The song ( whose lyrics are only 30 words long ) was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song in the 49th Academy Awards . The version of the song from the movie , performed by Conti with an orchestra , hit number one on the '' Billboard '' Hot 100 chart in 1977 , while a version by jazz trumpeter Maynard Ferguson hit the top 30 . Disco versions by Rhythm Heritage and Current were on the chart at the same time ( Conti 's own version reveals some early disco influence in the orchestration ) . '' Billboard '' ranked Conti 's version as the No. 21 song of 1977 . Conti 's single was certified Gold by the RIAA , for shipments exceeding one million in the United States . The American Film Institute placed it 58th on its AFI 's 100 Years ... 100 Songs list
49th Academy Awards
49th Academy Awards
Gonna Fly Now