BRIT Awards 2021

The 2020 BRIT Awards snuck in just before that pandemic thing, and so it was only a fifteen month wait between awards. Famed as the first indoor music event in the UK in over a year, Jack Whitehall presented the ceremony at the O2 Arena in London on 11 May.

Male Solo Artist

Nominees:

• AJ Tracey
• Headie One
• J Hus
• Joel Corry
• Yungblud

Winner: J Hus

Female Solo Artist

Nominees:

• Arlo Parks
• Celeste
• Dua Lipa
• Jessie Ware
• Lianne La Havas

Winner: Dua Lipa

British Group

Nominees:

• Bicep
• Biffy Clyro
• Little Mix
• The 1975
• Young T & Bugsey

Winner: Little Mix

British Single with Mastercard

Nominees:

• 220 Kid & GRACEY – Don’t Need Love
• Aitch & AJ Tracey feat. Tay Keith – Rain
• Dua Lipa – Physical
• Harry Styles – Watermelon Sugar
• Headie One feat. AJ Tracey and Stormzy – Ain’t It Different
• Joel Corry feat. MNEK – Head & Heart
• Nathan Dawe feat. KSI – Lighter
• Regard & RAYE – Secrets
• S1MBA feat. DTG – Rover
• Young T & Bugsey feat. Headie One – Don’t Rush

Winner: Harry Styles

Breakthrough Artist

Winner:

• Arlo Parks
• Bicep
• Celeste
• Joel Corry
• Young T & Bugsey

Winner: Arlo Parks

International Female Solo Artist

Nominees:

• Ariana Grande
• Billie Eilish
• Cardi B
• Miley Cyrus
• Taylor Swift

Winner: Billie Eilish

International Male Solo Artist

Nominees:

• Bruce Springsteen
• Burna Boy
• Childish Gambino
• Tame Impala
• The Weeknd

Winner: The Weeknd

International Group

Nominees:

• BTS
• Fontaines D.C.
• Foo Fighters
• Haim
• Run The Jewels

Winner: Haim

Global Icon

Winner: Taylor Swift

Mastercard Album

Nominees:

• Arlo Parks – Collapsed in Sunbeams
• Celeste – Not Your Muse
• Dua Lipa – Future Nostalgia
• J Hus – Big Conspiracy
• Jessie Ware – What’s Your Pleasure?

Winner: Dua Lipa

BRITs Rising Star

Nominees:

• Griff
• Pa Salieu
• Rina Sawayama

Winner: Griff

Performances included Coldplay, Olivia Rodrigo, Elton John with Years & Years (performing It’s a Sin, which was apparently also supposed to include Pet Shop Boys but they turned out to be unable to join for rights reasons), Pink, and many others.

There was also some rumbling controversy this year due to Sam Smith identifying as non-binary, and so not fitting any of the common “male”, “female”, or “group” categories. It will be interesting to see how this comes to be addressed in future years, as the categories are as old as the ceremony itself.

You can see the official list of winners here.

NME Awards 2020

For reasons that I don’t entirely remember, NME decided to take the year off from their awards ceremony in 2019, so returned on 12 February 2020, just weeks before the lockdown started in the UK. Due to other commitments, we didn’t manage to cover it here at the time, so here we are, a year late! The ceremony was held at the O2 Academy Brixton, a year ago last week.

Godlike Genius

Winner: Emily Eavis

Best British Album

Nominees:

• FKA twigs – Magdalene
• Foals – Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost, Pt. 1
• Little Simz – GREY Area
• Michael Kiwanuka – Kiwanuka
• Slowthai – Nothing Great About Britain

Winner: Little Simz

Best Album in the World

Nominees:

• Billie Eilish – When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?
• FKA twigs Magdalene
• Foals – Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost, Pt. 1
• Lana del Rey – Norman Fucking Rockwell
• Little Simz – GREY Area
• Michael Kiwanuka – Kiwanuka
• Slipknot – We Are Not Your Kind
• Slowthai – Nothing Great About Britain
• Stella Donnelly – Beware of the Dogs
• Tyler, the Creator – IGOR

Winner: Lana del Rey

Best British Song

Nominees:

• AJ Tracey – Ladbroke Grove
• Dua Lipa – Don’t Start Now
• Georgia – About Work the Dancefloor
• Mura Masa feat. Slowthai – Deal Wiv It
• The 1975 – People

Winner: AJ Tracey

Best Song in the World

Nominees:

• AJ Tracey – Ladbroke Grove
• Billie Eilish – Bad Guy
• Clairo – Bags
• Dua Lipa – Don’t Start Now
• Georgia – About Work the Dancefloor
• Lil Nas X – Old Town Road (Remix)
• Lizzo – Juice
• Mura Masa feat. Slowthai – Deal Wiv It
• Post Malone – Circles
• The 1975 – People

Winner: Billie Eilish

Best British Solo Act

Nominees:

• AJ Tracey
• Charli XCX
• FKA twigs
• Slowthai
• Yungblud

Winner: FKA twigs

Best Solo Act in the World

Nominees:

• AJ Tracey
• Beck
• Billie Eilish
• Charli XCX
• FKA twigs
• Lana del Rey
• Lizzo
• Slowthai
• Taylor Swift
• Yungblud

Winner: Taylor Swift

Best British Band: Supported by Pizza Express

Nominees:

• Bring Me The Horizon
• IDLES
• Krept & Konan
• The 1975
• The Big Moon

Winner: The 1975

Best Band in the World

Nominees:

• Bring Me the Horizon
• Brockhampton
• BTS
• HAIM
• IDLES
• Krept & Konan
• Slipknot
• Tame Impala
• The 1975
• The Big Moon

Winner: Slipknot

Best New British Act: Supported by Nordoff Robbins

Nominees:

• Celeste
• D-Block Europe
• Easy Life
• Jade Bird
• Sam Fender

Winner: Easy Life

Best New Act in the World

Nominees:

• Celeste
• Clairo
• D-Block Europe
• DaBaby
• Dominic Fike
• Easy Life
• Fontaines DC
• Girl In Red
• Jade Bird
• Sam Fender

Winner: Clairo

Best Live Act: Supported by Copper Dog Whiskey

Nominees:

• Amyl + The Sniffers
• Foals
• Iggy Pop
• Lizzo
• Slowthai

Winner: Foals

Best Collaboration

Nominees:

• BTS + Halsey
• Charli XCX + Christine and the Queens
• Megan Thee Stallion + DaBaby
• Slowthai + Mura Masa
• Yungblud + Dan Reynolds

Winner: Slowthai + Mura Masa

Best Music Video

Nominees:

• Brockhampton – I Been Born Again
• Easy Life – Nice Guys
• Normani – Motivation
• Stormzy – Vossi Bop
• Yungblud – Original Me

Winner: Yungblud

Best British Festival

Nominees:

• All Points East
• Glastonbury
• Parklife
• Reading & Leeds
• Wireless

Winner: Glastonbury

Best Small Festival: Supported by Cano Water

Nominees:

• Bluedot
• End of the Road
• Iceland Airwaves
• Kendal Calling
• Øya

Winner: End of the Road

Best Festival in the World

Nominees:

• All Points East
• Coachella
• Fuji Rock
• Glastonbury
• Mad Cool
• Parklife
• Reading & Leeds
• Rock In Rio
• Sziget
• Wireless

Winner: Glastonbury

Best Festival Headliner

Nominees:

• Cardi B
• Lana Del Rey
• Stormzy
• The 1975
• The Cure

Winner: The Cure

Best Film

Nominees:

• Blue Story
• Hustlers
• Joker
• Midsommar
• Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Winner: Blue Story

Best Film Actor

Nominees:

• Florence Pugh
• Joaquin Phoenix
• Lupita Nyong’o
• Micheal Ward
• Taron Egerton

Winner: Taron Egerton

Best TV Show: Supported by 19 Crimes

Nominees:

• The End of the Fucking World
• Fleabag
• Peaky Blinders
• Stranger Things
• Top Boy

Winner: Peaky Blinders

Best TV Actor

Nominees:

• Asa Butterfield
• Jessica Barden
• Jodie Comer
• Kano
• Zendaya

Winner: Jessica Barden

Best Music Film

Nominees:

• Beyoncé – Homecoming
• BTS – Bring the Soul
• Liam Gallagher – As It Was
• Michael Hutchence – Mystify
• Rocketman

Winner: Liam Gallagher

Best Book

Billed as ‘Best Book’ by NME themselves, the name was corrected by some online to ‘Best Music Book’. Nominees:

• Brett Anderson – Afternoons with the Blinds Drawn
• Debbie Harry – Face It: A Memoir
• Elton John – Me
• Prince – The Beautiful Ones
• Tegan & Sara – High School

Winner: Debbie Harry

Best Reissue

Nominees:

• Aretha Franklin – Amazing Grace
• Muse – Origin of Muse
• Prince – 1999
• R.E.M. – Monster 25
• The Beatles – Abbey Road

Winner: Muse

Best Podcast: Supported by Dax

Nominees:

• Have You Heard George’s Podcast?
• My Dad Wrote A Porno
• Sex Power Money
• Stay Free: The Story of The Clash
• The Missing Cryptoqueen

Winner: Have You Heard George’s Podcast?

Best Game

Nominees:

• Death Stranding
• Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
• Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
• Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
• The Outer Worlds

Winner: Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order

Songwriter of the Decade

Winner: Robyn

Band of the Decade

Winner: The 1975

Under the Radar Award

Winner: Beabadoobee

NME Icon

Winner: Courtney Love

Complete Guide to The British Rock & Pop Awards

In this final post (probably ever) about the British Rock & Pop Awards, I wanted to round out what we do know about the eight-year history of this ceremony. There weren’t too many awards each year, so this should be fairly brief.

Best Female Singer

• 1976: Kiki Dee
• 1978: Kate Bush
• 1979: Kate Bush
• 1980: Sheena Easton
• 1981: Toyah
• 1982: Alison Moyet
• 1983: unknown

Daily Mirror Readers’ Award for the Outstanding Pop Personality

• 1976: David Essex
• 1978: Ian Dury
• 1979: Paul McCartney
• 1980: Cliff Richard
• 1981: Adam Ant
• 1982: Boy George
• 1983: unknown

Best Group or Band

• 1976: Status Quo (Top Hard Rock Band), Wings (Top Pop Group), Wings (Top Rock Group)
• 1978: Bee Gees
• 1979: The Police
• 1980: The Police
• 1981: Adam and the Ants
• 1982: Duran Duran
• 1983: unknown

Best Male Singer

• 1976: David Essex (Best Male Singer), Paul McCartney (Best Male Group Singer)
• 1978: Leo Sayer
• 1979: Gary Numan
• 1980: David Bowie
• 1981: Shakin’ Stevens
• 1982: Simon Le Bon
• 1983: unknown

Best Album

• 1976: Bay City Rollers – Dedication
• 1978: Electric Light Orchestra – Out of the Blue
• 1979: The Police – Regatta de Blanc
• 1980: The Police – Zenyatta Mondatta
• 1981: The Human League – Dare
• 1982: Duran Duran – Rio
• 1983: unknown

Best Single

• 1976: Elton John & Kiki Dee – Don’t Go Breaking My Heart
• 1978: Gerry Rafferty – Baker Street
• 1979: Boomtown Rats – I Don’t Like Mondays
• 1980: The Jam – Going Underground
• 1981: Ultravox – Vienna
• 1982: Dexys Midnight Runners – Come On Eileen
• 1983: Culture Club – Karma Chameleon

Radio 1’s Disc Jockeys’ Award for Outstanding Contribution to British Pop Music

• 1976: unknown
• 1978: Nick Lowe
• 1979: Jerry Dammers
• 1980: John Lennon
• 1981: unknown
• 1982: unknown
• 1983: unknown

Nationwide Golden Award for the Artist or Group with the Most All-Round Family Appeal

• 1976: unknown
• 1978: Barron Knights
• 1979: unknown
• 1980: The Nolans
• 1981: unknown
• 1982: unknown
• 1983: unknown

Best Newcomer

• 1976: John Miles (Best New Singer), Real Thing (Best New Group)
• 1978: unknown
• 1979: unknown
• 1980: unknown
• 1981: unknown
• 1982: unknown
• 1983: unknown

Best Instrumentalist

• 1976: Eric Faulkner

Best Disc Jockey

• 1976: Noel Edmonds

Unknown Awards

• 1977: The Stranglers

You can see full details (or as much as my research was able to reveal) for all events below: 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983.

The British Rock & Pop Awards 1976

The entire history of the British Rock & Pop Awards is a little confusing, but its first couple of years are particularly difficult to unwrap. As far as I can make out, this awards series started out as the Daily Mirror Pop Club Reader Awards, or possibly the Daily Mirror Pop Club British Rock Awards. Anyway, the 1976 ceremony was held at Bingley Hall, Stafford, on 9th January 1977, to celebrate the music of the preceding year. It was compered by John Peel, and presented by NME founder Maurice Kinn.

The first time it came to be called The British Rock & Pop Awards appears to have been when it was televised by ATV on 27th January. The recording still exists to view at the BFI.

Best Singer (Male)

Winner: David Essex

Best Singer (Female)

Winner: Kiki Dee

Top Hard Rock Band

Winner: Status Quo

Best Pop Group

Winner: Wings

Best Rock Group

Winner: Wings

Top Musical Personality of the Year

Winner: David Essex

Best New Singer

Winner: John Miles

Best New Group

Winner: Real Thing

Best Instrumentalist

Winner: Eric Faulkner (Bay City Rollers)

Best Disc Jockey

Winner: Noel Edmonds

Best Single Record

Winner: Elton John & Kiki Dee, for Don’t Go Breaking My Heart

Best Album

Winner: Bay City Rollers, for Dedication

Best Male Group Singer

This was an award which wasn’t reported in the programme, but The Beatles Diary says that it was won by Paul McCartney.

Further Details

The Beatles Diary suggests The Rubettes also supposedly won something, but this is not confirmed by other sources.

Performances

A lengthy recording of Status Quo‘s performance is available to view here:

Comparison with the BRIT Awards

October of the same year saw the first British Record Industry Britannia Centenary Awards take place, which would later become the BRIT Awards. That first ceremony was very different, as it was held to celebrate the preceding 25 years of British music rather than just the preceding year.

Sources

• British Rock & Pop Awards 1976-1978
• BFI record for the original broadcast (second record here)
• The Solo Beatles Film & TV Chronicle 1971-1980
• The Beatles Diary: Volume 2: After the Breakup: 1970-2001
• Screengrab from the 1976 ceremony television broadcast (shared by Gary Jordan)
• Images of the programme for the live event
• Image of an original ticket for the live event

The Ultimate Guide to the BRIT Awards

This year’s BRIT Awards will be the 39th ever, and due to the gap between the first and second, it’s over forty years since the first ceremony was held in October 1977. There’s no particular reason for a celebration, but let’s take a moment anyway to look back at the previous 38 ceremonies and the history of the awards!

