Spotlight on the Country song genre

/in , , , , /by

The aim of our spotlights on different song genres is to make it easy for Music teachers to bring to life the different contemporary music styles.  In addition, for English teachers to have the knowledge and a great instrumental track for pupils to write song lyrics in a style of music they choose.

There could be some difficulties to distinguish Country and Folk music as they share a lot in common. The difference is that Country is a music genre within the big family of Folk music but a folk song is not necessarily a country song.
Country music originated from Blues, Church music and several forms of American folk music in the 1920s. It continued to evolve until nowadays with influences from other traditional genres music but also more commercial styles like Pop since the 2000s.

We’ve looked at some of the key features of instrumentation, rhythm & beat and chords & harmonies in Country songs.  Plus we’ve selected some Country songs to have a listen to.  Pupils can use our demonstration instrumental track to write their lyrics & melodies over.

Instrumentation
In the 1920s, there were no electric instruments and the drum kit was just about to be developed. That’s why the first country musicians mostly used acoustic instruments to accompany their singing like the guitar, the banjo or the accordion and other European instruments like the harmonica and the violin. Drums was at the beginning described as being “too loud” and “not pure” and musicians started to have a drummer only from the 1950s while Electric guitar was used in country music for the first time in 1938. Although it continued to be influenced by other modern genres, the authentic sound of country remains with acoustic instruments.

Rhythm and Beat
Although many country songs tends to be ballads, it’s difficult to say what it the typical rhythm for country. Through time since 1920s it evolved a lot, influenced by many other genres, but mainly by Blues, Rock and Pop music. Some country songs have a shuffle feeling like in Rock”n”roll while others like in contemporary country music sounds similar to Pop music.

Chords and Harmonies
Country took a lot from Blues’ harmonies and scales but like most music, it also uses the normal chord progressions of European diatonic scales.

Demonstration instrumental track
You can use our demonstration instrumental track below to have a go at putting your lyrics and melodies over a Country style instrumental.   The Demo has a 4/4 feel groove with typical country slide electric but also acoustic guitars.  The song structure of this instrumental track is:

Refrain – 4 bars
Verse 1 – 8 bars
Pre Chorus – 8 bars
Chorus – 8 bars
Refrain – 4 bars
Verse 2 – 8 bars
Pre Chorus – 8 bars
Chorus – 8 bars
Refrain – 4 bars
Bridge – 16 bars
Double Chorus – 16 Bars
Refrain – 4 bars

SONG REFERENCES

The following references are here to give you an idea of country music from different period of time. From traditional country to a more commercial one.

JOLENE – DOLLY PARTON

A very well known country song released in 1974 with a typical country sound by an artist still active today.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ixrje2rXLMA

FOLSOM PRISON – JOHNNY CASH

Around the same time as Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash was one of the most influential country singer and songwriter of all time. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AeZRYhLDLeU

HUMBLE AND KIND – TIM MCGRAW

Tim McGraw is a very successful country artist since 1994 with his blending of traditional and Rock music.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awzNHuGqoMc

I HOPE – GABBY BARRETT

This was the most listened country song of 2020 but you can already hear that it sounds very far away from the authentic sound. It’s more a blend of pop music with guitars that reminds you of the traditional country genre. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcCH6JpcK5w

Click here to explore more of our songwriting resources for Teachers.

Information on The Young Songwriter 2023 competition, entry period 1st February to 31st March 2023

Spotlight on the Blues song genre

/in , , , /by

The aim of our spotlights on different song genres is to make it easy for Music teachers to bring to life the different contemporary music styles.  In addition, for English teachers to have the knowledge and a great instrumental track for pupils to write song lyrics in a style of music they choose.

The Blues, which originated from the African Americans communities in the 1860s, is one of the most influential music of the 19th and 20th century. It is the root of many contemporary genres like Jazz, Rock”n”Roll, Country, R”n”B, Soul, Funk and many more.

We’ve looked at some of the key features of instrumentation, rhythm & beat and chords & harmonies in Blues songs.  Plus we’ve selected some Blues songs to have a listen to.  Pupils can use our demonstration instrumental track to write their lyrics & melodies over.

Instrumentation
Slaves in the deep South of America used to sing work songs narrating their routine. When slavery was abolished in 1865 and they were able to have their own instruments, the best one they could afford to accompany their singing was the guitar. Blues evolved with time and incorporated quickly the harmonica, the piano and in the 20th century, the drums, the bass, the electric guitars and the organs.

Rhythm and Beat
Because it originated from songs that accompanied Slaves working on fields, Blues had at the beginning a slow tempo, to sync with the speed of walking footsteps. It is also the music that created a new rhythmical feeling calling shuffle, which led from the 1910s to the rhythmical feeling called swing, used in jazz and many other genres.

