BMI Celebrates the 2021 Pop Awards
Maren Morris, Laura Veltz, Halsey and Sony Music Publishing Receive Top Honors
Songwriters, Publishers and Administrators of the Top 50 Songs Also Celebrated
BMI proudly celebrates the 69th Annual BMI Pop Awards, recognizing the songwriters, publishers and administrators of the previous year’s most-performed pop songs in the United States across radio and digital streaming platforms. All winners were announced in a special online celebration and on BMI’s social channels, including the recipients of Song of the Year, Songwriter of the Year and Publisher of the Year. View the complete list of winners, listen to their music, and watch exclusive content including first-hand accounts of the songwriting process behind some of the award-winning songs by visiting the 2021 BMI Pop Awards special page.
“It is an honor and a privilege to represent some of the best pop music creators in the world,” said Barbara Cane, Vice President Worldwide, Creative. “Their songs are groundbreaking, dynamic and inspiring, and we celebrate their dedication to craft, discipline and success. Music is today’s greatest communicator uniting us, uplifting us, and shaping our most intimate and defining memories. Today, as always, BMI applauds the creativity and artistry of these remarkable songwriters.”
Song of the Year was awarded to “The Bones,” co-written by BMI songwriters Laura Veltz and Maren Morris, who also performed the genre-crossing sensation. A metaphor for the importance of a strong foundation in a relationship, the chart-topping single appeared on her sophomore album, Girl, and steadily climbed to the number 12 spot on Billboard’s Hot 100. The melody could be heard on pop, country and alternative radio, fueling its massive success and becoming the biggest hit of Morris’ career to-date. In 2020, the song received a GRAMMY nomination, Morris’ twelfth and Veltz’s second, for Best Country Song and won both Single of the Year and Song of the Year at the Country Music Association Awards. This is the first BMI Pop Award for the pair, who already have a combined total of 14 BMI Country Awards between them.
International popstar Halsey was named Songwriter of the Year for having written four of the previous year’s most performed songs including “Nightmare,” “Graveyard,” “Be Kind,” and “You Should Be Sad.” The two-time GRAMMY nominated singer/songwriter released the declarative and empowering single, “Nightmare,” in the leadup to her third LP, Manic. Released in January 2020, the album debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 with two of the record’s lead singles, the haunting fan-favorite “Graveyard” and the biting country-tinged breakup anthem “You Should Be Sad,” landing on the Billboard Hot 100. Later that year she dropped the EDM-inspired “Be Kind,” a collaboration with fellow BMI songwriter and hitmaker, Marshmello, and the fourth single from the Manic expanded edition. With this award, Halsey earns her tenth BMI Pop Award after receiving accolades for Song of the Year at the 2020 BMI Pop Awards.
As Publisher of the Year, Sony Music Publishing received the distinction for the ninth time, having represented 24 of the top 50 award-winning BMI Pop songs including “3 Nights,” “Boyfriend,” “My Oh My,” “Roses,” and “The Man.”
BMI also honored the songwriters, publishers and administrators of the 50 most-performed pop songs of the previous year. This year’s class of recipients included a record 59 first-time Pop award winners such as BENEE, Edgar Barrera, Doja Cat, Trevor Daniel, Metro Boomin, Noah Cyrus, Roddy Ricch, SAINt JHN, JP Saxe and more. Well-known hits like “10,000 Hours” co-written by Jessie Jo Dillon and Shay Mooney, “Bang!” written and performed by AJR, Dua Lipa’s infectious dance anthem “Don’t Start Now” co-written by Caroline Ailin and Ian Kirkpatrick, and Taylor Swift’s “Lover” were also among the songs recognized.
Stay connected on social media by going to @BMI and #BMIPopAwards to join the conversation.
Award Winning Songs
10,000 Hours
Jessie Jo Dillon
Shay Mooney
Big Ass Pile of Dimes Music
Big Music Machine
Shay Mooney Music
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
3 Nights
Kevin “Capi” Carbo
Dominic Fike
Happy Monday Jr. Publishing
Repeat Songs Global
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Sony/ATV Songs LLC
Adore You
Tyler Johnson
Concord
Creative Pulse Music
One Year Yesterday Publishing
These Are Pulse Songs
Bang!