Artists they love

We calculated the top twenty artists at the BRITs just last year, and – spoiler alert – the top five British acts, in ascending order, were Annie Lennox, Take That, Adele, Coldplay, and Robbie Williams. Comparison with the top-selling British acts of all time puts Annie Lennox and Take That nowhere on the list, Adele and Coldplay joint fourteenth alongside others, and Robbie Williams joint twenty-fifth.

Or you could compare with the top sixty singles acts of all time. Annie Lennox still doesn’t make it, Take That are fifteenth, Adele is a bit too recent for the list, Coldplay are sixtieth, and Robbie Williams is twenty-second.

The BRIT Awards seem to have always struggled with the Female Solo Artist categories, obsessing for years on end over Annie Lennox, Alison Moyet, Adele, and (internationally) Björk.

Artists they hate

Contemporary artists who haven’t done quite so well based on those lists include Elton John, Queen, and David Bowie, who came 15th, off the chart, and 11th respectively, although much of their heyday would have been in the 1970s, and Oasis, Spice Girls, and George Michael, who have never quite made the cut, appearing 10th, 17th, and somewhere just off the list respectively.

Famously, Radiohead have never won anything despite plenty of nominations, and Jamiroquai also inexplicably got lots of nominations but sanity prevailed on the night, and they never quite won.

Nominated in the wrong category

U2 seem to have caused a bit of confusion about whether they were British or International, having been nominated for awards in both. Solo artists have got a bit confused at times as well, with Roland Gift of Fine Young Cannibals receiving a solo nomination in 1990, despite not releasing anything on his own for another decade. Fortunately, his group returned their awards after a particularly vomit-inducing appearance from Margaret Thatcher as part of the ceremony. Mick Hucknall also seems to have caused some confusion in 1997 about whether he was a solo act or group, as did.

Trouble at the top

Plenty of drama happens on and off stage at the awards, most of which is well-documented. A new one that I hadn’t come across previously was that somewhat amusingly, Rick Astley apparently couldn’t quite make it up to the stage in time, so wasn’t able to accept his own award.

There have been some very odd choices of presenters – after Michael Aspel presented the first, and Samantha Fox and Mick Fleetwood were never invited back, a lot of odd people were, including Tim Rice, Noel Edmonds, Simon Bates, and Russell Brand. Ant & Dec have presented three times (2001, 2015, and 2016), Chris Evans has done four (1995, 1996, 2005, and 2006), and astonishingly James Corden

Nobody cares any more

The ceremony has had its ups and downs (Sam Fox, perhaps not unfairly, apparently blames everyone but herself for the 1989 event). Search online, and there are plenty of good articles about the better and worse moments in its history – this one is one of the better researched.

But in its heyday, the BRIT Awards ceremony was event TV, with a sixth of the country watching, but these days, barely five million people can be bothered tuning in.

Stay tuned for more coverage on the run-up to the 2018 BRIT Awards. There’s plenty of coverage on this blog from previous years, but one place to start might be this post from a couple of years ago.

Ivor Novello Awards Winners 1956-2018 (Part Two)

Last week, we ran through the 63-year history of the Ivor Novello Awards, and listed all the winners in the Song and Album categories, and the special and one-off awards. Let’s finish that journey now, starting with the Artist Award categories.

Artist Awards

Outstanding Services to British Music

• 1956 – Jack Payne
• 1957 – A.P. Mantovani
• 1958 – Ted Heath
• 1959 – Billy Cotton
• 1960 – Lionel Bart
• 1961 – Eric Maschwitz
• 1962 – Cliff Richard, Jet Harris, Hank Marvin, Tony Meehan and Bruce Welch
• 1963 – Lawrence Wright
• 1964 – Brian Epstein, George Harrison, John Lennon, George Martin, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr
• 1965 – Paddy Roberts
• 1966 – BBC TV (for the production of the series ‘A Song For Europe’)
• 1967 – Joe Loss
• 1968 – Alan Herbert
• 1969 – Andrew Gold
• 1970 – Noel Coward
• 1971 – Cliff Richard
• 1972 – Jimmy Kennedy
• 1973 – Vivian Ellis
• 1974 – Tolchard Evans
• 1975 – Vera Lynn
• 1976 – Dick James
• 1977 – Adrian Boult
• 1978 – Harry Mortimer
• 1979 – George Martin
• 1980 – Robert Mayer
• 1981 – William Walton
• 1982 – Lennox Berkeley
• 1984 – Andrew Lloyd Webber
• 1985 – Michael Tippett
• 1986 – Malcolm Arnold
• 1987 – Yehudi Menuhin
• 1988 – David Heneker
• 1989 – Paul McCartney
• 1990 – Mick Avory, Dave Davies, Ray Davies, Ian Gibbons and Jim Rodford
• 1991 – Robert Farnon
• 1996 – Jeff Lynne

Songwriter of the Year

• 1970 – Tony Macaulay
• 1971 – Roger Cook and Roger Greenaway
• 1972 – Roger Cook and Roger Greenaway
• 1973 – Gilbert O’Sullivan
• 1974 – Mike Chapman and Nicky Chinn
• 1975 – Phil Coulter and Bill Martin
• 1976 – Wayne Bickerton and Tony Waddington
• 1977 – Biddu
• 1978 – Tony Macaulay
• 1979 – Barry Gibb, Maurice Gibb and Robin Gibb
• 1980 – Ben Findon
• 1981 – Ben Findon
• 1982 – Adam Ant and Marco Pirroni
• 1983 – Andy Hill
• 1984 – Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart
• 1985 – George Michael
• 1986 – Roland Orzabal
• 1987 – Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart
• 1988 – Matt Aitken, Mike Stock and Peter Waterman
• 1989 – George Michael and Matt Aitken, Mike Stock and Peter Waterman (presented jointly)
• 1990 – Matt Aitken, Mike Stock and Peter Waterman
• 1991 – Phil Collins
• 1992 – Mick Hucknall
• 1993 – Colin Angus and Richard West
• 1994 – Gary Barlow
• 1995 – Tony Mortimer
• 1996 – Damon Albarn, Graham Coxon, Alex James, Dave Rowntree and Noel Gallagher (presented jointly)
• 1997 – George Michael
• 1998 – Richard Ashcroft
• 1999 – Guy Chambers and Robbie Williams
• 2000 – Fran Healy
• 2001 – Craig David and Mark Hill
• 2002 – Dido Armstrong
• 2003 – Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion and Chris Martin
• 2004 – Ed Graham, Dan Hawkins, Justin Hawkins and Frankie Poullain
• 2005 – Tom Chaplin, Richard Hughes and Tim Rice-Oxley
• 2006 – Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett
• 2007 – Dan Gillespie Sells, Ciaran Jeremiah, Kevin Jeremiah, Richard Jones and Paul Stewart
• 2008 – Mika
• 2009 – Eg White
• 2010 – Lily Allen and Greg Kurstin
• 2011 – Ben Drew
• 2012 – Adele Adkins
• 2013 – Calvin Harris
• 2014 – Tom Odell
• 2015 – Ed Sheeran
• 2016 – Adele
• 2017 – Skepta
• 2018 – Ed Sheeran

PRS for Music Outstanding Contribution to British Music

• 1977 – John Bonham, John Paul Jones, Jimmy Page and Robert Plant
• 1979 – Jeff Lynne
• 1981 – John Lennon
• 1982 – Roger Daltrey, John Entwistle, Kenney Jones, Keith Moon and Pete Townshend
• 1983 – Tony Banks, Phil Collins, Peter Gabriel, Steve Hackett and Mike Rutherford
• 1984 – Andy Brown, Peter Kircher, Alan Lancaster, Rick Parfitt and Francis Rossi
• 1985 – Graeme Edge, Justin Hayward, John Lodge, Patrick Moraz and Ray Thomas
• 1986 – Elton John
• 1987 – John Deacon, Freddie Mercury, Brian May and Roger Taylor
• 1988 – Barry Gibb, Maurice Gibb and Robin Gibb
• 1989 – Mark Knopfler and John Illsley
• 1990 – David Bowie
• 1991 – Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, Ronnie Wood and Bill Wyman
• 1992 – David Gilmour, Nick Mason, Roger Waters and Richard Wright
• 1993 – Bernie Calvert, Allan Clarke, Bobby Elliott, Tony Hicks, Graham Nash and Terry Sylvester
• 1994 – Tim Rice
• 1995 – Lonnie Donegan
• 1996 – Kenney Jones, Ronnie Lane, Steve Marriott and Ian McLagan
• 1997 – Elvis Costello
• 1998 – Morrissey
• 1999 – Chrissie Hynde
• 2000 – Chris Lowe and Neil Tennant
• 2001 – Topper Headon, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon and Joe Strummer
• 2002 – Kate Bush
• 2003 – Bryan Ferry
• 2004 – Errol Brown
• 2005 – Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes, Andy Taylor, John Taylor and Roger Taylor
• 2006 – Ray Davies
• 2007 – Norman Cook
• 2008 – Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook
• 2009 – Robert Del Naja, Grant Marshall and Andrew Vowles
• 2010 – Trevor Horn
• 2011 – Paul Rodgers
• 2012 – Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, Jason Orange, Mark Owen and Robbie Williams
• 2013 – Justin Hayward
• 2014 – Jeff Beck
• 2015 – Boy George
• 2016 – Geoff Barrow, Beth Gibbons and Adrian Utley
• 2017 – Anne Dudley
• 2018 – Billy Bragg

International Achievement

• 1970 – Tom Jones
• 1980 – Paul McCartney
• 1991 – Albert Hammond
• 1992 – Bernie Taupin
• 1993 – Rod Temperton
• 1994 – Bono, Adam Clayton, Larry Mullen Jnr and The Edge
• 1997 – Noel Hogan and Dolores O’Riordan
• 1998 – Enya, Nicky Ryan and Roma Ryan
• 1999 – Martin Gore
• 2001 – Bruce Dickinson, Janick Gers, Steve Harris, Nicko McBrain, Dave Murray and Adrian Smith
• 2002 – Sting
• 2003 – Astro, James Brown, Ali Campbell, Robin Campbell, Earl Falconer, Norman Hassan, Brian Travers and Michael Virtue
• 2004 – Colin Greenwood, Jonny Greenwood, Ed O’Brien, Phil Selway and Thom Yorke
• 2005 – Robert Smith
• 2006 – Ian Anderson
• 2008 – Phil Collins
• 2010 – Imogen Heap
• 2011 – Matthew Bellamy, Dominic Howard and Christopher Wolstenholme
• 2013 – Gavin Rossdale
• 2014 – Ted Dwane, Ben Lovett, Winston Marshall and Marcus Mumford
• 2016 – Wayne Hector
• 2017 – Florence Welch
• 2018 – Billy Ocean

Outstanding Contribution to British Musical Theatre

• 1994 – Andrew Lloyd Webber
• 1996 – Cameron Mackintosh

Lifetime Achievement

• 1980 – Edgar Yipsel Harburg and Jimmy Kennedy
• 1983 – Vivian Ellis
• 1989 – Cliff Richard
• 1992 – Eric Clapton
• 1993 – George Shearing
• 1994 – Ron Goodwin
• 1995 – Van Morrison
• 1997 – John Bonham, John Paul Jones, Jimmy Page and Robert Plant
• 1999 – Rod Stewart
• 2001 – Pete Townshend
• 2007 – Peter Gabriel
• 2008 – David Gilmour
• 2010 – Paul Weller
• 2012 – Mark Knopfler
• 2014 – Christine McVie
• 2015 – Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi, Ozzy Osbourne and Bill Ward
• 2016 – Damon Albarn
• 2017 – Nitin Sawhney

The Jimmy Kennedy Award

• 1985 – Tommie Connor
• 1986 – Lionel Bart
• 1987 – Hugh Charles
• 1988 – Norman Newell
• 1989 – Leslie Bricusse
• 1990 – Herbert Kretzmer
• 1991 – John Barry
• 1992 – Tony Hatch and Jackie Trent
• 1993 – Les Reed
• 1994 – Roger Cook and Roger Greenaway
• 1995 – Don Black
• 1996 – Tony Macaulay
• 1997 – Mike Chapman and Nicky Chinn
• 1998 – Barry Mason
• 1999 – Peter Callander and Mitch Murray
• 2000 – Geoff Stephens

Outstanding Song Collection

• 1993 – Marcella Detroit, Siobhan Fahey and Dave Stewart
• 1994 – Paul Weller
• 1995 – Elvis Costello
• 1996 – Joan Armatrading
• 1997 – Richard Thompson
• 1998 – Johnny McElhone and Sharleen Spiteri
• 1999 – Wallis Buchanan, Simon Katz, Jason Kay, Derrick McKenzie, Toby Smith and Stuart Zender
• 2000 – Mike Barson, Mark Bedford, Chris Foreman, Cathal Smyth, Suggs, Lee Thompson and Daniel Woodgate
• 2001 – Roy Wood
• 2002 – Mick Hucknall
• 2003 – Bono, Adam Clayton, Larry Mullen Jnr and The Edge
• 2004 – Lol Crème, Kevin Godley, Graham Gouldman and Eric Stewart
• 2005 – John Deacon, Brian May, Freddie Mercury and Roger Taylor
• 2006 – Philip Cunningham, Gillian Gilbert, Peter Hook, Stephen Morris and Bernard Sumner
• 2007 – Yusuf Islam
• 2008 – Gabrielle
• 2009 – Vince Clarke
• 2011 – Steve Winwood
• 2012 – Gary Kemp
• 2013 – Noel Gallagher
• 2014 – Tom Rowlands and Ed Simons
• 2015 – Albert Hammond
• 2016 – Charlie Burchill, Derek Forbes, Jim Kerr and Mick MacNeil
• 2017 – Pulp
• 2018 – Cathy Dennis

PRS for Music Special International Award

• 1999 – Hal David
• 2000 – Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller
• 2001 – Stevie Wonder
• 2002 – Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus
• 2003 – Brian Wilson
• 2004 – Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland and Eddie Holland
• 2005 – Lou Reed
• 2006 – Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff
• 2007 – Quincy Jones
• 2008 – Diane Warren
• 2009 – Smokey Robinson
• 2010 – Neil Sedaka
• 2011 – Stephen Sondheim
• 2012 – Jimmy Webb
• 2013 – Randy Newman
• 2014 – Nile Rodgers
• 2015 – Paul Williams
• 2016 – Bryan Adams
• 2017 – Bill Withers
• 2018 – Lionel Richie

BASCA Fellowship

• 2006 – Barry Gibb, Maurice Gibb and Robin Gibb
• 2009 – David Ferguson
• 2009 – Don Black
• 2010 – Tim Rice
• 2012 – Andrew Lloyd Webber
• 2015 – Annie Lennox

