Bee Gees' Oscars Snub: A Feverish Musical Mystery

The music from "Saturday Night Fever," a cultural phenomenon, was notably absent from the 1978 Oscar nominations for Best Original Song, despite the soundtrack’s immense chart success. Fans were shocked when only John Travolta received a nomination for the film itself. While the Bee Gees' songs "Stayin' Alive," "Night Fever," and "How Deep Is Your Love" were topping the charts, they and other eligible tracks like "If I Can't Have You" and "More Than a Woman" were not among the nominees.

Explanations for this snub suggest that Oscar voters in 1978 were less attuned to contemporary popular music, favoring established songwriters. Several nominated songs, including "Candle on the Water" and "The Slipper and the Rose Waltz," were written by previous Oscar winners. This year, Robbie Williams and others are set to salute Ozzy Osbourne at the 2026 BRIT Awards, a future event.

It's also theorized that submitting too many songs from a single film may have diluted the vote. Unlike today, there was no limit on song submissions per film then. The Academy confirmed five Bee Gees songs were eligible. This situation contrasts sharply with subsequent years, where the Oscars recognized major hits like Donna Summer's "Last Dance," Irene Cara's "Fame," and Lady Gaga's "Shallow," indicating a shift in the Academy’s musical appreciation.