Chords and Harmonies
Although it came from musically uneducated people, the Blues revolutionised completely the western perception of music because of its unconventional harmonies. Some “rules” were unconsciously broken, like the fact of singing a minor third while the chord played was major. These discoveries led classically trained pianists to create new piano genres of music like the ragtime and the boogie boogie. The authentic Blues form was created and respected since the beginning and The Blues scale is nowadays used in all kind of music, as well as for improvising melodies.

Demonstration instrumental track
You can use our demonstration instrumental track below to have a go at putting your lyrics and melodies over a Blues style instrumental.  The Demo instrumental has the minor blue form and has a slow 6/8 feel which is quite common.  The song structure of this instrumental track is:

Refrain – 4 bars
Verse 1 – 16 bars
Refrain – 4 bars
Verse 2 – 16 bars
Solo – 16 bars
Verse 3 – 16 bars
Turnaround – 8 bars (second half of verse progression)

SONG REFERENCES

HREE O’CLOCK BLUES – BB.KING
BB.King was considered as one of the “three kings of the blues” with a career longer than 65 years as a singer and guitarist. He was one of the most influential blues musicians since his first record in 1949. This song has a slow 6/8 feel like the reference instrumental.

BEFORE YOU ACCUSE ME – ERIC CLAPTON
In the 1960s, rock”n”roll came to life. Many guitar heroes like Eric Clapton (who was a a friend of BB King) arrived from that time and although music continued to evolve, nobody forgot where all the inspiration came from, the Blues.

SWEET HOME CHICAGO – ROBERT JOHNSON
The legend says Robert sold his soul to the devil in exchange for his talent and ability to create the blues. Sweet Home Chicago is one of the oldest recorded blues song that became a standard among musicians.

SWEET HOME CHICAGO – THE BLUES BROTHERS
The blues brothers became famous worldwide with their movie “the blues brothers” in 1980 which features stars from their time like Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Ray Charles..
This is an interpretation of the song by Robert Johnson which they performed with a whole band including e-guitars, horns, drums etc… It’s a great example of how Blues has evolved through time.
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=blues+brothers+sweet+home+chicago

Click here to explore more of our songwriting resources for Teachers.

Information on The Young Songwriter 2023 competition, entry period 1st February to 31st March 2023

Spotlight on the Reggaeton song genre

/in , , , , , /by

The aim of our spotlights on different song genres is to make it easy for Music teachers to bring to life the different contemporary music styles.  In addition, for English teachers to have the knowledge and a great instrumental track for pupils to write song lyrics in a style of music they choose.

Reggaeton is a music style that originated in Puerto Rico during the mid-1990s and is now regarded as one of the most popular music genres in the Spanish-speaking Caribbean. Over the 2010s the genre has increased in popularity across Latin America, as well as acceptance within mainstream western music and nowadays the grooves of Reggaeton are used in many crossovers with other mainstream styles like RnB, Hip Hop and Pop music.

We’ve looked at some of the key features of instrumentation, rhythm & beat and chords & harmonies in Reggaeton songs.  Plus we’ve selected some Reggaeton songs to have a listen to.  Pupils can use our demonstration instrumental track to write their lyrics & melodies over.

Instrumentation
Reggaeton comes from music styles that used mainly acoustic instruments, drums, guitars, percussions. But with the influence of western electronic music, Reggaeton which is meant for dancing in clubs, blends synths sounds with more percussive traditional instruments. It is also common to hear some acoustic guitars and sometimes even horn sections.

Rhythm and Beat
Typical is the drum beat with the kicks going “4 on the floor” like in a EDM beat but with the snare playing more syncopes (syncopated rhythm). The guitar, accordion or piano sometimes play the typical reggae “Skunk” which is about playing all the “off-beats”. The rhythms are generally accompanied with a lot of percussions like shakers and congas that add fills and dynamics.

Chords and Harmonies
The roots of Reggaeton are close to folk-music but at the same time, it wants to get modern and trendy. That is why there are some songs that use traditional chord progressions while others sounds more pop. But reggaeton is also loved in RnB where we use more colourful jazz chords.

Demonstration instrumental track
You can use our demonstration instrumental track below to have a go at putting your lyrics and melodies over a Reggaeton style instrumental.  The Demo instrumental has a typical medium dance Reggaeton groove.  The song structure of this instrumental track is

Intro x4
Verse x8
Prechorus x8
Chorus x8
2nd Verse x8
2nd Prechorus x8
Chorus x8
Outro x4

SONG REFERENCES

The following references are here to help you understand the classic Reggaeton sound but also different crossovers possibilities.

DESPACITO – LUIS FONSI
This classic has almost 8 billions views on Youtube. It’s a typical Reggaeton song with acoustic instruments like guitars and traditional percussions.

MI GENTE – J BALVIN, WILLY WILLIAM
Another big hit for Reggaeton using sampling, electronic drums and percussions.