The Ivors Inspiration Award

• 2008 – Jazzie B
• 2009 – Edwyn Collins
• 2010 – Johnny Marr
• 2011 – Dizzee Rascal
• 2012 – Siouxsie Sioux
• 2013 – Marc Almond
• 2014 – Jerry Dammers
• 2015 – James Dean Bradfield, Sean Moore and Nicky Wire
• 2016 – Mark Day, Paul Davis, Paul Ryder, Shaun Ryder and Gary Whelan
• 2017 – Gary Numan
• 2018 – Shane MacGowan

The Ivors Classical Music Award

• 2003 – Boots of Lead – Simon Holt
• 2004 – Richard Rodney Bennett
• 2005 – John Tavener
• 2006 – Harrison Birtwistle
• 2007 – John Rutter
• 2008 – Jonathan Dove
• 2009 – James MacMillan
• 2010 – Peter Maxwell Davies
• 2011 – Michael Nyman
• 2013 – Errollyn Wallen
• 2014 – John McCabe
• 2015 – Judith Weir
• 2016 – Oliver Knussen
• 2018 – Thea Musgrave

The Ivors Jazz Award

• 2012 – Stan Tracey
• 2017 – John Surman

Genre or Style-Specific Awards

Best Instrumental or Light Orchestral Work

• 1956 – The Dam Busters – Eric Coates
• 1957 – The Westminster Waltz – Robert Farnon
• 1958 – Elizabethan Serenade – Ronald Binge
• 1959 – Lingering Lovers – Ron Goodwin
• 1960 – Windows of Parish – Tony Osborne
• 1961 – Seashore – Robert Farnon
• 1962 – The Secrets of the Seine – Tony Osborne
• 1963 – Nicola – Steve Race
• 1964 – Carlos’ Theme – Ivor Slaney
• 1965 – Bombay Duckling – Max Harris
• 1966 – March of the Mods – Tony Carr
• 1967 – The Power Game – Wayne Hill
• 1968 – Love in the Open Air – Paul McCartney
• 1969 – Ring of Kerry – Peter Hope
• 1971 – March from the Colour Suite – Gordon Langford
• 1975 – Four Dances from Aladdin – Ernest Tomlinson
• 1976 – Introduction and Air to a Stained Glass Window – John Gregory
• 1977 – Rain Forest – Biddu
• 1978 – Cavatina – Stanley Myers
• 1979 – Song For Guy – Elton John
• 1980 – War of the Worlds – Jeff Wayne and Gary Osborne

Best Comedy Song

• 1956 – Got’n Idea – Paddy Roberts and Jack Woodman
• 1958 – Three Brothers – Paddy Roberts
• 1959 – I’m So Ashamed – Ken Hare
• 1960 – The Ballad of Bethnal Green – Paddy Roberts
• 1964 – Flash, Bang, Wallop – David Heneker
• 1966 – A Windmill In Old Amsterdam – Ted Dicks and Myles Rudge
• 1967 – Hev Yew Gotta Loight, Boy? – Allan Smethurst
• 1968 – Grocer Jack – Keith West and Mark Wirtz
• 1969 – I’m the Urban Spaceman – Neil Innes
• 1971 – Grandad – Herbie Flowers and Ken Pickett
• 1972 – Ernie – Benny Hill
• 1973 – The People Tree – Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley
• 1974 – Nice One Cyril – Helen Clarke and Harold Spiro

Best Swing / Rhythm Composition

• 1956 – Big City Suite – Ralph Dollimore
• 1957 – Itinerary of an Orchestra – Johnny Dankworth and Dave Lindup
• 1958 – Overdrive – Tommy Watt

Best Jazz Work

• 1959 – The Colonel’s Tune – Johnny Dankworth
• 1960 – Beaulieu Festival Suite – Kenny Graham
• 1961 – Apache – Jerry Lordan
• 1962 – African Waltz – Galt Macdermot
• 1963 – Outbreak of Murder – Gordon Franks
• 1964 – What the Dickens – Johnny Dankworth

Best Beat Song

• 1966 – It’s Not Unusual – Gordon Mills and Les Reed
• 1969 – Build Me Up Buttercup – Michael D’Abo and Tony Macaulay
• 1974 – Rubber Bullets – Lol Crème, Kevin Godley and Graham Gouldman

Best Ballad or Romantic Song

• 1969 – I Close My Eyes And Count To Ten – Clive Westlake
• 1971 – Home Lovin’ Man – Roger Cook, Roger Greenaway and Tony Macaulay
• 1972 – No Matter How I Try – Gilbert O’Sullivan
• 1973 – The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face – Ewan MacColl
• 1974 – Won’t Somebody Dance with Me – Lynsey De Paul

The Best Pop Song

• 1971 – Love Grows – Tony Macaulay and Barry Mason
• 1972 – Simple Game – Mike Pinder
• 1973 – Oh Babe What Could I Say – Hurricane Smith
• 1974 – You Won’t Find Another Fool Like Me – Tony Macaulay and Geoff Stephens
• 1975 – Kung Fu Fighting – Carl Douglas
• 1976 – I’m Not In Love – Graham Gouldman and Eric Stewart
• 1977 – Don’t Go Breaking My Heart – Elton John and Bernie Taupin
• 1978 – How Deep Is Your Love – Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb
• 1979 – Baker Street – Gerry Rafferty
• 1980 – I Don’t Like Mondays – Bob Geldof
• 1981 – Stop the Cavalry – Jona Lewie
• 1982 – Every Little Thing She Does is Magic – Sting
• 1983 – Our House – Carl Smyth and Chris Foreman
• 1984 – Karma Chameleon – Boy George, John Moss, Michael Craig, Roy Hay and Phil Pickett

Best Middle of the Road Song

• 1976 – Harry – Catherine Howe
• 1977 – Music – John Miles

The Ivors Dance Award

• 1998 – You’re Not Alone – Tim Kellett and Robin Taylor-Firth
• 1999 – Horny – Mousse T and Errol Rennalls
• 2000 – Re-Rewind – Mark Hill/Craig David
• 2001 – Woman Trouble – Mark Hill, Craig David, Robbie Craig and Pete Devereux
• 2002 – Can’t Get You Out Of My Head – Cathy Dennis and Rob Davis
• 2003 – Lazy – Ashley Beedle, Darren House, Darren Rock and David Byrne
• 2004 – Strict Machine – Alison Goldfrapp, Will Gregory and Nick Batt

Musicals, Films, Television, Radio, and Video Games

The Best Song From a Musical

• 1956 – Salad Days – Dorothy Reynolds and Julian Slade
• 1958 – Free as Air – Dorothy Reynolds, Julian Slade
• 1960 – Lock Up Your Daughters – Lionel Bart and Laurie Johnson
• 1961 – Oliver! – Lionel Bart
• 1962 – Stop the World I Want to Get Off – Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley
• 1966 – Charlie Girl – David Heneker and John Taylor
• 1972 – I Don’t Know How To Love Him – Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice

Best British Musical

• 1963 – Summer Holiday – Brian Bennett, Stanley Black, Ronald Cass, Mike Conlin, Hank Marvin, Peter Myers, Cliff Richard and Bruce Welch
• 1965 – Robert and Elizabeth – Ron Grainer and Ronald Millar
• 1974 – Jesus Christ Superstar – Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice
• 1975 – Treasure Island – Cyril Ornadel and Hal Shaper
• 1976 – Great Expectations – Cyril Ornadel and Hal Shaper
• 1978 – Privates on Parade – Denis King and Peter Nicholls
• 1979 – Evita – Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice
• 1980 – Songbook – Monty Norman and Julian Mo
• 1982 – Cats – Andrew Lloyd Webber and Trevor Nunn
• 1983 – Windy City – Tony Macaulay and Dick Vosburgh
• 1984 – Blood Brothers – Willie Russell
• 1985 – The Hired Man – Howard Goodall
• 1986 – Me and My Girl – Reginald Armitage and Douglas Furber
• 1987 – The Phantom of the Opera – Charles Hart, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Richard Stilgoe
• 1990 – Aspects of Love – Don Black, Charles Hart and Andrew Lloyd Webber
• 1992 – Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat – Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice

Best Film Score Theme or Song

• 1957 – The March Hare – Philip Green
• 1959 – Inn of the Sixth Happiness – Malcolm Arnold
• 1967 – Born Free – John Barry and Don Black
• 1973 – Diamonds Are Forever – John Barry and Don Black
• 1978 – How Deep Is Your Love – Barry Gibb, Robin Gibb and Maurice Gibb
• 1979 – Bright Eyes – Mike Batt
• 1980 – Caravans – Mike Batt
• 1981 – Xanadu – Jeff Lynne
• 1982 – The French Lieutenant’s Woman – Carl Davis
• 1983 – For All Mankind – Ravi Shankar and George Fenton
• 1984 – Going Home – Mark Knopfler
• 1985 – We All Stand Together – Paul McCartney
• 1986 – We Don’t Need Another Hero – Graham Lyle and Terry Britten
• 1987 – Sweet Freedom – Rod Temperton
• 1988 – Cry Freedom – George Fenton and Jonas Gwangwa
• 1989 – Two Hearts – Phil Collins and Lamont Dozier
• 1990 – Henry V Nons Nobis Domine – Patrick Doyle
• 1991 – Witches – Stanley Myers
• 1992 – Under Suspicion – Christopher Gunning
• 1993 – Tears in Heaven – Eric Clapton and Will Jennings
• 1994 – The Piano – Michael Nyman
• 1995 – Circle of Life – Elton John and Tim Rice
• 1996 – Have You Ever Really Loved A Woman – Robert John ‘Mutt’ Lange, Michael Kamen and Bryan Adams
• 1998 – Picture of You – Paul Wilson, Andy Watkins, Ronan Keating and Eliot Kennedy
• 1999 – The Flame Still Burns – Chris Difford, Marti Frederiksen and Mick Jones

Best Original Film Score

• 1968 – Doctor Dolittle – Leslie Bricusse
• 1969 – Madwoman of Caillot – Michael Lewis
• 1976 – Murder on the Orient Express – Richard Rodney Bennett
• 1979 – The Silent Witness – Alan Hawkshaw
• 1995 – Shadowlands – George Fenton
• 1996 – Don Juan De Marco – Michael Kamen
• 1997 – 101 Dalmatians – Michael Kamen
• 1998 – William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet – Craig Armstrong, Marius De Vries and Nellee Hooper
• 1999 – Firelight – Christopher Gunning
• 2000 – The World Is Not Enough – David Arnold
• 2001 – X-Men – Michael Kamen
• 2002 – Shrek – Harry Gregson-Williams and John Powell
• 2003 – The Quiet American – Craig Armstrong
• 2004 – Max – Dan Jones
• 2005 – Enduring Love – Jeremy Sams
• 2006 – Evil – Francis Shaw
• 2007 – Ice Age: The Meltdown – John Powell
• 2008 – Atonement – Dario Marianelli
• 2009 – There Will Be Blood – Jonny Greenwood
• 2010 – Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs – John Powell
• 2011 – How To Train Your Dragon – John Powell
• 2012 – The First Grader – Alex Heffes
• 2013 – Anna Karenina – Dario Marianelli
• 2014 – The Epic of Everest – Simon Fisher Turner
• 2015 – ‘71 – David Holmes
• 2016 – Ex_Machina – Geoff Barrow and Ben Salisbury
• 2017 – Kubo and the Two Strings – Dario Marianelli
• 2018 – Jackie – Mica Levi

Best Television or Radio Theme or Song

• 1962 – The Maigret Theme – Ron Grainer
• 1963 – Steptoe and Son – Ron Grainer
• 1964 – Theme from ‘The Avengers’ – Johnny Dankworth
• 1965 – Not So Much a Programme, More a Way of Life – Caryl Brahms, Ron Grainer and Ned Sherrin
• 1971 – Who Do You Think You Are Kidding Mr Hitler – Jimmy Perry and Derek Taverner
• 1974 – Galloping Home – Denis King
• 1975 – No Honestly! – Lynsey De Paul
• 1976 – The Edwardians (Upstairs, Downstairs Theme) – Alexander Faris
• 1977 – Sam – John McCabe
• 1978 – Poldark – Kenyon Emrys-Roberts
• 1979 – Lillie – Joseph Horovitz
• 1980 – Nunc Dimittis – Geoffrey Burgon
• 1981 – I Could Be So Good for You – Gerard Kenny and Patricia Waterman
• 1982 – Brideshead Revisited – Geoffrey Burgon
• 1983 – Theme From Harry’s Game – Paul Brennan
• 1984 – That’s Livin’ Alright – David Mackay and Ken Ashby
• 1985 – Jewel in the Crown – George Fenton
• 1986 – Edge of Darkness – Eric Clapton and Michael Kamen
• 1987 – The Monocled Mutineer – George Fenton
• 1988 – Fortunes of War – Richard Holmes
• 1989 – Testament – Nigel Hess
• 1990 – Ruth Rendell Mysteries – Brian Bennett
• 1991 – Victorian Kitchen – Paul Reade
• 1992 – Darling Buds of May – Philip Burley and Barrie Guard
• 1993 – Civvies – Michael Storey
• 1994 – Stalag Luft – Stanley Myers
• 1995 – Middlemarch – Stanley Myers
• 1996 – The Hanging Gale – Shaun Davey
• 1997 – Hetty Wainthropp Investigates – Nigel Hess
• 1998 – Rebecca – Christopher Gunning
• 1999 – Close Relations – Rob Lane
• 2000 – Trial By Fire – Richard G Mitchell
• 2001 – Gormenghast – Richard Rodney Bennett
• 2002 – The Blue Planet – George Fenton

Best Television or Radio Soundtrack

• 1973 – Colditz – Robert Farnon
• 2003 – Feltham Sings – Dextrous and Simon Armitage
• 2004 – The Young Visitors – Nicholas Hooper
• 2005 – Blackpool – Rob Lane
• 2006 – Elizabeth I – Rob Lane
• 2007 – The Virgin Queen – Martin Phipps
• 2008 – Oliver Twist – Martin Phipps
• 2009 – Wallace and Gromit (A Matter of Loaf and Death) – Julian Nott
• 2010 – Desperate Romantics – Daniel Pemberton
• 2011 – Any Human Heart – Dan Jones
• 2012 – The Shadow Line – Martin Phipps
• 2013 – Lucian Freud: Painted Life – John Harle
• 2014 – Ripper Street – Dominik Scherrer
• 2015 – The Honourable Woman – Natalie Holt and Martin Phipps
• 2016 – London Spy – Keefus Ciancia and David Holmes
• 2017 – War and Peace – Martin Phipps
• 2018 – The Miniaturist – Dan Jones

Best Theme from a Commercial

• 1990 – Abbey Endings (Abbey National) – Lionel Bart
• 1991 – Only You (Fiat Tempra) – Geoff MacCormack and Simon Goldenberg
• 1992 – Driven By You (Ford Motor Company) – Brian May

Best Original Video Game Score

• 2010 – Killzone 2 – Joris de Man
• 2011 – Napoleon: Total War – Richard Beddow, Richard Birdsall and Ian Livingstone
• 2018 – Horizon Zero Dawn – Joris de Man, Joe Henson and Alexis Smith

Ivor Novello Awards Winners 1956-2018 (Part One)

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.

