BMI Celebrates its 2021 London Award Winners
Rising star Arlo Parks receives the BMI Impact Award; Renowned songwriter/producer Inflo honoured with the BMI Champion Award; “Before You Go” co-written by Tom Barnes is Song of the Year; Million-Air, Top Pop and Film, TV & Visual Media Awards also announced.
BMI proudly honoured the top UK and European songwriters, composers and music publishers of the most-performed songs of the previous year at the 2021 BMI London Awards. Rising star Arlo Parks received the BMI Impact Award, a recognition given for groundbreaking artistry, creative vision and impact on the future of music. Elusive and renowned UK songwriter and producer Dean ‘Inflo’ Josiah Cover was honoured with the BMI Champion Award, recognizing his incredible creative accomplishments and powerful contributions to culture, social policy and racial justice through his music. Song of the Year went to the smash hit “Before You Go” co-written by Tom Barnes. In addition, Million-Air Awards, Top 30 Pop Songs and the best in Film, TV & Visual Media were also announced across BMI’s digital and social channels. Fans can listen to award-winning songs, hear special messages from some of our honourees, including the stories behind their hit songs, as well as an exclusive performance by Arlo Parks and much more on our special page.
“We’re extremely proud to recognise BMI’s top UK and European music creators and celebrate songwriting at its very best,” said Shirin Foroutan, Vice President, Creative, Europe. “This year, we’re presenting two special awards to two incredible innovators in music. The formidable Arlo Parks is receiving the BMI Impact Award for the vulnerability and authenticity she shares in her songwriting, resonating with music lovers worldwide. In addition, as one of the most transformative songwriters/producers of our time, we’re presenting Inflo with the BMI Champion Award in recognition of his groundbreaking musical achievements and collaborations, and for using his platform to champion social change to help better our world. We are privileged to represent every one of our award winners and honourees and celebrate their continued success.”
BMI Impact Award honouree Arlo Parks is quickly becoming one of the most critically acclaimed songwriters of the year. From her debut album, Collapsed in Sunbeams, which took the 2021 Mercury Prize, to receiving the 2021 Brit Award for Breakthrough Artist and beyond, Parks is a uniquely talented music creator you need to know now, and fans and critics alike agree. The Guardian stated that “the London singer-songwriter’s warm, conversational and observant debut justifies the hype,” and it’s “a diaristic, near-perfect debut.” While she’s been dubbed the “voice of Gen Z,” she’s connecting with fans of all ages about mental health and is calling for the music industry to be more open about the issue.
Ivor Novello Award winner and Mercury-nominated songwriter and producer Inflo received the BMI Champion Award. Beyond his singular talent and extraordinary musical achievements both on his own and with the enigmatic collective, Sault, Inflo’s powerful contributions to culture, social policy and racial justice radiate throughout the group’s acclaimed album, Nine, adding to his captivating projects such as Untitled (Black Is), Untitled (Rise), Michael Kiwanuka’s Kiwanuka and Little Simz’s Grey Area and Sometimes I Might Be Introvert, and his latest work on Adele’s upcoming fourth album. Of his masterful works, Music Week noted that his “music is about more than just sound, it offers compelling comment on the world we live in.”
BMI songwriter Tom Barnes, of the production trio TMS, accepted Song of the Year for co-writing Lewis Capaldi’s smash hit “Before You Go,” which is awarded to the most performed song in the U.S. during the previous year by a UK or European writer. The single spent an astounding 52 weeks on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart and completed the longest journey to No. 1 on Billboard’s Pop Songs chart since it began in 1992, reaching the top in its 37th week. In a recent BMI’s How I Wrote That Song®, Barnes noted, “the song really resonated with people during the pandemic because many had to say goodbye to people without really saying goodbye.” This marks the third BMI London Award for Barnes, who also has three U.S. Pop Awards, one R&B/Hip-Hop Award and was co-writer of BMI’s 2016 R&B/Hip-Hop Song of the Year, “Me, Myself & I.”
BMI also announced the Top 30 most-performed pop songs written by UK or European songwriters, which includes 65 first-time London Pop Award winners. Some of the new inductees include Jessica Agombar and David Stewart who are each receiving their 1st and 2nd London Pop Award for their smash hits “Dynamite” by BTS and “What A Man Gotta Do” by Jonas Brothers, beabadoobee for “death bed (coffee for your head),” and KOLIDESCOPES for “Head & Heart” performed by Joel Corry & MNEK. Other pop honourees include Anne-Marie, Niall Horan, Sam Smith, Ed Sheeran and more.
