Complete Guide to The British Rock & Pop Awards

Posted on 03/12/2020 by rollo

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 1982

Posted on 12/11/2020 by rollo

The 1982 ceremony was held on 9th February 1983, to celebrate the music of the preceding year. The ceremony took place at The Lyceum in London, and was presented by Anne Diamond and David “Kid” Jensen.

On 15th January, Tommy Vance and Kid Jensen voiced this promo for the awards for BBC Radio 1 (also trailed here). There’s some early coverage from Nationwide, below:

Best Female Singer

Winner: Alison Moyet

Daily Mirror Readers’ Award for the Outstanding Pop Personality

Winner: Boy George

Best Group or Band

Winner: Duran Duran, with Culture Club in second place and Dexys Midnight Runners in third.

Best Male Singer

Presented by Toyah Willcox. Winner: Simon Le Bon

Best Album

Nominees included:

ABC – Lexicon of Love
Duran Duran – Rio
Madness – Complete Madness

ABC ended up in third place; Madness in second; and the winner was Duran Duran

Best Single

Nominees included:

Adam Ant – Goody Two Shoes
Culture Club – Do You Really Want to Hurt Me?
Dexys Midnight Runners – Come On Eileen
Musical Youth – Pass the Dutchie

Winner: Dexys Midnight Runners, with Duran Duran in second and Culture Club in third.

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

Winner: unknown

Further Details

Performances

Bananarama
The Belle Stars
Imagination
Junior
Kim Wilde – View from a Bridge

Comparison with the BRIT Awards

The 1983 BPI Awards can be viewed here, and was a very different ceremony. Alison Moyet wasn’t yet the ceremony favourite, and Boy George and Duran Duran failed to win too.

Sources

British Rock & Pop Awards 1982-1984
Radio Times article from 16-24 February 1984 (shared by Henrique Reikdal)
BFI record for the BBC broadcast
BBC Genome record for the BBC1 broadcast
BBC Radio 1 promo
Another BBC Radio 1 promo
Picture of Boy George winning
Another picture of Boy George winning
Image and description of the presentation of the Best Male Singer award
Notes shared by wyngatecarpenter

Ivor Novello Awards Winners 1956-2018 (Part Two)

Posted on 06/12/2018 by rollo

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)

Posted on 29/11/2018 by rollo

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 1990s

Posted on 08/11/2018 by rollo

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

Posted on 01/11/2018 by rollo

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

Duran Duran – Rio

Posted on 09/05/2017 by rollo

For something that’s thirty-five years old, Rio sounds pretty good. It starts quietly, but it doesn’t take long to explode in its overproduced wonder. It’s hard to imagine a world where Rio wasn’t a huge hit, a very long time ago.

But that world did exist – and took the first steps towards the one we know today when Duran Duran first appeared in 1981, and gave us a taste of what would become one of the most iconic sounds of the eighties – seemingly overflowing with money and suits with enormous shoulder pads and hair. Or whatever.

Having got the title track out of the way right at the start, that only leaves another eight tracks, a further three of which were singles. My Own Way was the first of them, and actually pretty much everything on here sounds as though it could have been one too. Whether or not it’s actually any good is definitely a matter of perspective, but it’s hard to deny that they were sure of themselves.

Lonely in Your Nightmare is next, definitely one of the weaker moments on here. It’s got a pleasant broken-down chorus half way through, but that’s really about all you can say about it. A little filler here and there is forgiveable, although it is surprising, given how few tracks there are on here.

But on this album you’re never far away from a single, and it’s Hungry Like the Wolf that turns up next. Duran Duran were really at their peak at this time, and this is a fantastic song. But you probably knew that already.

This is not so true for Hold Back the Rain – there’s a decent chorus here, but there’s also a good chance that by this point, half way through the album already, you might be starting to tire of Simon Le Bon‘s inimitable (well, it’s probably very imitable, actually) vocal style.

Side B opens with New Religion, a slightly more subdued piece, which is slightly overshadowed by the other singles on here, but if it hadn’t have been for them, it would have been an entirely competent lead single by itself. I’ve no idea what the lyrics are supposed to be about, but then that’s true for a lot of the songs on here.

Last Chance on the Stairway follows, a catchy album track which surely merits a mention for its xylophone solo at the half way point, if nothing else. And then we’re on to Save a Prayer, which might not be seem quite as enormous as Rio (although it was a much bigger chart hit) but for the first time on here – perhaps the first time ever – Duran Duran really captured a haunting quality with the combination of vocals and synth sounds. When you think what else was floating around on the charts in 1982, this album really was a long way ahead of its time – even if that might have to some degree been the result of money as much as vision.

Then we’re on to the final track already, The Chauffeur, a great song driven by a haunting arpeggio and some very creative percussive synth sounds. You’ll be tapping your feet in no time.

If you’re going to buy a Duran Duran album, this is the one to go for – it’s an accomplished piece of early eighties pop. It has its less good moments, of course, but nearly fifty percent of tracks on here were enormous hit singles, and that wasn’t purely because of the videos or the singers’ good looks or tight clothes. They really had something for a while, and this is the album where they had it.

Various versions of Rio are available, but unless you want endless versions of the same nine tracks, you might as well just go with the remastered original.