Ivor Novello Awards – The 2000s

This is the last post in this series (well, we’ll compile all the winners into one place in a week or two), and what we’ve learned is that the Ivor Novello Awards tend to be either very brave, or very, very misguided. Any year that you choose to pick, yo

Ivor Novello Awards 2000

2000 saw the 45th Ivor Novello Awards ceremony, on 25th May at Grosvenor House.

• Best Song Musically and Lyrically: Strong, written by Robbie Williams and Guy Chambers. Also nominated: You’re Still the One, written by Mutt Lange and Shania Twain; Genie in a Bottle, performed by Christina Aguilera, written by Pam Sheyne, David Frank and Steve Kipner
• Best Contemporary Song: Why Does It Always Rain On Me?, performed by Travis, written by Fran Healy. Also nominated: Rise, written by Gabrielle, Bob Dylan, Ferdy Unger-Hamilton and Ollie Dagois; Beautiful Stranger, written by William Orbit and Madonna
• PRS Most Performed Work: Beautiful Stranger. Also nominated: Strong; That Don’t Impress Me Much, written by Mutt Lange and Shania Twain
• International Hit of the Year: Genie in a Bottle. Also nominated: Ray of Light, written by Madonna, William Orbit, Christine Leach, Clive Muldoon and Dave Curtis; That Don’t Impress Me Much
• Best Selling UK Single: The Millennium Prayer, performed by Cliff Richard, written by Paul Field and Stephen Deal. Also nominated: Sweet Like Chocolate, performed by Shanks and Bigfoot, written by Stephen Meade and Daniel Langsman; That Don’t Impress Me Much
• Best Original Music for a Television / Radio Broadcast: Trial By Fire, composed by Richard G Mitchell. Also nominated: Bad Blood, composed by John Lunn; An Evil Streak, composed by Stanislav Syrewicz
• Best Original Film Score: The World Is Not Enough, composed by David Arnold. Also nominated: Anna and the King, composed by George Fenton; Shakespeare in Love, composed by Stephen Warbeck
• The Ivors Dance Award: Re-Rewind, written by Mark Hill and Craig David; Rendez-Vu, performed by Basement Jaxx, written by Felix Buxton and Simon Ratcliffe. Also nominated: Sweet Like Chocolate
• 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
• PRS Outstanding Contribution to British Music: Pet Shop Boys (Chris Lowe and Neil Tennant)
• The Jimmy Kennedy Award: Geoff Stephens
• Outstanding Song Collection: Madness (Mike Barson, Mark Bedford, Chris Foreman, Cathal Smyth, Suggs, Lee Thompson and Daniel Woodgate)
• Songwriter of the Year: Fran Healy
• The Special International Award: Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller

Ivor Novello Awards 2001

The 2001 Ivor Novello Awards ceremony was on 24th May 2001 at Grosvenor House, London.

• Best Contemporary Song: Seven Days, written by Craig David, Mark Hill and Darren Hill. Also nominated: Beautiful Day, performed by U2, written by Bono, The Edge, Larry Mullen Jnr and Adam Clayton; Please Forgive Me, written by David Gray
• Best Song Musically and Lyrically: Babylon, written by David Gray. Also nominated: Trouble, performed by Coldplay, written by Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion and Chris Martin; Never Had A Dream Come True, performed by S Club 7, written by Cathy Dennis and Simon Ellis
• Best Original Music for a Television / Radio Broadcast: Gormenghast, composed by Richard Rodney Bennett. Also nominated: Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased), composed by David Arnold and Tim Simenon; The Wyvern Mystery, composed by Philip Appleby
• Best Original Film Score: X-Men, composed by Michael Kamen. Also nominated: Chicken Run, composed by John Powell and Harry Gregson-Williams; Gangster No1, composed by Johnny Dankworth
• The Ivors Dance Award: Woman Trouble, written by Mark Hill, Craig David, Robbie Craig and Pete Devereux. Also nominated: Girls Like Us, performed by B-15 Project, written by Ali Campbell, Brian Travers, Dawnette Nevers, Janice Fyffe and Haldane Browne; The Time Is Now, performed by Moloko, written by Róisín Murphy and Mark Brydon
• PRS Most Performed Work: Pure Shores, performed by All Saints, written by Shaznay Lewis and William Orbit. Also nominated: Rise, written by Gabrielle, Ollie Dagois, Ferdy Unger Hamilton and Bob Dylan; Rock DJ, written by Ekundayo Paris, Nelson Pigford, Robbie Williams, Guy Chambers and Kelvin Andrews
• International Hit of the Year: It Feels So Good, written by Sonique, Linus Burdick, Simon Belofsky and Graeme Pleeth. Also nominated: I Turn To You, written by Melanie Chisholm, Rick Nowels and Billy Steinberg; Sexbomb, written by Errol Rennalls and Mousse T
• Best Selling UK Single: Can We Fix It, performed by Bob the Builder, written by Paul Joyce. Also nominated: Pure Shores; It Feels So Good
• PRS Outstanding Contribution to British Music: The Clash (Topper Headon, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon and Joe Strummer)
• Outstanding Song Collection: Roy Wood
• International Achievement: Iron Maiden (Bruce Dickinson, Janick Gers, Steve Harris, Nicko McBrain, Dave Murray and Adrian Smith)
• Lifetime Achievement: Pete Townshend
• Songwriters of the Year: Craig David and Mark Hill
• The Special International Award: Stevie Wonder

Ivor Novello Awards 2002

23rd May 2002 saw Grosvenor House in London host the Ivor Novello Awards.

• Best Contemporary Song: Shining Light, performed by Ash, written by Tim Wheeler. Also nominated: Clint Eastwood, performed by Gorillaz, written by Damon Albarn, Jamie Hewlett and Teren Delvon Jones; Thank You, written by Dido Armstrong and Paul Herman
• Best Song Musically and Lyrically: Walk On, performed by U2, written by Adam Clayton, The Edge, Bono and Larry Mullen Jnr. Also nominated: Side, performed by Travis, written by Fran Healy; Sail Away, written by David Gray
• PRS Most Performed Work: Can’t Get You Out Of My Head, performed by Kylie Minogue, written by Cathy Dennis and Rob Davis. Also nominated: Thank You; Out of Reach, written by Gabrielle and Jonathan Shorten
• Best Selling UK Single: Pure and Simple, performed by Hear’Say, written by Pete Kirtley, Tim Hawes and Alison Clarkson. Also nominated: Can’t Get You Out Of My Head; Whole Again, performed by Atomic Kitten, written by Andy McCluskey, Stuart Kershaw, Bill Padley and Jeremy Godfrey
• The Ivors Dance Award: Can’t Get You Out Of My Head. Also nominated: Do You Really Like It?, performed by DJ Pied Piper, written by Eugene Nwohia, Ronald Nwohia, Paul Newman, Ashley Livingston and Steve Wickham; Where’s Your Head At, performed by Basement Jaxx, written by Felix Buxton, Simon Ratcliffe and Gary Numan
• Best Original Music for a Television / Radio Broadcast: The Blue Planet, composed by George Fenton. Also nominated: Band of Brothers, composed by Michael Kamen; Wild Africa, composed by Christopher Gunning
• Best Original Film Score: Shrek, composed by Harry Gregson-Williams and John Powell. Also nominated: Quills, composed by Stephen Warbeck; Thirteen Days, composed by Trevor Jones
• International Hit of the Year: Can’t Get You Out Of My Head. Also nominated: Whole Again; Hero, written by Paul Barry, Enrique Iglesias and Mark Taylor
• PRS Outstanding Contribution to British Music: Kate Bush
• Outstanding Song Collection: Mick Hucknall
• International Achievement: Sting
• Songwriter of the Year: Dido Armstrong
• The Special International Award: Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus

Ivor Novello Awards 2003

The 48th ceremony was on 22nd May 2003 at Grosvenor House, London.

• Best Song Musically and Lyrically: The Other Side, written by David Gray. Also nominated: Strange and Beautiful, performed by Aqualung, written by Matthew Hales and Kim Oliver; Stop Crying Your Heart Out, performed by Oasis, written by Noel Gallagher
• Best Contemporary Song: Weak Become Heroes, performed by The Streets, written by Mike Skinner. Also nominated: It Takes More, written by Ms Dynamite and Punch; In My Place, performed by Coldplay, written by Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion, Chris Martin
• PRS Most Performed Work: Just A Little, performed by Liberty X, written by Michelle Escoffery, John Hammond Hagan, George Hammond Hagan. Also nominated: Love at First Sight, written by Kylie Minogue, Richard Stannard, Julian Gallagher, Ashley Howes and Martin Harrington; In Your Eyes, written by Kylie Minogue, Richard Stannard, Julian Gallagher and Ashley Howes
• Best Selling UK Single: Anything Is Possible, performed by Will Young, written by Cathy Dennis and Chris Braide. Also nominated: Hero, written by Paul Barry, Enrique Iglesias and Mark Taylor; Just a Little
• International Hit of the Year: Complicated, written by Lauren Christy, David Alspach, Graham Edwards and Avril Lavigne. Also nominated: Electrical Storm, performed by U2, written by Adam Clayton, The Edge, Bono and Larry Mullen Jr; Feel, written by Robbie Williams and Guy Chambers
• The Ivors Dance Award: Lazy, performed by X-Press 2, written by Ashley Beedle, Darren House, Darren Rock and David Byrne. Also nominated: Shake UR Body, performed by Shy FX & T-Power, written by Andre Williams and Dianna Joseph; It Just Won’t Do, performed by Tim Deluxe feat. Sam Obernik, written by Tim Liken and Ben Onono
• Best Original Film Score: The Quiet American, composed by Craig Armstrong. Also nominated: Die Another Day, composed by David Arnold; Rabbit Proof Fence, composed by Peter Gabriel
• Best Original Music for Television: Feltham Sings, composed by Dextrous and Simon Armitage. Also nominated: Goodbye Mr Chips, composed by Colin Towns; Danger in Tiger Paradise, composed by David Mitcham
• The Ivors Classical Music Award: Boots of Lead, composed by Simon Holt. Also nominated: Dead March, composed by Gerald Barry; Sophie’s Choice, composed by Nicholas Maw
• Songwriters of the Year: Coldplay (Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion and Chris Martin)
• International Achievement: UB40 (Astro, James Brown, Ali Campbell, Robin Campbell, Earl Falconer, Norman Hassan, Brian Travers and Michael Virtue)
• PRS Outstanding Contribution to British Music: Bryan Ferry
• Outstanding Song Collection: U2 (Bono, Adam Clayton, Larry Mullen Jnr and The Edge)
• The Special International Award: Brian Wilson

Ivor Novello Awards 2004

The 2004 Ivor Novello Awards were hosted at Grosvenor House on 27th May.

• Best Song Musically and Lyrically: Leave Right Now, performed by Will Young, written by Francis Eg White. Also nominated: White Flag, written by Dido Armstrong, Rollo Armstrong and Richard Nowels; Step Into My Office Baby, performed by Belle and Sebastian, written by Stuart Murdoch, Stephen Jackson, Christopher Geddes, Richard Colburn, Michael Cooke, Sarah Martin and Robert Kildea
• Best Contemporary Song: Stronger Than Me, written by Amy Winehouse and Salaam Remi. Also nominated: Jus’ a Rascal, performed by Dizzee Rascal, written by Dylan Mills, Tesmond Rowe and Vegard Vardoen; Slow, written by Dan Carey, Emiliana Torrini and Kylie Minogue
• Best Original Music for Television: The Young Visitors, composed by Nicholas Hooper. Also nominated: Second Generation, composed by Nitin Sawhney; The Key, composed by Anne Dudley
• Best Original Film Score: Max, composed by Dan Jones. Also nominated: In America, composed by Gavin Friday and Maurice Seezer; BodySong, composed by Jonny Greenwood
• The Ivors Dance Award: Strict Machine, performed by Goldfrapp, written by Alison Goldfrapp, Will Gregory and Nick Batt. Also nominated: Shining Through, performed by Layo & Bushwacka, written by Layo Paskin and Matthew Benjamin; Familiar Feeling, performed by Moloko, written by Róisín Murphy, Mark Brydon and Edmond Stevens
• PRS Most Performed Work: Superstar, performed by Jamelia, written by Mich Hansen, Joseph Belmaati and Mikkel Sigvardt. Also nominated: Clocks, performed by Coldplay, written by Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion and Chris Martin; Hole in the Head, performed by Sugababes, written by Miranda Cooper, Brian Higgins, Timothy Powell, Nicholas Coler, Niara Scarlett, Keisha Buchanan, Mutya Buena and Heidi Range
• International Hit of the Year: White Flag, written by Dido Armstrong, Rollo Armstrong and Richard Nowels. Also nominated: Feel, written by Robbie Williams and Guy Chambers; Slow, written by Dan Carey, Emiliana Torrini and Kylie Minogue
• Best Selling UK Single: Mad World, performed by Michael Andrews and Gary Jules, written by: Roland Orzabal
• The Ivors Classical Music Award: Richard Rodney Bennett
• Outstanding Song Collection: 10cc (Lol Crème, Kevin Godley, Graham Gouldman and Eric Stewart)
• International Achievement: Radiohead (Colin Greenwood, Jonny Greenwood, Ed O’Brien, Phil Selway and Thom Yorke)
• PRS Outstanding Contribution to British Music: Errol Brown
• Songwriters of the Year: The Darkness (Ed Graham, Dan Hawkins, Justin Hawkins and Frankie Poullain)
• The Special International Award: Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland and Eddie Holland

Ivor Novello Awards 2005

Reaching its fiftieth anniversary, the Ivor Novello Awards were held on 26th May 2005 at Grosvenor House, London.

