Composed by Jerome Kern, with lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, The last time I saw Paris was first published in 1940 and used in the 1941 film Lady be good. This would be Kern's second award for Best Original Song after winning the oscar for The way you look tonight. In winning his second Oscar, Kern actually changed the eligibility for this award going forward.
The issue was that The last time I saw Paris had been a single in its own right, with Kate Smith singing it in 1940. The song was originally written as a reaction to the occupation of France by Germany during the World War II. So when the song was released in the film and went on to win the Oscar, there was a question raised about whether already popular songs should be eligible for this away. The verdict was no and every song that has won since The Last Time I saw Paris was the last song to win having been released previously. This is why in later years, songs like Unchained Melody (Ghost) and I will always love you (Bodyguard) weren't eligible to be nominated for this award.
Sung in the film by Ann Sothern, Lady be good is about a struggling musician who can't find the lyrics for his tune. Some have said that the film is based on the 1924 musical of the same name; but apart from using two Gershwin numbers in the film.
Here Kate Smith's original version:
The last time I saw Paris
Oscar for Best Song: 1941
Written by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II
Film: Lady be good.
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