BMI Million-Air Awards were also distributed to recognise the iconic songs that have reached a million or more broadcast performances by UK and European songwriters and publishers. Elton John’s classic hit songs “Bennie And The Jets” and “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” each reached seven million performances and “I Guess That’s Why They Call It the Blues” received six million performances. Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of You” and Nick Van Eede’s “(I Just) Died in Your Arms” performed by Cutting Crew also hit six million performances. In addition, Sheeran was honoured for “Love Yourself” with four million performances. Topping the list of legendary songwriters who have reached this milestone was Sting for 16 million performances of the timeless hit song, “Every Breath You Take,” which is the number one song in BMI’s repertoire. In addition, the BMI London Awards celebrated the UK and European composers behind the top-grossing films, top network television series and highest-ranking cable network and streamed media programs in the U.S. Icelandic composer Atli Örvarsson topped this category with six awards for his work on Chicago P.D., Chicago Med, Chicago Fire, FBI and FBI: Most Wanted, and Apple TV’s Defending Jacob.
Below is a complete list of winners.
Song of the Year
BEFORE YOU GO
Tom Barnes
BMG Rights Management (UK) Ltd.
Impact Award
ARLO PARKS
Champion Award
DEAN ‘INFLO’ JOSIAH COVER
Million-Air Awards
16 Million Performances Award
EVERY BREATH YOU TAKE
Sting
GM Sumner
Sony Music Publishing Ltd.
8 Million Performances Award
ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST
John Deacon
Queen Music Ltd.
Sony Music Publishing Ltd.
HIGHER LOVE
Steve Winwood
Will Jennings
Hipgnosis SFH I Ltd.
HONKY TONK WOMEN
Mick Jagger
Keith Richards
WE WILL ROCK YOU
Brian May
Queen Music Ltd.
Sony Music Publishing Ltd.
7 Million Performances Award
ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST
John Deacon
Queen Music Ltd.
Sony Music Publishing Ltd.
BAKER STREET
Gerry Rafferty
BMG Rights Management (UK) Ltd.
BENNIE AND THE JETS
Elton John
Universal Music Publishing Ltd.
DON’T GO BREAKING MY HEART
Elton John
HST Management Ltd.
Universal Music Publishing Ltd.
DON’T STAND SO CLOSE TO ME
Sting
GM Sumner
Sony Music Publishing Ltd.
HERE I GO AGAIN
Bernie Marsden
Sony Music Publishing Ltd.
LIVE AND LET DIE
Paul McCartney
MPL UK Publishing
Sony Music Publishing Ltd.
MONEY FOR NOTHING
Sting
GM Sumner
Sony Music Publishing Ltd.
WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS
Freddie Mercury
Queen Music Ltd.
Sony Music Publishing Ltd.
6 Million Performances Award
I GUESS THAT’S WHY THEY CALL IT THE BLUES
Elton John
HST Management Ltd.
Universal Music Publishing Ltd.
(I JUST) DIED IN YOUR ARMS
Nick van Eede
Sony Music Publishing Ltd.
IT MUST HAVE BEEN LOVE
Per Gessle
Jimmy Fun Music
KISS FROM A ROSE
Seal
Perfect Songs Ltd.
Universal Music Publishing Ltd.
OWNER OF A LONELY HEART
Jon Anderson
Trevor Horn
Trevor Rabin
BMG Rights Management (UK) Ltd.
Carlin Music Delaware
Unforgettable Songs Ltd.
SHAPE OF YOU
Johnny McDaid
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran Limited
Sony Music Publishing Ltd.
Spirit B-Unique Polar Patrol
5 Million Performances Award
HEARTBREAKER
Geoff Gill
Cliff Wade
G.G.A Music Ltd.
Universal Music Publishing Ltd.
IN TOO DEEP
Tony Banks
Phil Collins
Mike Rutherford
Concord Music Publishing LLP
Michael Rutherford Publishing Ltd.
Philip Collins Ltd.
THAT DON’T IMPRESS ME MUCH
Shania Twain
THE SIGN
Jenny Berggren
Jonas Berggren
Malin Berggren
Ulf Ekberg
Megasong Publishing
Warner Chappell Music Denmark AS
4 Million Performances Award
ENJOY THE SILENCE
Martin Gore
Sony Music Publishing Ltd.
FAT BOTTOMED GIRLS
Brian May
Queen Music Ltd.
Sony Music Publishing Ltd.
HELLO, GOODBYE
John Lennon
LOVE YOURSELF
Ed Sheeran
Benny Blanco
Ed Sheeran Limited
Hipgnosis SFH I Ltd.
Sony Music Publishing Ltd.
NIGHT FEVER
Barry Gibb
Maurice Gibb
Robin Gibb
Crompton Songs
MGB Ltd.
Redbreast Publishing Ltd.
Universal Music Publishing Int.
Universal Music Publishing Ltd.
SET FIRE TO THE RAIN
Fraser T. Smith
BMG Rights Management (UK) Ltd.
UNDER PRESSURE
David Bowie
John Deacon
Brian May
Freddie Mercury
Roger Taylor
Queen Music Ltd.
Sony Music Publishing Ltd.
Tintoretto Music/RZO Music Ltd.
WISH YOU WERE HERE
David Gilmour
Roger Waters
BMG Rights Management (UK) Ltd.
Concord Copyrights Ltd.
Pink Floyd Music Publishers Ltd.
Roger-Waters-Overseas-Ltd.