• PRS Most Performed Work: Toxic, performed by Britney Spears, written by Cathy Dennis, Bloodshy, Henrik Jonback and Avant. Also nominated: Amazing, written by George Michael and Jonathan Douglas; Thank You, written by Jamelia Davies, Carsten Schack and Peter Biker
• Best Contemporary Song: Take Me Out, performed by Franz Ferdinand, written by Robert Hardy, Alex Kapranos, Nick McCarthy and Paul Thomson. Also nominated: For Lovers, performed by Wolfman, written by Peter Wolfe, Pete Doherty, Julian Taylor, Edmund Scott, Matt White, David Banks and Matt Scott; Blinded by the Lights, performed by The Streets, written by Mike Skinner
• Best Original Film Score: Enduring Love, composed by Jeremy Sams. Also nominated: Deep Blue, composed by George Fenton; Man on Fire, composed by Harry Gregson-Williams
• The Ivors Classical Music Award: John Tavener
• Best Selling UK Single: Do They Know It’s Christmas?, performed by Band Aid 2000, written by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure. Also nominated: All This Time, performed by Michelle McManus, written by Wayne Hector, Steve Mac and Ali Tennant; Call On Me, written by Steve Winwood, Eric Prydz and Will Jennings
• Best Song Musically and Lyrically: Dry Your Eyes, performed by The Streets, written by Mike Skinner. Also nominated: These Words, written by Stephen Kipner, Andrew Frampton, Natasha Bedingfield and Wayne Wilkins; Everybody’s Changing, performed by Keane, written by Tim Rice-Oxley, Tom Chaplin and Richard Hughes
• Best Original Music for Television: Blackpool, composed by Rob Lane. Also nominated: Fallen, composed by Paul Leonard-Morgan; North and South, composed by Martin Phipps
• International Hit of the Year: Vertigo, performed by U2, written by Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr. Also nominated: Behind Blue Eyes, performed by Limp Bizkit, written by Pete Townshend; Do They Know It’s Christmas?
• International Achievement: Robert Smith
• Songwriters of the Year: Keane (Tom Chaplin, Richard Hughes and Tim Rice-Oxley)
• Album Award: Final Straw, performed by Snow Patrol, written by: Iain Archer, Nathan Connolly, Gary Lightbody, Mark McClelland and Jonny Quinn
• PRS Outstanding Contribution to British Music: Duran Duran (Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes, Andy Taylor, John Taylor and Roger Taylor)
• Outstanding Song Collection: Queen (John Deacon, Brian May, Freddie Mercury and Roger Taylor)
• The Special International Award: Lou Reed
• The Ivors Special Award for Songwriting: Mick Jagger and Keith Richards

Ivor Novello Awards 2006

25th May 2006 saw the hosting of the 51st Ivor Novello Awards ceremony at Grosvenor House, London.

• Best Song Musically & Lyrically: Suddenly I See, written by KT Tunstall. Also nominated: Fix You, performed by Coldplay, written by Guy Berryman, Jonathan Buckland, William Champion and Chris Martin; I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor, performed by Arctic Monkeys, written by Alex Turner
• PRS Most Performed Work: You’re Beautiful, written by James Blunt, Amanda Ghost and Sacha Skarbek. Also nominated: Shiver, written by Natalie Imbruglia, Sheppard Solomon and Francis Eg White; Speed of Sound, performed by Coldplay, written by Guy Berryman, Jonathan Buckland, William Champion and Chris Martin
• Best Television Soundtrack: Elizabeth I, composed by Rob Lane. Also nominated: A Waste Of Shame: The Mystery of Shakespeare and His Sonnets, composed by Kevin Sargent; Colditz, composed by Richard Harvey
• Outstanding Song Collection: New Order (Philip Cunningham, Gillian Gilbert, Peter Hook, Stephen Morris and Bernard Sumner)
• Best Selling UK Single: That’s My Goal, performed by Shayne Ward, written by: Jorgan Elofsson, Jeremy Godfrey and Bill Padley
• Album Award: Employment, performed by Kaiser Chiefs, written by: Nick Baines, Nick Hodgson, Simon Rix, Andrew White and Ricky Wilson
• The Ivors Classical Music Award: Harrison Birtwistle
• International Hit of the Year: You’re Beautiful, written by James Blunt, Amanda Ghost and Sacha Skarbek. Also nominated: Speed of Sound; Tripping, written by Stephen Duffy and Robbie Williams
• Best Original Film Score: Evil, composed by Francis Shaw. Also nominated: Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch & the Wardrobe, composed by Harry Gregson–Williams; Pride and Prejudice, composed by Dario Marianelli
• Best Contemporary Song: Wires, written by Joel Pott, Steven Roberts, Timothy Wanstall and Carey Willetts. Also nominated: DARE, written by Damon Albarn, Brian Burton and Jamie Hewlett; I Predict a Riot, written by Nick Baines, Nick Hodgson, Simon Rix, Andrew White and Ricky Wilson
• International Achievement: Ian Anderson
• Songwriters of the Year: Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett
• PRS Outstanding Contribution to British Music: Ray Davies
• The Special International Award: Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff
• BASCA Fellowship: Bee Gees (Barry Gibb, Maurice Gibb and Robin Gibb)

Ivor Novello Awards 2007

2007’s Ivor Novello ceremony took place on 24th May at Grosvenor House, London.

• International Hit of the Year: Sorry, written by Madonna and Stuart Price. Also nominated: I Don’t Feel Like Dancin’, performed by Scissor Sisters, written by Elton John, Scott Hoffman and Jason Sellards; Rudebox, written by Robbie Williams, Danny Spencer, Kelvin Andrews, Sly Dunbar, Robbie Shakespeare, William “Earl” Collins, Bill Laswell and Edmund “Carl Jr” Aiken
• Album Award: Whatever People Say I Am That’s What I’m Not, performed by Arctic Monkeys, written by: Alex Turner
• Best Contemporary Song: Rehab, written by Amy Winehouse. Also nominated: Over and Over, performed by Hot Chip, written by Joseph Goddard, Alexis Taylor and Felix Martin; Yeah Yeah, performed by Bodyrox feat. Luciana, written by Nick Bridges, Jon Pearn, Nathan Thomas, Luciana Caporaso and Nick Clow
• Best Television Soundtrack: The Virgin Queen, composed by Martin Phipps. Also nominated: Hotel Babylon, composed by John Lunn and Jim Williams; Shiny Shiny Bright New Hole In My Heart, composed by Alex Heffes
• Best Selling UK Single: A Moment Like This, performed by Kelly Clarkson, written by Jorgen Elofsson and John Reid
• Outstanding Song Collection: Yusuf Islam
• The Ivors Classical Music Award: John Rutter
• PRS Most Performed Work: I Don’t Feel Like Dancin’. Also nominated: Put Your Records On, written by Corinne Bailey Rae, John Beck and Steve Chrisanthou; Sorry, written by Madonna and Stuart Price
• Best Original Film Score: Ice Age: The Meltdown, composed by John Powell. Also nominated: Casino Royale, composed by David Arnold; Severance, composed by Christian Henson
• PRS Outstanding Contribution to British Music: Norman Cook
• Best Song Musically and Lyrically: Elusive, written by Scott Matthews. Also nominated: Sophia, written by Nerina Pallot; When the Sun Goes Down, written by Alex Turner
• Songwriters of the Year: The Feeling (Dan Gillespie Sells, Ciaran Jeremiah, Kevin Jeremiah, Richard Jones and Paul Stewart)
• Lifetime Achievement: Peter Gabriel
• The Special International Award: Quincy Jones

Ivor Novello Awards 2008

The 2008 Ivor Novello Awards were on 22nd May at Grosvenor House.

• Best Selling British Song: Beautiful Liar, performed by Beyoncé and Shakira, written by Ian Dench, Mikkel Eriksen, Amanda Ghost, Tor Erik Hermansen and Beyoncé Knowles. Also nominated: Grace Kelly, written by Jodi Marr, John Merchant, Mika and Dan Warner; Rehab, written by Amy Winehouse
• International Achievement: Phil Collins
• Best Contemporary Song: People Help the People, performed by Cherry Ghost, written by Simon Aldred. Also nominated: Foundations, written by Paul Epworth and Kate Nash; Golden Skans, performed by Klaxons, written by Jamie Reynolds, James Righton and Simon Taylor-Davies
• Best Television Soundtrack: Oliver Twist, composed by Martin Phipps. Also nominated: Primo, composed by Jonathan Goldstein; Who Killed Mrs de Ropp?, composed by Paul Moessl
• Album Award: In Rainbows, performed by Radiohead, written by Colin Greenwood, Jonny Greenwood, Edward O’Brien, Philip Selway and Thom Yorke. Also nominated: Man on the Roof, written by Stephen Fretwell; Thirst for Romance, performed by Cherry Ghost, written by Simon Aldred
• The Ivors Inspiration Award: Jazzie B
• PRS Most Performed Work: Shine, performed by Take That, written by Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, Jason Orange, Mark Owen and Stephen Robson. Also nominated: Ruby, performed by Kaiser Chiefs, written by Nicholas Baines, Nick Hodgson, James Rix, Andrew White and Ricky Wilson; Starz in Their Eyes, performed by Just Jack, written by Jack Allsopp
• The Ivors Classical Music Award: Jonathan Dove
• Best Song Musically & Lyrically: Love is a Losing Game, written by Amy Winehouse. Also nominated: Let Me Out, written by Rosi Golan and Jamie Hartman; You Know I’m No Good, written by Amy Winehouse
• Outstanding Song Collection: Gabrielle
• Best Original Film Score: Atonement, composed by Dario Marianelli. Also nominated: Becoming Jane, composed by Adrian Johnston; La Vie en Rose, composed by Christopher Gunning
• PRS Outstanding Contribution to British Music: Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook
• Songwriter of the Year: Mika
• The Special International Award: Diane Warren
• Lifetime Achievement: David Gilmour

Ivor Novello Awards 2009

Closing the decade, the 2009 Ivor Novello ceremony was on 21st May at Grosvenor House, London.

• BASCA Fellowship: David Ferguson
• Best Contemporary Song: Grounds for Divorce, performed by Elbow, written by Guy Garvey, Richard Jupp, Craig Potter, Mark Potter and Peter Turner. Also nominated: Dance Wiv Me, performed by Dizzee Rascal, written by Nicholas Detnon, Calvin Harris, Dylan Mills and Tyrone; That’s Not My Name, performed by The Ting Tings, written by Julian De Martino and Katie White
• Album Award: We Started Nothing, performed by The Ting Tings, written by Julian De Martino and Katie White. Also nominated: Rockferry, written by Bernard Butler and Duffy; Viva La Vida or Death And All His Friends, performed by Coldplay, written by Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion and Chris Martin
• Best Television Soundtrack: Wallace and Gromit (A Matter of Loaf and Death), composed by Julian Nott. Also nominated: Fiona’s Story, composed by Ben Bartlett; Trial and Retribution 2008, composed by Anne Dudley
• Outstanding Song Collection: Vince Clarke
• The Ivors Classical Music Award: James MacMillan
• Best Selling British Song: Viva La Vida, performed by Coldplay, written by Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion and Chris Martin. Also nominated: Mercy, written by; Steve Booker and Duffy; Paper Planes, performed by M.I.A., written by Maya Arulpragasam, Topper Headon, Mick Jones, Thomas Wesley Pentz, Paul Simonon and Joe Strummer
• PRS for Music Outstanding Contribution to British Music: Massive Attack (Robert Del Naja, Grant Marshall and Andrew Vowles)
• Best Song Musically and Lyrically: One Day Like This, performed by Elbow, written by Guy Garvey, Richard Jupp, Craig Potter, Mark Potter and Peter Turner. Also nominated: My Mistakes Were Made For You, performed by Last Shadow Puppets, written by Miles Kane and Alex Turner; The Last of the Melting Snow, performed by The Leisure Society, written by Nicholas Hemming
• Best Original Film Score: There Will Be Blood, composed by Jonny Greenwood. Also nominated: Quantum of Solace, composed by David Arnold; The Escapist, composed by Benjamin Wallfisch
• The Ivors Inspiration Award: Edwyn Collins
• PRS for Music Most Performed Work: Mercy, written by Steve Booker and Duffy. Also nominated: Sweet About Me, written by Gabriella Cilmi, Nicholas Coler, Miranda Cooper, Brian Higgins, Timothy Larcombe and Tim Powell; Viva La Vida, performed by Coldplay, written by Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion and Chris Martin
• Songwriter of the Year: Eg White
• The Special International Award: Smokey Robinson
• BASCA Fellowship: Don Black

Further Reading

• 2000-2009 on theivors.com

Ivor Novello Awards – The 1990s

Ivor Novello Awards 1990

Grosvenor House in London hosted the Ivor Novello Awards on 2nd April 1990.

• Best Contemporary Song: All Around the World, written by Lisa Stansfield, Ian Devaney and Andrew Morris. Also nominated: Back to Life (However Do You Want Me), performed by Soul II Soul, written by Jazzie B, Caron Wheeler, Nellee Hooper and Simon Law; She Drives Me Crazy, performed by Fine Young Cannibals, written by David Steele and Roland Gift
• Best Song Musically and Lyrically: The Living Years, performed by Mike + The Mechanics, written by BA Robertson and Mike Rutherford. Also nominated: Another Day in Paradise, written by Phil Collins; Room in Your Heart, performed by Living in a Box, written by Marcus Vere, Richard Darbyshire and Albert Hammond
• Best Theme from a TV/Radio Production: Ruth Rendell Mysteries, written by Brian Bennett. Also nominated: Sherlock Holmes, written by Patrick Gowers; Agatha Christie’s Poirot, written by Christopher Gunning
• Best Film Theme or Song: Henry V Nons Nobis Domine, written by Patrick Doyle. Also nominated: Nothing Has Been Proved, written by Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe; Travelling East, written by Eric Clapton and Michael Kamen
• The Jimmy Kennedy Award: Herbert Kretzmer
• Best Selling ‘A’ Side: Too Many Broken Hearts, performed by Jason Donovan, written by Stock Aitken Waterman (Mike Stock, Matt Aitken and Pete Waterman). Also nominated: Back to Life (However Do You Want Me); Something’s Gotten Hold of My Heart, performed by Marc Almond and Gene Pitney, written by Roger Cook and Roger Greenaway
• International Hit of the Year: She Drives Me Crazy. Also nominated: Buffalo Stance, written by Cameron Mcvey, Philip Ramacon, Neneh Cherry and Jamie Morgan; Another Day in Paradise, written by Phil Collins
• Best Theme from a TV/Radio Commercial: Abbey Endings (Abbey National), written by Lionel Bart. Also nominated: Big Day (Maxwell House), written by David Mindel; Terry Keeps His Clips On (Toshiba), written by Viv Stanshall
• The Best British Musical: Aspects of Love, written by: Don Black, Charles Hart and Andrew Lloyd Webber
• Outstanding Contribution to British Music: David Bowie
• Most Performed Work: This Time I Know It’s for Real, written by Stock Aitken Waterman and Donna Summer. Also nominated: Something’s Gotten Hold of My Heart; Too Many Broken Hearts
• Songwriters of the Year: Stock Aitken Waterman
• Outstanding Services to British Music: The Kinks (Mick Avory, Dave Davies, Ray Davies, Ian Gibbons and Jim Rodford)

Ivor Novello Awards 1991

The 1991 ceremony took place at Grosvenor House in London on 2nd May 1991.

