Harry Gregson-Williams and Other Top Songwriters Honored At 2018 BMI London Awards

Ed Sheeran wins ‘Song of the Year’ for the third consecutive year with ‘Shape of You’; Liam Payne, Tinie Tempah, Natasha Bedingfield and James Arthur also recognized at London ceremony.

Posted in News on October 1, 2018
Pictured: BMI Icon Harry Gregson-Williams and BMI President & CEO Mike O'Neill
Pictured: BMI Icon Harry Gregson-Williams and BMI President & CEO Mike O'Neill Photo: Dave J Hogan/Getty Images for BMI

Tonight, BMI proudly honored acclaimed film composer Harry Gregson-Williams with the BMI Icon Award at the 2018 BMI London Awards. Guests including Liam Payne, James Arthur, Natasha Bedingfield, Tinie Tempah and Trevor Rabin attended the awards at London’s Dorchester Hotel for an evening of celebration for UK and European songwriters, producers and publishers of the most-performed songs of 2017.

Harry Gregson-Williams, one of Hollywood’s most sought-after and prolific composers, received the BMI Icon Award in recognition of his unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers. On receiving this award, Gregson-Williams joins an elite group of composers and songwriters who have been named BMI Icons for their exemplary contributions to the art of music. Previous recipients include Sting, Graham Gouldman, Sir Tim Rice, Queen, Ray Davies, Van Morrison and Bryan Ferry to name just a few. He was presented with the prestigious award by BMI President and CEO Mike O’Neill.

Upon accepting the award Gregson-Williams said: “Thank you very much, I do feel incredibly fortunate to even be here tonight, and the truth is I do recognize that I have been lucky to have had the opportunity to write the scores for so many awesome movies over the past 20 years. Many of the highlights for me have been happy collaborations with others far more talented and extraordinary than me. And of course, I would not be standing here had it not been for the significant part that BMI played, and still plays in my life. Their guidance and support have been unwavering and truly significant and I’d like to sincerely thank everyone at BMI for this award.”

BMI also honored Ed Sheeran and Johnny McDaid, with the prestigious ‘Song of the Year’ award for “Shape Of You.” This is the third consecutive year for Sheeran picking up the accolade having previously won for “Love Yourself,’” as performed by Justin Bieber in 2017, and for “Thinking Out Loud” in 2016. Also honored were the publishers Ed Sheeran Music Ltd, Sony /ATV Music Publishing Ltd and Spirit B-Unique Polar Patrol. The award is given to the most performed song of the previous year by UK or European writers in the BMI catalogue.

In addition, the Dance Song of the Year was awarded to Anders Froen, Noonie Bao, Linus “LotusIV” Wicklund, Sarah Aarons and Alessia Cara for “Stay,” as performed by Alessia Cara.

The night also saw Natasha Bedingfield presented with a BMI Million-Air award for 5 million performances of her song “Unwritten,” while Trevor Rabin also received a Million-Air Award for 5 Million performances of “Owner Of A Lonely Heart,” as performed by Yes. Liam Payne and James Arthur also both received BMI London Awards for “Strip That Down” (Liam Payne / Ed Sheeran / Brian Derek Thompson) and “Say You Won’t Let Go” (James Arthur / Neil Ormandy / Steven Solomon), respectively.

In addition, Tinie Tempah’s publishing company Imhotep Music Ltd, picked up their first ever award as they were honored with a BMI London Award for “Passionfruit,” as performed by Drake.

Other honorees of the night include Caroline Ailin and Ian Kirkpatrick for “New Rules,” as performed by Dua Lipa, Sam Smith for “Too Good at Goodbyes,” Jamie Hartman for “Human,” as performed by Rag’n’Bone Man, and Jack Patterson, Ina Wroldsen and Ammar Malik for the UK No.1 hit single “Rockabye,” as performed by Clean Bandit & Anne Marie featuring Sean Paul.

