DIANE WARREN REMEMBERS THE ONES THAT GOT AWAY

The songwriter holds a record for 13 Oscar nominations for best original song without a win. She reflects on a few of her favorites — and her latest, ‘Somehow You Do’

“NOTHING’S GONNA STOP US NOW” FROM MANNEQUIN (1987)

“The first song I was ever nominated for was about a guy who fucks a mannequin, so it’s very special. That is what that movie is about. ‘(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life’ won that year, from Dirty Dancing. That’s a really great song. A lot of times I don’t really remember what won.”

“BECAUSE YOU LOVED ME” FROM UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL (1996)

“I did think I was going to win that night, and I remember being really bummed out. I went to Jerry’s Deli and ate two really big orders of French fries to drown my sorrows. It became one of the biggest wedding songs of all time. It’s also a funeral song. A song will really be a [hit] if it can play weddings and funerals.”

“HOW DO I LIVE” FROM CON AIR (1997)

“LeAnn Rimes’ version is the biggest female song in the history of Billboard, and then Trisha Yearwood had a massive No. 1 country record. I think LeAnn sang it on the Grammys, and then Trisha ended up winning the Grammy for best country vocal [from it]. I was up against Titanic, so I was like, ‘OK, let’s chill.’ ”

“I DON’T WANNA MISS A THING” FROM ARMAGEDDON (1998)

“I was shocked that Aerosmith would do my song, because they’d never [worked with a songwriter] before. Steven [Tyler]’s daughter [Liv] was in the movie, and it was very emotional for him. Actually, he just told me this two weeks ago, ‘Do you know that I wasn’t convinced of that song at all, until you played it for me on the piano?’ ”

“MUSIC FROM MY HEART,” FROM MUSIC OF THE HEART (1999)

“Wes Craven directed that movie. I was thinking, ‘Wow, that’s such an interesting movie for [him]. It’s about a teacher and her music students. Do they turn into zombies or something? The violin becomes an ax?’ I remember thinking about ‘To Sir, With Love,’ which is the same [theme] — the kids are thanking their teacher.”

“I’LL FIGHT” FROM RBG (2018)

“Ruth Bader Ginsburg was what, 4 feet tall? But her voice is this large voice that changes the world. I wanted a diva for her avatar. Jennifer Hudson was the perfect artist. I have a note from Ginsburg at my office. I have an Emmy, a Grammy and a Golden Globe. I don’t have an Oscar, but I have a Ruthie.”

“SOMEHOW YOU DO” FROM FOUR GOOD DAYS (2020)

“I wanted to write a song about when you don’t think you’re going to get through it. I thought Reba [McEntire] would be perfect. When I cast an artist for a song in a movie, it’s casting another character. Reba embodies resilience and strength. She’s a survivor, just like the characters [played by] Glenn Close and Mila Kunis.”