Let’s take a final look at the history of the Ivor Novello Awards, by trying to summarise the winners by award category. As they should, these have evolved somewhat over the years, and many have changed their name, so I’ve tried to reconcile them into a single category if they’re roughly the same. I’ve generally tried to use the most recent name in each instance.
Best Song or Album
PRS for Music Most Performed Work
- 1956 – Ev’rywhere – Tolchard Evans and Jack Fishman
- 1957 – My September Love – Tolchard Evans and Richard Mullen *
- 1958 – We Will Make Love – Russ Hamilton *
- 1959 – Trudie – Joe Henderson *
- 1960 – Side Saddle – Russ Conway *
- 1961 – As Long As He Needs Me – Lionel Bart *
- 1962 – My Kind of Girl – Leslie Bricusse
- 1963 – Stranger on the Shore – Acker Bilk
- 1964 – She Loves You – John Lennon and Paul McCartney
- 1965 – Can’t Buy Me Love – John Lennon and Paul McCartney
- 1966 – I’ll Never Find Another You – Tom Springfield
- 1967 – Michelle – John Lennon and Paul McCartney
- 1968 – Puppet on a String – Phil Coulter and Bill Martin
- 1969 – Congratulations – Phil Coulter and Bill Martin
- 1970 – Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da – John Lennon and Paul McCartney
- 1971 – Yellow River – Jeff Christie
- 1972 – My Sweet Lord – George Harrison
- 1973 – Beg Steal or Borrow – Tony Cole, Graeme Hall and Steve Wolfe
- 1974 – Get Down – Gilbert O’Sullivan
- 1975 – Wombling Song – Mike Batt
- 1976 – I’m Not In Love – Graham Gouldman and Eric Stewart
- 1977 – Save Your Kisses For Me – Tony Hiller, Martin Lee and Lee Sheriden *
- 1978 – Don’t Cry for Me Argentina – Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber
- 1979 – Night Fever – Barry Gibb, Robin Gibb and Maurice Gibb
- 1980 – Bright Eyes – Mike Batt
- 1981 – Together We Are Beautiful – Ken Leray
- 1982 – You Drive Me Crazy – Ronnie Harwood
- 1983 – Golden Brown – Jean J. Burnell, Hugh Cornwell, Jet Black and David Greenfield
- 1984 – Every Breath You Take – Sting
- 1985 – Careless Whisper – George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley
- 1986 – Easy Lover – Phillip Bailey, Phil Collins and Nathan East
- 1987 – Chain Reaction – Barry Gibb, Maurice Gibb and Robin Gibb
- 1988 – Never Gonna Give You Up – Mike Stock, Matt Aitken and Pete Waterman
- 1989 – I Should Be So Lucky – Mike Stock, Matt Aitken and Pete Waterman
- 1990 – This Time I Know It’s For Real – Mike Stock, Matt Aiken, Pete Waterman and Donna Summer
- 1991 – Blue Savannah – Andy Bell and Vince Clarke
- 1992 – I’m Too Sexy – Fred Fairbrass, Rob Manzoli and Richard Fairbrass
- 1993 – Deeply Dippy – Fred Fairbrass, Rob Manzoli and Richard Fairbrass
- 1994 – Ordinary World – Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes, John Taylor and Warren Cuccurullo
- 1995 – Love is All Around – Reg Presley
- 1996 – Back For Good – Gary Barlow
- 1997 – Fast Love – George Michael
- 1998 – I’ll Be Missing You (Every Breath You Take) – Sting
- 1999 – Angels – Robbie Williams and Guy Chambers
- 2000 – Beautiful Stranger – William Orbit and Madonna
- 2001 – Pure Shores – Shaznay Lewis and William Orbit
- 2002 – Can’t Get You Out Of My Head – Cathy Dennis and Rob Davis
- 2003 – Just A Little – Michelle Escoffery, John Hammond Hagan, George Hammond Hagan
