History Main / AwardBaitSong

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLyYLMkrE4w "Tuxedo Mirage"]], the ending theme of ''[[Anime/SailorMoon Sailor Moon S]]''. The song for that season's NonSerialMovie, Moonlight Destiny, moreso, bonus points for coming from an actual film.

* ''WesternAnimation/Wish2023'', Disney's MilestoneCelebration film for the company's centennial that actually was partially inspired by "When You Wish Upon a Star" and incorporates its melody into the score as part of numerous CompanyCrossReferences (one character [[WaxingLyrical later notes]] "a dream is a wish your heart makes", too), has two: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCofb-qQxKc "This Wish"]] (which gets the choral reprise in universe) and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_7I6Rne_ls "A Wish Worth Making"]] (which gets the end credits, though it appeared in a DeletedScene). "This Wish" was nominated for a Golden Globe but lost; a common complaint about the songs and film as a whole was that they were ''so'' focused on hitting all the "traditional" Disney animation tropes that they ended up generic.

* ''WesternAnimation/Wish2023'', Disney's MilestoneCelebration film for the company's centennial that actually was partially inspired by "When You Wish Upon a Star" and incorporates its melody into the score as part of numerous CompanyCrossReferences (one character [[WaxingLyrical later notes]] "a dream is a wish your heart makes", too), has two: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_7I6Rne_ls "This Wish"]] (which gets the choral reprise in universe) and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCofb-qQxKc "A Dream Worth Making"]] (which gets the end credits, though it appeared in a DeletedScene). "This Wish" was nominated for a Golden Globe but lost; a common complaint about the songs and film as a whole was that they were ''so'' focused on hitting all the "traditional" Disney animation tropes that they ended up generic.

* ''Anime/LoveLiveSunshine'' has "[[https://love-live.fandom.com/wiki/Kiseki_Hikaru Kiseki Hikaru]]", which isn't an end credits theme and was instead used as an insert song in TheMovie, but nonetheless sounds like one and thematically fits the series' conclusion. It starts off as a soft, innocent tune reminiscing about a long journey's end, but the orchestral accompaniment steadily becomes more grand and sweeping as the lyrics become increasingly bittersweet and reveal [[spoiler:it's actually about Aqours trying to stay hopeful after failing to accomplish their goals. (which is relevant to the ending of the anime, where they failed to save their school.]]) Nonetheless, it ends on an optimistic note, that [[CueTheSun the sun will rise again.]]

* The ''Anime/{{Macross}}'' franchise has a few [[JapanesePopMusic J-Pop]]-style showstoppers, but special mention must be given to "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wckZcVFLU24 Do You Remember Love?]]", specially written for the SummerBlockbuster of the [[Anime/MacrossDoYouRememberLove same name]] by the late Kazuhiko Katoh.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKc6a0dPSPM "And Forever"]] from the ending of ''Anime/TheBigO''.
* Oku Hanako's [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VleZj2EhPAc "Kawaranai Mono"]] from ''Anime/TheGirlWhoLeaptThroughTime'', natch

** "[[http://youtu.be/sKAnKMr0UQk Dream Scape]]" by [=FictionJunction=] KAORI
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7t661DztOJQ After All]] from ''Anime/TurnAGundam''.
* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTUv2LRA_nc Zutto Sono Machi De]]" from ''Anime/UtaKata''.

* The original ''Anime/{{Hellsing}}'' anime has "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7OIP1zK-Jc Shine]]" by Music/MrBig as the ending song.
* After the epic fight to finish the first season of the anime series, the finale ending song for ''Webcomic/OnePunchMan'' has [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PP0SS8GnVHk "Kanashimi Tachi Wo Dakishimete"]]. Sayonara indeed.
* The second ending theme for Season 2 of ''Manga/AssassinationClassroom'', "Mata Kimi ni Aeru no Hi" (Until the Day I See You Again).
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74QJNouj_1U When I cry]] from the 1997 anime movie adaptation of ''Literature/ADogOfFlanders''. Fittingly, its one hell of a TearJerker.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHwnFARzEp8 "Wishing"]], the insert song for Rem from ''Literature/ReZero'' which is sung by her voice actress Creator/MinoriInase, is used this way to end episode 18 of the anime. [[spoiler: Knowledge of her final fate at the end of arc 3 in the Web Novel can make this hope filled song a massive TearJerker]].
* ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamIronBloodedOrphans'' has "Orphans no Namida" by MISIA, "Streetlight of War", and "Freesia" by Uru.
* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrWu3SnGqSw Trust You Forever]]" from ''Anime/MobileFighterGGundam''.
* ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamSEED'' has "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtZCmSZ0Zl8 Mizu no Akashi]]" sung by Creator/RieTanaka (as the character Lacus Clyne).
** The sequel, ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamSEEDDestiny'', takes the trope further, by using the song "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFasQ6CpPdc Fields of Hope]]" to accompany [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkK5ggbc-rk visuals of a space colony crashing into the Earth, destroying entire cities and killing millions.]]
* ''Anime/GaoGaiGar'' has "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llQaGRUiERg Itsuka Hoshi no Umi de]]" (Someday, In the Sea of Stars) by Shinomari Satoko as its ending theme.
* The gently sung "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIg15Hn8Mds Boku no Honesty]]" by Shinichiro Kawakami plays during credits in the anime adaptation of ''Manga/TheyWereEleven''.
* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FJoZyg8yTI Asu e no Kaze]]" by George Yanagi in the credits of ''Manga/VenusWars''. An atypical example for the artist since he's mostly known for upbeat songs.
* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxTtpTogd60 Kimi o shinjiteru]]" by STEVE from ''Anime/GiantGorg'', a series also of Yoshikazu Yasuhiko fame. Weirdly enough, sounds a bit similar to the famous "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" from ''WesternAnimation/TheLionKing1994'' despite being released years prior.
* ''Anime/GreatPretender'' has three examples, each fitting different Award Bait criteria:
** First is "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWAu1ZBkWI8 Someday]]," the theme of the third arc. It begins with sparkly synth, it starts slow and builds to a big finish, it's played over a FallingInLoveMontage, and it's a soulful ballad about overcoming one's past. It's treated as ''the'' SignatureSong of the series, being heavily promoted by the show's social media and being one of the songs available on its official Spotify. However, it's more somber than other Award Bait, and it ''is'' directly about events that happen in the show.
** Second is "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnYcLtgfO5Q Our Love]]," the song used as a FriendshipSong for Makoto and the other members of Team Confidence. It's a heartwarming, uplifting, and uptempo SillyLoveSong about ThePowerOfLove which isn't directly about the events of the series, it builds to a big finish, and it ends on a delicate piano trill. It's used in multiple places in the series and is one of its other signature songs.
** Finally, there's "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hlf1ayg2amU Through the Night]]," the show's actual final song, used during its WhereAreTheyNowEpilogue. It's a big, sweeping ballad about persevering in the face of adversity, and it's actually used during the show's conclusion, as is traditional for Award Bait Songs. It's also not directly about the events of the series, though it does tie into them.

** Ai Higuchi wrote and sung not just one, but two Award Bait ending songs: ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBwt04s3DwY Akuma no Ko/Child of Devil]] and ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LE2_BeKcG4E&pp=ygULaXR0ZXJhc3NoYWk%3D Itterashai / See You Later]]. Interestingly, both serves as sort of a reply to each other.

* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXKlJuO07eM Part Of Your World]]" from ''WesternAnimation/TheLittleMermaid1989''. Like "Over the Rainbow" 50 years before, it almost became a CutSong -- because one boy yawned during the test screening. The director and the song's lyricist Howard Ashman fought tooth and nail to keep it, saying it was a bad idea to cut it because of "one snot-nosed brat". It wasn't nominated for the Oscar in favor of the more upbeat {{Sidekick Song}}s "Under the Sea" and "Kiss the Girl"; the former won. The tie-in album ''The Little Mermaid and Friends'' features an ImageSong for Ariel titled [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suoqDGNMX2g "One Dance"]]. The ScreenToStageAdaptation adds "Her Voice" and "One Step Closer". Both are sung by Eric, and the latter has him teaching the mute Ariel to dance.

* Starts out soothing and mellow. Chances are high the first thing to come out of the singer(s) mouth is "Mmmmmmmm..."

* The Creator/StudioGhibli-Creator/Level5 video game collaboration ''VideoGame/NiNoKuni'' has "Pieces of a Broken Heart", performed by Mai Hisaishi in the Japanese version and by young chorist Archie Buchanan in the English version.

* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XhufW7-c_k
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcWxiSUf6tw "Nothing Can Stop Us Now"]] from the 1991 DirectToVideo adaptation of ''Literature/TheLittleEngineThatCould''. Love Will Find A Way]]" from ''WesternAnimation/TheLionKingIISimbasPride''.

** During Obama's last day in office, Lin Manuel Miranda and Christopher Jackson perform 'One Last Time' from ''Theatre/{{Hamilton}}'' and the song becomes an award bait song midway through as seen here [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uV4UpCq2azs]]

It should also be noted that, while the song may be blatant award bait, [[Administrivia/TropesAreTools that doesn't mean they still can't be]] [[SugarWiki/AwesomeMusic really good regardless]].

[[folder:Disney Productions (Including Pixar)]]
''In chronological order:''
* ''WesternAnimation/SnowWhiteAndTheSevenDwarfs'', the film that launched the Franchise/DisneyAnimatedCanon, has "[[https://youtu.be/4bFQUpbNi4M Some Day My Prince Will Come]]".
** And then the song got a [[https://youtu.be/SPGobe_Irvw cover version]] to coincide with the Diamond Edition re-release of the movie which brings the song up to the same sparkly synth standards as other songs of this trope from the Disney Renaissance era.
** [[https://youtu.be/B0mURZzBpnE The cover released for the Platinum Edition]] even moreso.
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Pinocchio}}'''s "When You Wish Upon A Star" was the first Disney song to win the Academy Award for Best Original Song, and has been covered by many artists since then. If the Walt Disney Company has a BootstrappedTheme, this is it.

** ''WesternAnimation/{{Bambi II}}'' had several country pop songs, though "Through Your Eyes" by Martina [=McBride=] plays over the end credits and fills most of the usual credentials best.
* "A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes" from ''WesternAnimation/{{Cinderella}}''.
* ''WesternAnimation/SleepingBeauty'' has "Once Upon a Dream".
* Despite not being a credits song, "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHrRxQVUFN4 Feed The Birds]]" from ''Film/MaryPoppins'' semi-qualifies seeing as it was Walt Disney's favorite song. Music/TheShermanBrothers performed it repeatedly for him. It was even played at his funeral and the 2001 rededication of the "Partners" statue at [[Ride/DisneyThemeParks Disney World]], sending the song straight into TearJerker territory.
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuqX6esw3lI "Being Mrs. Banks"]] from the ScreenToStageAdaptation also fits the bill.
* ''WesternAnimation/RobinHood1973''
** [[https://youtu.be/7ZhmCEVFnIE "Love"]] was nominated for an Oscar, and later featured in other media, such as ''WesternAnimation/FantasticMrFox'' as well as Amazon's 2023 Super Bowl ad "Saving Sawyer". Notably, it was one of the few newly written songs not written or sung by Music/RogerMiller.
** "Not in Nottingham" is another example, this one actually performed by Miller.
* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3u6n-eLrth8 Someone's Waiting For You]]" from ''WesternAnimation/TheRescuers''.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGbsrrkZm1s "Candle on the Water"]] from ''Film/PetesDragon1977'' received an Oscar nomination, but lost to the title tune from ''You Light Up My Life'' (see Film -- Live-Action).
* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXKlJuO07eM Part Of Your World]]" from ''WesternAnimation/TheLittleMermaid1989''. Like "Over the Rainbow" 50 years before, it almost became a CutSong -- because one boy yawned during the test screening. The director and the song's lyricist Howard Ashman fought tooth and nail to keep it, saying it was a bad idea to cut it because of "one snot-nosed brat". It wasn't nominated for the Oscar in favor of the more upbeat {{Sidekick Song}}s "Under the Sea" and "Kiss the Girl"; the former won.
** The tie-in album ''The Little Mermaid and Friends'' features an ImageSong for Ariel titled [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suoqDGNMX2g "One Dance"]].
** The ScreenToStageAdaptation adds "Her Voice" and "One Step Closer". Both are sung by Eric, and the latter has him teaching the mute Ariel to dance.
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Talespin}}'' has "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OiJZ0vS1A8 Home is Where the Heart Is]]" which was used in the uncut version of the pilot and is sadly edited out of the syndicated release of the episode. There's also a full-length version as can be heard in the link, which was available on the Disney Afternoon soundtrack.

** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnLsaCLdoMQ "How Does A Moment Last Forever?"]] and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcsaqIsX-yk "Evermore"]] from the [[Film/BeautyAndTheBeast2017 2017]] LiveActionAdaptation. The former's end credits version is even sung by Music/CelineDion, as with the title song from the original, while Josh Groban does the same for "Evermore". And of course [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axySrE0Kg6k the previously mentioned title song]] wound up with a cover by Music/ArianaGrande and Music/JohnLegend.
* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiLduYQ1rsI A Whole New World]]" from ''WesternAnimation/{{Aladdin}}'' was the 1992 Oscar winner.
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nG_0HRYUqyM "Proud of Your Boy"]] was a CutSong reinstated to the ScreenToStageAdaptation.
** "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kYo7-iqjxg A Million Miles Away]]" was a new addition to the stage musical.
* Though cut from the theatrical release, ''Film/TheMuppetChristmasCarol'' had the touching number "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfI_N0vyxaI When Love Is Gone]]", which appears on the Laserdisc and VHS releases, the fullscreen DVD cut (the widescreen is the theatrical version), and was added to Creator/DisneyPlus beginning in 2022.
** Watch the proper end-credits version by Martina [=McBride=] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_vnl_FXgBE here]].
* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1hcc1QvM2Q Can You Feel the Love Tonight]]" from ''WesternAnimation/TheLionKing1994'' continues to receive radio airplay even to this day. Oscar winner.
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QVuqxMvpyQ An alternate version]] from a Disney Sing-Along Songs video was performed in the standard "'90s Disney movie duet credits pop song" style; so far it has not shown up on any albums.
** "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8ZnCT14nRc Circle of Life]]" is another, also nominated. Music/EltonJohn's single version still gets occasional radio airplay.
** "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XhufW7-c_k Love Will Find A Way]]" from ''WesternAnimation/TheLionKingIISimbasPride''.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asETg3aAVE0 "If I Never Knew You"]] from ''WesternAnimation/{{Pocahontas}}''. In the original theatrical version it was only featured during the end credits, as the animated sequence didn't perform well with the test audiences.
** "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbuzskVs6rc Colors of the Wind]]" took the 1995 Oscar.
** The sequel has "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8dQLDo9XSI Between Two Worlds]]", by Judy Kuhn and Creator/BillyZane.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vxt7rKV3z9c "Someday"]] from ''WesternAnimation/{{The Hunchback of Notre Dame|Disney}}''. A CutSong from the body of the film.
** [[https://youtu.be/0pLCDnbBEk0 "God Help The Outcasts"]] is another example, though the RewrittenPopVersion sung by Music/BetteMidler is buried in the back of the end credits. The film's music got Best Score Golden Globe and Oscar nominations but no Best Song nods; this was at the point that people were getting tired of Disney's domination of the category and the bloom was off the rose for the animated features themselves.
* The Muppets did it again in ''Film/MuppetTreasureIsland'' with "Love Led Us Here"...which is first sung by Piggy and Kermit as they dangle off a cliff edge by their ankles, and is largely PlayedForLaughs. The song is given a sincere reprise in the end credits by John Berry and Helen Darling.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6v_gOmVJ4I "Go the Distance"]] from ''WesternAnimation/{{Hercules}}'', performed by Music/MichaelBolton, was Oscar-nominated but lost to "My Heart Will Go On".
* ''WesternAnimation/PoohsGrandAdventure: The Search for Christopher Robin'': "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Vi_2-a2hi4 Wherever You Are]]". Attached to a DirectToVideo Winnie-the-Pooh movie that got a mixed critical reception, it failed to get nominated for any awards, though it's since become one of Disney's most popular songs of this type from the '90s.
** ''WesternAnimation/TheTiggerMovie'': [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3e-cbGEAhg "Your Heart Will Lead You Home"]] by Music/KennyLoggins.
** "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7e71sKRsRLk The More I Look Inside]]" from ''Piglet's Big Movie''.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bawPIjdGCKo "Reflection"]] from ''WesternAnimation/{{Mulan}}''. Although not featured during the credits, the soundtrack album has a substantially longer cover version by Music/ChristinaAguilera.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFN9dFVG2bc "Someone Like Me"]] from ''WesternAnimation/Dougs1stMovie'' and ''Theatre/DougLive''.
* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIVaUcE4kAM You'll Be In My Heart]]" from ''WesternAnimation/{{Tarzan}}'', courtesy of Music/PhilCollins. 1999 Oscar winner.
* Creator/{{Pixar}} films tend to have few (if any) songs in their movies save for a credits song, often written by Music/RandyNewman and usually ''not'' fitting this trope. There are a few exceptions:
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=px0j1EHF8Y0 "When She Loved Me"]] from ''WesternAnimation/ToyStory2'', sung by Music/SarahMcLachlan. Lost the Oscar to "You'll Be in My Heart".
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bd_A2Owv92U "Our Town"]] from ''WesternAnimation/Cars1'', sung by Music/JamesTaylor (one of the few songs on that soundtrack that's not a cover). Another one from the same movie, which is more baity, is [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwiNSplRqcA "Find Yourself"]].
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTQD0weUTF8 "Down to Earth"]], by Music/PeterGabriel, from ''WesternAnimation/WallE''. Lost the 2008 Oscar to ''Film/SlumdogMillionaire'', whose two songs surprisingly didn't cancel each other out like ''Enchanted'''s three did.
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUoZN4cpfmM "Learn Me Right"]], by Birdy, featuring Music/MumfordAndSons, from ''WesternAnimation/{{Brave}}''.
** ''WesternAnimation/TurningRed'' does this too with [[https://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jbYIS2Gk5g "1 True Love"]] performed by the in-universe boy band 4*Town.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpoW0fD60CU "Can Somebody Tell Me Who I Am"]] from the German version of ''WesternAnimation/{{Dinosaur}}''.
* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KABHbXaccmI My Funny Friend and Me]]", from ''WesternAnimation/TheEmperorsNewGroove'', performed by Music/{{Sting}}. It's also one of the [[CutSong few songs that actually remains in the movie in some fashion]], being used as the {{Leitmotif}} for the "good" side of Kuzco. Oscar-nominated.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZad3r63wAI "Where The Dream Takes You"]] by Music/{{Mya}}, from ''WesternAnimation/AtlantisTheLostEmpire''.
* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcfbF2qfsxk A Boy Needs a Dog]]" from the feature film of ''WesternAnimation/TeachersPet'' is more or less a parody of these types of numbers. Though the mood ''is'' played straight in the reprise, it is not played in the credits, nor was it nominated for any awards.
* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WC3PidaLO08 I'm Still Here (Jim's Theme)]]" from ''WesternAnimation/TreasurePlanet'', by John Rzeznik of the Music/GooGooDolls.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9Z7dev6daw "Anytime You Need a Friend"]] and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyfaKhQoq9I "Wherever The Trail May Lead"]] from ''WesternAnimation/HomeOnTheRange.''
* ''Film/ThePrincessDiaries 2'' brings us Music/KellyClarkson's "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-3vPxKdj6o Breakaway]]", co-written by Music/AvrilLavigne.

