BMI celebrated the European and African songwriters, composers and music publishers behind the most-performed songs on U.S. radio and television on October 9 at its annual BMI London Awards.

“A BMI songwriting award is a unique and important recognition of a song’s life cycle,” said BMI President & CEO Del Bryant. “Songs are born, and then they journey throughout the world’s marketplace, through traditional broadcasts, digital platforms, local businesses and other industries. BMI tracks and shepherds that journey. As the son of professional songwriters, I understand and admire the passion and pride that our songwriters feel as their work crosses cultures and defines eras, and the essential need to safeguard that work.”

Also saluted were composers of the most-watched and highest-grossing television programs and films; and the legendary songwriters behind classics that have generated more than three million U.S. radio and television performances.

With regard to this latter category, Sting picked up several songwriting awards as a number of classic songs passed notable landmarks.

"De Do Do Do De Da Da Da", "If I Ever Lose My Faith In You", and "Message In A Bottle" each passed three million performances, "Don't Stand So Close To Me" passed five million performances, and "Every Breath You Take" passed an incredible eleven million performances!