- 2004 – Superstar – Mich Hansen, Joseph Belmaati and Mikkel Sigvardt
- 2005 – Toxic – Cathy Dennis, Bloodshy, Henrik Jonback and Avant
- 2006 – You’re Beautiful – James Blunt, Amanda Ghost and Sacha Skarbek
- 2007 – I Don’t Feel Like Dancin’ – Elton John, Scott Hoffman and Jason Sellards
- 2008 – Shine – Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, Jason Orange, Mark Owen and Stephen Robson
- 2009 – Mercy – Steve Booker and Duffy
- 2010 – The Fear – Lily Allen and Greg Kurstin
- 2011 – She Said – Eric Appapoulay, Richard Cassell, Ben Drew and Tom Wright-Goss
- 2012 – Rolling In The Deep – Adele Adkins and Paul Epworth
- 2013 – Next to Me – Hugo Chegwin, Harry Craze, Anup Paul and Emeli Sandé
- 2014 – Let Her Go – Mike Rosenberg
- 2015 – Rather Be – James Napier and Jack Patterson
- 2016 – Hold Back The River – Iain Archer and James Bay
- 2017 – Hymn for the Weekend – Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion and Chris Martin
- 2018 – Shape of You – Steve Mac, Johnny McDaid and Ed Sheeran
Those with an asterisk (*) were awarded jointly as Most Performed Work and Best Selling British Song, as a single award.
Best Selling British Song
- 1957 – My September Love – Tolchard Evans and Richard Mullen *
- 1958 – We Will Make Love – Russ Hamilton *
- 1959 – Trudie – Joe Henderson *
- 1960 – Side Saddle – Russ Conway *
- 1961 – As Long As He Needs Me – Lionel Bart *
- 1962 – Walkin’ Back To Happiness – Michael Hawker and John Schroeder
- 1963 – Telstar – Joe Meek
- 1964 – She Loves You – John Lennon and Paul McCartney
- 1965 – Can’t Buy Me Love – John Lennon and Paul McCartney
- 1966 – We Can Work It Out – John Lennon and Paul McCartney
- 1967 – Yellow Submarine – John Lennon and Paul McCartney
- 1968 – The Last Waltz – Barry Mason and Les Reed
- 1969 – Hey Jude – John Lennon and Paul McCartney
- 1970 – Get Back – John Lennon and Paul McCartney
- 1971 – In the Summertime – Ray Dorset
- 1972 – My Sweet Lord – George Harrison
- 1973 – Mouldy Old Dough – Nigel Fletcher and Rob Woodward
- 1974 – I Love You Love Me Love – Mike Leander
- 1975 – Tiger Feet – Mike Chapman and Nicky Chinn
- 1976 – Bohemian Rhapsody – Freddie Mercury
- 1977 – Save Your Kisses For Me – Tony Hiller, Martin Lee and Lee Sheriden *
- 1978 – Mull of Kintyre – Paul McCartney and Denny Laine
- 1979 – Night Fever – Barry Gibb, Robin Gibb and Maurice Gibb
- 1980 – Bright Eyes – Mike Batt
- 1981 – There’s No One Quite Like Grandma – Gordon Lorenz
- 1982 – Stand and Deliver – Adam Ant and Marco Pirroni
- 1983 – Come On Eileen – Kevin Rowland, Kevin Adams and James Paterson
- 1984 – Karma Chameleon – Boy George, John Moss, Michael Craig, Roy Hay and Phil Pickett
- 1985 – Do They Know It’s Christmas? – Bob Geldof and Midge Ure
- 1986 – I Know Him So Well – Tim Rice, Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson
- 1987 – Every Loser Wins – Simon May, Stewart James and Bradley James
- 1988 – Never Gonna Give You Up – Mike Stock, Matt Aitken and Pete Waterman
- 1989 – Mistletoe & Wine – Leslie Stewart, Jeremy Paul and Keith Strachan
- 1990 – Too Many Broken Hearts – Mike Stock, Matt Aiken and Pete Waterman
- 1991 – Sacrifice/Healing Hands – Elton John and Bernie Taupin
