The 2023 Popjustice
Twenty Quid
Music Prize
Chucking a £20 note at
greatness in pop since 2003
The 2023 Shortlist
Body Better by Maisie Peters
Writers: Ines Dunn, Matias Tellez, Maisie Peters
Producers: Matias Tellez
Double Denim by SKYLAR
Writers: Hight, Charlie Martin, Joe Housley, SKYLAR
Producers: The Nocturns
Easy Lover by Ellie Goulding feat Big Sean
Writers: Julia Michaels, Ellie Goulding, Greg Kurstin, Big Sean
Producer: Greg Kurstin
Escapism. by RAYE and 070 Shake
Writers: RAYE, 070 Shake, Mike Sabath
Producer: Mike Sabath
Falling In Love Again by Leif Coffield and Wuh Oh
Writers: Leif Coffield, Wuh Oh
Producer: Leif Coffield
Forget Me by Lewis Capaldi
Writers: Michael Pollack, Philip Plested, TMS
Producers: TMS, Lewis Capaldi
Free Yourself by Jessie Ware
Writers: Clarence Coffee Jr, Jessie Ware, Stuart Price
Producer: Stuart Price
Light It Up by Moss Kena and SUPER-Hi
Writers: SUPER-Hi, Moss Kena
Producers: Red Triangle
Lionheart (Fearless) by Joel Corry and Tom Grennan
Writers: Lewis Thompson, Digital Farm Animals, James Murray, Jamie Scott, Joel Corry, Mike Needle, Mustafa Omer, Neave Applebaum, Tom Grennan
Producers: Digital Farm Animals, Joel Corry, Lewis Thompson, Neave Applebaum
Nothing Lasts Forever by Dylan
Writers: Dylan, King Ed, Martin Luke Brown
Producer: King Ed
Nothing Left To Lose by Everything But The Girl
Writers: Everything But The Girl
Producers: Everything But The Girl
Weightless by Arlo Parks
Writers: Arlo Parks, Paul Epworth
Producer: Paul Epworth
How To Be A Judge
We'll be back in touch to confirm your place on the panel, and with further information.
NOTES:
– The 18+ age limit has gone out of the window as it's not in a pub. Nobody under four.
– Due to the likelihood of Twenty Quid Music Prize judging duties inducing strong feelings of euphoria we do not recommend judging the Twenty Quid Music Prize on an empty stomach.
A twenty pound note. Twelve shortlisted songs. One winner.
It’s really very simple.
Each year a panel of judges meets in a pub (or, in post-pandemic times, on Zoom), considers twelve songs in a tournament-style smackdown debacle, and awards twenty quid to the song that’s still standing at closing time. Songs are judged on qualities including tune, production, lyrics, drama, deployment of metaphor, and Congability™.
Also:
All the judges are Popjustice readers! This is why Louis Tomlinson will never win a Twenty Quid Music Prize.
And!
In the interests of moving Twenty Quid towards being self-sustaining, judges on the night are usually invited to vote in the Twenty Quid Invoice Prize, which is presented to the artist responsible for the year’s worst British pop single
Accept no imitations.
It has been noted by some observers that the Twenty Quid Music Prize takes place each year on the same night as the Mercury Music Prize, which famously awarded £20,000 to the act responsible for the year’s best British or Irish album. Please rest assured, this is nothing more than a coincidence.
913
minutes of
music
The average length of a Twenty Quid Music Prize shortlist is 43 minutes. The longest was 2006’s (48 minutes) while 2021's was the shortest to date at just 39 minutes. This year's shortlist is 41 minutes. Interesting!!
252
shortlisted
songs
Since 2003 Popjustice has shortlisted 252 different British and Irish pop singles, or 251 if you discount the publicly nominated Lisa Scott-Lee one in 2013 (and 250 if you take off the strange decision many years ago to shortlist Muse).
20
winners
to date
Well, it’s more like eleven winners — Little Mix have won three times so far, and Girls Aloud won five prizes. The only male winners have been Zayn, Will Young, Example and, in 2022, Harry Styles.
400
quids given
away
If we’d taken inflation into account the £20 prize should have risen to £30.71 by now. But we have not taken inflation into account.
