John Courtidis is a writer/producer on the Joel Corry x MNEK hit 'Head & Heart'
The #1 UK single achieved six times platinum in Australia, triple platinum in the UK and platinum in the US
It was the most streamed song written by an Australian on streaming services in financial year 20-21
London-based Australian songwriter and producer John Courtidis has been honoured by APRA AMCOS with a place on The 1,000,000,000 List, for co-writing the global hit 'Head & Heart', performed by UK artists Joel Corry and MNEK.
Courtidis, who is published by Sony Music Publishing, was presented with his award in London by Adam Townsend, APRA AMCOS' UK/Europe Member Relations Representative.
The song began as an idea between Courtidis and Dan Dare, who work together as songwriting/production duo Kolidescopes; their collaborators on 'Head & Heart' are Joel Corry, Uzoechi Osisioma "Uzo" Emenike (pka MNEK), Rob Harvey, Lewis Thompson, Neave Applebaum and Leo Kalyan.
It took just a matter of weeks after the song's July 2020 UK release to reach #1 on the UK Singles chart, where it had a six-week run. In Australia, the infectious dance-pop track peaked at #2 on the ARIA Singles chart, spent 26 weeks in the Top 10 and 53 weeks in the Top 50. It was the most streamed song written by an Australian on streaming services in financial year 20-21.
Other chart highlights include #1s in Ireland, Scotland and the Netherlands and top 10s in New Zealand, Belgium, Austria, Denmark and Sweden. The song has achieved six times platinum in Australia, triple platinum in the UK and platinum in the US.
'Head & Heart' was nominated for Best British Single at 2021 Brit Awards and for the 2021 PRS for Music Most Performed Work at The Ivors.
"It is such an honour to have been told 'Head & Heart' reached one billion streams and it is truly mind blowing. Proud to represent and be a part of the Australian music industry amongst so many other legends. So many thanks to APRA AMCOS for the support!" said Courtidis.
"'Head & Heart’ was one of the biggest global hits of 2020 and 2021 and we couldn’t be more proud of the role John played in the song’s success. He's worked hard behind-the-scenes and his achievements are an inspiration to Aussie and Kiwi songwriters and producers with international career aspirations. We are thrilled to celebrate John’s talent with a place on The 1,000,000,000 List,” said APRA AMCOS Chief Executive Dean Ormston.
"Congratulations to Johnny from all of us at Sony Music Publishing on the huge global success of 'Head & Heart', a massive song that continues to have extraordinary success both here and around the world, achieving gold or platinum status in over 16 countries, #1 in the UK and top ten in over 27 countries. A remarkable achievement," said Damian Trotter, Managing Director, Sony Music Publishing Australia.
'Head & Heart' - performed by Joel Corry (feat. MNEK)