Adam Met
Jack Met
Ryan Met
AMAB Songs
Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing
Be Kind
Halsey
Marshmello
Freddy Wexler
17 Black Music
Marshmello Music
Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Sony/ATV Songs LLC
Wexler Music Group
Before You Go
Tom Barnes
BMG Platinum Songs US
Boyfriend
Edgar Barrera
Michael Foster
Anthony M. Jones
11once Music
Avex USA obo Xeva Music
BMG Platinum Songs US
I Wrote This While I Was Dreamin Publishing
PW Ballads
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Sony/ATV Bailar
The District 4 12
Break My Heart
Jordan Johnson
Ali Tamposi
Andrew Watt
BMG Platinum Songs US
R8D Music Publishing
Reservoir 416
Songs of BBMG
Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing
death bed (coffee for your head)
Beabadoobee
Oscar Lang (PRS)
Powfu (SOCAN)
Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing
Sony/ATV Songs LLC
Universal-Songs of PolyGram International, Inc.
Don’t Start Now
Caroline Ailin
Ian Kirkpatrick
BMG Platinum Songs US
Buckley Tenenbaum Publishing
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Falling
Trevor Daniel
Charlie Handsome
KC Supreme
Martin Kottmeier (SOCAN)
Tristan Norton (SOCAN)
Taz Taylor
Artist 101 Publishing Group
Concord
KC Supreme Publishing
Songs By 10K Music Publishing
Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Sony/ATV Songs LLC
Taz Taylor Beats
These Are Pulse Songs
Trevor Daniel Publishing
Good as Hell
Lizzo
Ricky Reed
Anthem Boardwalk Music Publishing
Frederic And Ried Music
Lizzo Music Publishing
Sony/ATV Songs LLC
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Good Things Fall Apart
James “JHart” Abrahart
Jason Evigan
ILLENIUM
Art In The Fodder Music
Artist 101 Publishing Group
Bad Robot
BMG Bumblebee
BMG Platinum Songs US
Illenium Publishing
Let’s Get Brunch Publishing
Reservoir 416
Songs of A Beautiful Mind
Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Graveyard
Halsey
Jordan Johnson
Mark “Oji” Williams
17 Black Music
Art In The Fodder Music
BMG Bumblebee
BMG Platinum Songs US
R8D Music Publishing
Songs of A Beautiful Mind
Songs of BBMG
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Superreal Publishing
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Heartless
Metro Boomin
Carlo “Illangelo” Montagnese (SOCAN)
Songs of Hear the Art
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Sony/ATV Ballad
hot girl bummer
Andrew Goldstein
Matthew Musto
Bear Trap Publishing
Frndzone Music
Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing
Songs of Universal, Inc.
How Do You Sleep?
Sam Smith (PRS)
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Sony/ATV Songs LLC
Stellar Songs Limited
I Hope
Gabby Barrett
Zach Kale
Charlie Puth
Charlie Puth Music Publishing
Revinyl House
Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing
Sony/ATV Countryside
Sony/ATV Tree
If the World Was Ending
Julia Michaels
JP Saxe (SOCAN)
I’ve Got Issues Music
Modern Arts Songs
Music By Work of Art
Songs of Starker Saxe
Sony/ATV Songs LLC
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Intentions
Dominic Jordan
peermusic lll, Ltd.
Songs of Anonymous
July
Noah Cyrus
PJ Harding (APRA)
Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing
Universal-Songs of PolyGram International, Inc.
Level of Concern
Tyler Joseph
Fueled By Music
Stryker Joseph Music
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Like That
Lydia Asrat
Mike Crook
Doja Cat
Crook and Crook LLC
Desta Melodies
Doja Cat Music
Lost and Found Global Publishing
Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Where Da Kasz At?