- 1992 – Bohemian Rhapsody / These are the Days of Our Lives – Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor and John Deacon
- 1993 – Would I Lie To You – Mick Leeson and Peter Vale
- 1994 – Mr Blobby – David Rogers and Paul Shaw
- 1995 – Love is All Around – Reg Presley
- 1996 – Back For Good – Gary Barlow
- 1997 – Wannabe – Victoria Adams, Melanie Brown, Emma Bunton, Melanie Chisholm, Geri Halliwell, Matt Rowe and Richard Stannard
- 1998 – Candle In The Wind 1997 – Elton John and Bernie Taupin
- 1999 – Believe – Brian Higgins, Steve Torch, Paul Barry, Stuart McLennan, Tim Powell and Matt Gray
- 2000 – The Millennium Prayer – Paul Field and Stephen Deal
- 2001 – Can We Fix It – Paul Joyce
- 2002 – Pure and Simple – Pete Kirtley, Tim Hawes and Alison Clarkson
- 2003 – Anything Is Possible – Cathy Dennis and Chris Braide
- 2004 – Mad World – Roland Orzabal
- 2005 – Do They Know It’s Christmas? – Bob Geldof and Midge Ure
- 2006 – That’s My Goal – Jorgan Elofsson, Jeremy Godfrey and Bill Padley
- 2007 – A Moment Like This – Jorgen Elofsson and John Reid
- 2008 – Beautiful Liar – Ian Dench, Mikkel Eriksen, Amanda Ghost, Tor Erik Hermansen and Beyonce Knowles
- 2009 – Viva La Vida – Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion and Chris Martin
Those with an asterisk (*) were awarded jointly as Most Performed Work and Best Selling British Song, as a single award.
Best Song Musically and Lyrically
- 1956 – In Love for the Very First Time – Paddy Roberts and Jack Woodman
- 1957 – By the Fountains of Rome – Norman Newell and Mátyás Seiber
- 1958 – A Handful of Songs – Lionel Bart, Michael Pratt and Tommy Steele
- 1959 – The Wind Cannot Read – Peter Hart
- 1960 – The Village of St. Bernadette – Eula Parker
- 1961 – Portrait of My Love – Norman Newell and Cyril Ornadel
- 1962 – What Kind of Fool Am I? – Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley
- 1963 – My Love and Devotion – Howard Barnes, Harold Fields and Joe Roncoroni
- 1964 – If I Ruled The World – Leslie Bricusse and Cyril Ornadel
- 1965 – Downtown – Tony Hatch
- 1966 – Yesterday – John Lennon and Paul McCartney
- 1968 – She’s Leaving Home – John Lennon and Paul McCartney
- 1970 – Where Do You Go To My Lovely – Peter Sarstedt
- 1971 – Something – George Harrison
- 1972 – Don’t Let It Die – Hurricane Smith
- 1973 – Without You – Tom Evans and Peter Ham
- 1974 – Daniel – Elton John and Bernie Taupin
- 1975 – Streets of London – Ralph McTell
- 1978 – Don’t Cry for Me Argentina – Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber
- 1979 – Baker Street – Gerry Rafferty
- 1980 – The Logical Song – Rick Davies and Roger Hodgson
- 1981 – Woman in Love – Barry Gibb and Robin Gibb
- 1982 – Memory – Andrew Lloyd Webber, T.S. Eliot and Trevor Nunn
- 1983 – Have You Ever Been in Love – Andy Hill, Pete Sinfield and John Danter
- 1984 – Every Breath You Take – Sting
- 1985 – Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now) – Phil Collins
- 1986 – Nikita – Elton John and Bernie Taupin
- 1987 – Don’t Give Up – Peter Gabriel
- 1988 – Something Inside So Strong – Labi Siffre
- 1989 – They Dance Alone – Sting
- 1990 – The Living Years – BA Robertson and Mike Rutherford
- 1991 – Sacrifice – Elton John and Bernie Taupin