* ''Literature/BridgeToTerabithia'' has "I Learned From You" by Music/MileyCyrus, "Try" by Creator/HaydenPanettiere and "Keep Your Mind Wide Open" by Creator/AnnaSophiaRobb. The Japanese dub adds [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QB2vEYjp_3M "To Be In Love"]] by MISIA.
* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsT2URr1Igc Little Wonders]]" by Music/RobThomas and "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1xaTkFG2oY Another Believer]]" by Rufus Wainwright, from ''WesternAnimation/MeetTheRobinsons''.
* ''Film/{{Enchanted}}'' had not one, not two, but ''three'' songs nominated: "Happy Working Song", "That's How You Know", and "So Close." Of the three, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FH8WAoRL1xo the last one]] fits this trope the most. That didn't keep it from losing to the analogous song, "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoSL_qayMCc Falling Slowly]]", from ''Once''. The loss may or may not have been due to vote splitting among the ''Film/{{Enchanted}}'' songs; after this, the Academy decided to limit a single film's song nominations to just two.
* ''Film/HighSchoolMusical 3'' features an Award Bait reprise of [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rOHPcvCShA "We're All in This Together]] from the first film.
** For an original song, there's the [[PortmanteauCoupleName Troyella]] duet "Right Here Right Now".

* [[http://youtu.be/LqxC0SkKxwI "I Thought I Lost You"]] from ''WesternAnimation/{{Bolt}}''.
* ''WesternAnimation/ThePrincessAndTheFrog'' has "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H93uiSYOeOk Never Knew I Needed]]" by Ne-Yo. It's a little more R&B than previous examples, but then you hear that ''synthy sparkle''. Ahhh...
* Almost all of [=DisneyNature=]'s GreenAesop documentary films since 2010 have one of these:
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cP-VolAWP9s "Make A Wave"]] by Music/JoeJonas and Music/DemiLovato, from ''Oceans'' (2010).
*** The [[AlternativeForeignThemeSong Japanese release]] of the same film replaces "Make A Wave" with [[http://mp3.zing.vn/bai-hat/Sailing-My-Life-Ayaka-Hirahara/ZWZCOBFF.html "Sailing My Life"]] by Hirahara Ayaka and Fujisawa Norisama.
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKLgpEa7-yk "The World I Knew"]] by Jordin Sparks, from ''African Cats'' (2011).
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxVeeqqAyf0 "Rise"]] by [[Music/ChinaAnneMcClain the McClain sisters]], from ''Chimpanzee'' (2012).
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZysBzkqYA68 "Carry On"]] by Creator/OliviaHolt, from ''Bears'' (2014).
* There's no cover of it during the credits, but [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMJFxFZgc_8 "I See The Light"]] from ''WesternAnimation/{{Tangled}}'' certainly counts.
** The UK release adds a [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCadsU20gkI cover.]]
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4NNiTrcizg "When Can I See You Again?"]] from ''WesternAnimation/WreckItRalph'', performed by Music/OwlCity. It's a bit more upbeat than most examples, but it's still got plenty of synth...

* "I'll Get You What You Want (Cockatoo in Malibiu)" from ''Film/MuppetsMostWanted'' is something of a parody. It's too much of a comedy song to really be an example, but it does technically check a lot of the boxes, and it even has an [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4g4oV8lK4s official cover version]] performed by PopStarComposer [[Music/FlightOfTheConchords Bret McKenzie]] (although the closing credits used Constantine's version).
** "Something So Right" is a more straight example, that even has Music/CelineDion singing along to it.
* Music/FallOutBoy's theme for ''WesternAnimation/BigHero6'', [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrpa3g8gHCw "Immortals"]] isn't much of an example, but the movie's [[AlternativeForeignThemeSong Japanese theme song]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIwjKXHZWzQ "Story"]] by Ai hits all the right notes for this trope. Too bad it would have been ineligible for the Oscar even if it was included in the North American release, since it wasn't written for the movie (in fact, the original Japanese version of the song predates the film by at least 5 years).
* ''Film/Cinderella2015'' has "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZWfdEB2exI Strong]]" by Sonna Rele. Chimes? Check. Upbeat message about inner strength and holding onto your dreams? Check. Chorus at the end? Check.
* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UpGDU9kFho How Far I'll Go]]" from ''WesternAnimation/{{Moana}}''.
** Its reprise "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2Lm1-W0jow I Am Moana]]" also qualifies, shifting the former from the IWantSong to an IAmSong.
* The Franchise/DisneyPrincess squad have a whole Award Bait Song of their own: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtXNNAs9u0M "If You Can Dream"]], featuring several of the original princess' voice actors reprising their roles.
** The later [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDUwls5lbf4 "The Glow,"]] is just as award-baity, if not more.
* ''Film/MaryPoppinsReturns'' has [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TFOZF0DokE "The Place Where Lost Things Go"]].
* ''Film/Aladdin2019'' has "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaSf-ddZxB8 Speechless]]", with lyrics by Music/AlanMenken, music by Music/PasekAndPaul, and performed by Creator/NaomiScott. It is both an IWantSong and a proud IAmSong as Jasmine first voices, then asserts her desire to be the leader her kingdom needs.
* ''WesternAnimation/TheLionKing2019'' has two all-new songs that fit: "Spirit" by Music/{{Beyonce}}, who played Nala in the remake; and "Never Too Late" by Music/EltonJohn, who wrote all the songs of the original film (which all carried over to the remake).

* ''WesternAnimation/RayaAndTheLastDragon'' has "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K08o44cr3ww Lead the Way]]" sung by Music/JheneAiko, blasting ThePowerOfTrust.
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Encanto}}'' has the traditional IWantSong "Waiting on a Miracle" as well as "Dos Oruguitas", which appears over a montage of [[spoiler:Abuela Alma and her husband]]. Neither has a pop version, but the latter has an English version that appears during the credits. And while both songs charted on the Hot 100, and "Oruguitas" was nominated for the Oscar and Golden Globe, they were overshadowed in popularity by the more upbeat "Surface Pressure" and ''[[MemeticMutation especially]]'' "We Don't Talk About Bruno", both of which had Top 10 peaks, with the latter reaching the top position.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Fan Work]]
* ''Theatre/AVeryPotterMusical'' has the affectionate parody [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1n_2uL2YjN8 "Not Alone".]]
--> "Now that we're finished that four-part harmony..."
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-as6Kbcj4c Aerith's Theme]], a tribute to Aerith from ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII'', also deserves to be mentioned.
* Creator/TeamStarkid's ''[[Theatre/TwistedTheUntoldStoryOfARoyalVizier Twisted]]'' parodies this with a slowed down pop-version of the main love duet over the end credits, which sounds exactly like every Disney credits song of the 90s.
* ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'':
** "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrRRaQpdOqY Twilight's Journey]]" by Ponyphonic; a song about [[TheHero Twilight Sparkle]]'s transformation into an alicorn princess.
** Forest Rain and Decibelle's "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUC_AwTKLic Great to Be Different]]", a duet ballad dedicated to [[EnsembleDarkhorse Derpy Hooves]].
** Another Forest Rain song, "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0AqTtKHQc0 To Catch a Falling Star]]", is an instrumental LonelyPianoPiece with a bit of an interesting history. Originally composed without any connotation to the show, it was to be released on a Kickstarter-funded community album in support of Kiki Havivy, a (very young) friend of Creator/TaraStrong's who had cancer. The album never got released and Kiki lost her cancer battle several months later. Forest Rain later uploaded it to Website/YouTube in her honor.
** Acoustic Brony's and [=MandoPony=]'s "A Long Way from Equestria" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vwHzwkStCg ) plays at the end of ''Film/BroniesTheExtremelyUnexpectedAdultFansofMyLittlePony'', and perfectly reflects the fandom's struggles and beliefs.
* ''WebVideo/UndertaleTheMusical'' has "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUUMUsAl97M Home]]".
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Fangbone}}'' has a nice tribute fan song called "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyiybTAKuZg Fight for Your Heart]]" which is a nice ballad about our favourite barbarian.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Film -- Animated]]
''In chronological order:''
* "It's All Too Much" caps off the animated bulk of ''WesternAnimation/YellowSubmarine''. While the song itself didn't get any Grammy nods, the soundtrack did get nominated for Outstanding Original Score for Motion Picture or Television. It should also be considered that "It's All Too Much" was not composed specifically for the film; it was one of four songs done during the Sgt. Pepper sessions (the others being "All Together Now", "Only a Northern Song" and "Hey Bulldog") that Music/JohnLennon had delivered to Heinz Edelmann at TVC-London with a note that read "Can you use any of these?"
* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyOTV8rqM9Q Time Will Tell]]" from ''WesternAnimation/{{Wizards}}''.
* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MODq81_cDKI Bright Eyes]]", from ''Literature/WatershipDown'', sung by [[Music/SimonAndGarfunkel Art Garfunkel]]. Also a TearJerker on several levels (it was originally written for a cancer patient), and in the actual film it underscores a DisneyAcidSequence.
* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teQsl2CQAOw We've Made It to the Top]]" from ''WesternAnimation/{{Animalympics}}'', written and performed by Graham Gouldman of 10cc.
* Awesome songs didn't start for Creator/DonBluth with ''WesternAnimation/AnAmericanTail'', but rather with his CultClassic gem ''WesternAnimation/TheSecretOfNIMH'' and "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTlRrgE8wWM Flying Dreams]]" sung by Music/PaulWilliams.

* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XJxkD4YFdA Rainbow Brite and Me]]" from ''[[WesternAnimation/RainbowBrite Rainbow Brite and the Star Stealer]]''. An edited version went on to be used in the credits of the TV series.
* "Somewhere Out There" from ''WesternAnimation/AnAmericanTail'', as described above, is the TropeMaker.
** "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82oVuAZIZUs Dreams to Dream]]" from the sequel ''WesternAnimation/AnAmericanTail: Fievel Goes West''. An ironically straight example, as at the start of the film Tanya gets pelted with tomatoes by annoyed neighbors while reprising "Somewhere Out There".
* Another Creator/DonBluth example: ''WesternAnimation/TheLandBeforeTime'' does this right with "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGVQJKgqgY8 If We Hold On Together]]". Throughout the film, the song appears, eventually using Music/DianaRoss' vocal version -- over the end credits, naturally.
** The fifth film, ''[[WesternAnimation/TheLandBeforeTimeVTheMysteriousIsland The Mysterious Island]]'' has the gentle and plaintive "Always There".
** The tenth film, ''[[WesternAnimation/TheLandBeforeTimeXTheGreatLongneckMigration The Great Longneck Migration]]'', has [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0ol9V1aGYc "Best of Friends"]] by Music/OliviaNewtonJohn, a cover of another song heard in the film.
* ''[[Literature/{{Babar}} Babar: The Movie]]'' has "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FE0qqKnKkc The Best We Both Can Be]]" by Molly Johnson.
* ''WesternAnimation/AllDogsGoToHeaven'' ends with "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rq3-njhxFKI Love Survives]]". While the song is a TearJerker on its own, it's even ''more'' heartbreaking if you know the RealitySubtext: It was not written for any awards, but was written in tribute and dedicated to Creator/JudithBarsi, the voice of Anne Marie, who was murdered by her father.
** From ''WesternAnimation/AllDogsGoToHeaven 2'', there's "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3GFmsjvaZY I Will Always Be with You]]".
* ''WesternAnimation/JetsonsTheMovie'' has "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tgg81aFMNco Home]]" and "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjUo3KT3mZA I Always Thought I'd See You Again]]", both by Tiffany (who also provided the voice for Judy). Also, a young Shane Sutton performs "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=711AN-JhZps With You All the Way]]".
* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOVSmkmiKXU Sometimes Secretly]]" from ''WesternAnimation/TheBFG: TheMovie''.
* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozdXAw-FO-c Always Come Back to You]]" from ''WesternAnimation/TheNutcrackerPrince'', a RewrittenPopVersion of [[Theatre/TheNutcracker the ballet's]] "Waltz of the Snowflakes".
* The German version of ''WesternAnimation/FelixTheCatTheMovie'' has the song [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gtl2eEFJ3PQ "Something More Than Friends"]] sung by an unknown duet.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcWxiSUf6tw "Nothing Can Stop Us Now"]] from the 1991 DirectToVideo adaptation of ''Literature/TheLittleEngineThatCould''.
* ''WesternAnimation/TomAndJerryTheMovie'' has "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itOZsFQ7qds Do I Miss You?]]" and "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jPuqczIrg0 All in How Much We Give]]", the latter of which is a closer example of this.
* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vV1K3FE1f8c A Dream Worth Keeping]]" from ''WesternAnimation/FernGully: The Last Rainforest'', performed by Sheena Easton. A little unusual in that it appears during a lovey-dovey sequence in the film and was ''not'' reprised over the end credits (instead the song in the credits is Music/EltonJohn's "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLj569nl3uU Some Other World]]").

* ''WesternAnimation/FreddieAsFRO7'' gives us "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwgWXO7pg7Y I'll Keep Your Dreams Alive]]", performed by George Benson and Patti Austin.
* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IU2hliMMf-k&t=2s Love Is the Reason]]" from ''WesternAnimation/HappilyEverAfter''.

* ''WesternAnimation/BatmanMaskOfThePhantasm'' has "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJJxbQVnVe8 I Never Even Told You]]".
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Thumbelina|1994}}'' has this with [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0Z3uT-gGiI "Let Me Be Your Wings"]], with co-writer Music/BarryManilow and Debra Byrd handling end-credit duties. (In an odd inversion, the comedy number "[[https://youtu.be/JMXLbQ3ujBU Marry the Mole]]" won a Razzie for Worst Song, the only animated feature that can claim such a "feat".)
* Played straight by "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vw_yL1apnKE Far Longer Than Forever]]" from ''WesternAnimation/TheSwanPrincess'', which rips off "Beauty and the Beast" to the point that they almost have the same melody on their respective title lines! That Regina Belle and Jeffrey Osborne handle the end credit reprise -- just like the former did for ''Aladdin'' -- doesn't help.
** "Eternity", performed by Japanese group Dreams Come True, has an English-language version played over the second half of the end credits. The Japanese-language version of the song is the one that got a music video, though.
** "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFDNLaBDivo Magic of Love]]" from ''The Swan Princess: Escape from Castle Mountain''.
** "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSNWtxayz0M Because I Love Her]]" from "The Swan Princess: The Mystery Of The Enchanted Kingdom".

* Thanks to ExecutiveMeddling that insisted on [[{{Disneyfication}} shoehorning the film into a Disney formula]], the theatrical cuts of ''WesternAnimation/TheThiefAndTheCobbler'' contain not one but two of these: "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnGAkNH5aVs Am I Feeling Love?]]" and "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvnXY7OICQE It's So Amazing]]".
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Balto}}'' has "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xtgRpum6wk Reach for the Light]]" by SteveWinwood.
* ''WesternAnimation/CatsDontDance'' has "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzzkrwWbVHU Our Time Has Come]]" and "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9vZYYRarQ0 I Do Believe]]", the former being a reprise of an upbeat version appearing in the opening credits.
* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_d0blzaSHI Don't You Worry]]" from ''WesternAnimation/TheFearlessFour''. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuC31QR1zvo It was also dubbed into English]] by James Ingram and Oleta Adams.
** The original German version also has an AwardBait cover of an earlier song, "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=468ROeIf9Yw What Can Go Wrong?]]"
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Anastasia}}'' has two: "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDbvjqRuMTA Journey to the Past]]" and "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zspz-zqeNbg At the Beginning]]". "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Wg22bwH0WU Once Upon a December]]" is either this or a bonus IWantSong. "Journey to the Past" got the Oscar nomination (and a cover by {{Music/Aaliyah}}, performed at the ceremony), but lost to "[[Film/{{Titanic 1997}} My Heart Will Go On]]".
* Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli's "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FK5VulNn3so The Prayer]]" from ''WesternAnimation/QuestForCamelot''. Nominated for an 1998 Oscar and won a Golden Globe, but this was almost solely because it was a BreakawayPopHit -- in the film itself, Dion's solo performance is shoehorned into an action sequence. (The film had a MidDevelopmentGenreShift.)
* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75rrBWmbGh4 Show Me the Light]]" from ''WesternAnimation/RudolphTheRedNosedReindeer1998''. Sung by the team from ''Film/DirtyDancing'', Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes!

