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)" - Arthur

Oscar winner: "Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)" - Arthur

1982: "This One's from the Heart" - One from the Heart

Oscar winner: "Up Where We Belong" - An Officer and a Gentleman

Was this nominated?: No

1983: "On the Dark Side" - Eddie and the Cruisers

Oscar winner: "Flashdance… What a Feeling" - Flashdance

Was this nominated?: No

1984: "Footloose" - Footloose

Oscar winner: "I Just Called to Say I Love You" - The Woman in Red

Was this nominated?: Yes

1985: "Don't You (Forget About Me)" - The Breakfast Club

Oscar winner: "Say You, Say Me" - White Nights

Was this nominated?: No

1986: "In Too Deep" - Mona Lisa

Oscar winner: "Take My Breath Away" - Top Gun

Was this nominated?: No

1987: "The Living Daylights" - The Living Daylights

Oscar winner: "(I've Had) The Time of My Life" - Dirty Dancing

Was this nominated?: No

1988: "Why Should I Worry?" - Oliver & Company

Oscar winner: "Let the River Run" - Working Girl

Was this nominated?: No

1989: "Fight the Power" - Do the Right Thing

Oscar winner: "Under the Sea - The Little Mermaid

Was this nominated?: No

Updated: 10/24/14