See below for a complete list of winners:

SONG OF THE YEAR

(The Robert S. Musel Award)

Shape of You
Johnny McDaid (IMRO)
Ed Sheeran (PRS)
Kevin “She’kspere” Briggs (ASCAP-Pay)
Ed Sheeran Ltd.
Sony/ATV Music Publishing Ltd.
Spirit B-Unique Polar Patrol

DANCE AWARD

“Stay”
Anders Frøen (TONO)
Noonie Bao (STIM)
Linus “LotusIV” Wiklund (STIM)
Sarah Aarons (APRA)
Alessia Cara (SOCAN)
Kobalt Music Publishing
Lurpi Songs AB
Sony/ATV Music Publishing Ltd.
Stellar Songs

ICON AWARD

Harry Gregson-Williams

2018 London Pop Award Songs

2U
Giorgio Tuinfort (BUMA/BMI)
BMG Talpa Music (BUMA)
Piano Songs (BUMA)

CASTLE ON THE HILL
Ed Sheeran (PRS)
Ed Sheeran Music Ltd.
Sony/ATV Music Publishing Ltd.

GOOSEBUMPS
Kevin Gomringer (GEMA)
Tim Gomringer (GEMA)
Daveon “Yung Exclusive” Jackson (BMI)
Brock Korsan (BMI)
Travis Scott (BMI)
Sony/ATV Music Publishing Ltd.

HUMAN
Jamie Hartman (PRS)
Reservoir/Reverb Music Ltd.

I FEEL IT COMING
Thomas Bangalter (PRS/SACEM)
Éric Chédeville (SACEM)
Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo (PRS/SACEM)
Because Editions
Daft Music

IT AIN’T ME
Kygo (TONO)
Brian D. Lee (BMI)
Ali Tamposi (BMI)
Andrew Watt (BMI)
Sony/ATV Music Publishing Ltd.

LIGHTS DOWN LOW
Liam O’Donnell (PRS)
Nathaniel Motte (BMI)
Max Schneider (BMI)
Spirit B-Unique Music

LOCATION
Bajram Kurti (GEMA)
Alfredo Gonzalez (BMI)
Olatunji Ige (BMI)
Smash David Jimenez (BMI)
Khalid (BMI)
Joshua Scruggs (BMI)

LOOK WHAT YOU MADE ME DO
Taylor Swift (BMI)
Jack Antonoff (BMI)
Fred Fairbrass (PRS)
Richard Fairbrass (PRS)
Rob Manzoli (PRS)
Spirit Music Publishing Ltd.

MI GENTE
Adam Assad (SACEM)
Willy William (SACEM)
J Balvin (BMI)
Mohombi Nzasi Moupondo (BMI)
Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
La Clique Music
Scorpio Music

MILLION REASONS
[ No Foreign Writer]
Lady Gaga (BMI)
Mark Ronson (BMI)
Concord Music Publishing

NEW RULES
Caroline Ailin (PRS)
Ian Kirkpatrick (BMI)
BMG Rights Management (Scandinavia) AS
Waterfall Music/Arctic Rights Management

NOW OR NEVER
Cashmere Cat (TONO)
Halsey (BMI)
Happy Perez (BMI)

PARIS
Freddy Alexander (STIM)
Kristoffer Eriksson (STIM)
BLNK Music Publishing
Kobalt Music

PASSIONFRUIT
Nana Rogues (PRS)
Imhotep Music Ltd.
Sony/ATV Music Publishing Ltd.

PERFECT
Ed Sheeran (PRS)
Ed Sheeran Music Ltd.
Sony/ATV Music Publishing Ltd.

PORTLAND
Kevin Gomringer (GEMA)
Tim Gomringer (GEMA)
Travis Scott (BMI)
Sony/ATV Music Publishing Ltd.

REDBONE
Gary Cooper (SACEM)
George Clinton (SESAC-Pay)
William Earl “Bootsy” Collins (BMI)
Donald McKinley Glover, II “Childish Gambino” (BMI)
Ludwig Göransson (BMI)

ROCKABYE
Jack Patterson (PRS)
Ina Wroldsen (PRS)
Ammar Malik (BMI)
Reservoir/Reverb Music Ltd.
Sony/ATV Music Publishing Ltd.