LOOSE MY COOL – AMBER MARK
This is an RnB song but using Reggaeton´s beat. It’s a very trendy crossover that uses jazzy harmonies, soulful vocals and Latinos rhythms.

DINERO – JENNIFER LOPEZ
An great crossover between Reggaeton and Hiphop mainly electronically produced but using samples.

DON’T GO YET –
CAMILA CABELLO
This is a pop song but with a rich production blending Reggaeton beats with Salsa elements. You can recognise the traditional instruments like the piano, the guitars, the choir.

Click here to explore more of our songwriting resources for Teachers.

Information on The Young Songwriter 2023 competition, entry period 1st February to 31st March 2023

Spotlight on the Hip Hop song genre

/in , , , , /by

The aim of our spotlights on different song genres is to make it easy for Music teachers to bring to life the different contemporary music styles.  In addition, for English teachers to have the knowledge and a great instrumental track for pupils to write song lyrics in a style of music they choose.

Hip Hop developed in the 1970s by African Americans, Latino Americans and Jamaicans in the bronx borough of New York City, but through times it became more than just a music genre. It started mainly with DJs that would mix music with turntables, experimenting with scratches and breaks while singers would Rap. And the use of new technologies like sampling and drum machines allowed the creation of new music by using old records. Nowadays Hip Hop culture include MCing/rapping, DJing, Break dancing, Grafiti writing, Beatmaking, Beatboxing, Autotuning.

We’re looked at some of the key features of instrumentation, rhythm & beat and chords & harmonies in Hip Hop songs.  Plus we’ve selected some Hip Hop songs to have a listen to.  Pupils can use our demonstration instrumental track to write their lyrics & melodies over.

Instrumentation
While Hip Hop has evolved since the 1970s, creating many subgenres on its way, it is mainly defined by having strong drum beats that uses electronic sounds and samples from old records. The mix of synthesised sounds and samples of acoustic and even exotic traditional instruments from all over the world is a blending of modern and old times which until today has always been trendy.

Rhythm and Beat
Old school and contemporary Hip Hop have the same essence but different drum grooves. While the old school beats tend to be medium fast for break-dancers, it is very common nowadays to have slow beats that have a lot of drum movements and energy using sub basses and crunchy kicks.

Chords and Harmonies
Hip Hop is all about energy and beat. There are no rules really for chords and harmonies because there are many different sub-genres that uses all kind of combinations. Lofi-Hip Hop has a strong jazz influence while Trap is more defined by having less chords and a moving bass line.

Demonstration instrumental track
You can use our demonstration instrumental track below to have a go at putting your lyrics and melodies over a Hip Hop style instrumental.  The Demo instrumental is typical for nowadays Hip Hop beats. It uses mainly a sample of an instrument that reminds traditional instruments from somewhere in the world.  The song structure of this instrumental track is:

Intro x4
Verse x8
Prechorus x8
Chorus x8
2nd Verse x16
Prechorus (buildup) x8
Chorus x8
Chorus (or bridge) x8
Outro x8

SONG REFERENCES

Following song references are here to give you a wide idea of the hiphop sound.

STILL D.R.E – DR. DRE
This is a classic for old school hiphop. A strong drum loop, a repetitive piano pattern, some strings in the background and a lot of rapping.

I LIKE IT – CARDI B
Great production using a lot of traditional instruments and samples in the style of cuban music.

OLD TOWN ROAD – LIL NAS
Fun song blending country singing style, traditional instruments like banjo with autotune and hiphop beat.

GOD´S PLAN – DRAKE
This production is made of 2 chords, a looped synth and a drum beat. Typical contemporary hiphop beat that feels slow but on which we move and dance double time.

Click here to explore more of our songwriting resources for Teachers.

Information on The Young Songwriter 2023 competition, entry period 1st February to 31st March 2023

Spotlight on the Dance song genre

/in , , , , /by

The aim of our spotlights on different song genres is to make it easy for Music teachers to bring to life the different contemporary music styles.  In addition, for English teachers to have the knowledge and a great instrumental track for pupils to write song lyrics in a style of music they choose.

EDM are the initials for Electronic Dance Music which is a wide range of genres made for nightclubs and festivals.
Disco is one of the biggest precursor of EDM that started to use mostly these so called “4 on the floor” beats where the drum kick stays steady, typical for most dance music nowadays. With the appearance of synths, samples and electronic drum beats, several genres were born from the 1980s like Electro, House and Techno music. The clubbing culture evolved differently in Europe and America but from the 2000s EDM music’s popularity increased globally and many different sub-genres continued to develop.

We’ve looked at some of the key features of instrumentation, rhythm & beat and chords & harmonies in Dance songs.  Plus we’ve selected some Dance songs to have a listen to.  Pupils can use our demonstration instrumental track to write their lyrics & melodies over.

