Diane Warren is not a “household name.” However, there’s a very good chance you know plenty of the songs she’s written.
Simply put: Warren is the keeper of some of the biggest ballads and bombastic tunes of the past five decades. (Google her once you’re done reading this and prepare to be in awe.) The accomplished songwriter has written for a diverse roster of artists. Counted on that roster are some of the biggest divas of all time including Cher, Celine Dion, Patti LaBelle, Gloria Estefan, Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston.
Additionally, Warren has also dipped her toes into the rock waters. She’s written songs for Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Alice Cooper, KISS, Chicago and Cheap Trick.
Besides churning out hits, Warren has been nominated a bunch for Best Original Song at the Academy Awards. In fact, she’s been nominated a whopping 14 times. Unfortunately and surprisingly, none of those nominations have yielded a win. (Warren was honored at the 13th Governors Awards in January 2023 with an Honorary Oscar. The award was presented to her by Cher. Her speech can be seen here, but it does contain NSFW language. So, consider yourself warned.)
Warren is nominated, again, for Best Original Song at the 95th Academy Awards. Per Billboard, she’s one of only five people in history to win an Honorary Oscar and be nominated for a competitive Oscar in the same year.
With the 2023 Oscars taking place this Sunday (March 12), here’s a look at all 14 songs Diane Warren has written/co-written that have been nominated for Best Original Song.