* Naturally, ''WesternAnimation/SouthParkBiggerLongerAndUncut'' took this one on with Satan's big ballad, "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnjmykNSF6g Up There]]", which specifically lampoons "Part of Your World" from ''WesternAnimation/TheLittleMermaid1989'' and "Out There" from ''WesternAnimation/{{The Hunchback of Notre Dame|Disney}}''.
** A more traditional example is "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RDawsvEh_Q Through the Eyes of a Child]]", played over the back half of the end credits. It's performed by Michael [=McDonald=] of the Doobie Brothers and only slowly tips its hand with lyrics like "Sure, life is kinda gay/But it doesn't seem that way/Through the eyes of a child".
** Ironically, it was "Blame Canada" that was nominated for the Oscar... and it lost to the aforementioned "You'll Be in My Heart". ([[Creator/TreyParkerAndMattStone Matt and Trey]] did not react to this well...) That this was nominated over "Up There" is even funnier given that the latter is about the only song in the entire film lacking profanity. The idea of "Blame Canada" even being performed at the Oscars was a bit controversial back in 2000 due to the lyrics, but Creator/RobinWilliams was equally awesome and hilarious singing it!
---->'''Robin Williams:''' ''Because when Canada is gone, there'll be no more Music/CelineDion!''
* The first ''WesternAnimation/{{Rugrats}}'' [[WesternAnimation/TheRugratsMovie movie]] had "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_TyO0PEwpo Take Me There]]" by Mya Ft. Blackstreet, Mase, & Blinky Blink and "[[https://youtu.be/tSHziBWupKo I Throw My Toys Around]]" by No Doubt, the [[WesternAnimation/RugratsInParis second film]] had "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9C-v1BxkIW4 When You Love]]" by Sinead O'Connor. No Oscar nomination for either -- at least one newspaper review expected the latter to be [[AwardSnub snubbed]] for "Where Are You, Christmas?" (see Film -- Live-Action), but that song wasn't nominated either.
** Music/DavidBowie originally wrote ''Safe'' -- which went on to be the B-side for his 2002 single ''[[Music/{{Heathen}} Everyone Says 'Hi']]'' -- for the first film, it ultimately went unused in favor of "Take Me There".

* ''WesternAnimation/TitanicTheLegendGoesOn'' just wouldn't be a complete knockoff of the Creator/JamesCameron hit without its own sappy ballad, and "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_OgED1oipQ Holding Me]]" delivers.

* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-0KqJ5-85E What If]]" from 2001's ''WesternAnimation/ChristmasCarolTheMovie'', sung by Creator/KateWinslet.
* ''WesternAnimation/IceAge1'': The North American version doesn't have an awards bait song, but, in Japan, there's "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPFsuPgoq58 Hitoshizuku]]" by Zone.
* In Britain, ''WesternAnimation/IceAgeTheMeltdown'' has "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THxo3tfHfsk Real Love]]" by Lee Ryan.

* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtT3xSSKmMQ Father and Daughter]]" from ''WesternAnimation/TheWildThornberrysMovie'' by Paul Simon. Yes, ''[[Music/SimonAndGarfunkel that]]'' Paul Simon. Oscar-nominated.
* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5p5dDY5rMM My Kingdom of the Heart]]" from ''WesternAnimation/ThePrincessAndThePea.''
* ''WesternAnimation/ElCidTheLegend'', a Spanish animated film, has "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3odaFE7vXI The Power of a Broken Heart]]"; there are versions of the song in both Spanish and English.
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Caillou}}'' has the closing credits song "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hI2QmjV2HMU Everyday]]" in ''Caillou's Holiday Movie'', a DirectToVideo film.
* The ''WesternAnimation/TeachersPet'' FinaleMovie has "A Boy Needs a Dog", an emotionally-driven number where Spot and Leonard spell out the importance of their bond.
* ''Film/TeamAmericaWorldPolice'' parodies this trope with "[[https://youtu.be/uaQCMg-QGNU The End Of An Act]]".
* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_q6rwP8u8EM Touch the Sky]]" by Wonderwall, from the 2004 film ''WesternAnimation/LaurasStar''. On a ''somewhat'' lesser scale, the song that plays over the GoodTimesMontage, "Stay."
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eT-sC33vB5M "Believe"]], from ''WesternAnimation/ThePolarExpress'', was Josh Groban's first encounter with this trope. Oscar-nominated.

* ''Franchise/CuriousGeorge'''s [[WesternAnimation/CuriousGeorge2006 2006 film]] has "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqUdI4AIDF0 Upside Down]]" by Music/JackJohnson.
* Music/CelineDion's "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pn-NDxxPJuU Let Your Heart Decide]]" from ''Astérix and the Vikings''.
* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNd7YCB0E7o Shine]]" from ''WesternAnimation/BarbieInTheTwelveDancingPrincesses''.
* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NM_k3XU65Rs Still]]" from ''WesternAnimation/OverTheHedge''.
* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtrXzsJMsdY Meet Me in the Meadow]]" from ''WesternAnimation/OpenSeason''.
** A more straight example from this movie is "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYJU5LPy88Q I Belong]]", particullarly the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qvzuj7sLoS0 reprise used in the film]].
* ''[[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0419704/?ref_=nv_sr_1 Donkey Xote]]'', more Spanish fare, has "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fcq2dpPuKM Dónde Están Mis Sueños]]", a more energetic example of this trope.
* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhCwLpSmzOA Yo Viviré en tus Sueños]]" from ''[[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0458076/ The Hairy Tooth Fairy]]''. Also Spanish.

* ''WesternAnimation/CloudyWithAChanceOfMeatballs'' has the rather upbeat, but still very sappy, "[[https://youtu.be/I9EVr6jRlvU Raining Sunshine]]", performed by Creator/MirandaCosgrove.
* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jw0AAs7iUXA Telling The World]]" from ''WesternAnimation/{{Rio}}''.
* Renée Fleming's beautiful "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTy0sOb3nsI Still Dream]]" from ''WesternAnimation/RiseOfTheGuardians''.
* Parodied in the Mexican animated film ''[[Franchise/ElSantos El Santos Contra La Tetona Mendoza]]'' with the theme song "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vnFjWs9Qks Zombilaridad]]", ("Zombie-larity" in Spanish), who is a parody of "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rc4_t9eRNn8 Solidaridad]]", a propaganda song used by the PRI (A political party in Mexico) in the '90s.
* ''WesternAnimation/EquestriaGirls'':
** The first film has the end credits song "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fr6cDsySlEc A Friend for Life]]", sung by ''Canadian Idol'' Season 2 semifinalist Jerrica Santos, who later sang as Torch Song in "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXw6T-Nlstc Find the Music in You]]" from the fourth season episode "[[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS4E14FilliVanilli Filli Vanilli]]".
** ''[[WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyEquestriaGirlsRainbowRocks Rainbow Rocks]]'' has "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykOzD10kjos Shine Like Rainbows]]" from the end credits, and Sunset Shimmer's post-movie ImageSong "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqnbYUG6Bn8 My Past Is Not Today]]".
** Continuing with the trend, ''[[WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyEquestriaGirlsFriendshipGames Friendship Games]]'' gives us "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwodCa4t7X4 What More Is Out There?]]" Although not an end credits song, it stylistically fits this trope.
** And ''[[WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyEquestriaGirlsLegendOfEverfree Legend of Everfree]]'' has "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyB1fXhH264 Embrace the Magic]]". It's notably Sunset Shimmer's first in-movie solo.
* "[[http://www.aceshowbiz.com/news/view/00042362.html When the World Turns Upside Down]]" from ''WesternAnimation/LegendsOfOzDorothysReturn'' (no relation to the song of the same name by The Adventures).
* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViwJ2b6cHKo I Love You Too Much]]" and "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJnaP_IQewI The Apology Song]]" from ''WesternAnimation/TheBookOfLife''.
* ''WesternAnimation/Home2015'' has "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fdAt0ke9w8 Feel the Light]]", courtesy of Music/JenniferLopez.
* The Japanese dub of ''WesternAnimation/ThePeanutsMovie'' ends on a surprisingly melancholy note for a lighthearted family film: "[[http://everysongaday.tumblr.com/post/133541370701/ayaka-%E7%B5%A2%E9%A6%99-a-song-for-you A Song for You]]" by Ayaka. That said, it stands out as more of this trope than the two Music/MeghanTrainor songs featured in the North American release.
* ''WesternAnimation/TheTransformersTheMovie'' has "The Touch" by Stan Bush, the franchise's unofficial theme song.
* An example from China, ''Animation/BigFishAndBegonia'' has many songs that fit this trope perfectly, especially "[[https://youtu.be/3e2yOMrMzzU Big Fish]]" by Zhou Shen and "[[https://youtu.be/RbeNbvExDfA Rendevous in This World]]" by Eason Chan.
* ''WesternAnimation/KuboAndTheTwoStrings'' has Music/ReginaSpektor's reworking of Music/TheBeatles' "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zagM1Memfw While My Guitar Gently Weeps]]".
* ''WesternAnimation/TheBossBaby'' has a cover of "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=At1qTKjiz-I What the World Needs Now is Love]]", sung by Missi Hale (who voices Mrs. Templeton).
* ''WesternAnimation/SmurfsTheLostVillage'' is a great example of this with the song "[[https://youtu.be/EcAnOTDeMjw You Will Always Find Me In Your Heart]]" performed by Shaley Scott.
* ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyTheMovie2017'' has "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paXOkGMyG8M Rainbow]]" by Music/{{Sia}}, [[InkSuitActor starring as]] the pegasus popstar Songbird Serenade.
* ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitansGoToTheMovies'' [[AffectionateParody playfully lampoons]] these types of songs with "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6vGFXdnrAA Upbeat Inspirational Song About Life]]". For extra parody kick, it features Music/MichaelBolton.
->''It's the kick in the pants you needed''
->''This song will open up your eyes''
->''It's the feeling you can't be defeated''
->''It's an 80's song with synthy vibes''
->''And you know it's super... upbeat, upbeat...''
* ''WesternAnimation/SpiderManIntoTheSpiderVerse'' has two which qualify: "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApXoWvfEYVU Sunflower]]" by Swae Lee and Music/PostMalone, as well as "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y88LVU7MAe4 What's up Danger]]" by Blackway and Black Caviar.
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Uglydolls}}'' has "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqejPJ13kqw Unbreakable]]", which bears a [[SuspiciouslySimilarSong suspiciously similar melody]] to Golden Globe winner "This Is Me" from ''Film/TheGreatestShowman''. Chances of the song being nominated for any major awards is slim, considering the film's overall negative reviews and [[BoxOfficeBomb commercial disappointment]].

[[folder:Studio Ghibli and Pre-Ghibli]]
''In chronological order''
* ''Anime/HorusPrinceOfTheSun'' has Hilda's songs.
* ''Anime/PandaGoPanda'' has "Nennen Panda" by Ado Mizumori in ''The Rainy-Day Circus''.
* ''Anime/TheCastleOfCagliostro'' has "Fire Treasure" in the opening credits and ending, being a much slower and more sombre song for the otherwise action-packed ''Franchise/LupinIII'' franchise.
* ''Anime/NausicaaOfTheValleyOfTheWind'' has the titular theme song performed by Narumi Yasuda, which does not play in the film itself but played prominently in promotional material. The film itself has instrumental examples with "Nausicaä - Requiem" during the climax of the film and "The Bird People" during the end credits. The first Cantonese dub also has "Green Water, Clear Wind", a Cantonese cover of "The Bird People" WithLyrics, performed by Sandy Lam (most known for singing a TranslatedCoverVersion of [[Film/TopGun "Take My Breath Away"]] for Creator/WongKarWai's first film ''As Tears Go By'').
* ''Anime/CastleInTheSky'' has "Carrying You" as performed by Azumi Inoue in the end credits. Another example would be the ImageSong "If I Could Fly in the Sky" by Yohko Obata, which was used in some early promotional material but never played in the film itself nor was included in most soundtrack releases.
* ''Anime/MyNeighborTotoro'' has the titular theme, "Mother" and "A Lost Child", both performed by Azumi Inoue, as well as "The Path of the Wind" performed by the Suginami Children's Choir. The former is played during the end credits of the film while the latter three songs are played as instrumental versions in the film.
* ''Anime/GraveOfTheFireflies'' has "Home, Sweet Home" by Amelita Galli-Curci.
* ''Anime/KikisDeliveryService'' has two '70s pop songs from Yumi Matsutoya "Message in Rouge" and "If I Were Covered in Tenderness" as the opening and ending themes, respectively. There are also two [[ImageSong Image Songs]] by Azumi Inoue that are definitely Award-Bait Songs, "Turning Seasons" and "The Warmth of Magic", which would be included as instrumental versions in the film. Earlier releases of the American Disney dub additionally add in "Soaring" and "I'm Gonna Fly" from Sydney Forest, replacing the two Yumi Matsutoya songs, though these songs have since been removed in favour of the original Japanese songs.
* ''Anime/OnlyYesterday'' has "Love is a Flower, You Are the Seed" by Harumi Miyako, a TranslatedCoverVersion of Music/BetteMidler's "Film/TheRose".
* ''Anime/PorcoRosso'' has a cover version of "Le Temps de Cerises" and the original song "Once In a While, Talk of the Old Days" both by Tokiko Kato, Gina's voice actress. The film also has instrumental examples with "Bygone Days" and "Porco e Bella"
* The obscure ''Anime/OceanWaves'' has "If I Could Be the Sea" by Youko Sakamoto.
* ''Anime/PomPoko'' has "In This Town of Asia" and "Always, Someone Is", both performed by Shang Shang Typhoon. The former is only used in the film's marketing while the latter is the end credit theme.
* ''Anime/WhisperOfTheHeart'' has a TranslatedCoverVersion of John Denver's "Take Me Home, Country Roads", as sang by Yoko Honna, Shizuku's voice actress. Another example would be "The Baron's Song", also performed by Yoko Honna.
* ''WebAnimation/OnYourMark'' was made as a music video to such a song from Chage & Aska (of ''[[Film/StreetFighter Street Fighter: The Movie]]'' fame)
* ''Anime/PrincessMononoke'' has the titular theme, sang by Mai Hisaishi (composer Joe Hisaishi's daughter) in the [[ImageSong Image Album]], Yoshikazu Mera in the Japanese version of the film, and Sasha Lazard in the English version of the film.
* ''Anime/MyNeighborsTheYamadas'' has Akiko Yano's "Quit Being Alone" and a TranslatedCoverVersion of "Que Sera, Sera" performed by the cast.
* ''Anime/SpiritedAway'' has Yumi Kimura's "Always With Me" (played during the end credits) and "The Name of Life" (which only plays in the film as an instrumental version). Other examples would be the ImageSong "White Dragon" performed by Rikki (of [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyX "Suteki da ne"]] fame), and the instrumental song "Reprise", during the climax of the film.
* ''Anime/TheCatReturns'' has the end credit song "Become the Wind" by Ayano Tsuji.
* ''Anime/HowlsMovingCastle'' has "The Promise of the World" by Chieko Baisho, Sophie's Japanese voice.
* ''Anime/TalesFromEarthsea'' has two examples from Aoi Teshima (Therru's Japanese voice actress): "Therru's Song" and "Song of Time".
* While the titular theme of ''Anime/{{Ponyo}}'' may not count, the ImageSong "Rondo of the House of Sunflowers" by Mai Hisaishi, which plays in the film as an instrumental version, definitely does.
* ''Anime/{{Arrietty}}'' has "Arrietty's Song" and "The Neglected Garden" by Cécile Corbel. The [[ImageSong Image Album]] has more such songs like "Sho's Song", "Forbidden Love", and "Sho's Lament". The American Disney dub also adds in Music/BridgitMendler's (Arrietty's American voice) "Summertime".
* ''Anime/FromUpOnPoppyHill'' has Aoi Teshima doing a new cover version of "Summer of Farewell", originally a theme song for an '80s dorama.
* The Creator/StudioGhibli-Creator/Level5 video game collaboration ''VideoGame/NiNoKuni'' has "Pieces of a Broken Heart", performed by Mai Hisaishi in the Japanese version and by young chorist Archie Buchanan in the English version.
* ''Anime/TheWindRises'' has Yumi Matsutoya's '70s hit "Vapor Trail" as the AwardBaitSong. An instrumental example would be Nahoko's leitmotif throughout the film.
* ''Anime/TheTaleOfThePrincessKaguya'' has "When I Remember This Life" by Kazumi Nikaido, with instrumental examples in "Flying" and "The Procession of Celestial Beings".
* ''Anime/WhenMarnieWasThere'' has "Fine on the Outside" by Priscilla Ahn.
* ''Literature/RonjaTheRobbersDaughter'' has the "Wolf Song".
* ''Anime/EarwigAndTheWitch'' has "The World is in My Hands" by Sherina Munaf (the Japanese voice of Earwig's mother), with an instrumental example in "Memories are Always Beautiful".
* ''Anime/TheBoyAndTheHeron'' has "Spinning Globe" by Music/KenshiYonezu.
[[/folder]]

* Ride/DisneyThemeParks often commission these for ad campaigns, day-ending pyrotechnic shows and/or {{Milestone Celebration}}s.
** 25th anniversary of Walt Disney World (1996): "Remember the Magic", sung by Brian [=McKnight=], was probably the first example of this trope for the theme parks. A rewritten version was incorporated into the later ''Believe...in Holiday Magic'' fireworks show.
** EPCOT's Big Damn Pyrotechnics Show ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WB36HWWsePY Illuminations: Reflections of Earth]]'' ends with one of these, followed by the exit music "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yM8n0oRXWUg Promise]]".
** The Millennium Celebration (1999-2000) centered on Epcot had the general theme song "Celebrate the Future Hand in Hand".
** A duet reprise of the song "Wishes" plays after the Magic Kingdom fireworks show of the same name.
** ''Beauty and the Beast -- Live on Stage'' at Hollywood Studios uses the Music/CelineDion / Peabo Bryson version of the title song as exit music.
** 50th anniversary of Disneyland (2005): "Remember When", sung by Music/LeAnnRimes and written by Richard Marx. The finale of the ''Remember...Dreams Come True'' fireworks show was sung live at the park by Rimes on May 5th, 2005.
** ''Ride/WorldOfColor'' has its own [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yqCaZbZjoA song]] with all sugary-sweetness we expect and love from Disney - although the portion played during the finale sounds less like an Award Bait Song.
** Even Space Mountain had its own Big Damn Bronze-Age Disney Style Award-Baiting Exit Tunnel Power Ballad for a while, a surprisingly moving number about believing in dreams and reaching for the stars. Not to be outdone, Mission: Space has a similar theme song, entitled [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B98v_66iX4U "Destiny"]], about courage and hope and whatnot.
** The current fireworks show at Magic Kingdom, ''Happily Ever After'' has [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdjlUQYfWkY the titular song]] performed by Jordan Fisher and Angie Keilhauer playing during the opening and finale segments of the show. In addition, "Go the Distance" from Hercules plays during the start of the finale.
** ''Ride/WondrousJourneys'' has [[https://youtu.be/s8VTxCPHdIY "It's Wondrous"]], which sings praises for "the magic what we call life" and pursuit of dreams.