Instrumentation
EDM music like the name says is mainly made of electronic sounds and synths. The development of digital production on computers made easy and accessible the manipulation of audio files, complex arrangement with many details and sections, sampling and the use of synthetic effects.

Rhythm and Beat
We are talking about club music so obviously, the goal is to dance, to feel energised. The grooves are mostly fast using strong drum kicks, a lot of percussions and synths that moves with a lot of up beats. Depending of the genre, we could eventually hear a funky guitar or keys that adds even more rhythm.

Chords and Harmonies
The energy of any kind of EDM music comes from the rhythm, the hooks and the sound aesthetic. Some genres use only a few basic chords. some others get influenced by jazz, soul or even classical music.

Demonstration instrumental track
You can use our demonstration instrumental track below to have a go at putting your lyrics and melodies over a Dance style instrumental.  The Demo instrumental has a typical fast beat using a lot of effects, electronic sounds and synths.  The song structure of this instrumental track is:

Intro x4
Verse x8
Prechorus x8
Chorus x8
2nd Verse x8
2nd Prechorus (Buildup) x8
Chorus x8
Chorus x8
Outro x4

SONG REFERENCES

WAKE ME UP – AVICII
Avicii was one of the well known producers that made an impact on the EDM scene. This production has a pop song character but have some typical dance parts led by melodic synths.

TITANIUM – DAVID GUETTA
One of the oldest players in the clubbing game released this classic with the iconic SIA

THIS IS WHAT YOU CAME FOR – CALVIN HARRIS
Another DJ who created this Dance production in collaboration with Rihanna.

SYMPHONY – CLEAN BANDIT
Clean Bandit is a band that is well know for creating clever dance songs with a touch of classical music by using a lot of strings.

Click here to explore more of our songwriting resources for Teachers.

Information on The Young Songwriter 2023 competition, entry period 1st February to 31st March 2023

Spotlight on the RnB song genre

/in , , , , /by

The aim of our spotlights on different song genres is to make it easy for Music teachers to bring to life the different contemporary music styles.  In addition, for English teachers to have the knowledge and a great instrumental track for pupils to write song lyrics in a style of music they choose.

RnB are the initials for Rhythm and Blues, a genre of music that originated in African-American communities in the 1940s. That was the time where musicians transformed jazz based music by using new popular instrument like electric guitar and bass and more heavy consistent drum beats.

Some artists who made this genre well known were Chuck Berry, Ray Charles, Little Richard.  Nowadays, RNB music has evolved a lot, using electronic sounds and production technics like in modern pop music. But the essence is still the same as at its beginning, some Jazz, some Blues and a lot of Soul.

We’ve looked at some of the key features of instrumentation, rhythm & beat and chords & harmonies in RnB songs.  Plus we’ve selected some RnB songs to have a listen to.  Pupils can use our demonstration instrumental track to write their lyrics & melodies over.

Instrumentation
In contemporary RNB, it is very often to hear electric or acoustic guitars. Synths and keys are used to add more colours and its even possible to hear sometimes horns sections which comes from jazz and soul music. And of course all kind of drum beats with modern effects, reversed sounds and noises that add character to a track.

Rhythm and Beat
RNB evolved a lot through time and it is difficult to define one typical groove for this kind of music. The early “Rhythm and Blues” sounded very similar to Rock”n”roll. It had a fast tempo with the intention to make people dance. Nowadays RNB tends to be slower than typical dance Songs and they are sometimes even very slow. Most songs are in 4/4 which means that the rhythm goes 1, 2, 3, 4 but RNB is a genre that has a lot of songs using 6/8 rhythms like in the demo instrumental.

Chords and Harmonies
Pop and RnB music seems to be very similar nowadays because they are both very popular, very flexible, they use both acoustic and electronic sounds. But the roots of RNB are Jazz and Blues so you need to play jazzy chords to get the colours of a H.e.r or Jorja Smith´s song. By adding the 7th of each chords like Am7 instead of just Am, it will already get much closer to the authentic RNB sound.

Demonstration instrumental track
You can use our demonstration instrumental track below to have a go at putting your lyrics and melodies over a RnB style instrumental.  The Demo instrumental has a 6/8 feels which means that we count 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.  The song structure of this instrumental track is:

Intro x4 (bars)
Verse x8
Prechorus x8
Chorus x8
2nd Verse x8
2nd Prechorus x8
Chorus x8
Chorus x8
Outro x8

SONG REFERENCES

Following songs are here to help you understand the groove of it, make you discover variations with different moods and also inspire you with melodic ideas.

FALLIN – ALICIA KEYS
One of the most well known RnB songs of the 2000s. Alicia Keys loves to use the acoustic piano everywhere and a lot of backing vocals to add more dynamics while the electronic drum beat is almost just a loop.

FORFEIT – KIANA LEDÉ
Typical 6/8 guitar based RnB song with many movements and variations in the vocal melodies.