- 1992 – The Whole of the Moon – Mike Scott
- 1993 – Why – Annie Lennox
- 1994 – If I Ever Lose My Faith in You – Sting
- 1995 – Think Twice – Andy Hill andPeter Sinfield
- 1996 – Common People – Jarvis Cocker, Nick Banks, Candida Doyle, Steve Mackey and Russell Senior
- 1997 – Too Much Love Will Kill You – Brian May, Frank Musker and Elizabeth Lamers
- 1998 – Paranoid Android – Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, Phil Selway, Colin Greenwood and Ed O’Brien
- 1999 – Believe – Brian Higgins, Stuart McLennan, Paul Barry, Steve Torch, Matt Gray and Tim Powell
- 2000 – Strong – Robbie Williams and Guy Chambers
- 2001 – Babylon – David Gray
- 2002 – Walk On – Adam Clayton, The Edge, Bono and Larry Mullen Jnr
- 2003 – The Other Side – David Gray
- 2004 – Leave Right Now – Francis Eg White
- 2005 – Dry Your Eyes – Mike Skinner
- 2006 – Suddenly I See – KT Tunstall
- 2007 – Elusive – Scott Matthews
- 2008 – Love Is A Losing Game – Amy Winehouse
- 2009 – One Day Like This – Guy Garvey, Richard Jupp, Craig Potter, Mark Potter and Peter Turner
- 2010 – The Fear – Lily Allen and Greg Kurstin
- 2011 – Becoming a Jackal – Conor O’Brien
- 2012 – The A Team – Ed Sheeran
- 2013 – Next to Me – Hugo Chegwin, Harry Craze, Anup Paul and Emeli Sandé
- 2014 – Strong – Dominic Major, Hannah Reid and Daniel Rothman
- 2015 – Take Me To Church – Andrew Hozier-Byrne
- 2016 – Wasn’t Expecting That – Jamie Lawson
- 2017 – Black Man in a White World – Dean ‘Inflo’ Josiah Cover and Michael Kiwanuka
- 2018 – Magnificent (She Says) – Guy Garvey, Craig Potter, Mark Potter and Pete Turner
International Hit of the Year
- 1967 – Winchester Cathedral – Geoff Stephens
- 1968 – A Whiter Shade of Pale – Gary Brooker and Keith Reid
- 1969 – Delilah – Barry Mason and Les Reed
- 1970 – Love Is All – Barry Mason and Les Reed
- 1971 – In the Summertime – Ray Dorset
- 1972 – Jesus Christ Superstar – Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice
- 1973 – Without You – Tom Evans and Pete Ham
- 1974 – Power To All Our Friends – Guy Fletcher and Doug Flett
- 1975 – The Night Chicago Died – Peter Callander and Mitch Murray
- 1976 – I’m Not In Love – Graham Gouldman – Eric Stewart
- 1977 – Save Your Kisses For Me – Tony Hiller, Martin Lee and Lee Sheriden
- 1978 – Don’t Cry for Me Argentina – Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber
- 1979 – Stayin’ Alive – Barry Gibb, Robin Gibb and Maurice Gibb
- 1980 – We Don’t Talk Anymore – Alan Tarney
- 1981 – Another Brick in the Wall – Roger Waters
- 1982 – In the Air Tonight – Phil Collins
- 1983 – Ebony and Ivory – Paul McCartney
- 1984 – Let’s Dance – David Bowie
- 1985 – The Reflex – Simon Le Bon, John Taylor, Roger Taylor, Andy Taylor and Nick Rhodes
- 1986 – 19 – Paul Hardcastle, Mike Oldfield, Bill Couturie and Jonas McCord
- 1987 – West End Girls – Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe
- 1988 – Never Gonna Give You Up – Mike Stock, Matt Aitken and Pete Waterman
- 1989 – Faith – George Michael
- 1990 – She Drives Me Crazy – David Steele and Roland Gift
- 1991 – All Around the World – Lisa Stansfield, Ian Devaney and Andrew Morris
- 1992 – Crazy – Seal
- 1993 – Would I Lie To You – Mick Leeson and Peter Vale
- 1994 – Living on My Own – Freddie Mercury