SAY YOU WON’T LET GO
James Arthur (PRS)
Neil Ormandy (PRS)
Steven Solomon (BMI)
Sony/ATV Music Publishing Ltd.

SHAPE OF YOU
Johnny McDaid (IMRO)
Ed Sheeran (PRS)
Kevin “She’kspere” Briggs
Ed Sheeran Music Ltd.
Sony/ATV Music Publishing Ltd.
Spirit B-Unique Polar Patrol

SLOW HANDS
RuthAnne Cunningham (IMRO)
Niall Horan (PRS)
Julian Bunetta (BMI)
Tobias Jesso, Jr. (SOCAN)
John Ryan (BMI)

SPEAK TO A GIRL
David Gibson (PRS)
Shy Carter (BMI)
Joe London (BMI)
BMG Rights Management (UK) Ltd.
Major 3rd Music Ltd.

STAY
Anders Frøen (TONO)
Noonie Bao (STIM)
Linus “LotusIV” Wiklund (STIM)
Sarah Aarons (APRA)
Alessia Cara (SOCAN)
Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lurpi Songs AB
Sony/ATV Music Publishing Ltd.
Stellar Songs Ltd.

STRIP THAT DOWN
Liam Payne (PRS)
Ed Sheeran (PRS)
Shaggy (BMI)
Brian Derek Thompson (BMI)
Ed Sheeran Music Ltd.
Hampton Records Ltd.
Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Sony/ATV Music Publishing Ltd.

TOO GOOD AT GOODBYES
Sam Smith (PRS)
Naughty Words Ltd.
Sony/ATV Music Publishing Ltd.
Stellar Songs Ltd.

TUNNEL VISION
Kevin Gomringer (GEMA)
Tim Gomringer (GEMA)
Kodak Black (BMI)
Metro Boomin (BMI)
Southside (BMI)
Sony/ATV Music Publishing Ltd.

WHAT ABOUT US
Johnny McDaid (IMRO)
P!nk (BMI)
Spirit B-Unique JV SARL

WHAT LOVERS DO
Dayo Olaatunji (PRS)
Ben “Billions” Diehl (BMI)
Jason Evigan (BMI)
Adam Levine (BMI)
SZA (BMI)
Warner/Chappell Music Limited

YOUNG DUMB & BROKE
Taley Riley (PRS)
Khalid (BMI)
Joel Little (APRA)

Academy Award

THE SHAPE OF WATER
Alexandre Desplat (BMI/SACEM)

Cable Award

FEAR THE WALKING DEAD
Paul Haslinger (BMI/AKM)

Film Music Award

THE HITMAN’S BODYGUARD
Atli Örvarsson (BMI/STEF)

THE SHAPE OF WATER
Alexandre Desplat (BMI/SACEM)

TV Awards

AMERICA’S GOT TALENT
Jos Jorgensen (PRS/BMI)
Andy Love (PRS/BMI)

CHICAGO FIRE
Atli Örvarsson (BMI/STEF)

CHICAGO MED
Atli Örvarsson (BMI/STEF)

CHICAGO P.D.
Atli Örvarsson (BMI/STEF)

GREY’S ANATOMY
Carim Clasmann (PRS)
Galia Durant (PRS)

WISDOM OF THE CROWD
Paul Haslinger

Million Performance Songs

14 Million Performances Award

EVERY BREATH YOU TAKE
Sting (PRS)
GM Sumner
Sony/ATV Music Publishing Ltd.


10 Million Performances Award

YOUR SONG
Elton John (PRS)
Bernie Taupin
Universal Music Publishing

8 Million Performances Award
CROCODILE ROCK
Elton John (PRS)
Bernie Taupin
Universal Music Publishing


7 Million Performances Award

EVERYBODY WANTS TO RULE THE WORLD
Roland Orzabal (PRS)
Ian Stanley (PRS)
BMG VM Music Ltd.

