SAM SMITH’S hit single “Stay With Me” has been named song of the year at the BMI Awards.

    The tear-jerking ballad received the honor after becoming the most-performed British or European song on U.S. TV and radio last year.

    It beat stiff competition from Ed Sheeran, whose singles “Don’t” and “Sing” were both up for the prize.

    Graham Gouldman was given the icon award, in honor of his work for 10cc, McFly, The Yardbirds and The Hollies. A special award was presented to Mick Jagger and Keith Richards in honor of “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction,” which has now been played 9 million times on U.S. radio. There were also awards for The Zombies’ “Time of the Season,” which has been played 7 million times, while Tears For Fears’ “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” and Gerry Rafferty’s “Baker Street” were recognized for 6 million combined plays.

    Smith won a further four prizes — for “Stay With Me,” “I’m Not the Only One,” “Latch” (with Disclosure) and “La, La, La” (with Naughty Boy).

    The honors came on the same day he was presented with two Guinness World Records — one for scoring the most consecutive weeks in the U.K. top 10 by a debut album; and the other for recording the first James Bond theme to go to number one.

    (SD-Agencies)