* ''WesternAnimation/AllDogsGoToHeaven'' ends with "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rq3-njhxFKI Love Survives]]". While the song is a TearJerker on its own, it's even ''more'' heartbreaking if you know the RealitySubtext: It was dedicated to Creator/JudithBarsi, the voice of Anne Marie, who was murdered by her father.

* ''Series/MiamiVice'' started season 3 with [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHUP8_92JvI "The Last Unbroken Heart"]] by Music/PattiLaBelle and Music/Chicago's Bill Champlin.

* ''Series/MiamiVice'' started season 3 with [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHUP8_92JvI "The Last Unbroken Heart"]] by Patti LaBelle and Chicago's Bill Champlin.

* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CmETerX-q0 Sometimes Secretly]]" from ''WesternAnimation/TheBFG: TheMovie''.

[[folder:Film -- Live-Action]]
''In chronological order:''
* The UrExample for films is likely "Over the Rainbow" from 1939's ''Film/TheWizardOfOz'', which won the Oscar and may well be the most famous movie theme song of all time.
* Music/DeanMartin's "That's Amore", revived as the theme to ''Film/{{Moonstruck}}'', was originally composed for 1953's ''Film/TheCaddy'', and subsequently nominated for an Oscar, but lost to "Secret Love" from ''Film/CalamityJane''.
* Music/TheRighteousBrothers' 1960's hit "Unchained Melody", known in recent years as "the theme to ''Film/Ghost1990''", was introduced in a now-forgotten 1955 film titled ''Film/{{Unchained}}'', and was nominated for an Oscar.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5cKSMI6_8k To Kill a Mockingbird]], from, well... ''Film/ToKillAMockingbird''.
* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVi3-PrQ0pY Pure Imagination]]" from ''Film/WillyWonkaAndTheChocolateFactory''.
* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KClpLzFftU The Morning After]]" from ''Film/ThePoseidonAdventure'' is, unusually, featured in the movie and not just as part of the soundtrack when the ship's singer performs it in the ballroom. It won the Best Original Song Oscar, beating Music/MichaelJackson's "Ben".
** The same songwriters and singer responsible for "The Morning After" re-teamed two years later for "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3FGVFAgY_I We May Never Love Like This Again]]" from ''Film/TheToweringInferno'', which was once again performed in-film by a singer at a ballroom party, and once again won the Oscar.
* ''Film/TheManFromHongKong'' has "Sky High" by Jigsaw, which became a BreakawayPopHit, during both the opening and closing credits.
* Many ''Film/JamesBond'' theme tunes are called, but few are chosen for Oscar nominations and fewer still are this trope. But of those that are...
** "Nobody Does it Better" from ''Film/TheSpyWhoLovedMe'', sung by Music/CarlySimon.
** "Film/ForYourEyesOnly", sung by Sheena Easton.
** "All Time High" from ''Film/{{Octopussy}}'', sung by Rita Coolidge.
** Music/{{Adele}}'s "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeumyOzKqgI Skyfall]]" from the [[Film/{{Skyfall}} film of the same name]]. The first James Bond anthem to '''win''' an Oscar.
** The SpiritualSuccessor to "Skyfall" is "Writing's on the Wall" by Music/SamSmith, the theme from ''Film/{{Spectre}}'', which won the Golden Globe for Best Original Song, and by that time was already the favorite to win the Oscar in that category and become the ''second'' James Bond anthem to do so -- it did.
** A notable song that ''wasn't'' Oscar-nominated is Music/PattiLaBelle's "If You Asked Me To" from ''Film/LicenceToKill''. [[CoveredUp It didn't truly take off]] until Music/CelineDion got a hold of it and it became one of her first English-language hits.
* "You Light Up My Life" from the 1977 film of the same title was originally performed by Kasey Cisyk, but it was Debby Boone's CoveredUp version that became a '''gigantic''' BreakawayPopHit. It wound up winning the Best Original Song Oscar.
* Music/TheBeeGees' "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpqqjU7u5Yc How Deep Is Your Love]]", from ''Film/SaturdayNightFever'', won a Grammy for Best Pop Song Performed by a Group, and was nominated for a Best Original Song Golden Globe award, but lost the latter to "You Light Up My Life". No Oscar nomination for this or '''any''' of the other songs even as the soundtrack was one of the biggest albums of TheSeventies and three of the actual 1977 nominees were from little-loved family films (the fourth was "Nobody Does It Better"). Producer Robert Stigwood called out the Academy for being behind the times. The next Oscar ceremony acknowledged the embarrassing omission with a medley of songs that ''were not'' nominated for Oscars, including three from this film.
* ''Film/TheGoodbyeGirl'' has a TitleThemeTune, "Goodbye Girl", performed by David Gates (of the group Bread). Despite having a mellow start, big finish, heartwarming feel-good lyrics, and some electric guitar showboating -- and coming out of the film that ended up winning the 1977 Best Actor Oscar -- it wasn't nominated. The 2004 made-for-TV remake features a CoverVersion performed by Hootie & the Blowfish.
* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVBoReq2kUw Can You Read My Mind?]]", made for ''Film/SupermanTheMovie''. Not nominated because it doesn't actually appear ''as a song'' in the film, but Maureen [=McGovern=] did record it as a single tying into it.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5tL0jvX_88 "The Last Time I Felt Like This"]] from ''Same Time, Next Year'' was nominated for an Oscar in 1978, but lost to "Last Dance" from ''Thank God It's Friday''.
* Music/BarryManilow's "Ready to Take a Chance Again" from ''Film/FoulPlay'' was also nominated in 1978.
* "The Rainbow Connection" from [[Film/TheMuppetMovie the original Muppet film]] was Oscar-nominated in 1979 and became the BootstrappedTheme of Franchise/TheMuppets as a franchise. ''Film/TheGreatMuppetCaper'' had an award bait song parody "The First Time It Happens" [[IWasJustJoking which was then nominated for an Oscar for real]].
** The Music/{{Weezer}} and [[Music/{{Paramore}} Hayley Williams]] cover from ''The Green Album'', a tie-in for [[Film/TheMuppets2011 the 2011 Muppets film]], sounds exactly like a Disney end-credits cover of the song would. Surprisingly, it isn't played over the movie's credits[[note]]although Kermit and Piggy do sing the regular version of the song during the film itself[[/note]], but the film does bring us "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WWWTW1P8rQ Man or Muppet]]", despite it not being played over the end credits either. And being the most award-baity, "Man or Muppet" even won the Oscar! (Against ''one other nominee'', granted.)
* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3SVXz3TFr8 The Rose]]" by Creator/BetteMidler, from ''The Rose'', naturally. Wasn't nominated for the 1979 Best Song Oscar, but it did win the Golden Globe.
* A lower-key but still award-baity Oscar nominee from 1979 is "It's Easy to Say", from ''Film/Ten1979''. It's a mellow, piano-based SillyLoveSong with touching lyrics -- but it's also important to the story even though the film is not a musical. The main character (Creator/DudleyMoore) is a composer ''who has won awards for his film work in-universe'', who comes up with the melody as the basis for a song to give to his at-the-time estranged girlfriend (Creator/JulieAndrews), a professional singer, to record. In the denouement, the now-finished song helps bring them back together when he performs it on a piano and she joins him, [[LetsDuet turning it into a duet]]. From there, the same actors perform a more polished version of the song over the end credits.
* Melissa Manchester performed not one, but ''two'' Oscar-nominated love songs in 1979: "Through the Eyes of Love" from ''Ice Castles'' and "I'll Never Say Goodbye" from ''The Promise''. Both are sappy {{silly love song}}s created for maximum tearjerking, as befits a pair of romantic melodramas.
* And finally "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOgfRijoeYA It Goes Like It Goes]]" by Jennifer Warnes won the Oscar for 1979 (the film was ''Film/NormaRae'') but may better be recalled now as [[AwardSnub the song that beat "The Rainbow Connection"]].
* Not to be confused with the later ''Mannequin'' song, there's "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8o7VEwwQd-E Nothing Can Stop Us Now]]" from ''Film/StirCrazy'', performed by Kiki Dee.
* The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7m1UWSD-FaA title song]] from ''Film/{{Xanadu|1980}}'', sung by Music/OliviaNewtonJohn. Also a BreakawayPopHit, since the song and soundtrack album were '''far''' more popular than the film itself.
* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnBPHWk5FQ8 Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)]]" from ''Film/{{Arthur 1981}}'' was a stepping stone in this trope's evolution. It has a soothing mellow start, feel-good tone, buildup starting with the second chorus, a epic saxophone bridge (as opposed to electric guitar), and a VideoFullOfFilmClips. At the same time it defies eventual conventions of the trope: singer/co-writer Christopher Cross was just coming off of five Grammy Award wins, its lyrics openly reference the plot and characters, its melody turns up in the underscore, and it bookends the movie by playing under both sets of credits. It not only won the Best Original Song Oscar and Golden Globe (plus Grammy nominations for Record and Song of the Year) but was one of Cross's biggest hits, spending 3 weeks at Number One on the ''Billboard'' charts, and appeared in the CreditsMedley at the end of the Academy Awards ceremony for years. The 2011 remake uses it in both instrumental and CoverVersion forms (the latter by Fitz and the Tantrums).
** The soundtrack ''Arthur -- The Album'' contains three songs that aren't in the movie but work off of the underscore's themes. Stephen Bishop's "It's Only Love" fits the stereotypes of this trope even better than "Arthur's Theme" -- mellow start, feel-good tone, non-specific lyrics, electric guitar solo, and heavy buildup, though the song has a mellow finish.
** The 1988 sequel ''On the Rocks'' has "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3jawVT9j34 Love Is My Decision]]", performed and co-written by Chris de Burgh. This one's a straight-up SillyLoveSong with sparkly synth and a BIG wrap-up -- but still film-specific because the first-person lyrics are clearly from the perspective of the main character.
* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVJnMj2oKfo Endless Love]]" from the [[Film/EndlessLove film of the same name]]. Nominated for the Best Song Oscar, but lost to "Arthur's Theme". It actually spent three times as many weeks (nine total) at Number One on the Billboard charts as the winner did, but probably lost because its source was not as well-liked, nor does the SillyLoveSong match its tone. (The film is about a StalkerWithACrush.)
* The Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes duet "Up Where We Belong" from ''Film/AnOfficerAndAGentleman'' was award-baity enough to win a Golden Globe, Oscar, BAFTA '''and''' a Grammy. All this after the producer tried to get the song cut, insisting that it was "no good and not a hit."
* "That's What Friends Are For" by Music/RodStewart from ''Film/NightShift'' was later CoveredUp by Dionne & Friends (Music/DionneWarwick, Music/StevieWonder, Music/GladysKnight, Music/EltonJohn).
* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1YkHJJi-tc Forbidden Colours]]" by Ryuichi Sakomoto and David Sylvian, from ''Film/MerryChristmasMrLawrence''.
* ''Romantic Comedy'' -- yes, that's the actual title -- has "Maybe" performed by Peabo Bryson and Roberta Flack over its end credits after the melody turns up throughout the film as an instrumental. It's a SillyLoveSong ''and'' LetsDuet, and has a soothing start, feel-good tone, gradual buildup in "bigness", and TruckDriversGearChange at the very end for the fade out.
* Creator/IreneCara's "Flashdance (What a Feeling)", from, well, ''Film/{{Flashdance}}'' was the 1983 Oscar winner.
* Music/PhilCollins first brushed with this trope with "Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)" from ''Against All Odds''. Oscar-nominated but lost to "I Just Called to Say I Love You"; notoriously Collins was '''not''' asked to perform this song at the Oscars...even though, as co-writer of the song, he was going to be at the ceremony anyway. Ann Reinking performed it instead.
* "Together in Electric Dreams", by Music/GiorgioMoroder and Philip Oakey of Music/TheHumanLeague fame, is the ending theme from ''Film/ElectricDreams'' but ended up [[BreakawayPopHit outshining the film]] it was supposed to complement.
* ''Film/TheNeverEndingStory'' has the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3khTntOxX-k eponymous theme]] by Limahl.
** The third movie in the series has [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hf05hgwP6ps Shortcut To Forever]] by Phillip Ingram & Siedah Garrett.
* ''Film/MadMaxBeyondThunderdome'' has "We Don't Need Another Hero".
* ''Micki + Maude'' has "Something New in My Life". It bookends the film by playing first as an instrumental under the opening titles, while the end titles feature a Stephen Bishop vocal. It has a mellow start and epic finish, with non-specific lyrics that could be about romance and/or impending fatherhood and a feel-good tone.
* ''Film/TheBreakfastClub'' has "Don't You (Forget About Me)" by Music/SimpleMinds. Despite how popular it was, it wasn't nominated for any awards.
* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Valp3rAFubA Christmas All Over the World]]" was performed by Sheena Easton for the end credits of ''Film/SantaClausTheMovie'' (1985). The link is to the full-length version of the song; the first verse doesn't appear in the film, which means it skips past the "soothing and mellow" part. Music/NewEdition recorded [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tq0Bj1WRQmc their own version of this]] for their 1985 Christmas album, and it adds ''tons'' of sparkly synth to the mix.
* The Music/PhilCollins-Marilyn Martin duet "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_4w3-CPP6E Separate Lives]]" from ''White Nights'' was nominated but lost to another song from the movie: "Say You, Say Me" by Music/LionelRichie, which isn't as award-baity of a song.
* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAj-Y6uUA_k Glory of Love]]" by Peter Cetera was intended to be this for ''Film/RockyIV''. It was passed over and ended up in ''Film/TheKarateKidPartII'', getting an Oscar nomination for its trouble.
* [[Music/OrchestralManoeuvresInTheDark OMD]]'s required prom song "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGawOk107eU If You Leave]]", from ''Film/PrettyInPink''.
* Think Music/{{Queen}} is immune to this?! Try "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Jtpf8N5IDE&ob=av3n Who Wants to Live Forever?]]" or "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6Ys0lMeXl4 One Year of Love]]", both from ''Film/{{Highlander}}''.
* "Take My Breath Away" by Music/{{Berlin}}, featured in ''Film/TopGun'', was the 1986 Best Original Song Oscar winner. The Cantonese TranslatedCoverVersion, as featured in Creator/WongKarWai's ''As Tears Go By'' also qualifies.
** In the sequel, ''Film/TopGunMaverick'', there's the also Oscar-nominated [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2CIAKVTOrc "Hold My Hand"]] by Music/LadyGaga, with some considering it to be a SpiritualSuccessor to the above song.
** Honorable mention goes to "Heaven in Your Eyes" by Music/{{Loverboy}}.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqKlkVk7d4U "Loving on Borrowed Time"]] from ''Film/{{Cobra}}'', sung by Bill Medley and Music/GladysKnight.
** From the same film, "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4yPuqKRWGA Two Into One]]" by Medley and Carmen Twillie.
* Before the award was retired at the TurnOfTheMillennium[[note]]Though it was revived one last time in 2002[[/note]], [[UsefulNotes/GoldenRaspberryAward The Razzies]] had a '''Worst''' Original Song category. While most of the nominees/winners were simply bizarre and tacky, there are three fascinating cases of songs being nominated for both an Oscar for Best Original Song ''and'' a Razzie for Worst Original Song!
** "Life in a Looking Glass" from ''That's Life!'' Lost to "Take My Breath Away" on the Oscar side.
** Music/TrishaYearwood's version of "How Do I Live" from ''Film/ConAir''. Lost to "My Heart Will Go On" on the Oscar side.
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73cWfFEKAfE "I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing"]] from ''Film/Armageddon1998''. Lost to "When You Believe" on the Oscar side. The song also stands as Music/{{Aerosmith}}'s [[BlackSheepHit sole #1 in the US]].
* The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8NZa9wYZ_U title song]] from ''Absolute Beginners'' (1986), written and performed by Music/DavidBowie (who has a OneSceneWonder role), is a feel-good love song that bookends the musical via the credit sequences. The full-length version linked to above -- with a video that doubled as the movie's theatrical trailer in the U.K. -- is almost ''eight minutes long'', with a long, dramatic instrumental finish.
** Bowie also contributed [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9x-j9Zs3YlA "As the World Falls Down"]] to ''Film/{{Labyrinth}}'' the same year. Although the song itself fits the criteria, underscoring a ballroom dance, its actual ''meaning'' is [[SubvertedTrope more subversive]]-- [[BigBad Jareth]] has fallen for [[PluckyGirl Sarah]] and is attempting to seduce her into giving up her quest. She realizes she's fallen into a trap, and shatters the illusion to prove the Goblin King has no power over her.
* "Storybook Love" from ''Film/ThePrincessBride'' didn't fail to earn an Oscar nomination in 1987.
* "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now", performed by Music/{{Starship}} for 1987's ''Film/{{Mannequin}}'' and nominated for an Oscar; lost to the next entry...
* Jennifer Warnes had another Oscar-winning duet when she teamed up with Bill Medley for "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMoMBFhMdDw (I've Had) The Time of My Life]]" from ''Film/DirtyDancing''.
* Bette Midler's CoverVersion of "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dq0llrCYtCQ Wind Beneath My Wings]]" was prominently featured in ''Beaches'' and became one of her biggest hits.
* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKDOcvKDwf0 After All]]" from ''Chances Are'' by Music/{{Cher}} and Peter Cetera. Oscar-nominated but lost to "Under the Sea".
* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnaK1RRrZ2c Surrender to Me]]" from ''Film/TequilaSunrise''. Performed by Music/CheapTrick's Robin Zander and Music/Heart's Ann Wilson; co-written by Music/RichardMarx.
* ''Film/HomeAlone1'' has "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kHH6LJpEbQ Somewhere in My Memory]]", sung in the background by a Christmas choir, and a [[https://youtu.be/7-cbndL-MIw full version]] sung by Bette Midler in the sequel's end credits. Oscar-nominated, but lost to "Sooner or Later (I Always Get My Man)".