- 1995 – Love is All Around – Reg Presley
- 1996 – Kiss From A Rose – Seal
- 1997 – Wannabe – Victoria Adams, Melanie Brown, Emma Bunton, Melanie Chisholm, Geri Halliwell, Matt Rowe and Richard Stannard
- 1998 – Candle In The Wind 1997 – Elton John and Bernie Taupin
- 1999 – Believe – Brian Higgins, Stuart McLennan, Paul Barry, Steve Torch, Matt Gray and Tim Powell
- 2000 – Genie In A Bottle – Pam Sheyne, David Frank and Steve Kipner
- 2001 – It Feels So Good – Sonique, Linus Burdick, Simon Belofsky and Graeme Pleeth
- 2002 – Can’t Get You Out Of My Head – Cathy Dennis and Rob Davis
- 2003 – Complicated – Lauren Christy, David Alspach, Graham Edwards and Avril Lavigne
- 2004 – White Flag – Dido Armstrong, Rollo Armstrong and Richard Nowels
- 2005 – Vertigo – Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr
- 2006 – You’re Beautiful – James Blunt, Amanda Ghost and Sacha Skarbek
- 2007 – Sorry – Madonna and Stuart Price
Best Lyric
- 1978 – Matchstalk Men and Matchstalk Cats and Dogs – Michael Coleman and Brian Burke
- 1979 – The Man with the Child in His Eyes – Kate Bush
- 1980 – I Don’t Like Mondays – Bob Geldof
- 1981 – Take That Look Off Your Face – Don Black
- 1982 – Woman – John Lennon
- 1983 – Private Investigations – Mark Knopfler
Best Contemporary Song
- 1985 – Two Tribes – Holly Johnson, Peter Gill and Mark O’Toole
- 1986 – We Don’t Need Another Hero – Graham Lyle and Terry Britten
- 1987 – It’s Alright (Baby’s Coming Back) – Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart
- 1988 – You Win Again – Barry Gibb, Robin Gibb and Maurice Gibb
- 1989 – Love Changes (Everything) – Simon Climie, Dennis Morgan and Rob Fisher
- 1990 – All Around the World – Lisa Stansfield, Ian Devaney and Andrew Morris
- 1991 – Killer – Adam ‘Adamski’ Tinley and Seal
- 1992 – Crazy – Seal
- 1993 – Would I Lie To You – Peter Vale and Mick Leeson
- 1994 – Pray – Gary Barlow
- 1995 – You Gotta Be – Des’ree Weekes and Ashley Ingram
- 1996 – Alright – Danny Goffrey, Gaz Coombes and Michael Quinn
- 1997 – A Design for Life – James Dean Bradfield, Sean Moore and Nicky Wire
- 1998 – Karma Police – Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, Phil Selway, Colin Greenwood and Ed O’Brien
- 1999 – Here’s Where The Story Ends – Harriet Wheeler and David Gavurin
- 2000 – Why Does It Always Rain On Me – Fran Healy
- 2001 – Seven Days – Craig David, Mark Hill and Darren Hill
- 2002 – Shining Light – Tim Wheeler
- 2003 – Weak Become Heroes – Mike Skinner
- 2004 – Stronger Than Me – Amy Winehouse and Salaam Remi
- 2005 – Take Me Out – Robert Hardy, Alex Kapranos, Nick McCarthy and Paul Thomson
- 2006 – Wires – Joel Pott, Steven Roberts, Timothy Wanstall and Carey Willetts
- 2007 – Rehab – Amy Winehouse
- 2008 – People Help The People – Simon Aldred
- 2009 – Grounds For Divorce – Guy Garvey, Richard Jupp, Craig Potter, Mark Potter and Peter Turner
- 2010 – Daniel – Natasha Khan
- 2011 – Pass Out – Timothy McKenzie, Patrick Okogwu and Marc Williams
- 2012 – Video Games – Lana Del Rey and Justin Parker
- 2013 – Pelican – Sam Doyle, Rupert Jarvis, Orlando Weeks, Felix White and Hugo White
- 2014 – Retrograde – James Blake
- 2015 – Rather Be – James Napier and Jack Patterson