COMFORTABLE – H.E.R
Intimate song with simple hooks with the choruses that leaves a lot of space for the music to vibe.

IF YOU LET ME – SINEAD HARNETT
This doesn’t have a 6/8 feel but it is a great song with a lot of energy and passion although it is very slow and uses only electronic sounds.

DANGEROUS WOMAN –
ARIANA GRANDE
This would probably be described more as a Pop song rather than a RnB one but it is also in 6/8 and Ariana Grande is anyway known to have sung anything from EDM, Pop, HipHop, Jazz and of also RnB.

Click here to explore more of our songwriting resources for Teachers.

Information on The Young Songwriter 2023 competition, entry period 1st February to 31st March 2023

The Young Songwriter 2022 live showcase highlights video

/in , , , /by

The winners & top finalists of The Song Academy Young Songwriter 2022 competition, UK/Ireland category, plus VIP guest artists performed, their original songs at the iconic Tabernacle in Notting Hill, London. Be inspired by our highlights video!

The Young Songwriter 2023 competition is open for entries from the 1st February to the 31st March 2023. Get your songs ready! Check out our songwriting programmes (clubs, workshops, song feedback) to help you write your best song yet!

Winners of The Young Songwriter 2022 competition

/in , , , /by

The Young Songwriter 2022 competition gives the unheard youth a voice and platform to express themselves and be heard. The standard of finalist songs entered this year was exceptionally high. To select the winners we listened for inventiveness, creativity & bravery with lyrics & melodies illuminating our imaginations, as well as the overall impact of the song. The future of music is bright and diverse.

SAYS22 Star Judges include Tom Grennan, Amy Wadge, Miranda Cooper, Tom Odell, Eg White, Jimmy Napes, Emily Phillips, Plested, Hannah V, Sodajerker, Sacha Skarbek, Calum Scott, Dan Gillespie Sells, Janet Devlin, Simon Aldred & Grace Davies

Drumroll please! The winners of the hotly contested Song Academy Young Songwriter 2022 competition, in its 12th year, have now been revealed. This year’s competition attracted an impressive 852 high quality entries from aspiring young songwriters aged 8-18 across the world, both experienced young songwriters and those who’ve written their first song.

The Young Songwriter competition stands for the craft and art of songwriting in its purest form, enabling young songwriters to aspire to the very best melody, lyric, structure, concept, harmony, mood and impact a song can have. It inspires young people to think about and speak up about things that are important to them personally, in their community and in the wider world and get their voices heard. It’s a supportive community where young people feel brave and can express themselves, celebrate individuality and be themselves. The benefits from this unique community are far reaching, especially the positive boost to mental health.

What makes a sensational song is ultimately subjective. The winners’ songs were selected as they stood out for their creativity, invention & courage with lyrics & melodies illuminating our imaginations as well as the overall impact of the song. Congratulations also go to all SAYS22 finalists and our vibrant community of young songwriters around the world.

Fraser T Smith (songwriter, producer and SAYS21 judge) said “With so much going on in the world, it’s never been more vital for young people to be able to channel their energy and emotions into something positive, which is what The Young Songwriter competition encourages and facilitates through songwriting. Every young person has something to say, a story to tell, or a message to share – that’s why Song Academy is so important to our community.”

As well as The Young Songwriter competition, Song Academy run songwriting clubs in term time, songwriting workshops in the holidays, song feedback reports, recording & production workshops, bespoke songwriting workshops & birthday parties.

Official sponsors of The Song Academy Young Songwriter 2022 competition are YouTube Music, Yamaha, Soundtrap, Focusrite, PRS for Music, IK Multimedia, ICMP and Orange Learn.

UK/IRELAND, 13-18 YEAR OLDS WINNER: SISI 

UK/IRELAND, 8-12 YEAR OLDS WINNER: JOHNNY BEAU

INTERNATIONAL, 13-18 YEAR OLDS WINNER: JOEY WILBUR

INTERNATIONAL, 8-12 YEAR OLDS WINNER: EVA STEINERT

SAYS22 Official Partners include First News, Amazing Radio, BMI, Ivors Academy, FAC, SoundCity, AOC, MUSIC:ED, The Troubadour, Sing Up & Fun Kids Radio

NOTES TO EDITORS:

SONG ACADEMY – helping every child find their voice and find their tribe

Founded 13 years ago, Song Academy is dedicated to the future of music and the wellbeing of young people aged 8-18. Our mission is to help children from all backgrounds find their voice and find their tribe, through writing their own original songs at a formative time of their life. We aim to take them from their first song to developing their first album. We nurture young writers, artists, musicians, producers and creative thinkers, empowering young people to achieve their full potential and shape their future.