** Music/JohnWilliams strikes again in ''Film/HomeAlone2LostInNewYork'' with "[[https://youtu.be/4Je-uSzNzQ4 Christmas Star]]". The film's soundtrack won a BMI Film Music Award.
* Music/BryanAdams started to do '''a lot''' of these starting with ''Film/RobinHoodPrinceOfThieves''[='s=] "(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" in 1991. It was nominated for an Oscar and was one of the biggest hits of its year, but lost to the title song of ''WesternAnimation/BeautyAndTheBeast''.
** Two years later, Adams performed "All for Love" with Music/{{Sting}} and Music/RodStewart from ''Film/TheThreeMusketeers1993''. Both of these films were scored by Music/MichaelKamen -- and after Kamen died in 2003, Adams went suspiciously silent...
** "Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?" from ''Film/DonJuanDeMarco'' was nominated for Best Original Song at the 1995 Academy Awards, but lost to "Colors of the Wind" (''WesternAnimation/{{Pocahontas}}'').
** In 1996, Adams joined forces with Barbra Streisand for "I Finally Found Someone", which played over the end credits of ''The Mirror Has Two Faces'' and didn't fail to get Oscar-nominated. When Streisand chose not to perform it at the Oscars, ''Celine Dion'' (herself stepping in for Natalie Cole) stepped in!
** Also in 1996, Adams contributed "Star" to ''Film/{{Jack|1996}}''.
** See Films -- Animated above for more Adams examples.
* One of the most famous live-action examples is Music/WhitneyHouston's cover of "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9nPf7w7pDI I Will Always Love You]]" from ''Film/TheBodyguard''. It wasn't nominated for the Oscar because [[CoveredUp it was a cover of]] a Music/DollyParton song from the 1970s. Parton herself sang it in the movie version of ''The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas'' in 1982.
** "Run to You" and "I Have Nothing" from this film also count and ''were'' both nominated...but lost to ''WesternAnimation/{{Aladdin}}'''s "A Whole New World".
* ''Film/TheLastOfTheMohicans'' had "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lv6VW4tMZbE I Will Find You]]" by Clannad.
* ''Film/WhiteMenCantJump'' has "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8f370jrwm7o Let Me Make It Up to You]]" by Music/JodyWatley, and "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7u2ql-sT6QU If I Lose]]" by Music/ArethaFranklin.
* Annie Lennox contributed "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OKBZ-rL2K4 Love Song for a Vampire]]" from ''Film/BramStokersDracula''.
* By the time ''Film/RobinHoodMenInTights'' was made in 1993, this trope was ubiquitous enough to be parodied with an end-credits reprise of "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1K7kva33Os Marian]]". It was most directly a parody of "(Everything I Do) I Do It for You", from that ''other'' '90s Robin Hood movie (see above). In any case, future tropers tended to laugh harder at that than most other people in the theater.
* ''Film/SuperMarioBros1993'', being a family film released in the '90s, naturally had one of these: "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIwoAtgKBUA Almost Unreal]]" by Music/{{Roxette}}, as well as "I Would Stop the World" when Mario and Big Bertha dance. They were some of the few songs written for the film, while most of its soundtrack was composed of other popular songs, including a cover of "Walk the Dinosaur".
* ''Film/StreetFighter'' had "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tV3_P1jxiCA Something There]]" by Chage and Aska, which played during the credits, as well as "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qleMBrZXrk Worth Fighting For]]" by Angelique Kidjo, which played when Guile remembered happy times with Charlie.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8iIVn2Kqbo "The Day I Fall in Love"]] from ''Beethoven's 2nd'', performed by James Ingram and Music/DollyParton, was nominated for an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, '''and''' a Grammy for Best Song from a Motion Picture. The lyrics are from the first-person perspective of '''dogs'''.
* ''Film/ALeagueofTheirOwn'' had "This Used to Be My Playground" by Madonna with the theme of nostalgia tying into the film.
* ''Film/TheCrow'' featured "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfZzkhfz89c It Can't Rain All the Time]]" by Jane Siberry as its end credits song.
* Music/MichaelJackson's hit "[[http://youtu.be/Wyxmhe1NJr8 Will You Be There]]" was featured in 1993's ''Film/FreeWilly''. Ineligible for an Oscar because it was originally from his 1991 album ''Dangerous''.
** And much earlier than that: 1972's "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g40WCBaUXR4 Ben]]" -- a heartstring-tugging song about the friendship between [[ABoyAndHisX a boy and his killer rat]] as depicted in ''[[Literature/RatmansNotebooks Ben]]''. And it was Oscar-nominated!
** ''Film/FreeWilly2TheAdventureHome'' has the Jackson original "Childhood (Theme from ''Free Willy 2'')", which was simultaneously released on his album ''Music/HIStoryPastPresentAndFutureBookI''. It underscores an otherwise expendable sequence involving a secondary character. No nominations.
* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFpNTgMiuKo Christmas Will Return]]" from the first ''Film/TheSantaClause'' movie, performed by Brenda Russel and Howard Hewett.
* Music/RKelly's "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTahrYXCChI I Believe I Can Fly]]" from ''Film/SpaceJam''.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwfmzsSzGNo "Anyone Can Be a Hero"]] from ''Blankman'', preformed by Lalah Hathaway.
* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMD2TwRvuoU Kiss from a Rose]]" by Music/{{Seal}} didn't take off until it was recycled into the ''Film/BatmanForever'' soundtrack. But since it had already been released as a single, it was ineligible for awards nominations.
** "Foolish Games" by Music/{{Jewel}} from ''Film/BatmanAndRobin'' is a subversion, as the song was written and released two years prior to the film, but became ubiquitous enough to become the second best-selling single of 1997.
** Speaking of ''Batman & Robin'', "Gotham City" by Music/RKelly was a blatant attempt at cashing in on this trope, hoping to repeat the success of "Kiss from a Rose" as well as R. Kelly's previous hit "I Believe I Can Fly" from ''Space Jam''. The song was a modest hit, reaching Number 9 on the pop charts, and unlike previous Batman examples it was actually eligible for Best Original Song. Nonetheless, it wasn't even nominated.
* Music/CelineDion's "Because You Loved Me" from ''Up Close and Personal'' didn't win the Oscar it was up for, but it did win a Grammy in 1996.
* Dion also has the case mentioned atop the page, "My Heart Will Go On" from ''Film/{{Titanic 1997}}''. Creator/JamesCameron originally didn't want a pop song finishing the movie feeling it would be inappropriate, and considering [[PrimaDonnaDirector his usual behavior]], composer Music/JamesHorner had to find him in a really good mood to present the demo, with Cameron eventually giving approval, also thinking that after such a TroubledProduction "a hit song from his movie could only be a positive factor in guaranteeing its completion".
* ''Film/TheMaskOfZorro'' took multiple cues from ''Film/RobinHoodPrinceOfThieves'', including an award-bait song of its own. It gave us "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CP6LQjJo7eY I Want to Spend My Lifetime Loving You]]" by Marc Anthony and Tina Arena. And written by James Horner and Will Jennings, the team responsible for the ''Film/{{Titanic 1997}}'' theme, to boot.
* ''Film/BicentennialMan'': "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYjqojwp2hQ Then You Look At Me]]", sung by Music/CelineDion, and written by the same team behind "My Heart Will Go On", no less. It doesn't describe any specific moment in the story, but is used as the love song between Andrew and Portia (with Little Miss substituting for her childhood years). The official music video [[VideoFullOfFilmClips takes clips from the relationship]] and displays them in a monitor in the background.
* ''Film/ManOnTheMoon'' has Music/{{REM}}'s [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_JnCWT-_O8 "The Great Beyond"]], which rocks harder and has more obscure lyrics than most examples of this trope -- though they make sense in context of being an ImageSong for the film's subject matter, Creator/AndyKaufman; it doubles as a sequel to their song about Kaufman that the film's named after. But it is extremely touching, builds to a huge finish via string instruments coming in during the bridge, and has a VideoFullOfFilmClips that lampshades the huge finish by having more and more guitars and microphones turn up out of nowhere in the recording studio. No nominations, but became a gigantic BreakawayPopHit for the group in Europe; years later, a documentary about the film's production would be TitledAfterTheSong (''Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond'').
* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0QRzleTolg You're Where I Belong]]" from ''Film/StuartLittle''.
** "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuidLm8zsq8 I'm Alive]]" by Music/CelineDion from ''Stuart Little 2''.
* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmGSHZYZ74c Where Are You, Christmas?]]" from the live-action ''Film/HowTheGrinchStoleChristmas''.
* ''Film/CrouchingTigerHiddenDragon'''s "A Love Before Time" was Oscar-nominated in 2000.
* Bizarrely, ''Film/TheAdventuresOfRockyAndBullwinkle'' - which is ''significantly'' heavier on cartoon humor than most works that warrant an Award Bait Song - has one called "Through the Eyes of a Child" (not to be confused with the ones from ''WesternAnimation/RapsittieStreetKidsBelieveInSanta'' or ESPECIALLY ''WesternAnimation/SouthParkBiggerLongerAndUncut'').
* ''Film/PearlHarbor's'' "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhpFwpu0mGw There You'll Be]]" by Music/FaithHill (nominated for Oscar).
* Much of ''Film/MoulinRouge's'' soundtrack consists of covers, but it naturally has its own Big Damn Love Song: "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvJpJl04cAI Come What May]]". Ineligible for the Oscar because it was originally written for Creator/BazLuhrmann's previous Red Curtain film, ''Film/WilliamShakespearesRomeoAndJuliet'').
** From the ''other'' ''Moulin Rouge'', Zsa Zsa Gabor as Jane Avril has "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mgMdTcbZoE The Song From Moulin Rouge]]", also known as "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKhrRgadxhc Where Is Your Heart?]]"
* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWoIO_hjvos Never Too Far]]" by Music/MariahCarey from ''Film/{{Glitter}}''.
* ''Film/TheLordOfTheRings'' films gave us some stellar TearJerker examples: "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ww8wqEgFIA8 May It Be]]" from ''[[Film/TheLordOfTheRingsTheFellowshipOfTheRing The Fellowship of the Ring]]'' and "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgcoBKWTW14 Into the West]]" from ''[[Film/TheLordOfTheRingsTheReturnOfTheKing The Return of the King]]''. Both were nominated for Oscars, with the latter even winning.
** Subverted in ''[[Film/TheLordOfTheRingsTheTwoTowers The Two Towers]]'' with "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biGP2BXVsYI Gollum's Song]]", which has a somewhat similar style but a minor key and a much darker tone and sung by Emiliana Torrini.
* ''Film/TheHobbit'', the prequel trilogy to ''The Lord of the Rings'', continued where those movies left off.
** "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zakVfDY0xZk Song of the Lonely Mountain]]" by [[Music/CrowdedHouse Neil Finn]] from ''[[Film/TheHobbitAnUnexpectedJourney An Unexpected Journey]]''.
** "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uf8Fwiy0Bkc I See Fire]]" by Music/EdSheeran from ''[[Film/TheHobbitTheDesolationOfSmaug The Desolation of Smaug]]''.
** "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRGTHLNNEOc The Last Goodbye]]" by Billy Boyd from ''[[Film/TheHobbitTheBattleOfTheFiveArmies The Battle of the Five Armies]]''.
* ''Film/TheSumOfAllFears'' has "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijFR0JRT8ts If We Could Remember]]" by Yolanda Adams.
* "Only Hope" from ''Film/AWalkToRemember'' has the original version by Switchfoot over the end credits and a very award-baity cover by Music/MandyMoore during the film. Ineligible for awards since the song had already been on one of Switchfoot's albums a few years prior.
* The 2002 supernatural thriller ''Dragonfly'' starring Creator/KevinCostner has [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTAajXh0zGQ Star]] by the band Zoo Story.
* The 2003 film ''Film/Daredevil2003'' had "For You" from The Calling. It didn't really catch on.
* "Learn to Be Lonely" from ''Film/ThePhantomOfTheOpera2004''. Nominated for but lost the Oscar.
* The 2004 live-action ''{{Franchise/Devilman}}'' film has "[[https://youtu.be/ypEP83e4dM8 Hikari no naka de]]" by Hiroko Shimabukuro.
* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=405rURIgvDw Shine Your Light]]" from ''Film/{{Ladder 49}}''.
* ''Film/{{Troy}}'': [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yy6SIzq8Mc "Remember"]] sung by Music/JoshGroban and composed by Music/JamesHorner.
* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_GpK5r5lL8 A Place Called Home]]" from ''Film/AChristmasCarolTheMusical'' is a rare TV movie example.
* ''Film/TheChroniclesOfNarnia'' series:
** Music/ImogenHeap's "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iPkdl6qdZs I Can't Take It In]]" from "The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe".
** Music/AlanisMorissette's "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnGdx40919M Wunderkind]]" from the same film. As current Academy rules insist that among songs that appear only in a film's credits, only the first song can be considered for an Oscar, this went un-nominated as the second song ("I Can't Take it In" qualified but wasn't nominated. "Wunderkind" was nominated at the Golden Globes, which are less fussy. Should've put Alanis first?).
*** Other Alanis Morissette examples are "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urSPgcZgnh0 Still]]" from ''Film/{{Dogma}}'' and "I Remain" from ''Film/PrinceOfPersiaTheSandsOfTime''.
** Music/ReginaSpektor's "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgUL3ut4gyQ The Call]]" from ''Film/TheChroniclesOfNarnia: Prince Caspian''.
** Switchfoot's "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cKNleDdUFY This Is Home]]", also from ''Prince Caspian''.
** Music/CarrieUnderwood's "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsvx22aEhSA There's a Place for Us]]" in the third film, ''The Voyage of the Dawn Treader''.
* Parodied in the 2005 version of ''Film/TheProducers'' with "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Lj_GLRzqM4 The Hop-Clop Goes On]]", a stylized reprise of "Der Guten Tag Hop-Clop".
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dC9O1giT2Ws "Fly Away" by Nelly]] in ''Film/TheLongestYard'' remake.
* "My Immortal" by Music/{{Evanescence}}, featured in ''Film/Daredevil2003''.
* Music/AvrilLavigne's "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmukW1sNlIk Keep Holding On]]" from ''[[Literature/InheritanceCycle Eragon]]''.
** "Alice" from ''Film/AliceInWonderland2010'' was more popular.
* In ''Film/{{Dreamgirls}}'', the MovieBonusSong "Listen" stands out as an attempt to give Music/{{Beyonce}} a big showstopping number to rival "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" (itself not eligible for Best Song since it's from the original musical). The fact that it was so blatant, and featured Beyonce straining against her usual range, is probably why the song flopped (though the ''Series/{{Glee}}'' cover by Charice was much better received). The end credits reprise of "When I First Saw You" also hits some of the notes of this trope (though it was likewise ineligible).
* Music/{{Gackt}}'s [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amXKQ351QBw "Returner"]], featured in the Japanese release of ''Film/ThePrestige'', is similar to the above-mentioned "Gollum's Song" in that it has a much darker sound than most other examples of this trope (though it's fitting for a VisualKei artist). The song itself, coincidentally, was made as a theme song for the NHK [[JidaiGeki historical drama]] ''Fūrin Kazan.'' [[WorldOfHam At least, the genre itself warranted the hamminess and wide sweep of the song]].
* Yet another AlternativeForeignThemeSong example: [[http://www.pandora.tv/view/rapir/3280781 "Shiawase no Chikara"]] by Sowelu, from the Japanese dub of ''Film/ThePursuitOfHappyness''.
* John Mayer's "Say" from ''Film/TheBucketList'' is more low-key than most award bait songs, but it counts too.
* ''Film/TheWrestler'' has, appropriately enough, "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OSvJvSwmd4 The Wrestler]]" by Music/BruceSpringsteen. Unfortunately, the Springsteen solo album it also appeared on arrived first, disqualifying the song from an Oscar nomination even though it was specifically written for the movie.
* ''Film/SlumdogMillionaire'' had an award-bait song ''and'' Bollywood dance routine over the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRC4QrUwo9o end credits]]. Subverted with "Dreams on Fire", which seems like the primary OscarBait song from the soundtrack. It didn't get nominated, but "Jai-Ho" won, and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lqk5Vf8KAfE the collaboration with]] Music/{{MIA}} got a nom too).
* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NG2zyeVRcbs The Climb]]" from the ''Series/HannahMontana'' movie was ineligible for the Oscar because it wasn't written for the film. Also noteworthy for being the X-Factor Winner's Song for 2009 in the U.K., which was known to always win the Christmas Number One standing on the charts. Not this year though -- it lost to "Killing in the Name" by Music/RageAgainstTheMachine.
* ''Film/{{Avatar}}'' brings us "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GMTQBriA3I I See You]]", a SpiritualSuccessor to "My Heart Will Go On" co-written by James Horner and performed by Music/LeonaLewis.
** ''Film/AvatarTheWayOfWater'' has "Nothing is Lost (You Give Me Strength)" by The Weeknd, which incorporates Simon Franglen's traditonal Na'vi score and pop elements by Swedish House Mafia.
* "[[https://youtu.be/jGjX0YO-zo4?t=5784 All The Love In The World]]" from ''Gooby'', sung by Anne Morrone and musical duo [=RyanDan=] (aka former b4-4 members Ryan & Dan Kowarsky)
* Music/{{Dido}} and A.R. Rahman's "[[https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=if+i+rise+127+hours&aq=1 If I Rise]]" from ''Film/OneHundredAndTwentySevenHours'' was nominated for an Oscar but lost to Music/RandyNewman's "We Belong Together" from ''WesternAnimation/ToyStory3''.
* Music/MileyCyrus sings another award bait song in the form of "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWCPS6CXmt0 When I Look at You]]" from ''Literature/TheLastSong''.
* "Love Lives" by Steven Tyler (a solo effort by the Music/{{Aerosmith}} frontman), written for the Japanese film ''Anime/SpaceBattleshipYamato'', adapted from the anime series. It feels a good deal like "I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing", and is so shamelessly sappy it's [[NarmCharm utterly fantastic]].
* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRiR0wJzUBQ The Living Proof]]" from ''Film/TheHelp''.
* "[[https://youtu.be/-DSVDcw6iW8 A Real Hero]]" by College, featuring Electric Youth, from ''Film/Drive2011'', was nominated for Best Song from a Movie by the MTV Movie Awards.
* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHkvan-NFnM A Thousand Years]]" from ''Literature/TheTwilightSaga: Literature/BreakingDawn - Part 1''.
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Am9rvhUTrpA The duet version]] from ''Part 2''.
* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLWmGhD6l0k Calling for Your Love]]" from ''Film/CirqueDuSoleilWorldsAway.''
* ''Film/TwoThousandTwelve'' has "Time for Miracles". It's especially jarring, after seeing a film about death, destruction and sacrifice, to hear a Music/CelineDion-esque song performed by someone from ''Series/AmericanIdol''. And it's Music/AdamLambert at that!
* Songs from eco-documentaries such as ''Chasing Ice'' and ''Racing Extinction'' are generally this in order to repeat the Best Song win for ''Film/AnInconvenientTruth''. Weirdly enough, the nommed songs for both mentioned films ("Before My Time" and "Manta Ray" respectively) lost to James Bond themes.
* ''Film/LesMiserables2012'''s MovieBonusSong "Suddenly" fits this trope to a T.
* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFEDTtKaFzU Safe and Sound]]" by Music/TaylorSwift, from ''Film/TheHungerGames''.
* "Almost Home" from ''Film/OzTheGreatAndPowerful'', performed by Music/MariahCarey. Ineligible for the Oscar because it wasn't the first song played during the credits.
* "[[https://youtu.be/1mkUp1V3ys0 Oblivion]]" from the likewise named ''[[Film/Oblivion2013 Oblivion]]''. That opening is just so sparkly.
* "[[https://youtu.be/Te11UaHOHMQ Young and Beautiful]]" by Music/LanaDelRey and "[[https://youtu.be/5AllYPIBbhw Over the Love]]" by Music/FlorenceAndTheMachine from ''Film/TheGreatGatsby2013.''
* ''Film/{{Annie 2014}}'' has at least two {{movie bonus song}}s that qualify for this trope.
** "Opportunity", the song the title character sings to wow the crowd (and Stacks) at the Guggenheim event. Nominated for Golden Globe and shortlisted for the Oscar.
** "[[HeroicBSOD Who Am I]]" is a lesser example, but it still counts.
* "Not About Angels" by Birdy, from ''Film/TheFaultInOurStars''.
* "[[https://youtu.be/qZKCet3JOTc Miasto]]" from the Polish film ''Miasto 44''.
* "[[https://youtu.be/0KmMkmRJl6c Eien no Motto Mate Made]]" by Music/SeikoMatsuda, from the Japanese dub of ''Film/{{Pan}}''.
** She also has "I'll Fall in Love" from the 2005 ''Film/{{Bewitched}}'' film.
* ''Film/FuriousSeven'' has "[[https://youtu.be/RgKAFK5djSk See You Again]]" by Music/WizKhalifa. Despite being a huge hit on the ''Billboard'' charts when it came out, the bait didn't take with most awards groups –- it got a Golden Globe nomination but failed to get recognized by the Oscars.
* ''[[Film/PitchPerfect Pitch Perfect 2]]'' has the uplifting "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzwkcbTQ7ZE Flashlight]]" sung by Music/JessieJ. Despite this version being perfect for the credits treatment, it only appears on the film's soundtrack. The song does still appear in the film, although it's sung by the Bellas as part of their [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RsgmjeAQ14 A Cappella World Championship performance]]. [[note]]Within the film's context, new member Emily Junk wrote the song herself and sang it for her audition.[[/note]] Creator/HaileeSteinfeld also recorded [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XxzXR1ArbY an official cover]] for the soundtrack, and released [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_hH-qBVJNo her own acoustic version]] following the film's release.
* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnYwvDwwBcc Just a Wish]]", from the biopic ''Walt Before Mickey''.
* ''Film/LaLaLand'' has "City of Stars" and "Audition (The Fools Who Dream)", both of which were nominated for Oscars. The former won both the Oscar and the Golden Globe.
* ''Film/StarTrekBeyond'' has Music/{{Rihanna}}'s "Sledgehammer" over the end credits.
* "Go Now" was ''Film/SingStreet'''s attempt at this, but the bait sadly didn't take.
* "[[https://youtu.be/T84LqClui9A To Be Human]]" from ''Film/WonderWoman2017'', sung by Music/{{Sia}} and Labrinth.
* A chunk of the songs in ''Film/TheGreatestShowman'' qualify, namely "A Million Dreams" (which gets the FallingInLoveMontage honor), "Never Enough" (showboating diva solo), "This Is Me" (won the Golden Globe and nominated for the Oscar), "Rewrite the Stars" (the love duet for the BetaCouple), and the eleventh-hour number "From Now On".
* ''Film/BlackPanther2018'' has the melancholic and somber "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQbjS0_ZfJ0 All the Stars]]" by Music/KendrickLamar and Music/{{SZA}}. Nominated for an Oscar, a Golden Globe, and several Grammys.
** The sequel, ''Film/BlackPantherWakandaForever'', has [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mx_OexsUI2M "Lift Me Up"]] by Music/{{Rihanna}}.
* "[[https://youtu.be/CX11yw6YL1w Ashes]]". A serious TearJerker of a PowerBallad by ''Titanic'' crooner Music/CelineDion herself. Which makes it completely apropos it's on the soundtrack to raunchy superhero comedy ''Film/Deadpool2''. Parodied in the music video, where Deadpool's criticism is that it's ''too'' good for the film and asks her to dial it down.
* If anyone in the current pop music industry could be called the modern equivalent to Celine Dion in terms of Oscar bait-y songs written for film soundtracks, it's Music/EllieGoulding, with a whopping four examples of this, all written for different films: "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=an4ySOlsUMY How Long Will I Love You?]]" from ''Film/{{About Time}}'', "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrNTOo4KH8c Beating Heart]]" from ''Film/{{Divergent}}'', "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJtDXIazrMo Love Me Like You Do]]" from ''Film/FiftyShadesOfGrey'', and "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvP_OwVSFpk Still Falling for You]]" from ''[[Literature/BridgetJones Bridget Jones' Baby]]''. However, none of them managed to score an actual Oscar nomination; in "Love Me Like You Do"'s case, despite it being the song from the soundtrack to get the VideoFullOfFilmClips treatment, it was passed over in favor of Music/TheWeeknd's much darker "Earned It".
** The ''Fifty Shades'' series also has a slew of other examples, with ''Film/FiftyShadesDarker'' having "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7F37r50VUTQ I Don't Wanna Live Forever]]" by Music/{{Zayn}} and Music/TaylorSwift, and ''Film/FiftyShadesFreed'' having "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQUuqbzQVsY For You]]" by Music/RitaOra and Zayn's former Music/OneDirection bandmate Liam Payne, as well as a slightly rearranged reprisal of "Love Me Like You Do".
* The infamous ''Film/PatchAdams'' had "Faith of the Heart" by Music/RodStewart, three years before it was CoveredUp by Russell Watson and became the most polarizing ''Star Trek'' theme ever written. (See ''Series/StarTrekEnterprise''.)
* ''Film/{{Aquaman 2018}}'' has "[[https:/www.youtube.com/watch?v=9thM5gLs2tg Everything I Need]]" by [[Music/FortMinor Skylar Grey]].
* The {{Music/Sia}} film ''Film/{{Music|2021}}'' has "Together", a song about ThePowerOfFriendship and how ChildrenRaiseYou.
* ''[[https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/There%27s_No_Such_Thing_as_Vampires There's No Such Thing as Vampires]]'' has "[[https://youtu.be/1NFVOsBxi9s I'll Wait]]" by NINA.
* Lampshaded by "Now You Know", the the end credits song for ''Film/WeirdTheAlYankovicStory''.
-->"This song is technically eligible for Oscar consideration!"
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Video Games]]
* ''VideoGame/ThirteenSentinelsAegisRim'' has [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWNzyavR2lU Seaside Vacation]], played during wave 2-10 of the combat section of the game and the ending credits. It has been compared to "Do You Remember Love" from Macross above.
* Even a series like ''VideoGame/AceCombat'' has a few to its credit:
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJEpFRCKINU Blue Skies]] from ''VideoGame/AceCombat04ShatteredSkies''.
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrQrkZtg-mo "The Journey Home"]] from ''VideoGame/AceCombat5TheUnsungWar''.
** "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VELpIlgVDGQ Gravity]]" from ''VideoGame/AceCombatAssaultHorizonLegacy''. Although [[http://web.archive.org/web/20160804015414/https://www.facebook.com/worldofnoel/posts/10150448185273276 the lyrics]] are about the PlayerCharacter's [[LyricalDissonance status as an invincible ace pilot]].
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYpiZVNggNk A Brand New Day]] from ''VideoGame/AceCombat6FiresOfLiberation''.
* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loTcZHoIYfQ In Your Belief]]" From ''VideoGame/AsurasWrath''. A beautiful somber song by the singer of Aura's Theme from ''Franchise/DotHack'', Tomoyo Mitani, it manages to be used both for the epic beginning in episode 1, [[spoiler: The [[TearJerker heartbreaking]] second half of episode 12]] and the credits for the end of the final act. [[spoiler: Both of them.]]
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lz-jFRuvA2o Le Ali Del Principio]] from ''VideoGame/BatenKaitosOrigins''. Notable for being used in not only the end credits, but the incredibly well-done Heart-to-Heart scene and the TrueFinalBoss, yet somehow NOT being an example of SoundtrackDissonance.
** The composer Motoi Sakuraba's then-nine-year-old daughter sang the vocals, making it one of his most personal works.
** Then there's a darker version of this trope with the ending ballad of ''The Eternal Night'''s "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UuezAeuPy0 This Broken Soul]]".
* The ''VideoGame/{{Bayonetta}}'' games all have at least one, usually in the form of a classic song played over the staff roll that the game would also use a faster-paced remix of as one of the battle themes.
** The first game had Peggy Lee's "Fly Me to the Moon", played over Bayonetta performing a slow pole dance as the second half of the credits roll.
** ''VideoGame/Bayonetta2'' had Andy Williams' "Moon River" used under the same circumstances.
** ''VideoGame/Bayonetta3'' has two. At first, it bucks the trend of using pre-existing songs in the staff roll by using an original, more tragic composition known as "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHzhV9q0uS8 We Are As One]]", with Bayonetta performing a solo dance, which is more befitting of the ending's circumstances [[spoiler:of Bayonetta meeting her end just after the FinalBoss and being sent to the afterlife along with her lover. Just to drive the point home, various stills of moments across the entire series appear as crystals and float upward, before Bayonetta herself crystallises and does the same thing]]. But then, after one more boss battle, we get another pole dance for the second half of the staff roll, this time to Music/FrankSinatra's take on "Moonlight Serenade"
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0e4Crth_Hb8 Will The Circle Be Unbroken]] from ''VideoGame/BioShockInfinite''. [[spoiler: Especially when one takes the ending into consideration.]] The ''Burial At Sea'' DLC features Courtnee Draper (Elizabeth's VA) singing [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ka6YEHBtMhc You Belong To Me]] over Episode 2's closing credits; the song, however, is referenced in-game if the player chooses to visit an optional area.
* From the ''VideoGame/{{Blazblue}}'' series, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crwCFXqzJ6I Stardust Memory - Place Of Promise]] by Kanako Kondou, the voice actress for the main heroine Noel Vermillion.
* Because the 2009 ''VideoGame/ABoyAndHisBlob'' deliberately set out to emulate a Disney-esque feel, they couldn't let the end credits go without one of these. The ending song, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3dXDRqWTKI "Everything to Me"]], is exactly the sort of friendship song that fits best--though a sad sort of one.
* Indie platform shooter/80's action movie homage ''Videogame/{{Broforce}}'' has [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_-J3Jv8kfE The Ballad of Rambro]]. Bonus points for actually [[http://www.goldentrailer.com/gta17_nominees/most-innovative-ad-for-a-video-game/ winning an award!]]
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hv8Mde-LXNE I Just Smile]] from ''VideoGame/BurningRangers''.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3DxQ84shnE "I Am the Wind"]] from the end credits of ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaSymphonyOfTheNight''. It was rather jarring, playing through a gothic-horror-themed {{Metroidvania}} game set in the Victorian era, only to be greeted with a Celine Dion-styled ballad at the end of the game...
** Apparently, the reason that song is in the game is because Yamane had made a friendly bet with Rika Muranaka in 1996 and ''lost''. It's actually pretty funny.
** A patch for the Xbox Live version replaces the song with "Admiration Towards the Clan" from ''[[VideoGame/CastlevaniaLamentOfInnocence Lament of Innocence]]'', while the PSP version uses a new song called "Serenade of Sympathy".
* "Heavenly Star" by the Genki Rockets is featured in ''VideoGame/ChildOfEden''.
** Better yet, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYH4JygIioI "Flow"]], the ending credits song to ''VideoGame/ChildOfEden''. Somewhat of a TearJerker.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuy_FRk7LNQ "Off to Sleep"]] from ''VideoGame/ChildOfLight.''
* ''VideoGame/ChronoCross'' has [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkKMUrEOnwc Radical Dreamers~ Unstolen Jewel]].
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJiHDmyhE1A "Baba Yetu"]], the opening music from ''[[VideoGame/{{Civilization}} Civilization 4]]''. Literally Award Bait, as it's the only video game music to have ever been considered for and given a Grammy Award.
** Firaxis attempted another one in VideoGame/CivilizationVI via ''[[https://youtu.be/Q0pBzowOKU4 Sogno di Volare]]''. It was nominated for the 2017 Game Audio Network Guild Awards, but sadly did not win.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oCTru2Uim0 "Remember You"]] from ''VideoGame/DanceDanceRevolution 5th Mix'' (and the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YINqotRPQng acoustic version]] from ''Extreme PSX JP''), [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQl_6Zy3y1s "Be in My Paradise"]] from ''DDR Club Mix'', and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqHQRX_NQX8 "Graduation"]] from ''DDR Extreme''.
* The ending theme of ''VideoGame/DeathSmiles'', [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-YCA1WXI2s Period]]. The song could be considered heartwarming or a TearJerker.
* ''VideoGame/DeathStranding'' has, well, [[https://youtu.be/tae8F4gkfiw "Death Stranding"]], by Music/{{CHVRCHES}}.
* ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry'' tends to play with this, with the end credits theme usually starting off hard-rocking and energetic fitting the games' tone, but then seguing into softer ballad's midway into the credits. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwaF0oSmEZw Seeds of Love]] from the first game begins as a fast-paced techno-rock before fading into a vocal version of Eva and Trish's theme. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIIYt5lcq3A Shall Never Surrender]] from ''4'' starts out as a remix of Nero's battle them for its first 2 minutes before becoming more award bait-y, the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZ3V42o_86E Bentley Jones]] cover {{exaggerate|dTrope}}s its award bait aspects. The only game to avert this completely is the third game, which ironically has the most BitterSweetEnding out of all the games. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZUN89RaP60 Devils Never Cry]] otherwise fits the criteria in that its leitmotif is used throughout the game numerous times thorughout several key moments and tracks, and starting out somber and melancholic, but averts it by becoming a hard-rocking metal song a minute in and staying that way to the end. ''5'' finally plays it straight with [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyeTroY6uUY Legacy]].
* ''[[VideoGame/DonPachi DoDonPachi SaiDaiOuJou]]'' for the UsefulNotes/Xbox360 has Heading For Tomorrow from Zwei.
* ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3TkF8y7o6A Gentle Hands]]''; the closing song to the first ''VideoGame/DotHackGU'' games as well as the third game closer, ''[[https://youtu.be/RN8KktiTr4Y The Truth of One's Whereabouts]]''
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqMk4aollgk You Smiled Kindly]] by the Singer of In Your Belief down below.
* From ''VideoGame/DuckTales'' ''Remastered'': [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wBtsLditgY The credits version of the Moon theme]] is an instrumental SofterAndSlowerCover example.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDpowHy2QPI "Pollyanna"]] from ''VideoGame/EarthBoundBeginnings'' is a bit peppier than most award bait songs, but has perfectly fitting lyrics for the song type. [[http://www.ocremix.org/remix/OCR01545/ This fan-made remix]] only tackles the first bit of the song, but puts it in "true" Award Bait Song mode, complete with synth sparkle.
** The ''VideoGame/Mother3'' [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=553vR8ZtWIE Theme of Love]] also qualifies, especially the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXF0DincgFc vocal version]].
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwHZwvTdnPI Smiles and Tears]] from ''VideoGame/EarthBound1994'' counts, of course, though it didn't have an official vocal version until over a decade after the game's release.
* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTaZ6jKR2V4 One World]]" From Endless Ocean: Blue World fits this trope perfectly.
* ''VideoGame/FalloutNewVegas'': [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCkwAgTcDBw Begin Again]].
* ''VideoGame/FatalFrame'' has this going for it as well, starting with the second game and the song [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t28DUfNqTbU 'Chou']] by Amano Tsukiko. This was followed with the rather hauntingly beautiful [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOI9Jq8NH9Q 'Koe']] from the third game, again performed by Amano; and then the fourth game had TWO of these songs: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3Av3xJ5N30 'NOISE']] which plays over the end credits on easy/normal difficulty, and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OwORC7OArk 'Zero no Chouritsu']] which is the actual 'theme song' of the game.
* ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'':