Past winners
2022: Harry Styles — As It Was
Shortlist:
All I Ever Asked by Rachel Chinouriri + As It Was by Harry Styles + Cardboard Box by FLO + Cupid by Rose Gray + Good Ones by Charli XCX + Let’s Do It Again by Jamie xx + Merry Christmas by Ed Sheeran and Elton John + Panic by Phoebe AXA + Primadonna by Moss Kena + Something About Your Love by SG Lewis + This Hell by Rina Sawayama + Twice In A Lifetime by HYYTS
2021: Laura Mvula — Got Me
Shortlist:
Black Hole by Griff + Got Me by Laura Mvula + Hot Hot by Bree Runway + I Don’t Mind by Georgia Twinn + I Don’t Really Care For You by CMAT + Levitating by Dua Lipa + Love Of Your Life by Raye + On A Mountain by Danny L Harle + Right Now by Sophie & The Giants + She’s My Religion by Pale Waves + Sweet Melody by Little Mix + What’s Your Pleasure? by Jessie Ware
2020: Dua Lipa — Physical
Shortlist: Alone In My Room (Gone) by Gracey + Another Place by Bastille and Alessia Cara + Break Up Song by Little Mix + Damn Daniel by Bree Runway and Yung Baby Tate + Forever by Charli XCX + If You're Too Shy (Let Me Know) by The 1975 + New Me by Ella Eyre + Physical by Dua Lipa + Please Don't Touch by Raye + Save A Kiss by Jessie Ware + Take Care Of You by Ella Henderson + Watermelon Sugar by Harry Styles
2019: Georgia — About Work The Dancefloor
Shortlist: About Work The Dancefloor by Georgia + Baby by Clean Bandit (feat Marina and Luis Fonsi) + Blame It On Your Love by Charli XCX (feat Lizzo) + Different Things by Gracey + Electricity by Silk City feat Dua Lipa + Fingers by Zayn + The Human Stone by KDA (feat Angie Stone) + Interstellar Disco by Oscar Scheller with Pawws + It's Not Living (If It's Not With You) by The 1975 + Nothing Breaks Like A Heart by Mark Ronson (feat Miley Cyrus) + Phone Down by Stefflon Don (feat Lil Baby) + Ritual by Tiesto, Jonas Blue and Rita Ora
2018: Rita Ora — Anywhere
Shortlist: Love Lasts Forever by All Saints + One Kiss by Calvin Harris and Dua Lipa + Pat Earrings by CASISDEAD + Solo by Clean Bandit and Demi Lovato + Waking Up Slow by Gabrielle Aplin + Paradise by George Ezra + Falling Into Me by Let’s Eat Grandma + Word Of Mouth by Metroplane and Bree Runway + All Or Nothing by Naughty Boy, RAY BLK and Wyclef + Do It by Rae Morris + Anywhere by Rita Ora + Dancefloor by Tracey Thorn
2017: Little Mix — Touch
Shortlist: Danny L Harle ‘1UL’ + Louisa Johnson ‘Best Behaviour’ + Charli XCX ‘Boys’ + Calvin Harris and pals ‘Feels’ + KDA and Tinashe ‘Just Say’ + Disciples ‘On My Mind’ + Rae Morris ‘Reborn’ + Clean Bandit, Anne-Marie and Sean Paul ‘Rockabye’ + Steps ‘Scared Of The Dark’ + Ed Sheeran ‘Shape Of You’ + Niall Horan ‘Slow Hands’ + Little Mix ‘Touch’
2016: ZAYN — Pillowtalk