• Best Contemporary Song: Killer, written by Adam ‘Adamski’ Tinley and Seal. Also nominated: Don’t Worry, written by Kim Appleby, Craig Logan and George Deangelis; Unbelievable, performed by EMF, written by James Atken, Ian Dench, Zachary Foley, Mark Decloedt and Deran Brownson
• Best Song Musically and Lyrically: Sacrifice, written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin. Also nominated: We Let the Stars Go, performed by Prefab Sprout, written by Paddy Mcaloon; Nothing Ever Happens, performed by Del Amitri, written by Justin Currie
• Best Theme from a TV/Radio Production: Victorian Kitchen, written by Paul Reade. Also nominated: Tidy Endings, written by Stanley Myers; The Green Man, written by Tim Souster
• Best Film Theme or Song: Witches, written by Stanley Myers. Also nominated: Arachnophobia, written by Trevor Jones; Lily Was Here, written by Dave Stewart
• The Jimmy Kennedy Award: John Barry
• Best Selling ‘A’ Side: Sacrifice / Healing Hands, written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin. Also nominated: World in Motion, performed by Englandneworder (New Order), written by Bernard Sumner, Stephen Morris, Gillian Gilbert, Keith Allen and Peter Hook; Killer, written by Adam ‘Adamski’ Tinley and Seal
• Best Theme from a TV/Radio Commercial: Only You (Fiat Tempra), written by Geoff MacCormack and Simon Goldenberg. Also nominated: Citric Bite (Schweppes Tonic), written by Don Gould and James Lowther; Nick of Time (Audi), written by Tony Sadler and Gaynor Sadler
• International Hit of the Year: All Around the World, written by Lisa Stansfield, Ian Devaney and Andrew Morris. Also nominated: Close to You, performed by Maxi Priest, written by Gary Benson, Winston Sela and Maxi Elliott; I’ve Been Thinking About You, performed by Londonbeat, written by George Chandler, Jimmy Chambers, Jimmy Helms and Liam Henshall
• Special Award for International Achievement: Albert Hammond
• PRS Most Performed Work: Blue Savannah, performed by Erasure, written by Andy Bell and Vince Clarke. Also nominated: All I Wanna Do Is Make Love to You, performed by Heart, written by Robert John ‘Mutt’ Lange; Killer, written by Adam ‘Adamski’ Tinley and Seal
• Outstanding Services to British Music: Robert Farnon
• Songwriter of the Year: Phil Collins
• Outstanding Contribution to British Music: Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, Ronnie Wood and Bill Wyman

Ivor Novello Awards 1992

May 1992 saw Grosvenor House in London host the 37th Ivor Novello Awards ceremony.

• Best Contemporary Song: Crazy, written by Seal. Also nominated: Walking Down Madison, written by Kirsty MacColl and Johnny Marr; Sit Down, written by Timothy Booth, Lawrence Gott, James Glennie and Gavan Whelan
• Best Song Musically and Lyrically: The Whole of the Moon, performed by The Waterboys, written by Mike Scott. Also nominated: The Show Must Go On, performed by Queen, written by Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor and John Deacon; Stars, performed by Simply Red, written by Mick Hucknall
• Best Theme from a TV/Radio Production: The Darling Buds of May, written by Philip Burley and Barrie Guard. Also nominated: Clarissa, written by Colin Towns; A Question of Attribution, written by Gerald Gouriet
• Best Theme from a TV/Radio Commercial: Driven By You (Ford Motor Company), written by Brian May. Also nominated: Eagle Star – Reflections (Eagle Star Insurance), written by RAF Ravenscroft and Kevin Dillon-Lamb; Excaliber (Carling Black Label), written by Rachel Portman
• The Jimmy Kennedy Award: Tony Hatch and Jackie Trent
• Best Selling ‘A’ Side: Bohemian Rhapsody / These are the Days of Our Lives, performed by Queen, written by Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor and John Deacon. Also nominated: Any Dream Will Do, performed by Jason Donovan, written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice; I’m Too Sexy, performed by Right Said Fred, written by Fred Fairbrass, Rob Manzoli and Richard Fairbrass
• Best Film Theme or Song: Under Suspicion, written by Christopher Gunning. Also nominated: Dances with Wolves, written by John Barry; The One and Only, written by Nik Kershaw
• International Hit of the Year: Crazy, written by Seal. Also nominated: Unbelievable; 3 AM Eternal, performed by The KLF, written by Bill Drummond, Jimmy Cauty and Ricky Lyte
• Award in Recognition of the Exceptional Success of a Single Song: Everything I Do (I Do It For You), written by: Bryan Adams, Michael Kamen and Robert John ‘Mutt’ Lange
• Best British Musical: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, written by: Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice
• PRS Most Performed Work: I’m Too Sexy. Also nominated: The One and Only, performed by Curtis Stigers, written by Nik Kershaw; Any Dream Will Do, written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice
• Outstanding Contribution to British Music: David Gilmour, Nick Mason, Roger Waters and Richard Wright
• Songwriter of the Year: Mick Hucknall
• Special Award for International Achievement: Bernie Taupin
• Lifetime Achievement Award: Eric Clapton

Ivor Novello Awards 1993

26th May 1993 saw Grosvenor House in London host the Ivor Novello Awards.

• Best Contemporary Song: Would I Lie to You, performed by Charles and Eddie, written by Peter Vale and Mick Leeson. Also nominated: Stay, performed by Shakespears Sister, written by Marcella Detroit, Siobhan Fahey and Dave Stewart; Friday I’m In Love, performed by The Cure, written by Robert Smith, Simon Gallup, Porl Thompson, Boris Williams and Perry Bamonte
• Best Song Musically and Lyrically: Why, written by Annie Lennox. Also nominated: The Disappointed, performed by XTC, written by Andy Partridge; Tears in Heaven, written by Eric Clapton and Will Jennings
• Best Theme from a TV / Radio Production: Civvies, composed by Michael Storey. Also nominated: Blackheath Poisonings, written by Colin Towns; Kyrie Eleison, written by Christopher Gunning
• Best Film Theme or Song: Tears in Heaven, written by Eric Clapton and Will Jennings. Also nominated: Final Analysis, written by George Fenton; Chaplin, written by John Barry
• Songwriters of the Year: Colin Angus and Richard West
• PRS Most Performed Work: Deeply Dippy, performed by Right Said Fred, written by Fred Fairbrass, Rob Manzoli and Richard Fairbrass. Also nominated: Would I Lie to You; Stay
• Best Selling Song: Would I Lie to You. Also nominated: Goodnight Girl, performed by Wet Wet Wet, written by Marti Pellow, Neil Mitchell, Tom Cunningham and Graeme Clark; Ain’t No Doubt, written by Jimmy Nail, Danny Schogger, Charlie Dore and Guy Pratt; Stay
• International Hit of the Year: Would I Lie to You. Also nominated: Stay; Tears in Heaven; Why
• The Jimmy Kennedy Award: Les Reed
• Outstanding Contemporary Song Collection: Marcella Detroit, Siobhan Fahey and Dave Stewart
• Outstanding Contribution to British Music: Bernie Calvert, Allan Clarke, Bobby Elliott, Tony Hicks, Graham Nash and Terry Sylvester
• Lifetime Achievement Award: George Shearing
• Special Award for International Achievement: Rod Temperton

Ivor Novello Awards 1994

The 1994 ceremony took place at Grosvenor House on 25th May.

• Best Contemporary Song: Pray, performed by Take That, written by Gary Barlow. Also nominated: Moving On Up, performed by M People, written by Paul Heard and Mike Pickering; Arranged Marriage, performed by Apache Indian, written by Stephen Kapur, Simon Duggal and Diamond Duggal
• Best Song Musically and Lyrically: If I Ever Lose My Faith in You, written by Sting. Also nominated: Ordinary World, performed by Duran Duran, written by Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes, John Taylor and Warren Cuccurullo; I Don’t Wanna Fight, performed by Tina Turner, written by Steve Duberry, Billy Lawrie and Lulu
• Best Theme from a TV/Radio Production: Stalag Luft, written by Stanley Myers. Also nominated: Harnessing Peacocks, written by Richard Holmes; Unnatural Causes, written by Richard Harvey
• Best Film Theme or Song: The Piano, written by Michael Nyman. Also nominated: Into the West, written by Patrick Doyle; Indochine, written by Patrick Doyle
• The PRS Most Performed Work: Ordinary World. Also nominated: Little Bird, written by Annie Lennox; Tears in Heaven
• Best Selling Song: Mr Blobby, written by David Rogers and Paul Shaw. Also nominated: Dreams, written by Timothy Laws and Gabrielle; Babe, performed by Take That, written by Gary Barlow
• The International Hit of the Year: Living on My Own, written by Freddie Mercury. Also nominated: I Feel You, performed by Depeche Mode, written by Martin Gore; Ordinary World, written by Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes, John Taylor and Warren Cuccurullo
• The Outstanding Contemporary Song Collection: Paul Weller
• The Jimmy Kennedy Award: Roger Cook and Roger Greenaway
• Lifetime Achievement Award: Ron Goodwin
• Outstanding Contribution to British Music: Tim Rice
• Special Award for International Achievement: Bono, Adam Clayton, Larry Mullen Jnr and The Edge
• Outstanding Contribution to British Musical Theatre: Andrew Lloyd Webber
• Songwriter of the Year: Gary Barlow

Ivor Novello Awards 1995

Forty years into its history, the 1995 ceremony took place at Grosvenor House on 23rd May.

• Outstanding Contribution to British Music: Lonnie Donegan
• Best Contemporary Song: You Gotta Be, written by Des’ree Weekes and Ashley Ingram. Also nominated: Parklife, performed by Blur, written by Damon Albarn, Graham Coxon, Alex James and Dave Rowntree; Zombie, performed by The Cranberries, written by Delores O’Riordan
• Best Song Musically & Lyrically: Think Twice, performed by Celine Dion, written by Andy Hill and Peter Sinfield. Also nominated: Patience of Angels, performed by Eddi Reader, written by Boo Hewerdine; Dear John, written by Mark Nevin and Kirsty McColl
• Best Theme from a TV/Radio Production: Middlemarch, written by Stanley Myers. Also nominated: Crocodile Shoes, written by Tony McAnaney; Beyond the Clouds, written by George Fenton
• Best Commissioned Film Score: Shadowlands, written by George Fenton. Also nominated: Deadly Advice, written by Richard Harvey; The Joy Luck Club, written by Rachel Portman
• Best Song Included in a Film: Circle of Life, written by Elton John and Tim Rice. Also nominated: Love is All Around, performed by Wet Wet Wet, written by Reg Presley; In the Name of Our Father, performed by U2, written by Bono, Gavin Friday and Maurice Roycroft
• The Radio 1 Award for Continuing Innovation in Music: Brian Eno
• The Best Selling Song: Love is All Around. Also nominated: Baby Come Back, performed by Pato Banton, written by Eddy Grant; Stay Another Day, performed by East 17, written by Tony Mortimer, Dominic Hawken and Robert Kean
• International Hit of the Year: Love is All Around. Also nominated: 7 Seconds, written by Cameron McVey, Jonathan Peter Sharp, Youssou N’Dour and Neneh Cherry; Baby I Love Your Way, performed by Big Mountain, written by Peter Frampton; Without You, performed by Mariah Carey, written by Pete Ham and Tom Evans
• The PRS Most Performed Work: Love is All Around. Also nominated: Stay Another Day; Baby Come Back
• The Jimmy Kennedy Award: Don Black
• Lifetime Achievement Award: Van Morrison
• The Outstanding Contemporary Song Collection: Elvis Costello
• Songwriter of the Year: Tony Mortimer

Ivor Novello Awards 1996

Grosvenor House in London hosted the Ivor Novello Awards on 30th May 1996.

• The PRS Most Performed Work: Back for Good, performed by Take That, written by Gary Barlow. Also nominated: No More I Love Yous, performed by Annie Lennox, written by David Freeman and Joseph Hughes; A Girl Like You, written by Edwyn Collins
• The Best Selling Song: Back for Good. Also nominated: Fairground, performed by Simply Red, written by Mick Hucknall; Missing, performed by Everything But The Girl, written by Tracey Thorn and Ben Watt
• International Hit of the Year: Kiss from a Rose, written by Seal. Also nominated: Back for Good; No More I Love Yous
• Best Contemporary Song: Alright, performed by Supergrass, written by Danny Goffrey, Gaz Coombes and Michael Quinn. Also nominated: Wonderwall, performed by Oasis, written by Noel Gallagher; A Girl Like You, written by Edwyn Collins
• Best Song Musically and Lyrically: Common People, performed by Pulp, written by Jarvis Cocker, Nick Banks, Candida Doyle, Steve Mackey and Russell Senior. Also nominated: No More I Love Yous; Back for Good
• Best Commissioned Film Score: Don Juan De Marco, composed by Michael Kamen. Also nominated: Pin for the Butterfly, composed by Ilona Sekacz; Nostradamus, composed by Barrington Pheloung
• Best Commissioned Score from a TV/Radio Production: The Hanging Gale, written by Shaun Davey. Also nominated: Pride & Prejudice, written by Carl Davis; Yugoslavia, written by Debbie Wiseman
• Best Song Included in a Film or Television Programme: Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman, composed by Robert John ‘Mutt’ Lange, Michael Kamen and Bryan Adams. Also nominated: Kiss from a Rose, composed by Seal; Goldeneye, performed by Tina Turner, composed by Bono and The Edge
• The Jimmy Kennedy Award: Tony Macaulay
• Outstanding Contribution to British Musical Theatre: Cameron Mackintosh
• An Outstanding Contemporary Song Collection: Joan Armatrading
• Songwriters of the Year: Blur (Damon Albarn, Graham Coxon, Alex James, Dave Rowntree) and Noel Gallagher (presented jointly)
• PRS Outstanding Contribution to British Music: Small Faces (Kenney Jones, Ronnie Lane, Steve Marriott and Ian McLagan)
• Outstanding Services to British Music: Jeff Lynne

Ivor Novello Awards 1997

London’s Grosvenor House hosted the 1997 ceremony on 19th May.