We are the leading platform for young songwriters.  Our focus is on the craft of songwriting, creating lyrics and music. We believe that songwriting and music can transform the lives of young people. Young people are growing up in a competitive, fast-changing and potentially isolating environment, leaving them vulnerable to various pressures and issues with their mental health. Songwriting enables young people to communicate their thoughts and feelings and connect to others. Through this creative and therapeutic process, they can discover their identity, overcome challenges, feel empowered, and advance their general writing and social skills. Not only can the songs they write advance potential musical careers, but also spark debate, build connection with peers and shape their future.

Song Academy runs after-school clubs, holiday workshops, school workshops, birthday parties and an annual international Young Songwriter competition. As a result of our programmes, we have seen an increase in confidence, self-esteem, creativity, motivation, well-being and technical songwriting ability of our members.

Email: rowena@songacademy.co.uk. Tel: 07710 023743

ORIGINALITY • CREATIVITY • COURAGE • INDIVIDUALITY • SELF ESTEEM • INSPIRATION • RESILIENCE • CONNECTION • RESPECT

Announcing the top 3 finalists in The Song Academy Young Songwriter 2022 competition

/in , , , /by

The Young Songwriter 2022 competition gives the unheard youth a voice and platform to express themselves and be heard. The standard of finalist songs entered this year was exceptionally high. To select the top 3 songs we listened for inventiveness, creativity & bravery with lyrics & melodies illuminating our imaginations, as well as the overall impact of the song. The future of music is bright and diverse.

SAYS22 Star Judges include Tom Grennan, Amy Wadge, Miranda Cooper, Tom Odell, Eg White, Jimmy Napes, Emily Phillips, Plested, Hannah V, Sodajerker, Sacha Skarbek, Calum Scott, Dan Gillespie Sells, Janet Devlin, Simon Aldred & Grace Davies

Drumroll please! The top 3 finalists of the hotly contested Song Academy Young Songwriter 2022 competition, in its 12th year, have now been revealed. This year’s competition attracted an impressive 852 high quality entries from aspiring young songwriters aged 8-18 across the world, both experienced young songwriters and those who’ve written their first song.

The Young Songwriter competition stands for the craft and art of songwriting in its purest form, enabling young songwriters to aspire to the very best melody, lyric, structure, concept, harmony, mood and impact a song can have. It inspires young people to think about and speak up about things that are important to them personally, in their community and in the wider world and get their voices heard. It’s a supportive community where young people feel brave and can express themselves, celebrate individuality and be themselves. The benefits from this unique community are far reaching, especially the positive boost to mental health.

What makes a sensational song is ultimately subjective. The top 3 finalists songs were selected as they stood out for their creativity, invention & courage with lyrics & melodies illuminating our imaginations as well as the overall impact of the song. Congratulations also go to all SAYS22 finalists and our vibrant community of young songwriters.

The UK/Ireland winners will be announced on the 25th June at The Young Songwriter 2022 live showcase held at The Tabernacle, Notting Hill, London.  HOW TO BOOK TICKETS:  send an email to contact@songacademy.co.uk to request tickets.  The International winners will be announced at the online showcase on Sunday 26th June at 2pm BST.

Fraser T Smith (songwriter, producer and SAYS21 judge) said “With so much going on in the world, it’s never been more vital for young people to be able to channel their energy and emotions into something positive, which is what The Young Songwriter competition encourages and facilitates through songwriting. Every young person has something to say, a story to tell, or a message to share – that’s why Song Academy is so important to our community.”

As well as The Young Songwriter competition, Song Academy run songwriting clubs in term time, songwriting workshops in the holidays, song feedback reports, recording & production workshops, bespoke songwriting workshops & birthday parties.

Official sponsors of The Song Academy Young Songwriter 2022 competition are YouTube Music, Yamaha, Soundtrap, Focusrite, PRS for Music, IK Multimedia, ICMP and Orange Learn.

CATEGORY:  UK/IRELAND, 13-18 YEAR OLDS (TOP 3 SONGS)

CANNOT LOSE MYSELF – SISI (NORTH EAST)
DON’T RILE THE YOUNG – SONIC DAZE (LONDON)
SOLD THE STORY – LEONA MAE (BEDS, HERTS & BUCKS)

HIGHLY COMMENDED: GATEKEEPER – BEA (LONDON)

CATEGORY:  UK/IRELAND, 8-12 YEAR OLDS (TOP 3 SONGS)

FOMO – HOLLY DAIS (DEVON)
FREE – JOHNNY BEAU (LONDON)
LINGO – MATTHEW ARKOH (LONDON)

CATEGORY:  INTERNATIONAL, 13-18 YEAR OLDS (TOP 3 SONGS)

BIGGER – ALEXANDRA CRIBB (TORONTO, CANADA)
BOY – SUMMER BRENNAN (CALIFORNIA, USA)
THINK MYSELF TO DEATH – JOEY WILBUR (CHICAGO, USA)

CATEGORY:  INTERNATIONAL, 8-12 YEAR OLDS (TOP 3 SONGS)

