Every year in Britain there is a competition, sponsored by a building society, that recognises outstanding songwriting in albums released that year. This Mercury Music Prize is so-called because it was begun by the now-defunct phone company Mercury. Oddly enough this year the prize, given to British songwriters, was awarded to a man from New York, though he qualified by being born in the UK and living here until the age of 10. Anthony Hegarty won for his writing on the album I Am A Bird Now. His acceptance speech was exceptional.

“I think they must have made a mistake. I am completely overwhelmed. I think that’s insane.

It’s kind of like a crazy contest between an orange and a spaceship and a potted plant and a spoon – which one do you like better?”.

I feel I’ve been pulled out of my nest.

From Reuters:

An androgynous New York-based artist who sings haunting ballads about gender confusion was the surprise winner of one of Britain’s most prestigious music prizes Tuesday. Antony Hegarty, whose quavering voice has been likened to Billie Holiday and Nina Simone, won the Mercury music prize with his band, Antony and the Johnsons, for their album “I Am a Bird Now.”

Acclaimed by critics but little known in the mainstream music world, Hegarty has been described as the “gayest thing ever recorded.”

Bloomberg: Antony and the Johnsons Win U.K.’s 2005 Mercury Music Prize
Contcatc Music: Antony and the Johnsons Win Mercury Music Prize
Reuters: Androgynous New Yorker wins top U.K. music prize

Watch the video for the song ‘Hope There’s Someone’ at video-c.co.uk

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