• PRS Award for Most Performed Work of 1996: Fast Love, written by George Michael. Also nominated: Give Me a Little More Time, written by Gabrielle, Benjamin Wolff, Andrew Dean, Ben Barson; Don’t Look Back in Anger, performed by Oasis, written by Noel Gallagher
• Best Commissioned Film Score: 101 Dalmatians, composed by Michael Kamen. Also nominated: Independence Day, composed by David Arnold; Twelfth Night, composed by Shaun Davey
• Best Selling British Written Single in the UK: Hetty Wainthropp Investigates, composed by Nigel Hess. Also nominated: Wannabe, performed by Spice Girls, written by Victoria Adams, Melanie Brown, Emma Bunton, Melanie Chisholm, Geri Halliwell, Matt Rowe and Richard Stannard
• Best Music Commissioned for a Broadcast Production: Cold Lazurus, composed by Christopher Gunning; Rhodes, composed by Alan Parker
• Best Contemporary Song: A Design for Life, performed by Manic Street Preachers, written by James Dean Bradfield, Sean Moore and Nicky Wire. Also nominated: Lifted, performed by Lighthouse Family, written by Paul Tucker, Martin Brammer and Tunde Baiyewu; Firestarter, performed by The Prodigy, written by Liam Howlett and Keith Flint
• Outstanding Song Collection: Richard Thompson
• Best Song Musically and Lyrically: Too Much Love Will Kill You, performed by Queen, written by Brian May, Frank Musker and Elizabeth Lamers. Also nominated: I Am I Feel, performed by Alisha’s Attic, written by Terence Martin, Karen Poole and Michelle Poole; Neighbourhood, performed by Space, written by Thomas Scott, Andrew Parle, James Edwards and Francis Griffiths
• International Achievement: The Cranberries (Noel Hogan and Dolores O’Riordan)
• The Jimmy Kennedy Award: Mike Chapman and Nicky Chinn
• International Hit of the Year: Wannabe
• Songwriter of the Year: George Michael
• PRS Outstanding Contribution to British Music Award: Elvis Costello
• Lifetime Achievement: Led Zeppelin (John Bonham, John Paul Jones, Jimmy Page and Robert Plant)

Ivor Novello Awards 1998

The 1998 Ivor Novello ceremony took place on 28th May 1998 at Grosvenor House, London.

• PRS Most Performed Work: I’ll Be Missing You (Every Breath You Take), performed by Puff Daddy, written by Sting. Also nominated: Say What you Want, performed by Texas, written by Sharleen Spiteri and Johnny McElhone; Black Eyed Boy, performed by Texas, written by Sharleen Spiteri, Johnny McElhone, Edward Campbell, Richard Hynd and Robert Hodgens
• Best Original Film Score: William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet, composed by Craig Armstrong, Marius De Vries and Nellee Hooper. Also nominated: Tomorrow Never Dies, composed by David Arnold; Wilde, composed by Debbie Wiseman
• Best Selling UK Single: Candle in the Wind 1997, written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin. Also nominated: Teletubbies Say Eh-Oh!, written by Andrew McCrorie-Shand; I’ll Be Missing You (Every Breath You Take)
• Best Original Music For A Broadcast: Rebecca, composed by Christopher Gunning. Also nominated: Melissa, composed by Richard Harvey and Steve Baker; Crime Traveller, composed by Anne Dudley
• Best Contemporary Song: Karma Police, written by Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, Phil Selway, Colin Greenwood and Ed O’Brien. Also nominated: Smile, written by James McColl, Ken McAlpine and Alan Tilston; The Drugs Don’t Work, written by Richard Ashcroft
• Best Song Collection: Johnny McElhone and Sharleen Spiteri
• Best Original Song for a Film or Broadcast: Picture of You, written by Paul Wilson, Andy Watkins, Ronan Keating and Eliot Kennedy. Also nominated: Step By Step, written by Annie Lennox; Surrender, written by David Arnold, David McAlmont and Don Black
• Best Song Musically and Lyrically: Paranoid Android, performed by Radiohead, written by Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, Phil Selway, Colin Greenwood and Ed O’Brien. Also nominated: Brimful of Asha, written by Tjinder Singh; Angels, written by Robbie Williams and Guy Chambers
• International Achievement: Enya, Nicky Ryan and Roma Ryan
• Best Dance Music: You’re Not Alone, performed by Olive, written by Tim Kellett and Robin Taylor-Firth. Also nominated: Gunman, performed by 187 Lockdown, written by Julian Jonah and Danny Harrison; Sunchyme, performed by Dario G, written by Gilbert Gabriel, Nick Laird Clowes, Stephen Spencer, Paul Spencer and Scott Rosser
• PRS Outstanding Contribution to British Music: Morrissey
• International Hit of the Year: Candle in the Wind 1997. Also nominated: I’ll Be Missing You (Every Breath You Take); Spice Up Your Life, performed by Spice Girls, written by Richard Stannard, Matt Rowe, Melanie Brown, Victoria Adams, Geri Halliwell, Emma Bunton and Melanie Chisholm
• Songwriter of the Year: Richard Ashcroft
• The Jimmy Kennedy Award: Barry Mason

Ivor Novello Awards 1999

The 1999 Ivor Novello Awards were presented on 27th May 1999 at Grosvenor House, London.

• PRS Most Performed Work: Angels, written by Robbie Williams and Guy Chambers. Also nominated: High, performed by Lighthouse Family, written by Paul Tucker and Tunde Baiyewu; Never Ever, performed by All Saints, written by Shaznay Lewis, Sean Mather and Esmail Jazayeri
• Best Selling UK Single: Believe, performed by Cher, written by Brian Higgins, Steve Torch, Paul Barry, Stuart McLennan, Tim Powell and Matt Gray. Also nominated: No Matter What, performed by Boyzone, written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Jim Steinman; C’est La Vie, performed by B*Witched, written by Tracy Ackerman, Ray Hedges, Martin Brannigan, Edele Lynch, Keavy Lynch, Lindsay Armaou and Sinéad O’Carroll
• Best Original Film Score: Firelight, composed by Christopher Gunning. Also nominated: Dancing at Lughnasa, composed by Bill Whelan; Ever After, composed by George Fenton
• Best Contemporary Song: Here’s Where the Story Ends, performed by Tin Tin Out, written by Harriet Wheeler and David Gavurin. Also nominated: Road Rage, performed by Catatonia, written by Mark Roberts, Cerys Matthews, David Jones, Aled Richards and Owen Powell; What Can I Do, performed by The Corrs, written by Andrea Corr, Caroline Corr, Sharon Corr and James Corr
• Best Original Music for a Television / Radio Broadcast: Close Relations, composed by Rob Lane. Also nominated: Life of Birds, composed by Steven Faux and Ian Butcher; Selfridges: The Shop, composed by Barrie Bignold
• Best Song Commissioned for a Film or Broadcast: The Flame Still Burns, written by Chris Difford, Marti Frederiksen and Mick Jones. Also nominated: Why Won’t You Shag Me, written by Owen Vyse and Guy Pratt; Kipper, written by Robert Heatlie
• Best Song Musically and Lyrically: Believe. Also nominated: C’est La Vie; A Little Soul, performed by Pulp, written by Jarvis Cocker, Nick Banks, Candida Doyle, Steve Mackey and Mark Webber
• Outstanding Song Collection: Jamiroquai (Wallis Buchanan, Simon Katz, Jay Kay, Derrick McKenzie, Toby Smith and Stuart Zender)
• The Ivors Dance Award: Horny, written by Mousse T and Errol Rennalls. Also nominated: Sing It Back, performed by Moloko, written by Mark Brydon and Róisín Murphy; I Can’t Help Myself, performed by Lucid, written by Mark Hadfield and Adam Ryan Carter
• International Achievement: Martin Gore
• The Jimmy Kennedy Award: Peter Callander and Mitch Murray
• International Hit of the Year: Believe, written by Brian Higgins, Stuart McLennan, Paul Barry, Steve Torch, Matt Gray and Tim Powell. Also nominated: Life, written by Des’ree Weekes and Prince Sampson; No Matter What, written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Jim Steinman
• PRS Outstanding Contribution to British Music: Chrissie Hynde
• The Special International Award: Hal David
• Songwriters of the Year: Guy Chambers and Robbie Williams
• Lifetime Achievement: Rod Stewart

Further Reading

• 1990-1999 on theivors.com

Ivor Novello Awards – The 1980s

After drifting off the rails somewhat in the 1970s, the Ivor Novello Awards started to go back to being about songwriting in the 1980s. Although they still seemed a little more obsessed with Bucks Fizz and Cliff Richard than is really healthy.

Ivor Novello Awards 1980

Grosvenor House, London, hosted the 25th Ivor Novello Award ceremony.

• The Best Song Musically and Lyrically: The Logical Song, performed by Supertramp, written by Rick Davies and Roger Hodgson. Also nominated: Bright Eyes, performed by Art Garfunkel, written by Mike Batt; We Don’t Talk Anymore, performed by Cliff Richard, written by Alan Tarney
• The Best Pop Song: I Don’t Like Mondays, performed by The Boomtown Rats, written by Bob Geldof. Also nominated: Video Killed the Radio Star, performed by Buggles, written by Bruce Woolley, Trevor Horn and Geoff Downes; Off the Wall, performed by Michael Jackson, written by Rodney Temperton
• The Best Theme from a Radio or Television Production: Nunc Dimittis, written by Geoffrey Burgon. Also nominated: Secret Army, written by Robert Farnon; Shoestring, written by George Fenton
• The Best Film Song, Theme or Score: Caravans, written by Mike Batt. Also nominated: Music Machine, written by Leslie Hurdle and Frank Ricotti; Yanks, written by Richard Rodney Bennett
• The Outstanding British Lyric: I Don’t Like Mondays. Also nominated: He Was Beautiful, performed by Iris Williams, written by Cleo Laine; Bright Eyes
• The Best Instrumental or Popular Orchestral Work: War of the Worlds, written by Jeff Wayne and Gary Osborne. Also nominated: The Valley of Swords, written by Mike Batt; African Sanctus, written by David Fanshawe
• The International Hit of the Year: We Don’t Talk Anymore, performed by Cliff Richard, written by Alan Tarney. Also nominated: Too Much Heaven, performed by Bee Gees, written by Barry Gibb, Robin Gibb and Maurice Gibb; I Don’t Like Mondays
• The Most Performed Work: Bright Eyes. Also nominated: We Don’t Talk Anymore; Cavatina, performed by John Williams, written by Stanley Myers
• The Best Selling ‘A’ Side: Bright Eyes. Also nominated: I Don’t Like Mondays; Another Brick in the Wall (Part 2), performed by Pink Floyd, written by Roger Waters
• The Best British Musical: Songbook, written by Monty Norman and Julian More. Also nominated: A Day in Hollywood, A Night in the Ukraine, written by Dick Vosburgh and Frank Lazarus
• Award for Outstanding Services to British Music: Robert Mayer
• Songwriter of the Year: Ben Findon
• Special Award for International Achievement: Paul McCartney
• Special Award for Lifetime Achievement: Edgar Yipsel Harburg and Jimmy Kennedy

Ivor Novello Awards 1981

The 26th Ivor Novello Awards were held at Grosvenor House, London.

• The Best Song Musically and Lyrically: Woman in Love, performed by Barbara Streisand, written by Barry Gibb and Robin Gibb. Also nominated: Babooshka, written by Kate Bush; Together We Are Beautiful, performed by Fern Kinney, written by Ken Leray; Your Ears Should be Burning Now, performed by Marti Webb, written by Tony Macaulay and Don Black
• The Best Pop Song: Stop the Cavalry, written by Jona Lewie. Also nominated: Don’t Stand So Close to Me, performed by The Police, written by Sting; What You’re Proposing, performed by Status Quo, written by Francis Rossi and Bernard Frost
• The Best Theme from a Television or Radio Production: I Could Be So Good for You, written by Gerard Kenny and Patricia Waterman. Also nominated: Fox, written by George Fenton; Juliet Bravo, written by J.S. Bach and arranged by Derek Goom
• The Best Film Song, Theme or Score: Xanadu, written by Jeff Lynne. Also nominated: Flash, written by Brian May; Silver Dream Machine, written by David Essex
• The Outstanding British Lyric: Take That Look Off Your Face, performed by Marti Webb, written by Don Black. Also nominated: Stop the Cavalry, written by Jona Lewie; Woman in Love, performed by Barbara Streisand, written by Barry Gibb and Robin Gibb
• The International Hit of the Year: Another Brick in the Wall (Part 2). Also nominated: Woman in Love; Another One Bites the Dust, performed by Queen, written by John Deacon
• The Most Performed Work: Together We Are Beautiful. Also nominated: January, February, performed by Barbara Dickson, written by Alan Tarney; I’m In The Mood for Dancing, performed by The Nolan Sisters, written by Ben Findon, Michael Myers and Robert Puzey
• The Best Selling ‘A’ Side: There’s No One Quite Like Grandma, performed by St. Winifred’s School Choir, written by Gordon Lorenz. Also nominated: Woman in Love; Don’t Stand So Close to Me
• Award for Outstanding Services to British Music: William Walton
• Special Award for Outstanding Contribution to British Music: John Lennon
• Songwriter of the Year: Ben Findon

Ivor Novello Awards 1982

The 27th Ivor Novello Awards were held at Grosvenor House, London.

• The Best Song Musically and Lyrically: Memory, written by Andrew Lloyd Webber, T.S. Eliot and Trevor Nunn. Also nominated: Woman, written by John Lennon, The Land of Make Believe, performed by Bucks Fizz, written by Andy Hill and Pete Sinfield
• The Best Pop Song: Every Little Thing She Does is Magic, performed by The Police, written by Sting. Also nominated: Don’t You Want Me, performed by The Human League, written by Phil Oakey, Adrian Wright and Jo Callis; Wired for Sound, performed by Cliff Richard, written by Alan Tarney and BA Robertson
• The Best Theme from a Television or Radio Production: Brideshead Revisited, written by Geoffrey Burgon. Also nominated: Flame Trees of Thika, written by Ken Howard and Alan Blaikley; Shillingbury Tales, written by Ed Welch
• The Best Film Theme or Song: The French Lieutenant’s Woman, written by Carl Davis. Also nominated: Without Your Love, written by Billy Nicholls; For Your Eyes Only, written by Bill Conti and Mick Leeson
• The Outstanding British Lyric: Woman. Also nominated: The One That You Love, performed by Air Supply, written by Graham Russell; When He Shines, performed by Sheena Easton, written by Florrie Palmer and Dominic Bugatti
• The Best Selling ‘A’ Side: Stand and Deliver, performed by Adam and the Ants, written by Adam Ant and Marco Pirroni. Also nominated: Vienna, performed by Ultravox, written by Billy Currie, Chris Cross, Warren Cann and Midge Ure; Don’t You Want Me
• The International Hit of the Year: In the Air Tonight, written by Phil Collins. Also nominated: (Just Like) Starting Over, written by John Lennon; Woman in Love; Every Little Thing She Does is Magic
• The Most Performed Work: You Drive Me Crazy, performed by Shakin’ Stevens, written by Ronnie Harwood. Also nominated: Woman
• Award for Outstanding Services to British Music: Lennox Berkeley
• The Best British Musical: Cats, written by: Andrew Lloyd Webber and Trevor Nunn
• Songwriters of the Year: Adam Ant and Marco Pirroni
• Special Award for Outstanding Contribution to British Music: Roger Daltrey, John Entwistle, Kenney Jones, Keith Moon and Pete Townshend

Ivor Novello Awards 1983

The 28th Ivor Novello Awards were held at Grosvenor House, London.

