Dylan, Tan Dun Win Musical Oscars
March 26 -- The title of his song "Things Have Changed" couldn't have been more appropriate. When classic folk rocker Bob Dylan penned "The Times They Are A-Changin'" on an acoustic guitar in the early '60s, he couldn't possibly have conceived of — almost 30 years later — beaming halfway around the world from Australia through a satellite link to perform to the Hollywood elite and an enormous televised audience.
But, well, things have changed.
After performing the tune, projected on a large screen at the back of the stage at Los Angeles' Shrine Auditorium, the Academy Award for Best Original Song was presented to the 59-year-old singer-songwriter.
"Good God, this is amazing," Dylan said. "I want to thank the members of the Academy who were bold enough to vote for a song that doesn't pussyfoot around or turn a blind eye to human nature," he said.
The chorus of the apocalyptic song goes, "People are crazy and times are strange/ I'm locked in tight, I'm out of range/ I used to care, but things have changed."
Following Dylan's acceptance speech, host Steve Martin joked, "There's an 18-hour time difference with Australia, but for Bob that's normal."
Dylan was competing against Sting and David Hartley for their song "My Funny Friend and Me" (from The Emperor's New Groove); perennial nominee Randy Newman for "A Fool in Love" (from Meet the Parents); Björk, Lars von Trier, and Sjon Sigurdsson for "I've Seen It All" (from Dancer in the Dark); and Jorge Calandrelli, Tan Dun, and James Schamus for A Love Before Time (from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon).
Both Newman and Björk also performed their songs. Björk's rendition was overshadowed by her unforgettable dress, a piece that looked as though she had a head-on collision with a swan, capped by the swan head boa around her neck. Beneath the feathers, the Icelandic pop star wore a white mesh ballet skirt and a transparent, diamond-studded body stocking.
The trophy for Best Original Score was given to Chinese-born composer Tan Dun, who penned the music to martial arts fantasy Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. The haunting music combines traditional Chinese instruments with Western ones, including work by internationally acclaimed cellist Yo-Yo Ma.
Related Stories
ABC News Live