Outstanding Song Collection

Outstanding Song Collection Paul Heaton

Awards Paul Heaton, it seems fair to say, is not one of music’s serial award winners. Indeed, this Ivor is, incredibly, the first major gong of a career that has, nonetheless, scaled the heights of songwriting excellence across two hugely successful bands – The Housemartins and The Beautiful South – a brilliant solo career and his current, all-conquering collaboration with Jacqui Abbott. Many observers have questioned the absence of previous recognition for a writer who has contributed hit after hit to the Great British songbook, and whose Beautiful South best of, Carry On Up The Charts, was said to be owned by one in seven British households.

Heaton himself, you suspect, might be less concerned. Because his self-deprecation skills are also second-to-none. This, after all, is a man who once declared The Housemartins to be “the fourth best band in Hull” and modestly titled another Beautiful South compilation Solid Bronze. But if he won’t sing his own praises, at least this Outstanding Song Collection nod gives us the chance to do so. Because Paul Heaton is that rarest of songwriters: one who can make an important political, social or emotional point, without neglecting the accompanying melody. And what melodies. The patron saint of the earworm, Heaton’s greatest hits veer from The Housemartins’ irrepressible indie disco classic Happy Hour (actually about sexism) and The Beautiful South’s cute tune/caustic lyrics masterclass A Little Time to Heaton & Abbott’s ode to home improvement D.I.Y. He’s also the only songwriter to ever sneak a mention of “PRS cheques” into a Top 2 single (The Beautiful South’s Song For Whoever).

When the time came for a career-spanning collection in 2018, he even forwent the self-effacement for once and declared himself The Last King Of Pop. It’s a fitting title for a songwriting genius who, today, will finally get to wear the crown. All hail.

Outstanding Song Collection

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR NOMINATED BMG SONGWRITERS. 2022 IVOR NOVELLO AWARDS.

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BEST CONTEMPORARY SONG Don’t Judge Me performed by FKA twigs, Headie One, Fred again..

ANDREW MEECHAM, DEAN MEREDITH

PRS FOR MUSIC MOST PERFORMED WORK Cold Heart (PNAU Remix) performed by Elton John & Dua Lipa

MURA MASA

BEST CONTEMPORARY SONG Just For Me performed by PinkPantheress

THOMAS BARNES, PETER KELLEHER, BENJAMIN KOHN (TMS)

BEST SONG MUSICALLY AND LYRICALLY Let’s Go Home Together performed by Ella Henderson & Tom Grennan