Shortlist: XYconstant feat Tom Aspaul ‘Do It Well’ + Clare Maguire ‘Elizabeth Taylor’ + Dua Lipa ‘Hotter Than Hell’ + Little Mix ‘Love Me Like You’ + The Rhythm Method ‘Party Politics’ + Zayn ‘Pillowtalk’ + Fleur East ‘Sax’ + The 1975 ‘Somebody Else’ + Ellie Goulding ‘Something In The Way You Move’ + Clean Bandit feat Louisa Johnson ‘Tears’ + Shura ‘What’s It Gonna Be’ + Olly Murs ‘You Don’t Know Love’
2015: Little Mix — Black Magic
Shortlist: XYconstant feat Tom Aspaul ‘Do It Well’ + Clare Maguire ‘Elizabeth Taylor’ + Dua Lipa ‘Hotter Than Hell’ + Little Mix ‘Love Me Like You’ + The Rhythm Method ‘Party Politics’ + Zayn ‘Pillowtalk’ + Fleur East ‘Sax’ + The 1975 ‘Somebody Else’ + Ellie Goulding ‘Something In The Way You Move’ + Clean Bandit feat Louisa Johnson ‘Tears’ + Shura ‘What’s It Gonna Be’ + Olly Murs ‘You Don’t Know Love’
2014: Little Mix — Move
Shortlist: Charli XCX ‘Boom Clap’ + Katy B ‘Crying For No Reason’ + Rita Ora ‘I Will Never Let You Down’ + One Direction ‘Story Of My Life’ + La Roux ‘Uptight Downtown’ + Jessie Ware ‘Tough Love’ + Years & Years ‘Take Shelter’ + Rixton ‘Me & My Broken Heart’ + Leona Lewis ‘One More Sleep’ + Ella Henderson ‘Ghost’ + Indiana ‘Solo Dancing’
2013: CHVRCHES — The Mother We Share
Shortlist: Charli XCX ‘Boom Clap’ + Katy B ‘Crying For No Reason’ + Rita Ora ‘I Will Never Let You Down’ + One Direction ‘Story Of My Life’ + La Roux ‘Uptight Downtown’ + Jessie Ware ‘Tough Love’ + Years & Years ‘Take Shelter’ + Rixton ‘Me & My Broken Heart’ + Leona Lewis ‘One More Sleep’ + Ella Henderson ‘Ghost’ + Indiana ‘Solo Dancing’
2012: Will Young — Jealousy
Shortlist: Lawson ‘Taking Over Me’ + Little Mix ‘Wings’ + Nero ‘Promises’ + Olly Murs feat Rizzle Kicks ‘Heart Skips A Beat’ + One Direction ‘What Makes Your Beautiful’ + Rizzle Kicks ‘Down With The Trumpets’ + Rudimental feat John Newman ‘Feel The Love’ + Saint Etienne ‘Tonight’ + Siobhan Dillon ‘Powerless’ + The Saturdays ‘All Fired Up’ + Will Young ‘Jealousy’ + Marina & The Diamonds ‘Power & Control’
2011: The Saturdays — Higher
Shortlist: Adele ‘Rolling In The Deep’ + Hurts ‘Stay’ + Jessie J ‘Do It Like A Dude’ + Joe McElderry ‘Ambitions’ + Mark Ronson & The Business Intl feat Boy George and Andrew Wyatt ‘Somebody To Love Me’ + Nadia Oh ‘Taking Over The Dancefloor’ + Nicola Roberts ‘Beat Of My Drum’ + The Saturdays ‘Higher’ + Sunday Girl ‘Stop Hey’ + Take That ‘The Flood’ + The Wanted ‘All Time Low’ + Yasmin ‘Finish Line’
2010: Example — Kickstarts
Shortlist: Alexandra Burke feat Flo Rida ‘Bad Boys’ + Sophie Ellis-Bextor ‘Bittersweet’ + Marina & The Diamonds ‘I Am Not A Robot’ + Mini Viva ‘I Wish’ + Groove Armada ‘I Won’t Kneel’ + Example ‘Kickstarts’ + Mini Viva ‘Left My Heart In Tokyo’ + Tinchy Stryder feat Amelle Berrabah ‘Never Leave You’ + Diana Vickers ‘Once’ + Mini Viva ‘One Touch’ + Nerina Pallot ‘Real Late Starter’ + Hurts ‘Wonderful Life’
2009: Girls Aloud — The Promise
