Outstanding Song Collection - Cathy Dennis

Can’t Get You Out Of My Head – the classic 2001 Kylie Minogue single co-written by Cathy Dennis with Rob Davis – may ostensibly be about an obsessive relationship with an ex-lover. But those lyrics also neatly sum up the nation’s relationship with Dennis’ catalogue of tunes. Because, over the last 25-plus years, Cathy has written countless songs that no one can remove from their brains.

Dennis started life as an artist, and a highly successful one too. But it’s as a writer for others that she has truly excelled, and that’s why she’s being honoured today. Because, ever since she became the driving force behind S Club 7’s effervescent ‘90s pop tunes (Never Had A Dream Come True, Reach, Natural et al), it’s been obvious that she was born to do this.

So her catalogue comprises such gigantic smashes as Britney Spears’ Toxic, Katy Perry’s I Kissed A Girl, Sugababes’ About You Now and Galantis’ Runaway (U & I), as well as a host of brilliant material for everyone from Will Young to Kelly Clarkson.

Can’t Get You Out Of My Head – a stunning, state of the art pop record so unstoppable that it rebooted even Minogue’s stellar career – won her three Ivors in 2002, while she picked up another the following year for Young’s Anything Is Possible. But it’s her sheer consistency and creativity, not to mention her ability to always stay one step ahead of the pop zeitgeist that is behind this year’s big prize.

That’s why she’s still in incredible demand from the world’s biggest stars, and why we couldn’t forget her tunes, even if we wanted to. After all, hits may come and hits may go, but Cathy Dennis songs are forever. Long may they stay stuck in our heads.