- 2016 – All My Friends – James Carter, Oliver Lee, Cass Lowe and Chance The Rapper
- 2017 – Man – Skepta and Josh Homme
- 2018 – Question Time – Dave and Fraser T Smith
Album Award
- 2005 – Final Straw – Iain Archer, Nathan Connolly, Gary Lightbody, Mark McClelland and Jonny Quinn
- 2006 – Employment – Nick Baines, Nick Hodgson, Simon Rix, Andrew White and Ricky Wilson
- 2007 – Whatever People Say I Am That’s What I’m Not – Alex Turner
- 2008 – In Rainbows – Colin Greenwood, Jonny Greenwood, Edward O’Brien, Philip Selway and Thom Yorke
- 2009 – We Started Nothing – Julian De Martino and Katie White
- 2010 – Sunny Side Up – Paolo Nutini
- 2011 – The Defamation of Strickland Banks – Ben Drew
- 2012 – Let England Shake – PJ Harvey
- 2013 – An Awesome Wave – Thomas Green, Joe Newman, Gwilym Sainsbury and Augustus Unger-Hamilton
- 2014 – Push the Sky Away – Nick Cave and Warren Ellis
- 2015 – So Long, See You Tomorrow – Jack Steadman
- 2016 – Darling Arithmetic – Conor O’Brien
- 2017 – The Dreaming Room – Laura Mvula
- 2018 – Gang Signs & Prayer – Michael ‘Stormzy’ Omari
One-Off and Special Awards
One-Off Awards
- 1966 – The Year’s Outstanding Contemporary Folk Song – Catch the Wind – Donovan
- 1970 – The Year’s Outstanding Light Orchestral Arranger / Composer – Ernest Tomlinson
- 1972 – Entertainment Music – Ron Goodwin
- 1976 – Best British Work for Children – Captain Noah and His Floating Zoo – Michael Flanders and Joseph Horovitz
- 1976 – Music Publisher of the Year – Geoffrey Heath
- 1984 – The Best Rock Song – Let’s Dance – David Bowie
- 1992 – Award in Recognition of the Exceptional Success of a Single Song – Everything I Do (I Do It For You) – Bryan Adams, Michael Kamen and Robert John ‘Mutt’ Lange
- 1995 – The Radio 1 Award for Continuing Innovation in Music – Brian Eno
- 2000 – International Achievement in Musical Theatre – Robert Elhai, Elton John, Lebo M, Tsidii Le Loka, Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, Tim Rice, Julie Taymor and Hans Zimmer
Special Awards
- 1956 – A Personal Special Award – Haydn Wood
- 1961 – Any work which in the opinion of the Judges, is worthy of an Award, but which may not necessarily be governed by Existing Categories – Goodness Gracious Me – Herbert Kretzmer and David Lee
- 1961 – Special Award – What Do You Want If You Don’t Want Money? – Johnny Worth
- 1964 – Special Award in Recognition of Fifty Years’ Service to the Music Industry – The Performing Rights Society
- 1970 – Special Award for Originality – Space Oddity – David Bowie
- 1970 – Special Award for The Most Contemporary Song – Melting Pot – Roger Cook and Roger Greenaway
- 1977 – Special Award for the James Bond Theme – Monty Norman
- 1978 – Special Award – Barry Gibb, Maurice Gibb and Robin Gibb
- 1979 – Special Award for Services to British Songwriters – Victor Knight
- 1983 – Special Award for 25 Years In The Music Business – Brian Bennett, Hank Marvin and Bruce Welch
- 2005 – The Ivors Special Award for Songwriting – Mick Jagger and Keith Richards
- 2015 – The Ivors Special Anniversary Award – Bob Geldof and Midge Ure
In the second and final part next week, we’ll look at the Artist, Genre or Style-Specific Awards, and awards for Musicals, Films, Television, Radio, and Video Games.
Music for stowaways 