** The concept reaches its logical conclusion with the albums "Pray" and "Love Will Grow" which consist of nothing but attempts to adapt Final Fantasy songs into this style. Though some of them have little to no connection to the source, such as Matoya's Theme from ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyI'' becoming a French song about prince traveling the galaxy...
** VideoGame/FinalFantasyIV's Love Theme was [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5UMohX62kw adapted into this style]] for the game's DS remake.
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuvSDedrtKM "Aria Di Mezzo Carattere"]] from ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVI''. It starts as Celes' show-stopping number in the Opera House performance, and then becomes Locke and Celes' love theme, and only grows more and more into award bait along the way.
** "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RK8mmrRl7IQ Why]]" from ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII VideoGame/CrisisCore''.
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8uXWMNriio "Eyes on Me"]] from ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVIII'', the TropeCodifier for VideoGames.
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77T8CR5arXs "Melodies of Life"]] from ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIX''. The lyrics even resemble "My Heart Will Go On."
** "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdJVvyN3D04 Suteki da ne]]" from ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyX''.
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4voJjkJevs "1000 Words"]] from ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyX2''.
** Even the MMO isn't immune. ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVYhcXmXSB0 Distant Worlds]]'' the end theme from the Chains of Promathia expansion of VideoGame/FinalFantasyXI.
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZGriywr8Mg "Kiss Me Good-Bye"]] from ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXII''.
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8qtteb9FBY "My Hands"]] from the US version of ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIII''. Performed by the very same Leona Lewis that performed the song "I See You" that was in ''Film/{{Avatar}}''. The Japanese version got an equally powerful award bait song, "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TauG36TbeSc Kimi ga Iru Kara]]".
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1vd0z3SLYo "New World"]] by Charice, from the English-language version of ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIII2''. The Japanese version of the game got the epic [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VoVj_CnfL4 "Yakusoku no Bashou"]] by Mai Fukui.
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39j5v8jlndM "Answers"]] from ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIV''. Not only plays during the FMV that closed the failed 1.0 servers in preparation for the ''Realm Reborn'' relaunch, but makes it in game during the "Binding Coils of Bahamut" Raids.
*** Each of the game's expansions would also have it's own instance of this trope:
*** Heavensward had [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtuwltmTp9I "Dragonsong"]], which plays over the expansion's end credits as well as the first phase of the The Final Steps of Faith Trial. On top of this, the song's Leitmotif is present throughout the expansion's score. The music video for this song even plays over footage from the expansion.
*** Stormblood had [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmQm76wFfKk "Revolutions"]], although this time it only plays over the end credits. Otherwise it is much like Dragonsong.
*** While Shadowbringers' main theme (titled after the expansion itself) doesn't fit this trope, the song [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4lJsmCqvCI "Tomorrow and Tomorrow"]] certainly does.
*** Endwalker follows in Shadowbringers' footsteps in having a main theme that doesn't fit this trope, but proceeding to have a song (or in this case two) that do:
*** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWgpJ0k820w "Flow" (video contains spoilers)]], which is the character theme of [[spoiler:Venat/Hydaelyn]], is the straighter example of this trope, with it mostly playing in an instrumental only rendition until a moment towards the end the expansion when it finally plays with lyrics.
*** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kj_pWv3ISAw "Close in the Distance" (video contains spoilers)]] is the final zone theme & also exhibits many components of this trope.
** Music/FlorenceAndTheMachine's cover of [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vv2DSmy3Tro Stand by Me]] fills this role in both the Japanese and English versions of ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXV''.
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYPWuy3SPMY Moonless, Starry Night]] from ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyCrystalChronicles'' is a nice soft tune about coming home after a long journey with friends.
* ''VideoGame/FireEmblem'':
** ''VideoGame/FireEmblemPathOfRadiance'', and its sequel, ''VideoGame/FireEmblemRadiantDawn'', both have songs like this sung over their credits, each representing one of the heron galdrs plot important to the game in question. ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_0JfNkcClU Life Returns]]'' and ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C39CUQtWIzA Dawn Awakens]]'', respectively.
** ''[[VideoGame/FireEmblemTheSacredStones The Sacred Stones]]'' did this as well. Certainly a unique use of this trope, given that the song in question, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoNnx1ttotc Fly With the Breeze]], ''lacks vocals'' - but it hits every other aspect spot-on.
** ''VideoGame/FireEmblemFates'' started the tradition of having sorrowful lyrical ballads sung at the end credits with "Lost in Thoughts All Alone." It is possibly the straightest example in the series. Sparkly synth? Check. TruckDriversGearChange? Check. Played over the end credits? Check. Reprise of a song sung during the game? Check (and by a princess character, no less, with the same voice actress reprising the credits version).
** "Heritors of Arcadia" from the VideoGameRemake of ''VideoGame/FireEmblemGaiden'' appears to have dethroned "Lost in Thoughts All Alone" as the straightest example of an AwardBaitSong. It's ''again'', a synth laden ballad with a TruckDriversGearChange played at the end credits and, in the English version, is sung by [[TakingTheVeil Silque's]] voice actress.
** ''VideoGame/FireEmblemThreeHouses'' continues the tradition set by Fates with "The Edge of Dawn", which plays in the intro and has a much longer reprise that plays in the credits.
** ''VideoGame/FireEmblemEngage'' follows suit with "Fiery Bonds", a vocalized version of the game's {{Leitmotif}}.
* The ''VideoGame/GodEater'' series ''loves'' including a big, epic, sappy orchestral song. Although the games are made in Japan, these songs are sung in English. Most of them play over the end credits and have at least one TruckDriversGearChange near the end.
** ''VideoGame/GodEaterBurst'' has [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLUeowS8VNk "God and Man"]], which played during both end credit sequences, the first without vocals and the second with them.
** ''VideoGame/GodEater2'' has no less that ''three'' such songs when the ''Rage Burst'' expansion is taken into account:
*** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QSLfJaam2w "Revolving Lantern"]], which plays during [[spoiler:Romeo's DyingMomentOfAwesome]] in the original story as well as the flashback to [[spoiler:his time with Livie in the orphanage]] in ''Rage Burst''. A song with vocals by Ingrid Gerdes about the emotions the aforementioned character feels [[spoiler:as he dies, lamenting the fact that he'll be missing out on so much of life's experiences yet celebrating that he's sacrificing himself for the greater good]]. One of the few songs here to not have a TruckDriversGearChange, and to not play over the end credits.
*** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHUtucU8W1E "Faith"]], the ''Rage Burst'' credits theme, is about determination in the face of adversity. It has more of a {{Pop|Music}} sound compared to other examples from this series, but otherwise hits many of this trope's notes, including sparkly sounds during the intro.
*** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbs-w7g20d8 "Tree of Life"]], which plays after [[spoiler:completing Julius' character episodes]], is about how far the characters have come.
** ''VideoGame/GodEater3'' has [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gO4_XCuUspQ "All I Know"]] during its credits, which starts off gentle but builds up to a triumphant, sweeping chorus; however, it also has a lot of LyricalDissonnance if you pay attention to the words. It also features the aforementioned "God and Man"'s RecurringRiff during one section.
* From .hack//LINK ''[[https://youtu.be/KYkj8HH5Tyg Stairs of Time]]'', and ''Deepest Memories'' also qualify.
* For a game built around a soundtrack, VideoGame/HeavyRain did well to make [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHsk7WPSDu4 "Before the Storm"]] stand out quite as well as it did, introducing a theme to be repeated no end throughout the game.
* A somewhat odd example from ''VideoGame/{{Homeworld}}''. The music piece itself was not written ''for'' the game, but plays at key moments. I am of course referring to Agnus Dei. To re-iterate: It is first played during the epic launch of the Mothership. The second time it accompanies when the player first returns to Kharak and witnesses their burning home (TearJerker right there). The third and final it plays during the final montage showing the Kushan people returning to their homeworld Hiigara after millennia of exile. After this final piece, progressive rock band Yes' song Homeworld (The Ladder) plays.
* ''VideoGame/{{Ico}}'' ends on the haunting "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FQ-0vqHAro You Were There.]]"
* Several songs from the [[VideoGame/TheIdolmaster iDOLM@STER]] franchise are written in the style of Award Bait Songs, including ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imgbDRujKlE Tonari Ni...]]'', ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnPbLGa7J80 ALIVE]]'', ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHLV056IhvY Hummingbird]]'' and ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19E65Hdx1io Massugu]]''. ''Massugu'' was even used as the ending theme for the first console version of the game.
* The song "Further" at the end of ''VideoGame/{{Iji}}'' is basically this.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_2lcU_dt2E "Fade Away"]] from ''VideoGame/Infamous2'' is a pretty good example, especially given the endings.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_tiKhfqFds&pp=ygUSdGhlIGNoaWxkIHlvdSB3ZXJl "The Child You Were"]] is ''VideoGame/IWasATeenageExocolonist'''s ending song, which is a rock ballad about the loss of childhood innocence and learning self-love despite the loneliness that's part of growing up.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_wkJ377LzU I Was Born For This]] from ''VideoGame/Journey2012''
* [[http://grooveshark.com/#!/s/Simple+And+Clean/2T6fB2?src=5 "Simple and Clean"]] / [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOSNIIx5u_U "Hikari"]] and "[[http://grooveshark.com/#!/s/Sanctuary/3WCOf4?src=5 Sanctuary]]" / [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWoJLdXJt0E "Passion"]] (the Japanese versions have different names as well as the entirely different lyrics) from ''Franchise/KingdomHearts''. Both play in the openings of their respective games ("Simple and Clean" / "Hikari" also appear in ''Chain of Memories'' and ''Birth by Sleep''), then have a longer, slower version that plays over the end credits.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69M2iiI__XQ "Girl in the Tower"]], from ''VideoGame/KingsQuestVI''. Geez. Were Peabo Bryson and Regina Belle not available, {{Creator/Sierra}}?
** ''VideoGame/KingsQuestVII'' tried again with "Land Beyond Dreams". The FanRemake of ''VideoGame/KingsQuestII'' got into the act with [[http://www.queststudios.com/quest/kq2rts/wisy.html "When I Saw You".]] Infamous Adventures' FanRemake of ''VideoGame/KingsQuestIII'' has [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jl2dp0-xTMI "My Way Home"]], while Creator/AGDInteractive's remake has "Coming Home". The FanSequel ''VideoGame/TheSilverLining'' even throws in with one called "I Will Remember".
* Many ''Franchise/{{Kirby}}'' credits songs hit the marks of this trope.
** The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iha6_y4XR0M credits music]] from ''VideoGame/KirbySuperStar'' lacks vocals (obviously, given the SNES's sound limitations), and is about twice the tempo of your average Award Bait Song, but hits pretty much every other aspect on the list.
** ''VideoGame/KirbysEpicYarn'''s [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UgbY1WyVS8 staff credits theme]] also fits, featuring a slow-paced, feel-good piano melody.
** The one that fits this bill the most is the credits music for ''VideoGame/KirbysReturnToDreamLand'', [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rb6MMKV6dPY "Returning to Dream Land"]]. It starts off slow, incorporates many of the game's leitmotifs, and builds up to a triumphant finish.
** ''VideoGame/SuperKirbyClash'' has "Green Tree Memories from Kirby," a song with actual sung vocals in both [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zP2e5eF5zjk English]] and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfbBH2HLw7Y Japanese]].
* ''VideoGame/LANoire'' had "(I Always Kill) The Things I Love" playing in the end credits. This extraordinary piece of jazz fits the game like a glove, and it's a tearjerker too.
* ''VideoGame/TheLastStory'' has ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wm4MrwujFU The Flying One]],'' the vocal version of its main theme, which plays over the end credits. It shares a number of stylistic similarities with the end credits songs favored by Creator/StudioGhibli, but it's still distinctly Award Bait-y.
* ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfHeroesTrailsInTheSky'' has ''I Swear...'' from the second installment of the game that fit this trope to a T. Starts out slow and mellow? Check. Covers ThePowerOfFriendship? Check. Extremely touching? Check. Sparkly synths? Check. Becomes triumphant towards the end? Check. Make no mistake, this is an Award Bait Song that was so good that it was reused in the future sequel, ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfHeroesTrailsOfColdSteel''.
* "If You Still Believe" from ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfDragoon''.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxLbsfXTab4 "Song of Mana"]] from ''VideoGame/LegendOfMana''. A bit more folksy and energetic than most of the songs in this trope, but pulls it off with considerable grace and feasibility. As a song about love, longing and life passion, it avoids being merely an IWantSong by capturing both the motivation and the happy ending of the story. This song is notable for being sung entirely [[GratuitousForeignLanguage in Swedish]] by native Swedish vocalist Annika Ljungberg, but as the crowning song of a game [[NoExportForYou never published in Swedish]].
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UuezAeuPy0 "This Broken Soul"]] from ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfSpyroTheEternalNight'' fits this trope perfectly. Same for the sequel's (''Dawn of the Dragon'') credits, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyCcjWgVX2E "Guide You Home"]].
* ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'':
** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaLinksAwakening'': The "Ballad of the Windfish" [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4Ofmt3ZazA sounds magnificent]], especially once you've collected [[PlotCoupon all of the Siren's instruments]].
** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaSpiritTracks'': The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8N21htq8lXQ Final Duet with Zelda which contains reprises from all the Lokomos you've met]] leads into the FinalBoss Climax Music. And it's gorgeous.
** ''Videogame/TheLegendOfZeldaSkywardSword'': The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4ReyoNpyrM Ballad of the Goddess]] is not only bombastic, but also serves a a major plot point in-game to unlock an ancient gate.
* ''VideoGame/LegoDimensions'' has [[https://youtu.be/KbWfGIjZG50 "You Wouldn't Know"]], which, for all intents and purposes, is a ''VideoGame/{{Portal}}'' song and has many of the same traits as its predecessors.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFvbKNmHEF8 "Heavenly Star"]] by the Genki Rockets, featured in ''VideoGame/{{Lumines}} II''. Nominated for Best Song at the 2006 Spike TV Video Game Awards.
* ''[[VideoGame/LunarTheSilverStar Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete]]'' has ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71ripBa8Ga8 Tsu-ba-sa/Wings]]'' and ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Azmm2pN0sfA Wind's Nocturne]]'', which both falls squarely into this trope. The lyrics of the North American PSX version was even {{Woolseyis|m}}ed to sound like something that was created at Disney. However the North American PSP version was retranslated to keep with the original meaning of the Japanese lyrics, and the net result was a BrokenBase. The PSP version also added the obligatory sparkles to Wings. The [[VideoGame/LunarEternalBlue sequel]] has [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYeivB9FMYQ Lucia's Theme]].
* ''VideoGame/MassEffectAndromeda'' has [[https://youtu.be/9tL8i5YxS9U "Under Stars"]] by Music/{{Aurora|Singer}}.
* ''Videogame/MaxPayne2TheFallOfMaxPayne'' has Music/PoetsOfTheFall's "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLn4_Wz3Tc0 Late Goodbye]]" as the country-inspired RecurringRiff and SolemnEndingTheme, which netted a 2004 Game Audio Network Guild Award.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipdun18P9Mo "The Songless Nightingale"]] from ''VideoGame/MedalOfHonor: Frontline'''s OST doesn't actually appear in the game, although the German drinking song in the Golden Lion pub uses its tune.
* ''Franchise/MegaMan'':
** The ''VideoGame/MegaMan1'' [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kduzi0ZyKjY ending theme]].
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcHXIS-Ij7g Protoman's Theme]] from ''VideoGame/MegaMan3'', which was also [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NItzNZgBS04 remixed]] for his ending in ''Mega Man 2: The Power Fighters''. Unfortunately, in the former game, the cutscene [[LongSongShortScene ends before the song completes its loop]].
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PMPIo9jo0M Freesia]] from the album ''Remastered Tracks Rockman Zero Physis'', a remix of the ending of ''VideoGame/MegaManZero4''.
* ''VideoGame/MetalGear'' has lots of them.
** The Original ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid'' had [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6miaTf1gF4g "The Best Is Yet to Come"]].
** ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid2SonsOfLiberty'' has "Can't Say Goodbye To Yesterday".
** ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid3SnakeEater'' has Star Sailor's [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdX7j0w5zj4 "Way to Fall"]].
** ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid4GunsOfThePatriots'' has "Here's To You".
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBEEKdUYNDw "Calling to the Night"]], the ending theme to ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolidPortableOps''.
