“I’m not exactly Bob Dylan”: Charli XCX honored as Songwriter of the Year

Charli XCX Wins Songwriter of the Year at Ivor Novello Awards — But Says She’s “Hardly Bob Dylan”

In a night that celebrated both lyrical genius and musical innovation, British pop powerhouse Charli XCX walked away with the prestigious Songwriter of the Year award at the 2024 Ivor Novello Awards — but not without a typically cheeky, self-deprecating nod to her own irreverent persona.

Accepting the honor in front of a star-studded audience in London, Charli delivered a playful speech that perfectly balanced irony and insight. Quoting her own brash lyrics from Club Classics — “I wanna dance to me, me, me / When I go to the club, club, club” — she poked fun at the notion of traditional songwriting greatness.

“I’m sure you all agree,” she deadpanned, “I’m hardly Bob Dylan. But one thing I certainly do is commit to the bit.”

That bit — one that blends hyper-pop bravado with raw emotional depth — has propelled Charli to the top tier of modern pop auteurs. Her critically acclaimed 2024 album Brat, a sonically daring, visually arresting project, has become a cultural phenomenon. With its aggressively minimal “Brat green” branding and a tracklist that swings between dancefloor defiance and vulnerable self-reflection, the album has cemented Charli as one of the most compelling artists of her generation.

A Celebration of Music’s Past, Present, and Future
While Charli’s moment was a highlight, the Ivor Novello Awards — long regarded as one of the UK’s most esteemed songwriting ceremonies — also paid tribute to an eclectic mix of established icons and rising stars.

U2, one of the world’s most enduring rock bands, became the first Irish group to be inducted into the Ivors Academy Fellowship. The award recognized their nearly 50-year contribution to global music, with hits like With or Without You, One, and Sunday Bloody Sunday still resonating across generations.

On stage, frontman Bono spoke with characteristic poetry about music’s transcendent power.
“Songs can be arrows through time if they come from the right place,” he said. “They can pierce the hardest armor of the human heart. I don’t know if they can change the world, but they changed us.”

The band then delivered a stripped-down, acoustic version of Sunday Bloody Sunday, during which Bono called for peace in the Middle East, demanding the release of hostages and urging for an end to violence in Gaza.

Rising Stars Shine Bright
The ceremony also spotlighted the next wave of songwriting talent.

Lola Young, whose raw and emotionally resonant songwriting has quickly earned her critical acclaim, took home the Rising Star award. The 24-year-old artist reflected on her journey, recalling the early days of writing songs alone in her bedroom. “This is such a big moment for the kid in my room at age ten with a guitar,” she told the BBC. “To be here now is such an honor. It gives me such a warm feeling.”

Meanwhile, Myles Smith claimed the Most Performed Work award for Stargazing, which dominated UK radio in 2023. He shared a humble story about hearing his song on the radio for the first time — in a New York Uber. “I told the driver, ‘This is me!’ and he couldn’t have cared less,” Smith laughed. “It was the best way to stay grounded.”

Industry Legends Take the Stage
Robbie Williams was honored with the Music Icon Award, recognizing a career that spans three decades, from Take That classics to his own chart-topping solo hits like Angels and Rock DJ.

Backstage, the British singer admitted to being emotionally overwhelmed. “When momentous things like this happen, it’s just a hodge-podge of emotions from the universe,” he said. “It’s self-doubt and ego, delusion and audacity. It’s hard to describe, other than to say, ‘I’m grateful.’ And I am.”

Another major international moment came when Brandon Flowers of The Killers accepted the Special International Award, presented by none other than Bruce Springsteen. Flowers joked that winning the award felt like one step further from his childhood dream of becoming “the most sought-after valet on the Las Vegas Strip.”

Women’s Voices and Visionaries
The awards also recognized music that tackled deeply personal and political themes.

Orla Gartland won Best Song Musically and Lyrically for Mine, a haunting ballad about reclaiming bodily autonomy in the wake of trauma. Gartland, an independent artist, reflected on the freedom that status afforded her: “I’m not sure a boardroom full of old men would have known what to do with a song like this.”

Pop provocateur Self Esteem, known for her feminist anthems and unflinching lyrics, received the Visionary Award. In her acceptance speech, she addressed the online abuse and misogyny women in music still face. “People are foaming at the mouth to ridicule you,” she said. “People hate women — and sometimes, that hate seeps in and stays there.” She also gave a shoutout to her parents, who had watched her lose the Mercury Prize twice before finally seeing her win.

More Winners at a Glance:
Best Album – Who Am I by Berwyn

Best Contemporary Song – Circumnavigating Georgia by Sans Soucis

Outstanding Song Collection – Bloc Party

Best Original Film Score – The Substance by Raffertie

Best Video Game Score – Farewell North by John Konsolakis

Best Television Soundtrack – True Detective: Night Country by Vince Pope

Charli XCX’s Creative Philosophy
Back on stage, Charli XCX used her moment in the spotlight to challenge traditional ideas about songwriting. “I’ve never really believed that everything starts from a great song,” she explained. “For me, a song alone is never enough. It’s the identity, the point of view, and above all, the conviction behind it that transforms a good song into a global statement.”

That philosophy is what makes Charli XCX so influential. She’s not just writing songs — she’s creating cultural blueprints. And while she may downplay her lyrical prowess, the industry clearly sees her for what she is: one of the defining songwriters of her generation.