BUBBLEGUM GIRL – DEVY (MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA)
DEAR MADELEINE – EVA STEINERT (MISSOURI, USA)
ON THE RUN – NOAH ROBERTSON (QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA)

SAYS22 Official Partners include First News, Amazing Radio, BMI, Ivors Academy, FAC, SoundCity, AOC, MUSIC:ED, The Troubadour, Sing Up & Fun Kids Radio

NOTES TO EDITORS:

SONG ACADEMY – helping every child find their voice and find their tribe

Founded 13 years ago, Song Academy is dedicated to the future of music and the wellbeing of young people aged 8-18. Our mission is to help children from all backgrounds find their voice and find their tribe, through writing their own original songs at a formative time of their life. We aim to take them from their first song to developing their first album. We nurture young writers, artists, musicians, producers and creative thinkers, empowering young people to achieve their full potential and shape their future.

We are the leading platform for young songwriters.  Our focus is on the craft of songwriting, creating lyrics and music. We believe that songwriting and music can transform the lives of young people. Young people are growing up in a competitive, fast-changing and potentially isolating environment, leaving them vulnerable to various pressures and issues with their mental health. Songwriting enables young people to communicate their thoughts and feelings and connect to others. Through this creative and therapeutic process, they can discover their identity, overcome challenges, feel empowered, and advance their general writing and social skills. Not only can the songs they write advance potential musical careers, but also spark debate, build connection with peers and shape their future.

Song Academy runs after-school clubs, holiday workshops, school workshops, birthday parties and an annual international Young Songwriter competition. As a result of our programmes, we have seen an increase in confidence, self-esteem, creativity, motivation, well-being and technical songwriting ability of our members.

Email: rowena@songacademy.co.uk. Tel: 07710 023743

ORIGINALITY • CREATIVITY • COURAGE • INDIVIDUALITY • SELF ESTEEM • INSPIRATION • RESILIENCE • CONNECTION • RESPECT

The Song Academy Young Songwriter 2022 showcase

/in , , /by

A must see event to inspire musical & creative young people! The winners & top finalists of The Song Academy Young Songwriter 2022 competition and special VIP guests will perform their original songs at the iconic Tabernacle in Notting Hill.  Book your tickets!

The inspirational Song Academy Young Songwriter 2022 live showcase will be held on Saturday 25th June, 7 – 9:30pm at The Tabernacle, 34-35 Powis Square, Notting Hill, London W11 2AY.  The Young Songwriter 2022 competition winners, finalists and Song Academy alumni making waves in the music industry will be performing their original songs live at The Tabernacle – a fabulous venue in Notting Hill. Plus, VIP Guest and SAYS22 judge, Grace Davies will be performing!

The showcase celebrates the inventiveness & creativity of young people and the power of songwriting to help young people find their voice and find their tribe.  The future is bright and diverse!

We are delighted that the showcase will be compered by two young creative stars & Song Academy ambassadors – Sophie Griffiths & Lex Gibbon.  Sophie is an exceptional singer songwriter with her soul-pop sound and a TikTok influencer with over 360k followers!  Lex is a fabulous singer songwriter and an advocate for mental health awareness, body positivity and anti bullying – using her music to help inspire others and help them believe they can achieve anything they set their minds to.

HOW TO BOOK YOUR TICKETS

To book your seats at this unique event send an email to contact@songacademy.co.uk. £20 for seats at tables in the stalls (8 person tables and 10 person tables). £15 for seats in the gallery. All seats have an excellent view of the stage. Limited availability so we suggest you book soon. E-tickets will be sent out the week before.

The Song Academy Young Songwriter competition is the leading international songwriting competition for young people aged 8-18.  This year attracted an impressive 852 high quality entries. Song Academy gives the unheard youth a voice and platform to express themselves and be heard. The standard of finalist songs entered this year was exceptionally high. To select the top 10 songs we listened for inventiveness, creativity & bravery with lyrics & melodies illuminating our imaginations. Young people have a unique way of expressing themselves, they are a new generation experiencing life in the most vivid and visceral way.

SAYS22 Star Judges include Tom Grennan, Amy Wadge, Miranda Cooper, Tom Odell, Eg White, Jimmy Napes, Emily Phillips, Plested, Hannah V, Sodajerker, Sacha Skarbek, Calum Scott, Dan Gillespie Sells, Janet Devlin, Crispin Hunt, Maegan Cottone, Simon Aldred & Grace Davies.

Official sponsors of The Song Academy Young Songwriter 2022 competition are YouTube Music, Yamaha, Soundtrap, Focusrite, PRS for Music, IK Multimedia, ICMP and Orange Learn.

Fraser T Smith (songwriter, producer and SAYS21 judge) said “With so much going on in the world, it’s never been more vital for young people to be able to channel their energy and emotions into something positive, which is what The Young Songwriter competition encourages and facilitates through songwriting. Every young person has something to say, a story to tell, or a message to share – that’s why Song Academy is so important to our community.”