JUMPIN’ JACK FLASH
Mick Jagger (PRS)
Keith Richards (PRS)


6 Million Performances Award

ALL RIGHT NOW
Paul Rodgers (PRS)
Andy Fraser (BMI)
Primary Wave/Blue Mountain

ANOTHER BRICK IN THE WALL
Roger Waters (PRS)
BMG Rights Management (UK) Ltd.
Roger Waters Music Overseas

BENNIE AND THE JETS
Elton John (PRS)
Bernie Taupin
Universal Music Publishing


5 Million Performances Award

HERE I GO AGAIN
Bernie Marsden (PRS)
Sony/ATV Music Publishing Ltd.

IT’S NOT UNUSUAL
Gordon Mills (PRS)
Les Reed (PRS)
BMG Rights Management (UK) Ltd.
Valley Music

MAN! I FEEL LIKE A WOMAN!
Shania Twain (PRS)
Loon Echo Inc.
Universal/MCA Music Ltd.

OWNER OF A LONELY HEART
Jon Anderson (PRS)
Trevor Horn, CBE (PRS)
Chris Squire (PRS)
Trevor Rabin (BMI)
BMG Rights Management (UK) Ltd.
Carlin Music Delaware
Unforgettable Songs

PENNY LANE
John Lennon (PRS)

ROLL WITH IT
Steve Winwood (PRS)
Lamont Dozier (BMI)
Brian Holland (BMI)
Eddie Holland (BMI)
Will Jennings (BMI)
F S Ltd.
Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

UNWRITTEN
Natasha Bedingfield (PRS)
Danielle Brisebois (BMI)
Sony/ATV Music Publishing Ltd.

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS
Freddie Mercury
Queen Music
Sony/ATV Music Publishing Ltd.


4 Million Performances Award

CALL ME
Giorgio Moroder (GEMA)

PAINT IT BLACK
Mick Jagger (PRS)
Keith Richards (PRS)

UPTOWN FUNK
Jeff Bhasker (BMI)
Devon Gallaspy (BMI)
Trinidad James (BMI)
Mark Ronson (BMI)
Lonnie Simmons (BMI)
Rudy Taylor (BMI)
Charlie Wilson (BMI)
Ronnie Wilson (BMI)
Robert Wilson (BMI)
New Songs Administration Ltd.


3 Million Performances Award

FAT BOTTOMED GIRLS
Brian May (PRS)
Queen Music
Sony/ATV Music Publishing Ltd.

HEY YOU
Roger Waters (PRS)
BMG Rights Management (UK) Ltd.
Roger Waters Music Overseas

LITTLE SISTER
Mort Shuman (SACEM)
Doc Pomus (BMI)

LOOKS LIKE WE MADE IT
Richard Kerr (PRS)
Will Jennings (BMI)
Concord Music Publishing

PERFECT
Shellback (STIM)
P!nk (BMI)
Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
MXM Music AB

RAISE YOUR GLASS
Shellback (STIM)
P!nk (BMI)
Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
MXM Music AB

SEASONS IN THE SUN
Jacques Brel (SABAM)
Rod McKuen
Warner/Chappell Music France SA

SHAPE OF YOU
Johnny McDaid (IMRO)
Ed Sheeran (PRS)
Kevin “She’kspere” Briggs
Ed Sheeran Music Ltd.
Sony/ATV Music Publishing Ltd.
Spirit B-Unique Polar Patrol

SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL
Mick Jagger (PRS)
Keith Richards (PRS)

WOMAN IN LOVE
Barry Gibb (PRS/BMI)
Robin Gibb (PRS/BMI)
Crompton Songs
Redbreast Publishing Ltd.
Universal Music Publishing

YOUNG LUST
David Gilmour (PRS)
Roger Waters (PRS)
BMG Rights Management (UK) Ltd.
Concord Music Publishing
Pink Floyd Music Publishers Ltd.
Roger Waters Music Overseas

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