Best Original Song - 1998

"I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing" from Armageddon sung by Aerosmith

Movie Synopsis: When an asteroid the size of Texas is headed for Earth the world's best deep core drilling team is sent to nuke the rock from the inside.

Does it appear in the movie (i.e. other than the end credits)? I've seen it, but I don't remember.
Is it important to the plot? Uh... Liv Tyler and Ben Affleck's romance?
Is it pleasing to the ear? A.

"That'll Do" from Babe: Pig in the City sung by Peter Gabriel 


Movie Synopsis: Babe, fresh from his victory in the sheepherding contest, returns to Farmer Hoggett's farm, but after Farmer Hoggett is injured and unable to work, Babe has to go to the big city to save the farm. 

Does it appear in the movie (i.e. other than the opening/end credits)? N/A. 
Is it important to the plot? N/A. 
Is it pleasing to the ear? D-.

"A Soft Place to Fall" from The Horse Whisperer sung Allison Moorer 

Movie Synopsis: The mother of a severely traumatized daughter enlists the aid of a unique horse trainer to help the girl's equally injured horse. 

Does it appear in the movie (i.e. other than the opening/end credits)? N/A. 
Is it important to the plot? N/A. 
Is it pleasing to the ear? C+.

"When You Believe" from The Prince of Egypt sung by Michelle Pfeiffer and Sally Dworsky

Movie Synopsis: An Egyptian prince learns of his identity as a Hebrew and, later his destiny to become the chosen deliverer of his people.

Does it appear in the movie (i.e. other than the end credits)? Yes.
Is it important to the plot? Give hope to the Jews.
Is it pleasing to the ear? A.

"The Prayer" from Quest for Camelot sung by Celine Dion

Movie Synopsis: An adventurous girl, a young blind hermit and a goofy two headed dragon race to find the lost sword Excalibur to save King Arthur and Camelot.

Does it appear in the movie (i.e. other than the opening/end credits)? Yes.
Is it important to the plot? Kayley's mother is praying she escapes.
Is it pleasing to the ear? A-.

So what won?

"When You Believe" from The Prince of Egypt

What would I have voted for?

"When You Believe" from The Prince of Egypt

I forgot how incredibly beautiful this song is. I always do because I have that "soulful" Whitney Houston/Mariah Carey version that turns it into a diva contest and sucks out all the meaning. Listen to the Michelle Pfeiffer/Sally Dworsky one from the soundtrack and you will see what I mean.

Analysis

Three wonderful songs this year. The one from The Horse Whisperer isn't bad, but forgettable. I don't want to touch that awful Randy Newman song. Interestingly, this is the first time two songs from two different animated features have been nominated with neither of them being affiliated with Disney. I think this is kind of sad since "I'll Make a Man Out of You" and "Reflection" from Mulan are definitely worth Oscar nods.