Tom Odell (singer songwriter and SAYS22 judge) said “When I was 13 years old I started writing songs, and over the following years I became more and more obsessed with it. But the thing that always kept me awake at night was how to get them out there for people to hear them. This is why I think the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition is a great way to inspire and help through this process, and it’s something I wish had been around when I was starting out.”

THE YOUNG SONGWRITER 2022, UK/IRELAND TOP 10 FINALISTS

13-18 YEAR OLDS 

BELLADONNA – RUBY COOKE (LONDON)
BREATHTAKING TENSION – CHARLIE HEWLETT (DEVON)
CANNOT LOSE MYSELF – SISI (NORTH EAST)
CONTRAST – VINNIE COHEN (LONDON)
DON’T RILE THE YOUNG – SONIC DAZE (LONDON)
GATEKEEPER – BEA (LONDON)
HONEST – CONOR MARCUS (IRELAND)
NEW YEAR’S EVE – RUBY ANN SPIEGEL (NORFOLK)
SOLD THE STORY – LEONA MAE (BEDS, HERTS & BUCKS)
SWEET 16 – TWAYN (NORTH EAST)

HIGHLY COMMENDED: DANIEL MCCARTHY, ALL IN – LUKE ELLIOTT, BETTER OFF – ROSIE TRENTHAM, GIRL THAT I OUTGREW – STATYC, MACHINE HEAD BOY – THIS ELEGANT GULL, SOULS ARE RISING – OSCAR MEADES, TOPIARY – STUART VEITCH, USED TO BE

YOUNG RISING STAR: WOODY COLLINS, IRON FIST, 13 YEARS OLD

8-12 YEAR OLDS 

ANTHEM X – JOHN DENTON (MANCHESTER)
FIND YOU – FIRE FLIES (LONDON)
FOMO – HOLLY DAIS (DEVON)
FRANKIE IN THE HOUSE (SUPER COOL) – FRANKIE MEADES (BEDS, HERTS & BUCKS)
FREE – JOHNNY BEAU (LONDON)
FRIED – UMA MARTIN (LONDON)
LINGO – MATTHEW ARKOH (LONDON)
MY FATE – NIKOLAS ROCHE (LONDON)
OUR SECRET HEAVEN – GRETA KILL (DEVON)
TAKE ME TO THE STARS – JOSEPH DAVIS (WEST MIDLANDS)

HIGHLY COMMENDED: MAX KENWORTHY, DON’T LEAVE ME NOW – NELLY ROSE BINGHAM, FIND A PLACE – GEORGIA TAYLOR , MIRACLE – MAYA HELON, OPPOSITE WAY – FINN CRABTREE, PARADISE FALLS – SYLVIE HAMMERSLEY-FOX, TURN BACK TIME

We hope to see you there!

BACKGROUND ON SONG ACADEMY – helping every child find their voice and find their tribe

ORIGINALITY • CREATIVITY • COURAGE • INDIVIDUALITY • SELF ESTEEM • INSPIRATION • RESILIENCE • CONNECTION • RESPECT

Founded 13 years ago, Song Academy is dedicated to the future of music and the wellbeing of young people aged 8-18. Our mission is to help children from all backgrounds find their voice and find their tribe, through writing their own original songs at a formative time of their life. We aim to take them from their first song to developing their first album. We nurture young writers, artists, musicians, producers and creative thinkers, empowering young people to achieve their full potential and shape their future.

We are the leading platform for young songwriters.  Our focus is on the craft of songwriting, creating lyrics and music. We believe that songwriting and music can transform the lives of young people. Young people are growing up in a competitive, fast-changing and potentially isolating environment, leaving them vulnerable to various pressures and issues with their mental health. Songwriting enables young people to communicate their thoughts and feelings and connect to others. Through this creative and therapeutic process, they can discover their identity, overcome challenges, feel empowered, and advance their general writing and social skills. Not only can the songs they write advance potential musical careers, but also spark debate, build connection with peers and shape their future.

Song Academy runs after-school clubs, holiday workshops, school workshops, birthday parties and an annual international Young Songwriter competition. As a result of our programmes, we have seen an increase in confidence, self-esteem, creativity, motivation, well-being and technical songwriting ability of our members.

Email: rowena@songacademy.co.uk. Tel: 07710 023743

UPCOMING SONGWRITING PROGRAMMES

Summer holidays Songwriting Workshops

Song Feedback Reports Service

Autumn Term Songwriting Clubs

GET LATEST NEWS FIRST. JOIN OUR MAILING LIST.

’SIGN

Media infoPrivacy policyChild protection & safeguarding policyTerms & conditionsCookie policyContact

our sponsors

 
© Copyright 2024 Song Academy. All rights reserved