On March 23 , 1998 , Smith played an abridged version of the song at the 70th Academy Awards , accompanied by the house orchestra . Following the " shocking " nomination for the Academy Award for Best Original Song , Smith had to be convinced by the producers to perform the song at the ceremony , as he had not intended to do so . They informed him that his song would be played live that night , whether by him or by another musician of their choosing . They also reportedly rejected his style of performing sitting in a chair . Before the ceremony , Smith , responding to a reporter 's question , said , " Mainly I just want to go so I can wear my white suit . I always have a great time when I wear my white suit . " When Madonna announced " My Heart Will Go On " as the winner , she sarcastically remarked , " What a shocker ! " She later said that she greatly admired Elliott Smith . Afterwards , Smith described the experience as " surreal " and " ridiculous , but at a certain point I threw myself into it because it seemed to make my friends happy ... I walked out and Jack Nicholson was sitting about six feet away , so I avoided that area and I looked up at the balcony in the back and sang the song . " In 1998 , Smith performed the song on MTV
70th Academy Awards
70th Academy Awards
Miss Misery