“I’m hardly Bob Dylan”: Charli XCX reacts as she is named songwriter of the year at Ivor Novello Awards

The Ivor Novello Awards were held on May 22, 2025, at Grosvenor House in London, and some of music’s finest attended it. The awards for songwriting and composition were presented to musicians including Robbie Williams, Charli XCX, Lola Young, Self Esteem, and U2.

Charli XCX secured the Songwriter of the Year Award for her global smash album Brat. The electropop/ club-pop/ hyperpop album released on June 7, 2024, peaked at number one on the UK Albums chart.

The album had a similar position in Australia and the UK and ranked top ten in 12 other countries, including the United States. As the 32-year-old accepted the award, she joked a little to the audience:

“I’m sure you all agree, I am hardly Bob Dylan. But one thing I can certainly do is commit to the bit."

Highlights from the Ivor Novello Awards 2025 explored

The Ivor Novello Awards went out to 22 songwriters and composers in 14 categories. More than 70% of the recipients were first-time winners. Charli XCX was also nominated in the Best Album category but lost to BERWYN.

The Trinidad-born artist received the Ivor Novello award for his album Who Am I. U2 was inducted into the Ivors’ Fellowship Academy, joining previous inductees like Paul McCartney, Elton John, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and Bruce Springsteen.

Robbie Williams was awarded the Music Icon Award for his impressive songwriting catalogue. Newcomers like Lola Young won the Rising Star Award with Amazon Music for her chart-topping single, Messy.

For four weeks, the female empowerment anthem held the number-one spot on the UK Singles chart. Myles Smith, alongside Peter Fenn and Jesse Fink, won the Music Most Performed Prize Work for Stargazing.

Scorewriters for films and games were also recognised. The soundtrack of The Substance by Raffertie was awarded Best Original Film Score, while John Konsolakis was presented with Best Original Video Game Score for Farewell North.

Here is the full list of winners at the Ivor Novello Awards 2025:

• Songwriter of the year: Charli XCX
• Academy Fellowship: U2
• Music icon award: Robbie Williams
• Best album: Berwyn - Who Am I
• Best contemporary song: Sans Soucis - Circumnavigating Georgia
• Best song musically and lyrically: Orla Gartland - Mine
• Most performed work: Myles Smith - Stargazing
• Rising star: Lola Young
• Best original film score: The Substance - Raffertie
• Best original video game score: Farewell North - John Konsolakis
• Best television soundtrack: True Detective: Night Country - Vince Pope
• Outstanding song collection: Bloc Party
• Special international: Brandon Flowers
• Visionary award: Self Esteem

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