Francesca EllisInternationally respected for honouring excellence in British music writing, The Ivor Novello awards will be hosting their 57th ceremony at the Grosvenor House in London on Thursday 17 May. Judged and presented by the writing community, the Ivors celebrate and reward those in the songwriting and composing industry.
Justin Parker, who helped Lana Rey write Video Games, told the BBC that the music industry currently “seems very female-orientated” and that “Its been like that for a few years.” And looking at the shortlist for this year’s Ivor Novello awards, it most certainly looks like the ladies are taking over the musical business.
This year is the first time the awards have seen the album shortlist entirely female orientated, with Adele, Kate Bush and PJ Harvey set to battle it out for the album award next month. Adele’s sixth biggest selling album of all time: ‘21’ has been nominated for the album shortlist after already winning numerous awards. Comprising a suite of seven songs “set against a backdrop of falling snow”, Kate Bush’s album ’50 Words For Snow’ is also competing for the prestigious award. The two will be joined by PJ Harvey who is listed for her Mercury Prize-winning record ‘Let England Shake’, a concept album about Britain at war.
Despite all the albums shortlisted being performed by women, producer Paul Epworth is nominated alongside Adele for ‘21’ as he co-wrote some of the key songs. However Adele is still capable of picking up an award for herself as her track ‘Someone Like You’ has also been nominated for one of the awards alongside her best selling song ‘Rolling in The Deep’ competing for two awards. With two Brit Awards and six Grammys under her belt, is there any stopping the north Londoner?
Last year, rapper-turned-singer Plan B won three prizes at the Ivor Novellos, including best songwriter – presented by Sir Elton John – and best album. Alongside special awards being handed out to Muse, Steve Winwood, Free founder Paul Rodgers and musicals legend Stephen Sondheim
Former member of The Beatles, Paul McCartney who has previously won several Ivor Novello Awards said: “I remember coming here the very first time with my mates John, George and Ringo. Sitting back there just as little kids we were… And it was just fantastic to be part of the songwriting thing. It was always the greatest award – the greatest thing to get for songwriters. I think it still is.”
The full list of nominations for this years awards is as follows:
BEST SONG MUSICALLY & LYRICALLY
Song: Rolling In The Deep
Written by: Adele Adkins / Paul Epworth
Performed by: Adele
UK Publishers: Universal Music Publishing / EMI Music Publishing
Song: Shake It Out
Written by: Paul Epworth / Kid Harpoon / Florence Welch
Performed by: Florence + The Machine
UK Publishers: EMI Music Publishing / Universal Music Publishing
Song: The A Team
Written & Performed by: Ed Sheeran
UK Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing
BEST CONTEMPORARY SONG
Song: Promises
Written by: Joseph Ray / Daniel Stephens / Alana Watson
Performed by: Nero
UK Publisher: EMI Music Publishing
Song: The Wilhelm Scream
Written by: James Blake / James Litherland
Performed by: James Blake
UK Publisher: Universal Music Publishing
Song: Video Games
Written by: Lana Del Rey / Justin Parker
Performed by: Lana Del Rey
UK Publishers: EMI Music Publishing / Sony/ATV Music Publishing
BEST ORIGINAL FILM SCORE
Film: Life In A Day
Composed by: Harry Gregson-Williams / Matthew Herbert
UK Publishers: Wavecrest Music, Inc. / Bucks Music Group
Film: The First Grader
Composed by: Alex Heffes
UK Publishers: Fintage Publishing BV / Resonant Music (1) Limited Partners
Film: We Need To Talk About Kevin
Composed by: Jonny Greenwood
UK Publisher: Warner/Chappell Music
BEST TELEVISION SOUNDTRACK
Broadcast: Leonardo
Composed by: Mark Russell
UK Publisher: Bucks Music Group
Broadcast: Page Eight
Composed by: Paul Englishby
UK Publishers: Carnival Film & Television Ltd / Universal Music Publishing
Broadcast: The Shadow Line
Composed by: Martin Phipps
UK Publishers: Du Vinage Publishing Ltd
PRS FOR MUSIC MOST PERFORMED WORK
Song: Rolling In The Deep
Written by: Adele Adkins / Paul Epworth
Performed by: Adele
UK Publishers: Universal Music Publishing / EMI Music Publishing
Song: Someone Like You
Written by: Adele Adkins / Dan Wilson
Performed by: Adele
UK Publishers: Universal Music Publishing / BMG Chrysalis
Song: The Flood
Written by: Gary Barlow / Howard Donald / Jason Orange / Mark Owen / Robbie Williams
Performed by: Take That
UK Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing / EMI Music Publishing / Universal Music Publishing / Farrell Music Ltd
ALBUM AWARD
Album: 21
Written by: Adele Adkins / Paul Epworth
Performed by: Adele
UK Publishers: Universal Music Publishing / EMI Music Publishing
Album: 50 Words For Snow
Written & Performed by: Kate Bush
UK Publishers: EMI Music Publishing / Noble & Brite
Album: Let England Shake
Written & Performed by: PJ Harvey
UK Publishers: EMI Music Publishing / Hot Head Music
