‘La La Land’ Songwriters Win Best Song for ‘City of Stars’ at the 2017 Oscars

Composers Justin Hurwitz, Justin Paul and Benj Pasek celebrate on stage after they won the Best Original Song award for “City of Stars – La La Land” at the 89th Oscars on Feb. 26, 2017 in Hollywood, Calif.

LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 14: Composer Justin Hurwitz, lyricist Benj Pasek, lyricist Justin Paul and director Damien Chazelle attend the 42nd annual Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards at InterContinental Los Angeles Century City on January 14, 2017, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)\

It was Hurwitz’s second Oscar of the night, having already won just minutes before for best original score, also from La La Land, which had also already picked up statues for best production design and best cinematography.

During his acceptance speech, Paul took a minute to give a timely shoutout to arts in the public school system. “I was educated in public schools, where arts and culture were valued and recognized and resourced,” he attested. “And I’m so grateful for all my teachers, who taught so much and gave so much to us.”

Pasek also gave a touching tribute to his mother, who nurtured his early songwriting talent: “She let me quit the JCC soccer league to be in a school musical. So this is dedicated to all the kids who sing in the rain, and all the moms who let them.”

Shortly before the award was presented, John Legend performed “City of Stars” as part of a medley of the two La La Land songs nominated at this year’s Oscars — the other being “Audition (The Fools Who Dream).”

Winner

City of Stars