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Robbie Williams Song Disqualified From Oscars Over Alleged Similarities With Other Tune

Robbie Williams' "Forbidden Road" was disqualified from the Oscars Best Original Song category over its alleged similarities with a Jim Croce tune.

The song no longer appears on the official Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences webpage for this year’s Oscar shortlists, and members of the Academy’s Music Branch received a letter this morning (obtained by Rolling Stone) announcing the disqualification. The reason stated in the letter is that “Forbidden Road” allegedly “incorporates material from an existing song that was not written” for Better Man. The Oscars’ Best Original Song category has strict eligibility rules, stating that a track must contain words and music that are “original and written specifically for the motion picture.” The letter sent out to music branch members said the executive committee “met and reviewed materials” and determined that “Forbidden Road” does not meet these criteria.

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