Winehouse wins British songwriting award

‘Rehab’ named best contemporary song; Arctic Monkeys take album honor

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Singer Amy Winehouse won the Ivor Novello Award for best contemporary song Thursday in London.

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updated 3:09 p.m. ET May 30, 2007

LONDON - “Rehab,” the autobiographical top 10 single by Amy Winehouse, won best contemporary song Thursday at Britain’s prestigious Ivor Novello songwriting awards.

“Thank you all very much. I didn’t even have time to get drunk — I’ve only been here about 15 minutes,” said the 23-year-old singer, who is known for her high-voltage personality and reputation for heavy drinking and smoking.

Winehouse, who recently married boyfriend Blake Fielder-Civil, said it was sudden, “but that’s the way I am.”

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“I had a lovely dress and he looked very handsome,” she said. “We’re not planning a honeymoon, every day is a honeymoon — I’ve married the best man in the world.”

“Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not” by the Arctic Monkeys was named best album and “Elusive” by Scott Matthews won for best song.

Other winners include: “Sorry,” by Madonna and Stuart Price, international hit of the year; and “I Don’t Feel Like Dancin’,” by Elton John, Scott Hoffman and Jason Sellards, which was covered recently by the Scissor Sisters, most performed work.

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The awards are presented by the British Academy of Composers and Songwriters. They are named for early 20th-century musician and songwriter Ivor Novello, who composed hits including “Keep the Home-Fires Burning” and “We’ll Gather Lilacs.”