( CNN ) '' Birdman '' will go into the history books as 2014 's best picture winner , but the 87th Academy Awards will also be remembered for a handful of stirring moments -- and a few awkward ones : . Common and John Legend 's song `` Glory , '' written for the film `` Selma , '' had the Oscar crowd visibly moved with its rousing message , accompanied by a full gospel chorus . David Oyelowo , who played Martin Luther King Jr. in the film , had tears running down his face . After winning the Oscar , both Common and Legend used their speeches for some eloquent points . `` This bridge was once a landmark of a divided nation , but now is a symbol for change . The spirit of this bridge transcends race , gender , religion , sexual orientation , and social status . ... This bridge was built on hope , '' said Common . Complete winners list . But Legend added a note of warning . `` We wrote this song for a film that was based on events that were 50 years ago , but we say Selma is now , because the struggle for justice is right now , '' he said , invoking threats to the Voting Rights Act and the level of correctional control of African-American men . Patricia Arquette won best supporting actress for playing an independent-minded mother in `` Boyhood . '' She stood up for her character -- and all women -- in her acceptance speech . `` To every woman who gave birth , to every taxpayer and citizen of this nation , we have fought for everybody else 's equal rights , it 's our time to have wage equality once and for all , and equal rights for women in the United States of America , '' she said . Meryl Streep was so struck she stood up , pointing in solidarity . Lady Gaga often hides her musical talent behind attention-getting outfits , including a meat dress and -- at tonight 's Oscars -- some dishwashing-like red gloves . But the Grammys have shown she 's a heck of a pianist , and at the Oscars she let her voice roar on a medley from `` The Sound of Music . '' Julie Andrews herself was awed by Gaga 's performance , applauding and thanking her . An excited Graham Moore , who won best adapted screenplay for `` The Imitation Game , '' started his speech almost beside himself with joy . But after a breath , he turned somber . `` When I was 16 years old , I tried to kill myself , '' he said . `` Because I felt weird , and I felt different , and I felt like I did not belong . And now I 'm standing here , and I would like for this moment to be for that kid out there who feels like she 's weird or she 's different or does n't fit anywhere . Yes , you do . '' Early in the evening , the Oscar for best documentary short went to `` Crisis Hotline : Veterans Press 1 , '' a film about the struggles of returning veterans . As part of her acceptance speech , Dana Perry , one of the producers , dedicated her Oscar to her son . He suffered from bipolar disorder and committed suicide in 2005 . `` We should talk about suicide out loud , '' she said . Resources for suicide awareness and prevention include the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and The Trevor Project . Neil Patrick Harris mostly acquitted himself -- jokes about `` the best and the whitest '' and a skit based on `` Birdman '' went over well -- but he had a couple awkward moments . The most notable came after the win for `` Citizenfour , '' a documentary about NSA contractor Edward Snowden . After director Laura Poitras gave a speech warning about invasion of privacy , Harris tried to lighten the mood . Snowden could n't be here tonight `` for some treason , '' Harris said . That got him in trouble online . He was n't the only one . Terrence Howard took a while to get through his introduction of three best picture nominees , prompting some wags to wonder if he was practicing for a future episode of `` Empire . '' Sean Penn received complaints for a crack about `` Birdman '' director Alejandro Gonzalez Iñarritu , a Mexican : `` Who gave this son of a bitch his green card ? '' And then there was the luckless John Travolta , who shared a microphone with Idina Menzel . Last year , Travolta was immortalized for calling Menzel `` Adele Dazeem . '' This year , he got her name right but also got a little handsy with the singer . Social media had a field day . Your move , Galom Gazingo .
`` Glory '' got a rousing ovation . Lady Gaga even impressed Julie Andrews . Oscars did have some awkward moments .