In Disney's Pinocchio, what was the first Disney song to win the Academy Award for Best Original Song?

In Disney's Pinocchio, “When You Wish Upon a Star” became the first Disney song to win the Academy Award for Best Original Song.

Leigh Harline composed the music and Ned Washington wrote the lyrics. In the film, Jiminy Cricket introduces the song, and its message about wishing and hope became closely associated with Disney itself. The recording was performed by Cliff Edwards, who voiced Jiminy Cricket.

The song won at the 13th Academy Awards, honoring films released in 1940. It is often confused with “I've Got No Strings,” another well-known Pinocchio number, but that song did not receive the Oscar. “When You Wish Upon a Star” later became the signature musical theme used by Walt Disney Pictures.

Pinocchio was Disney's second animated feature, following Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Although the film initially performed modestly during its first release, its reputation and cultural influence grew substantially through later reissues.