Lose You to Love Me
Julia Michaels
Justin Tranter
I’ve Got Issues Music
Justin’s School For Girls
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Lover
Taylor Swift
Sony/ATV Tree
Taylor Swift Music
Memories
Jordan Johnson
Adam Levine
Michael Pollack
Art In The Fodder Music
BMG Bumblebee
BMG Platinum Songs US
R8D Music Publishing
Songs of A Beautiful Mind
Songs of BBMG
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Songs With A Pure Tone
Sudgee 2 Music
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
What Key Do You Want it In Music
My Oh My
Camila Cabello
Ant Clemons
Adam “Frank Dukes” Feeney (SOCAN)
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Milamoon Songs
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Sony/ATV Songs LLC
Nice To Meet Ya
Julian Bunetta
RuthAnne Cunningham (IMRO)
Niall Horan (PRS)
Tobias Jesso, Jr. (SOCAN)
Dragon Bunny Music
Hipgnosis International
Music of BIG FAMILY
Reservoir 416
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Nightmare
Benny Blanco
Cashmere Cat (TONO)
Halsey
Trevor Horn (PRS)
Martin Kierszenbaum
Elena Kiper (RAO)
Happy Perez
Valerij Polienko (PRS)
17 Black Music
Back Hair Music Publishing
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Infinite Stripes
Martin Cherrytree Music
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Universal Music-Careers
Universal-Songs of PolyGram International, Inc.
Only Human
Joe Jonas
Kevin Jonas
Nick Jonas
Joseph Jonas Publishing
Nick Jonas Publishing
Paul Kevin Jonas II Publishing
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Sony/ATV Songs LLC
Rain on Me
BloodPop
Jeremiah Burden
BURNS
Nija Charles
Lady Gaga
Tchami
Vernetta Lynn Williams
Rami Yacoub
BMG Platinum Songs US
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
EMI-Longitude Music Co.
SG Songs Worldwide
Songs by Amnija
Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Sony/ATV Songs LLC
Ride It
Alan Mark Sampson (PRS)
Jay Sean (PRS)
David Platz Music, Inc.
Tenyor Music
Ritmo (Bad Boys for Life)
apl.de.ap
J Balvin
Mike Gaffey (PRS)
Ann Lee (SIAE)
Lee Marrow (SIAE)
Giorgio Spagna (SIAE)
will.i.am
apl.de.ap Publishing LLC
peermusic lll, Ltd.
Rightsong Music, Inc.
Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing
Universal-Música Unica Publishing
will2manifest music
Rockstar
Roddy Ricch
Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing
Roses
Wayne Coyne
Steven Drozd
Michael Ivins
SAINt JHN
Lee “Fallen” Stashenko
BMG Platinum Songs US
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Lovely Sorts of Death Music
Stellar Songs Limited
The St. John Portfolio
Roxanne
JaeGreen
Music by JG Publishing
Sony/ATV Songs LLC
Savage Love (Laxed – Siren Beat)
Jason Derulo
JAWSH 685 (APRA)
Irving Music
Jason Derulo Publishing
Sony/ATV Songs LLC
Say So
Lydia Asrat
Doja Cat
Desta Melodies
Doja Cat Music
Lost and Found Global Publishing
Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Where Da Kasz At?
South of the Border
Camila Cabello
Ed Sheeran (PRS)
Jorden “Pardison Fontaine” Thorpe
Milamoon Songs
Sony/ATV Ballad
Sony/ATV Songs LLC
Stuck with U
Whitney Phillips
Skyler Stonestreet
Freddy Wexler
Sony/ATV Songs LLC
Stonestreet Works
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Wexler Music Group
Stupid Love
BloodPop
Lady Gaga
Tchami
BMG Platinum Songs US
House of Gaga Publishing, Inc.
Sony/ATV Songs LLC
Sunday Best
Forrest Frank
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Supalonely
BENEE (APRA)
Joshua Fountain (APRA)
Sony/ATV Songs LLC
Universal-Songs of PolyGram International, Inc.
Take What You Want
Andrew Watt
Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing
Songs of Universal, Inc.
The Bones
Maren Morris
Laura Veltz
Big Music Machine
International Dog Music
Purple Hayes Publishing Worldwide
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
The Man
Joel Little (APRA)
Taylor Swift
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Sony/ATV Tree
Taylor Swift Music
Time
NF
Capitol CMG Publishing
NF Real Publishing
Watermelon Sugar
Tyler Johnson
Mitch Rowland
Concord
Creative Pulse Music
One Year Yesterday Publishing
Songs by Cabin Mobile
Songs of Universal, Inc.
These Are Pulse Songs
What A Man Gotta Do
Jessica Agombar
Joe Jonas
Kevin Jonas
Nick Jonas
David Stewart
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Joseph Jonas Publishing
Nick Jonas Publishing
Paul Kevin Jonas II Publishing
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Sony/ATV Songs LLC
Stellar Songs Limited
You Should Be Sad
Halsey
17 Black Music
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Community
Connect with BMI & Professional Songwriters