Music can define a movie—even one that isn't a musical—as handily as a performance or cinematography. Think Superfly, Saturday Night Fever or The Big Chill if you're feeling skeptical. Those are three classic films that would be nothing without their scores. The notion has become such an accepted part of popular culture that the Grammy Awards added Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media as a categoroy back in 1999. While on rare occassions, the actual theme song has become so popular it won Best Record of the Year like Henry Mancini's title song from The Pink Panther and Simon & Garfunkel's "Mrs. Robinson" from The Graduate, usually the highest honors a film composer is going to get is Best Score Soundtrack or Best Song Written for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media. A lot of the nominated songs this year, like those from Happy Feet and Dreamgirls, may seem old. That's because the nomination period covers October 1, 2006 to September 30, 2007. We're just hoping the winner is a tune that sounds timeless more than tired.

Hit the next page for a look at all the nominees in these categories.

Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media

Best Score Soundtrack Album For Motion Picture, Television Or Other Visual Media

Best Song Written for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media