*** The song reappears in ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosBrawl'' as one of the background music tracks for Snake's stage, [[SoundtrackDissonance so you can listen to all its heart-wrenching, tear-jerking, sparkly goodness while watching Snake and Pikachu beat the hell out of each other.]]
** ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolidPeaceWalker'' has [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQzgI6xJEH0 "Heaven's Divide"]].
** ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolidVThePhantomPain'' likewise has "Sins of the Father" and "A Phantom Pain".
* Bizarrely enough, ''VideoGame/MrDriller'': [[NoExportForYou Drill Land]] has one in the form of [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFDR9U3SOF4 "Days"]].
* ''VideoGame/MirrorsEdge'' has [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TERyxFfMqDk "Still Alive"]] by Lisa Miskovsky. (Note: a completely different song from the ''Portal'' song.) The reboot, ''VideoGame/MirrorsEdgeCatalyst'', has [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kv1eVIKEDw "Warning Call"]] by Music/{{CHVRCHES}}, although due to licensing conflicts between the developers and their record label, it doesn't play during the end credits, instead being substituted with the similar instrumental piece "Catalyst".
* ''VideoGame/NamcoXCapcom'' has [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5or0rrhnnkw Someday, Under the Moon]] while the Japanese version of ''VideoGame/ProjectXZone'' has [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CNMVaBCqCw Galaxy]]. ''Project X Zone 2'' has [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8x1R_e0OGw Moonlight Curtain Call]].
* ''VideoGame/{{Nier}}'' has a more {{Tearjerker}} focused one, "Ashes of Dreams". The song stands out for being real English, the only example of a real language in the whole soundtrack. The song deals with [[DespairEventHorizon a total loss of hope]], and considering [[spoiler:it plays after [[NiceJobBreakingItHero you've doomed humanity]]]] is sure to make the tears flow. Besides the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yG1y5843-7U English]] version, there are [[AsLongAsItSoundsForeign versions in fake]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbY6idAepUQ Gaelic]], [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SN3Dcx5z8wU French]], and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywYjsgauVq8 Japanese]], each version playing at the end of their respective endings A, B, C and D.
* ''VideoGame/NierAutomata'' has an especially poignant example in "Weight of the World" from [[GoldenEnding Ending E]] of the game, which comes in four different version. The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srbj96AUUCs english Version]], [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uu87oGsjkic Japanese version]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5JQEpqM16Y Fictional In game language version]] and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmmrKK2GD6g The Medley version combining all 3 with added Chorus]].
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLyKMa3k818 "Dreams Dreams"]], from ''VideoGame/NiGHTSIntoDreams'', qualifies--especially in its remake in the sequel, ''VideoGame/NiGHTSJourneyOfDreams''.
* [[Videogame/NobunagasAmbition Nobunaga's Ambition: Sphere of Influence]] has one of these in the form of "Shine -Mirai he Kazasu Hi no Youni-" composed by Music/YokoKanno and performed by Ayaka Hirahara. The song also served as the series' 30th anniversary theme and as a celebration of the tenth year of Hirahara's successful career.
* ''VideoGame/NoMoreHeroes'' also features "Heavenly Star" by the Genki Rockets.
* ''[[VideoGame/{{Oddworld}} Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee]]'' has a slow ballad in its New 'n' Tasty remake called [[https://youtu.be/IMUVClsvZkA ''Born to Love You'']] which plays in the credits of the game.
* In an example that doubles as a case of RealSongThemeTune, the use of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" performed by Judy Garland is played over the credits in the non-secret endings of ''VideoGame/{{OFF}}''.
* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1swdaCuam4 Reset]]" by Ayaka Hirahara from ''VideoGame/{{Okami}}'' counts as one. [[TearJerker Oh it does indeed.]]
* ''VideoGame/ParasiteEve'' had [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNGKlkxz968 Somnia Memorias]], a bilingual (spanish and latin) ending song.
* From the ''Franchise/{{Persona}}'' series:
** ''VideoGame/Persona2'' is a possible contender for the best example in the series with [[https://youtu.be/wONI34aquiU Change Your Way]], the ending song for Eternal Punishment which has lyrics relating to the themes of the game.
** ''VideoGame/Persona3'' has another example in the series with [[https://youtu.be/zHdOXCoja-c Memories of You]]. Bonus points for the lyrics actually having something to do with the ending.
** ''VideoGame/Persona4'' plays the song [[https://youtu.be/SXYdgfXyYqs Never More]] over the end credits.
** ''VideoGame/Persona5'' has "Hoshi To Bokura To" which plays over the end credits. Played with in that it alternates between a softer style typical of this trope, and a harder rock section.
** ''[[UpdatedRerelease Persona 5 Royal]]'' has [[https://youtu.be/UfABCUDpzIQ Our Light]] in place of the above song, which is arguably a straighter example.
* ''VideoGame/PizzaTower'' has [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osnSjTsLerk Receding Hairline Celebration Party]], the credits theme. Though it's instrumental, it nonetheless has a ton of characteristics of this, such as the piano, sparkly synth, bittersweet melody and guitar solo towards the end.
* ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'':
** [[https://youtu.be/qgLBligLJPU Sayonara]], from ''VideoGame/PokemonBlackAndWhite'', is an instrumental version of this. It plays at the end when N says goodbye to you.
** [[https://youtu.be/kLLAHb4mlgE KISEKI]] from ''VideoGame/PokemonXAndY'' has a similar melody to "Sayonara"; even if the lyrics aren't actually sung, they are still shown as what the lyrics would be if you sang along to its melody.
** ''VideoGame/PokemonScarletAndViolet'' has [[https://youtu.be/23g5HBOg3Ic "Celestial"]] by Music/EdSheeran play over its credits, notable for being the first vocal credits song in the franchise.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6ljFaKRTrI "Still Alive"]] from ''VideoGame/{{Portal 1}}''. Arguably the most well-known example of this trope, at least in the video game field, though it technically breaks some of the criteria by the fact it is performed by a character in the game and makes direct reference to the events of it.
* Similarly, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVVZaZ8yO6o Want You Gone]] from ''VideoGame/{{Portal 2}}''. As with "Still Alive," the song violates some of the Award Bait criteria by being not only performed by a character, and making reference to the events of the game, it also includes a major spoiler in the lyrics for those who haven't played it yet.
* ''VideoGame/Prey2006'' has the incredibly bittersweet [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HPBejDwWVI "Take Me Home"]] by After Midnight Project.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTzBopI2TjE "You and I"]] and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvfhdRVIpx0 "Love Forever"]], both from ''VideoGame/RagnarokOnline''. You won't hear either song anywhere in the game, but they're part of the official soundtrack and have been part of its promotional campaign during the early years.
* ''VideoGame/{{Raiden}} III'' has "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckSWmk_tzpg Fairy]]" during its credits, which also recieved a remix on the ''Raiden IV'' OST.
* ''VideoGame/RedDeadRedemption'' has "[[https://youtu.be/Yag41F7eCLU Deadman's Gun]]" poignantly playing in the end.
* ''VideoGame/RedDeadRedemption2'' plays the incredibly somber [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjYLY3BGDY4 "That's the Way it Is"]] in the lead up to the emotional climax.
* VideoGame/RobotUnicornAttack: "Always, I wanna be with you, and make believe with you, [[Music/{{Erasure}} and live in harmony harmony, oh love..."]]
* ''VideoGame/RogueGalaxy'' provides delicious award bait with the end credit song Dreaming My Way Home. Combine it with the scene it first appears in and there won't be a dry eye in the house.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EerJ5B1IQmQ "Thank You"]] and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BG3507ZouB8 "Let's Go On"]] from ''VideoGame/RhapsodyAMusicalAdventure''.
* The Japanese version of ''[[VideoGame/RType R-Type FINAL]]'' had an Award Bait version of Creator/HekiruShiina's [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xAsQ1OZ7TE "Proud of You."]] The original song is a lot more upbeat and happy, but the one used in ''FINAL'' is a downright TearJerker.
* The ''VideoGame/SengokuBasara'' games have a few of these, all as credits songs. Sengoku BASARA 2: Heroes features Oichi's [[ImageSong image song]] "Nemure hi no Hana" performed by her seiyuu, [[Creator/MamikoNoto Mamiko Noto]], which plays during the credits of her story only; Sengoku BASARA 3 features "Gyakko" performed by Chiaki Ishikawa; Sengoku BASARA 3: Utage features "Tasogare" performed by Do As Infinity; and Sengoku BASARA 4: Sumeragi features "Heavenly Blue" once more performed by Chiaki Ishikawa.
* From the critically acclaimed Metroidvania game ''VideoGame/ShadowComplex'', [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Q4cuVrwWx4 "Light of the Day/Dark of the Night"]] by Shaun Barrows.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXjaKhGLkXw "The Fate~Cluster Amaryllis"]] from ''VideoGame/ShadowHeartsCovenant''.
* ''Franchise/SilentHill'' series:
** [[VideoGame/SilentHill1 The first game]] has the Spanish-language song "[[https://youtu.be/5EffJHOuJIU Esperandote]]" during the BadEnding credits.
** ''VideoGame/SilentHill3'' has [[https://youtu.be/_LvEj01NBmQ "I Want Love"]] and [[https://youtu.be/OD-iD2qYVkk "Hometown"]], the latter being a vocal arrangement of the first game's title theme.
** ''VideoGame/SilentHill4TheRoom'' has [[https://youtu.be/aKMksGsv-9U "Your Rain"]] and [[https://youtu.be/9xhI_IkOdCk "Cradle of Forest"]].
** ''VideoGame/SilentHillShatteredMemories'' has two possible end credits songs depending on how you play the game; one of them, "[[https://youtu.be/gPUy_Im5dss Acceptance]]," is a haunting, minor-key, depressing example of this trope. The other one's a rock song that doesn't really fit.
* Although ''VideoGame/SimCity'' isn't really much of an emotionally driven game, ''Sim City 4 Rush Hour'' gives us an orchestral version of this trope with the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BBEZ_T_3OY ''The Morning Commute'']]. Considering most of the music in the series is either jazz or jazz-inspired, this piece stands out greatly.
** The original ''Sim City 4'' also had one- the powerful rock opera ''Epicenter'', complete with faux Latin vocals.
* ''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog'':
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6bYHxwJv24 "Sweet Dream"]] / [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1hB8jFRpDc "Sweet Sweet Sweet"]], from ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog2'', written by Dreams Come True. Showed up in instrumental chiptune form in the game, then was released on one of DCT's albums with lyrics and live instruments. This latter version was [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t36agO2H-ZU remixed]] for the credits of ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog2006''.
** Some others include [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaUGQ673VbU "My Destiny"]] from ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog2006'', [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKywKqzp5jM "Worth a Chance"]] from ''VideoGame/SonicAndTheSecretRings'', and, to some extent, "You're My Hero" from the Sega Saturn version of ''VideoGame/Sonic3DBlast'' (the Genesis version just has standard end credits music).
** The verse of [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyZAuEG4yho Kusuriyubi no Kesshin]], also by Dreams Come True, is the Star Light Zone theme WithLyrics.
** ''VideoGame/SonicR''[='=]s soundtrack was ''made'' of Award Bait Songs. While they were techno-style, the songs generally fit the mold of this type.
** To an extent, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9zZus_1_ag "Live and Learn"]] from ''VideoGame/SonicAdventure2'' would count as well. It's usually counted as one of the best (if not ''the'' best) Music/Crush40 (let alone Sonic) tracks of all time, and, while not particularly "sad" in tone, the lyrics and placement of the song work within [[HeroicSacrifice the context]] [[RedemptionEqualsDeath of the ending credits]]
** While not related to the games themselves, the now extinct indoor theme park Sega World Sydney had a horribly cheesy stage show called "Theatre/SonicLiveInSydney", obviously geared towards younger children. Of all the songs in that show, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Doj5AXP_ULQ "Sonic, Thank You For Being You"]] stands out the most, and has even been used in countless [=SonicXSally=] fanvids.
** ''VideoGame/SonicForces'' has one in "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPJyntLWQQM Light of Hope]]" which plays over the credits.
* Even ''Franchise/{{Splatoon}}'' gets in on the act with [[https://youtu.be/FGVMsMiBqBs "Fresh Start"]], the ending theme from ''VideoGame/Splatoon2''. Apparently, this trope transcends species as well as time!
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zRLySWfCAU "Tobikata wo Wasureta Chiisana Tori"]] from ''VideoGame/StarOceanTillTheEndOfTime''.
* Although Princess Daisy's theme was short and, well... 8-bit, the official ''VideoGame/SuperMarioLand'' soundtrack expanded it and turned it into [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4P1bYDFVNBI an instrumental example of this trope]].
* ''VideoGame/TalesOfLegendia'': There is a place, made of sweet childhood memories...
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obELLqq-hQo The Look of That Day]], the song that plays over the credits of ''VideoGame/TalesOfTheAbyss'', could be considered an instrumental version of this. The song starts with calming piano, but has a buildup into an orchestral end.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UidsHAbwE_U Love Dream]] from ''[[VideoGame/ThunderForce Thunder Force IV]]''. Even better, Love Dream is also a [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5o_8aL9ATmQ full-length Japanese song]].
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlFVUa80bv8 Last Letter]] from ''V''.
* [[https://laurashigihara.bandcamp.com/track/everythings-alright Everything's Alright]] from ''VideoGame/ToTheMoon'' squarely fits this trope.
* ''VideoGame/{{Undertale}}'' has the piece titled "[[https://tobyfox.bandcamp.com/track/undertale Undertale]]", which is played when [[spoiler:the player is told the story of Asriel and the first human]]. Despite being an instrumental, it contains multiple criteria of an award bait song; it starts off mellow, gradually builds up, contains a {{modulation}} in the middle, and is used in a TearJerker context.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmnzrGRxnE4 This song]] from ''VideoGame/ValkyriaChronicles'', especially towards the end. (warning: major spoilers). Its resemblance to 90's Disneyesque ballads was uncanny.
** It packs heavier punch in the original version, since it's more child-like and less like Music/CelineDion. Fitting, since it's mostly about Isara, a little girl who must face the horrors of war.
** Realizing that overuse of this kind of song can quickly lead to {{Narm}}, the ending theme in the sequels are closer to ballads and pops.
** [[http://youtu.be/TiMVyG9ztcY Sora Wa Aoi Mama]] from the anime is equally poignant.
* ''Crystal Letter'' from ''VideoGame/WildArms5'', and to a lesser extent, ''Wings'' from ''VideoGame/WildArms3''. The latter is less soft and more awesome than most of these songs tend to be.
* ''VideoGame/WolfensteinTheNewOrder'' has [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiTn4j7gVvY I Believe]], the credits song.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0KfQmVXbk4 "Lullaby for You"]] from ''VideoGame/TheWorldEndsWithYou''.
* ''VideoGame/XenobladeChronicles1'':
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkFUrLpd1DM Beyond the Sky]] from ''Xenoblade''. Unlike most examples, it plays entirely during the ending scene itself rather than the credits.
** ''VideoGame/XenobladeChronicles2'' has two. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30gxZOFJmNM Drifting Soul]] which plays over [[spoiler:Vandham's death, the reveal that Nia is a Flesh Eater Blade & Rex's speech during the mid point of the final battle against Malos]], making it something of a PowerUpThemeTune, and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwxcCZCAHlI One Last You]] which plays over the game's credits & ending cutscene, more true to the trope.
** The Torna expansion adds its own credits song, A Moment of Eternity.
** Unlike most instances of this trope, Drifting Soul, One Last You, and A Moment Of Eternity are very clearly connected to the plot. The lyrics of Drifting Soul have multiple interpretations, including [[spoiler: Rex's, Malos' or Pyra/Mythra's experiences throughout the story]] while One Last You and A Moment of Eternity are sung from the perspectives of [[spoiler: Pyra/Mythra and Lora]] respectively during the sequences where they play.
* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7D0U_RhH-I Small Two of Pieces]]" from ''VideoGame/{{Xenogears}}''; which was released a year before ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVIII'' and its famous "Eyes on Me".
* "Kokoro" from ''VideoGame/{{Xenosaga}} Episode I: Der Wille zur Macht''.
* ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOnajfUPsL8 Maybe Tomorrow]] from ''Xenosaga III''.
* ''VideoGame/Yakuza1'', as well as its remake ''Yakuza Kiwami'', has a cover of "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZBxkzxvVlo Amazing Grace]]".
* The ending music from ''VideoGame/YsIAncientYsVanishedOmen'' (excluding the UsefulNotes/PCEngine / UsefulNotes/TurboGrafx16 CD version), "The Morning Glow", has an award-baiting [[WithLyrics vocal remix]] titled [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtkolB8D0zI "Endless History"]], that was used for the credits music of the anime adaptation.
[[/folder]]

** "With You I'm Home" (2009), by Jane Krakowski
*** Cheyenne Jackson's "Play To Win" from the same year would count as well, though it's performed in a swinging Rat Pack crooner style that isn't usually associated with Award Bait Songs.

* The 2003 film ''Film/Daredevil'' had "For You" from The Calling. It didn't really catch on.