Bruce Springsteen’s Super Bowl XLIII performance scored mixed reviews. Some people thought the show rocked big-time, while others expressed concern that The Boss might be losing his edge. But few would argue that Springsteen’s title track for Mickey Rourke’s smash-up hit movie The Wrestler is a knockout!

Photo Credit: Danny Clinch

In fact, the song recently nabbed a Golden Globe Award, beating out Beyonce’s Cadillac Records hit “Once in a Lifetime” and Bolt’s “I Thought I Lost You” by Miley Cyrus. And many feel Springsteen’s tune deserves an Oscar nod, as well. But, alas, it’s not to be. Why, you ask? Point the finger at the Academy Awards Rule 16:

“In the Original Song category, voting shall be conducted as follows: Nominations will be determined by an averaged point system of voting using 10, 9.5, 9, 8.5, 8, 7.5, 7, 6.5 or 6. Only those songs receiving an average score of 8.25 or more shall be eligible for nomination. There may not be more than five nominations.”

Other categories, such as acting and directing, rely on a preferential ballot—so everybody’s fave five make the list, see? But because music is chosen based on a sliding scale, even if Bruce had gotten an average score of 8 (which is kind of like getting a B on an exam, right?), he’s still not in. Of the nearly 50 contenders, which included Bruce’s jam, a mere three songs made the cut this year.

And the nominees for best original song are…drum roll, please…Peter Gabriel’s “Down to Earth” from Wall-E, and “Jai Ho” and “O Saya” both of Slumdog Millionaire. Looks like The Boss will have to wrap a blanket around that Oscar he won in 1993 for “Streets of Philadelphia” from Tom Hanks’ film Philadelphia.

Springsteen just released his most recent album Working on a Dream, which features “The Wrestler” as a bonus track. Oh, and don’t forget to tune in to the 81st Annual Academy Awards Presentation on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2009, airing live at 8 p.m. EST/5 p.m. PST on ABC.