BMG songwriters contributed to six songs that were honored at the 2021 BMI London Awards. The prestigious award recognizes the top UK and European songwriters, composers, and music publishers of the most-performed songs of the previous year.

Receiving an award for Song of the Year is Tom Barnes (of the songwriting and production trio TMS) for his contribution to Lewis Capaldi's smash hit 'Before You Go' – the most performed song in the United States of the previous year by a UK or European writer. The single spent an astounding 52 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and completed the longest journey to Number One on the Billboard Pop Songs chart since it began in 1992, reaching the top in its 37th week. This marks the third BMI London Award for Barnes, who also has three US Pop Awards, one R&B/Hip-Hop Award, and was co-writer of BMI’s 2016 R&B/Hip-Hop Song of the Year, 'Me, Myself & I.'

Also among the Most Performed Songs of the Year is Molly Irvine for co-writing 'Breaking Me'. Songs awarded in this category have received the most performances on terrestrial radio, satellite radio and digital streaming services over the past year.

On receiving her first BMI London Award she said, “I still can’t really believe it. I’m very grateful to have reached this point. It’s such a dream to wake up, work with fellow creatives and write songs, and for one of these songs to be recognized on this level is just mind-blowing to me."

A total of four BMG songwriters were among the winners of a Million-Air Award which recognizes and celebrates songwriters whose iconic songs have been have reached a million or more broadcast performances in the US.

Best known for its saxophone riff, Gerry Rafferty's 'Baker Street' (1978) received an award for 7 Million US Radio Plays.

Yes’ 1983 release ‘Owner of a Lonely Heart’, co-penned by BMG writer Trevor Rabin, surpassed 6 million plays.

'Set Fire To The Rain', co-penned by Fraser T Smith, performed by Adele was honored with an award for 4 Million US Radio Plays.

Crossing the four million plays line is also the Pink Floyd song 'Whish You Were here', co-written by Roger Waters, whose publishing catalog is represented by BMG.

2021 BMG London Award Winners:

Song of the Year / Top 30 Most Performed Work in US Streaming and Radio during 2020
'Before You Go' – Tom Barnes (TMS)

Top 30 Most Performed Work in US Streaming and Radio during 2020
'Breaking Me' – Molly Irvine

7 Million US Radio Plays
'Baker Street' - Gerry Rafferty

6 Million US Radio Plays
'Owner of a Lonely Heart’ - Trevor Rabin

4 Million US Radio Plays
'Wish You Were Here' – Roger Waters

4 Million US Radio Plays
'Set Fire To The Rain' - Fraser T Smith