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Robbie Williams’ ‘Better Man’ Original Song Disqualified From Oscars After Making Shortlist

Robbie Williams' song from "Better Man" has been disqualified after making the shortlist.

Academy rules state that the words and music of any song submitted for awards consideration must be “original and written specifically for the motion picture.” The melody of “Forbidden Road” contains marked similarities to that of “I Got a Name,” the Charles Fox-Norman Gimbel song performed by Jim Croce in the 1973 film “The Last American Hero.” Coincidentally, Fox is one of three governors of the Academy’s music branch. Reportedly the similarities just came to the attention of the branch executive committee this week, and the decision to drop the song came yesterday afternoon.

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