• The Best Song Musically and Lyrically: Have You Ever Been in Love, written by Andy Hill, Pete Sinfield and John Danter. Also nominated: Now Those Days Are Gone, performed by Bucks Fizz, written by Andy Hill and Nichola Martin; Heartbreaker, performed by Bee Gees, written by Barry Gibb, Robin Gibb and Maurice Gibb
• The Best Pop Song: Our House, performed by Madness, written by Carl Smyth and Chris Foreman. Also nominated: I Don’t Wanna Dance, written by Eddy Grant; Come On Eileen, performed by Dexys Midnight Runners, written by Kevin Rowland, Kevin Adams and James Paterson
• The Best Theme from a Television or Radio Production: Theme From Harry’s Game, composed by Paul Brennan. Also nominated: Omnibus, composed by George Fenton; Smiley’s People, composed by Patrick Gowers
• The Best Film Theme or Song: For All Mankind, composed by Ravi Shankar and George Fenton. Also nominated: Time and Tide, composed by Alan Price; Another Brick in the Wall (Part 2)
• The Outstanding British Lyric: Private Investigations, performed by Dire Straits, written by Mark Knopfler. Also nominated: The Dreaming, written by Kate Bush; Have You Ever Been in Love
• The Best Selling ‘A’ Side: Come On Eileen. Also nominated: Do You Really Want to Hurt Me, performed by Culture Club, written by Boy George, Michael Craig, John Moss and Roy Hay; Ebony and Ivory, written by Paul McCartney and performed with Stevie Wonder
• The International Hit of the Year: Ebony and Ivory. Also nominated: Heartbreaker; Don’t You Want Me
• The Most Performed Work: Golden Brown, performed by The Stranglers, written by Jean J. Burnell, Hugh Cornwell, Jet Black and David Greenfield. Also nominated: Oh Julie, written by Shakin’ Stevens; Love Plus One, performed by Haircut 100, written by Nick Heyward
• The Best British Musical: Windy City, written by: Tony Macaulay and Dick Vosburgh
• Lifetime Achievement in British Music: Vivian Ellis
• Songwriter of the Year: Andy Hill
• Outstanding Contribution to British Music: Tony Banks, Phil Collins, Peter Gabriel, Steve Hackett and Mike Rutherford
• Special Award for 25 Years In The Music Business: Brian Bennett, Hank Marvin and Bruce Welch

Ivor Novello Awards 1984

The 29th Ivor Novello Awards were held at Grosvenor House, London.

• The Best Song Musically and Lyrically: Every Breath You Take, performed by The Police, written by Sting. Also nominated: Pipes of Peace, written by Paul McCartney; True, performed by Spandau Ballet, written by Gary Kemp
• The Best Pop Song: Karma Chameleon, performed by Culture Club, written by Boy George, John Moss, Michael Craig, Roy Hay and Phil Pickett. Also nominated: Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This), performed by Eurythmics, written by Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart; Thriller, performed by Michael Jackson, written by Rod Temperton
• The Best Rock Song: Let’s Dance, written by David Bowie. Also nominated: Every Breath You Take; Owner of a Lonely Heart, performed by Yes, written by Trevor Rabin, Jon Anderson, Chris Squire and Trevor Horn
• The Best Theme from a TV or Radio Production: That’s Livin’ Alright, composed by David Mackay and Ken Ashby. Also nominated: The Late Late Breakfast Show, composed by Gary Kemp; Partners in Crime, composed by Joseph Horovitz
• The Best Film Theme or Song: Going Home, written by Mark Knopfler. Also nominated: Walking in the Air, written by Howard Blake; All Time High, written by Tim Rice and John Barry
• The Best British Musical: Blood Brothers, written by Willie Russell. Also nominated: Poppy, written by Pete Nichols and Monty Norman; Mr Cinders, written by Clifford Grey, Greatrex Newman, Leo Robin, Vivian Ellis and Richard Myers
• The Best Selling ‘A’ Side: Karma Chameleon. Also nominated: Only You, performed by Yazoo, written by Vince Clarke; Let’s Dance, written by David Bowie
• The Most Performed Work: Every Breath You Take. Also nominated: Karma Chameleon; Moonlight Shadow, written by Mike Oldfield
• The International Hit of the Year: Let’s Dance, written by David Bowie. Also nominated: Every Breath You Take; Karma Chameleon
• Outstanding Services to British Music: Andrew Lloyd Webber
• Songwriters of the Year: Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart
• Outstanding Contribution to British Music: Andy Brown, Peter Kircher, Alan Lancaster, Rick Parfitt and Francis Rossi

Ivor Novello Awards 1985

The 30th Ivor Novello Awards were held at Grosvenor House, London.

• Best Contemporary Song: Two Tribes, performed by Frankie Goes to Hollywood, written by Holly Johnson, Peter Gill and Mark O’Toole. Also nominated: I Won’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me, written by Nik Kershaw; Relax, performed by Frankie Goes to Hollywood, written by Holly Johnson, Peter Gill and Mark O’Toole
• Best Song Musically and Lyrically: Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now), written by Phil Collins. Also nominated: Careless Whisper, performed by Wham!, written by George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley; I Should have Known Better, written by Jim Diamond and Graham Lyle
• Best Theme from a TV or Radio Production: Jewel in the Crown, written by George Fenton. Also nominated: Another Six English Towns, written by Jim Parker; Kennedy, written by Richard Hartley
• Best Film Theme or Song: We All Stand Together, written by Paul McCartney. Also nominated: Champions, written by Carl Davis; Company of Wolves, written by George Fenton
• Best British Musical: The Hired Man, words and music by Howard Goodall. Also nominated: Starlight Express, written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Richard Stilgoe; The Boyfriend, written by Sandy Wilson
• Most Performed Work: Careless Whisper. Also nominated: Two Tribes; I Won’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me
• The Best Selling ‘A’ Side: Do They Know It’s Christmas?, performed by Band Aid, written by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure
• International Hit of the Year: The Reflex, performed by Duran Duran, written by Simon Le Bon, John Taylor, Roger Taylor, Andy Taylor and Nick Rhodes. Also nominated: Caribbean Queen (No More Love on the Run), written by Billie Ocean and Keith Diamond; Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go, performed by Wham!, written by George Michael
• Outstanding Services to British Music: Michael Tippett
• Songwriter of the Year: George Michael
• The Jimmy Kennedy Award: Tommie Connor
• Outstanding Contribution to British Music: Graeme Edge, Justin Hayward, John Lodge, Patrick Moraz and Ray Thomas

Ivor Novello Awards 1986

The 31st Ivor Novello Awards were held at Grosvenor House, London.

• Best Contemporary Song: We Don’t Need Another Hero (Thunderdome), performed by Tina Turner, written by Graham Lyle and Terry Britten. Also nominated: 19, written by Paul Hardcastle, Mike Oldfield, Bill Couturie and Jonas McCord; Money for Nothing, performed by Dire Straits, written by Mark Knopfler and Sting; Running Up That Hill, written by Kate Bush
• Best Song Musically and Lyrically: Nikita, written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin. Also nominated: I Want To Know What Love Is, performed by Foreigner, written by Mick Jones; Everybody Wants to Rule the World, performed by Tears for Fears, written by Roland Orzabal, Ian Stanley and Chris Hughes; I Know Him So Well, performed by Elaine Page, written by Tim Rice, Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson
• The Best Theme from a Television or Radio Production: Edge of Darkness, written by Eric Clapton and Michael Kamen. Also nominated: The Last Place on Earth, written by Trevor Jones; Eastenders, written by Leslie Osborne and Simon May
• The Best Film Theme or Song: We Don’t Need Another Hero, written by Graham Lyle and Terry Britten. Also nominated: Hit That Perfect Beat, written by John Foster, Steve Bronski and Larry Steinbachek; A View to a Kill, written by Duran Duran and John Barry
• The Best British Musical: Me and My Girl, written by Reginald Armitage and Douglas Furber. Also nominated: Lennon, written by Paul McCartney and John Lennon; Mutiny, written by David Essex and Richard Crane
• Most Performed Work: Easy Lover, written by: Phillip Bailey, Phil Collins and Nathan East
• Best Selling ‘A’ Side: I Know Him So Well. Also nominated: 19; Easy Lover
• International Hit of the Year: 19. Also nominated: Shout, performed by Tears for Fears, written by Roland Orzabal and Ian Stanley; A View to a Kill, written by Duran Duran and John Barry
• The Jimmy Kennedy Award: Lionel Bart
• Outstanding Services to British Music: Malcolm Arnold
• Songwriter of the Year: Roland Orzabal
• Outstanding Contribution to British Music: Elton John

Ivor Novello Awards 1987

The 1987 Ivor Novello Awards took place on 15th April at Grosvenor House, London.

• Best Contemporary Song: It’s Alright (Baby’s Coming Back), performed by Eurythmics, written by Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart. Also nominated: West End Girls, performed by Pet Shop Boys, written by Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe; Sledgehammer, written by Peter Gabriel
• Best Song Musically and Lyrically: Don’t Give Up, written by Peter Gabriel. Also nominated: All I Ask of You, written by Charles Hart, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Richard Stilgoe; The Miracle of Love, performed by Eurythmics, written by Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart
• Best Selling ‘A’ Side: Every Loser Wins, written by Simon May, Stewart James and Bradley James. Also nominated: Chain Reaction, written by Barry Gibb, Maurice Gibb and Robin Gibb; Living Doll, written by Lionel Bart
• Best Theme from a Television or Radio Production: The Monocled Mutineer, written by George Fenton. Also nominated: Theme from Lost Empires, written by Derek Hilton; Time After Time, written by Rod Argent and Robert Howes
• Most Performed Work: Chain Reaction, performed by Diana Ross, written by: Barry Gibb, Maurice Gibb and Robin Gibb
• International Hit of the Year: West End Girls. Also nominated: Nikita, written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin; The Edge of Heaven, performed by Wham!, written by George Michael
• Best Film Theme or Song: Sweet Freedom, written by Rod Temperton. Also nominated: A Kind of Magic, written by Roger Taylor; In Too Deep, written by Tony Banks, Phil Collins and Mike Rutherford
• The Best British Musical: The Phantom of the Opera, written by Charles Hart, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Richard Stilgoe. Also nominated: Chess, written by Tim Rice, Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson; Charlie Girl, written by David Heneker and John Taylor
• The Jimmy Kennedy Award: Hugh Charles
• Songwriters of the Year: Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart
• Outstanding Services to British Music: Yehudi Menuhin
• Outstanding Contribution to British Music: John Deacon, Freddie Mercury, Brian May and Roger Taylor

Ivor Novello Awards 1988

The 1988 Ivor Novello Awards took place on 7th April at Grosvenor House, London.

• Best Contemporary Song: You Win Again, performed by Bee Gees, written by Barry Gibb, Robin Gibb and Maurice Gibb. Also nominated: Never Gonna Give You Up, performed by Rick Astley, written by Stock Aitken Waterman (Mike Stock, Matt Aitken and Pete Waterman); What Have I Done to Deserve This?, performed by Pet Shop Boys with Dusty Springfield, written by Chris Lowe, Neil Tennant and Allee Willis
• Best Song Musically and Lyrically: (Something Inside) So Strong, written by Labi Siffre. Also nominated: I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me), performed by Aretha Franklin and George Michael, written by Simon Climie and Dennis Morgan; Throwing It All Away, written by Tony Banks, Phil Collins and Michael Rutherford
• Best Selling ‘A’ Side: Never Gonna Give You Up. Also nominated: You Win Again; China in Your Hand, performed by T’Pau, written by Carol Decker and Ronald Rogers
• Outstanding Services to British Music: David Heneker
• Best Theme from a Television or Radio Production: Fortunes of War, written by Richard Holmes. Also nominated: Neighbours, written by Tony Hatch and Jackie Trent; My Family and Other Animals, written by Daryl Runswick
• Most Performed Work: Never Gonna Give You Up. Also nominated: Respectable, performed by Mel and Kim, written by Stock Aitken Waterman; Living in a Box, performed by Living in a Box, written by Marcus Vere and Steve Pigott
• International Hit of the Year: Never Gonna Give You Up, written by Stock Aitken Waterman. Also nominated: It’s a Sin, performed by Pet Shop Boys, written by Chris Lowe and Neil Tennant; I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)
• Best Film Score Theme or Song: Cry Freedom, written by George Fenton and Jonas Gwangwa. Also nominated: The Living Daylights, written by John Barry and Pal Waaktaar; Theme from Castaway, written by Stanley Myers
• The Jimmy Kennedy Award: Norman Newell
• Songwriters of the Year: Matt Aitken, Mike Stock and Peter Waterman
• Outstanding Contribution to British Music: Barry Gibb, Maurice Gibb and Robin Gibb

Ivor Novello Awards 1989

The 1989 Ivor Novello Awards were held on 4th April at Grosvenor House, London.

• Best Contemporary Song: Love Changes (Everything), written by Simon Climie, Dennis Morgan and Rob Fisher. Also nominated: A Little Respect, performed by Erasure, written by Andy Bell and Vince Clarke; Father Figure, written by George Michael
• Best Song Musically and Lyrically: They Dance Alone (Cueca Solo), written by Sting. Also nominated: Perfect, performed by Fairground Attraction, written by Mark Nevin; Mary’s Prayer, performed by Danny Wilson, written by Gary Clark
• Best Selling ‘A’ Side: Mistletoe & Wine, performed by Cliff Richard, written by Leslie Stewart, Jeremy Paul and Keith Strachan. Also nominated: Especially for You, performed by Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan, written by Stock Aitken Waterman; I Should Be So Lucky, performed by Kylie Minogue, written by Stock Aitken Waterman
• Most Performed Work: I Should Be So Lucky. Also nominated: Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car, written by Billy Ocean and Robert John ‘Mutt’ Lange; Love Changes (Everything)
• Best Theme from a TV or Radio Production: Testament, written by Nigel Hess. Also nominated: The Long March, written by Christopher Gunning; Young Musician of the Year, written by Edward Gregson
• Best Film Theme or Song: Two Hearts, written by Phil Collins and Lamont Dozier. Also nominated: A Fish Called Wanda, written by Trevor Jones and  John Du Prez; Childhood Days, written by Barry Gibb and Maurice Gibb
• International Hit of the Year: Faith, written by George Michael. Also nominated: I Should Be So Lucky; Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car
• Outstanding Contribution to British Music: Mark Knopfler and John Illsley
• Songwriters of the Year: George Michael and Matt Aitken, Mike Stock and Peter Waterman (presented jointly)
• The Jimmy Kennedy Award: Leslie Bricusse
• Outstanding Services to British Music: Paul McCartney
• Lifetime Achievement: Cliff Richard

Further Reading

• 1980-1989 on theivors.com