Shortlist: JLS ‘Beat Again’ + Frankmusik ‘Better Off As Two’ + Calvin Harris ‘I’m Not Alone + La Roux ‘In For The Kill’ + Pet Shop Boys ‘Love Etc’ + Saint Etienne ‘Method Of Modern Love’ + Little Boots ‘New In Town’ + Tinchy Stryder feat Taio Cruz ‘Take Me Back’ + Girls Aloud ‘The Promise’ + The Saturdays ‘Up’ + Alesha Dixon ‘The Boy Does Nothing’ + Lily Allen ‘The Fear”
2008: Girls Aloud — Call The Shots
Shortlist: Goldfrapp ‘A&E’ + Sugababes ‘About You Now’ + Leona Lewis ‘Bleeding Love’ + Girls Aloud ‘Call The Shots’ + Dizzee Rascal feat Calvin Harris ‘Dance Wiv Me’ + Bloc Party ‘Flux’ + Daggers ‘Money’ + The Ting Tings ‘That’s Not My Name’ + Mark Ronson feat Amy Winehouse ‘Valeria’ + Hot Chip ‘Ready For The Floor’ + Groove Armada feat Mutya Buena ‘Song 4 Mutya (Out Of Control)’ + Little Boots ‘Stuck On Repeat’
2007: Amy Winehouse — Rehab
Shortlist: Calvin Harris ‘Acceptable In The 80s’ + Jamelia ‘Beware Of The Dog’ + Sophie Ellis-Bextor ‘Catch You’ + Siobhan Donaghy ‘Don’t Give It Up’ + Kate Nash ‘Foundations’ + Roisin Murphy ‘Overpowered’ + Robbie Williams ‘She’s Madonna’ + Boot Luv ‘Shine’ + Girls Aloud ‘Something Kinda Ooooh’ + Mark Ronson ‘Stop Me’ + Amy Winehouse ‘Rehab’ + Bodyrox feat Luciana ‘Yeah Yeah’
2006: Girls Aloud — Biology
Shortlist: Girls Aloud ‘Biology’ + Gorillaz ‘Dare’ + Ladytron ‘Destroy Everything You Touch’ + Rachel Stevens ‘I Said Never Again (But Here We Are)’ + Goldfrapp ‘Number One’ + Hot Chip ‘Over And Over’ + Sugababes ‘Push The Button’ + Lily Allen ‘Smile’ + Muse ‘Supermassive Black Hole’ + Matt Willis ‘Up All Night’ + Delays ‘Valentine’ + Will Young ‘Who Am I’
2005: Girls Aloud — Wake Me Up
Shortlist: Charlotte Church ‘Crazy Chick’ + Verbalicious ‘Don’t Play Nice’ + The 411 ‘Dumb’ + Kaiser Chiefs ‘Everyday I Love You Less And Less’ + Mylo ‘In My Arms’ + Shapeshifters ‘Lola’s Theme’ + Rachel Stevens ‘Negotiate With Love’ + Basement Jaxx ‘Oh My Gosh’ + Goldfrapp ‘Ooh La La’ + Uniting Nations ‘Out Of Touch’ + Robbie Williams ‘Radio’ + Girls Aloud “Wake Me Up’
2004: Rachel Stevens — Some Girls
Shortlist: Busted ‘Crashed The Wedding’ + McFly ‘5 Colours In Her Hair’ + Sugababes ‘Hole In The Head’ + Will Young ‘Leave Right Now’ + Emma Bunton ‘Maybe’ + Shaznay Lewis ‘Never Felt Like This Before’ + Girls Aloud ‘The Show’ + Rachel Stevens ‘Some Girls’ + Keane ‘Somewhere Only We Know’ + Jamelia ‘Superstar’ + Javine ‘Surrender’ + Rachel Stevens ‘Sweet Dreams My LA Ex’
2003: Girls Aloud — No Good Advice
Shortlist: Abs ‘Stop Sign’ + Amy Studt ‘Misfit’ + Busted ‘What I Go To School For’ + Daniel Bedingfield ‘If You’re Not The One’ + Girls Aloud ‘No Good Advice’ + Ladytron ‘Seventeen’ + Lisa Scott-Lee ‘Lately’ [Public choice] + Mis-teeq ‘Scandalous’ + Richard X vs Liberty X ‘Being Nobody’ + S Club Juniors ‘New Direction’ + S Club ‘Say Goodbye’ + Sugababes ‘Round Round’
Remember!
You can’t put a price on great art.
But if you really have to, it’s £20.
But if you really have to, it’s £20.