Most-Performed Songs of the Year
AFTER PARTY
Kevin Gomringer
Tim Gomringer
Nils
Mike Dean
Sonny Digital
Don Toliver
B.I.T.C.H.
Gary Cooper
Bootsy Collins
Martin “Helluva” McCurtis
Megan Thee Stallion
Doug Rasheed
Richie Rich
Musicallstars Bv
BEFORE YOU GO
Tom Barnes
BMG Rights Management (UK) Ltd.
BETTY
Joe Alwyn
Taylor Swift
BREAKING ME
Molly Irvine
BMG Rights Management GmbH
Junge Wilde Edition
BURN THE SHIPS
Matt Hales
Luke Smallbone
Universal Music Publishing Ltd.
DEATH BED (COFFEE FOR YOUR HEAD)
beabadoobee
Oscar Lang
Powfu
Dirty Hit Songs
Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Sony Music Publishing Ltd.
Universal Music Publishing Ltd.
DIAMONDS
Sam Smith
Naughty Words Ltd.
Sony Music Publishing Ltd.
Stellar Songs Limited
DYNAMITE
Jessica Agombar
David Stewart
Sony Music Publishing Ltd.
Stellar Songs Limited
GOT WHAT I GOT
Alexander Palmer
Thomas Archer
HEAD & HEART
Joel Corry
Dan Dare
John Courtidis
Sony Music Publishing Ltd.
Universal Music Publishing Ltd.
HIGHER LOVE
Steve Winwood
Will Jennings
Hipgnosis SFH I Ltd.
I LOVE ME
Anne-Marie
Jennifer Decilveo
Sean Douglas
Oak Felder
Alex Niceforo
Keith Sorrells
Sony Music Publishing Ltd.
KINGS & QUEENS
T.I Jakke Erixson
Hillary Beth Bernstein
RedOne
LIFE IS GOOD
Ambezza
Future
Darius Hill
LOSE SOMEBODY
Kygo
Alex Delicata
Jake Torrey
MORAL OF THE STORY
Niall Horan
Ashe
Noah Conrad
ONE TOO MANY
Cutfather
Daniel Davidsen
Peter Wallevik
Cutfather Publishing Ltd.
Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Reservoir Reverb Music Ltd.
Wallevik Music AB
QUE CALOR
Ñico Saquito
J Balvin
Emanuel Herrera “El Alfa”
Alejandro Ramírez “Sky”
Tyshane Thompson
Sony Music Publishing Ltd.
Womad Music Limited
QUE TIRE PA LANTE
Sly Dunbar
Bobby Digital
Gaby Music
Luis Jorge Romero
STB Music Inc.
RIDE IT
Alan Mark Sampson
Jay Sean
Bucks Music Group Ltd.
RITMO (BAD BOYS FOR LIFE)
Mike Gaffey
Ann Lee
Lee Marrow
Giorgio Spagna
apl.de.ap
J Balvin
will.i.am
Extravaganza Publishing SRL
Intersong Music Ltd.
SAFAERA
Sly Dunbar
Lloyd Willis
Jose Carlos Cruz
Freddy Montalvo Alicea
DJ Negro
Tainy
Primary Wave/Blue Mountain
SOUTH OF THE BORDER
Ed Sheeran
Camila Cabello
Jorden “Pardison Fontaine” Thorpe
Ed Sheeran Limited
Maidmetal Ltd.
Sony Music Publishing Ltd.
SUGAR
Chuks Chiejine
Kevin Abstract
Ryan Beatty
Matthew Champion
Romil Hemnani
Jabari Manwa
Ciarán McDonald
Dominique Simpson
Kassner Associated Publishers Limited
TO DIE FOR
Sam Smith
Naughty Words Ltd.
Sony Music Publishing Ltd.
Stellar Songs Limited
UNDERDOG
Jonny Coffer
Johnny McDaid
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran Limited
Sony Music Publishing Ltd.
Spirit B-Unique Jv S A R L
WHAT A MAN GOTTA DO
Jessica Agombar
Joe Jonas
Kevin Jonas
Nick Jonas
David Stewar
Sony Music Publishing Ltd.
Stellar Songs Limited
WHAT YOU DID
Felix Joseph
Ella Mai
Pop Wansel
Norman Whitfield
YO X TI, TU X MI
Rosalía
Adam “Frank Dukes” Feeney
Ozuna
Film, TV & Visual Media Awards
BMI Film Music Awards
MONSTER HUNTER
Paul Haslinger
NOBODY
David Buckley
THE COURIER
Abel Korzeniowski
UNHINGED
David Buckley
BMI Streaming Media Awards
DEFENDING JACOB
Atli Örvarsson
BMI Cable Television Music Awards
YELLOWSTONE
Breton Vivian
BMI Network Television Music Awards
CHICAGO FIRE
Atli Örvarsson
CHICAGO MED
Atli Örvarsson
CHICAGO P.D.
Atli Örvarsson
FBI
Atli Örvarsson
FBI: MOST WANTED
Atli Örvarsson
GREY’S ANATOMY
Carim Clasmann
Galia Durant
Community
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