TOP 30 SONGS OF THE YOUNG SONGWRITER 2024 COMPETITION
The Young Songwriter 2024 judges include: Eg White, Miranda Cooper, Naughty Boy, MNEK, Lost Boy, Dan Gillespie Sells, Cathy Dennis, Hannah V, Plested, Jimmy Napes, Jon Maguire, Connie Talbot, Emily Phillips & Nina Nesbitt.
Drumroll please! The top 30 songs of the hotly contested Song Academy Young Songwriter 2024 competition, in its 14th year, have now been revealed. This year’s competition attracted over 1,000 high quality entries (a 20% increase on 2023) from aspiring young songwriters aged 8-22 across the world, both experienced young songwriters and those who’ve written their first song. Song Academy is turning up the volume on empowering & uniting youth across the world!
Emily Phillips, songwriter and lead judge of The Young Songwriter 2024 competition said “Over 1,000 songs were submitted this year to The Young Songwriter 2024 competition. Once again I have had the privilege of discovering new talent in the next generation of young songwriters. It is the most amazing feeling to come across songs written by children, teenagers and young adults that make you stop and think, or lose yourself. The imagination of children knows no bounds and channelling this energy into songs is a wonderful and creative vehicle for self expression. The Song Academy is one of the leading platforms in the world for young people to find an audience for their songs, and also, for the young writers to benefit from a panel of experienced judges to help feedback and reflect on their work.
This year, as usual, the topics vary from the deeply personal, to family, to love, to anguish, to existential crises such as war or climate, to pure eccentric fun, and also to serious teenage issues. I get a real insight into the preoccupation of a generation, and sometimes I find that these feelings and ideas are written and recorded into something of great beauty. The production on some of the songs can be distracting from the pure analysis of a song, although at other times the production supports and makes the song. There are many variables at play when judging, so although I am listening out for great melodies, lyrics, concepts, structure, originality and musicality, there are other intuitive factors at play when I judge, which may lead me to choose a song which defies any logic or explanation, such is the enigmatic power of Music.
I, along with Song Academy, encourage all young songwriters to collaborate with other songwriters. Collaboration is a great way to increase the skillsets required to write, by giving songwriters instant feedback, more objectivity on ideas, the chance to share ideas and build upon them, to have fun while writing and also to learn from each others strengths and weaknesses. Despite songwriting and collaborating professionally for the last 17 years, I still look forward to every session and always learn from my co-writers.
I’d like to sum up by thanking Rowena who runs Song Academy for giving so many young writers the chance to have their songs shared and listened to, and for helping support and encourage the next generation of songwriters.”
The Young Songwriter 2024 competition attracted a diverse group of aspiring young songwriters, helped this year by the bursary from UK Music, the collective voice of the UK’s world-leading music industry. Gender breakdown was: 62% of entrants were girls, 32% boys, 6% preferred not to say or had a unique gender identification. Entries were from across the entire UK/Ireland (71%) and around the world (29%). Age breakdown was: 11% aged 8-12, 21% aged 13-15, 41% aged 16-18 and 27% aged 19-22. 75% were from across the UK/Ireland (62% outside of London) and 25% internationally.
Listen to the top finalists’ songs on the Song Academy SoundCloud account! Plus the top finalists’ songs and young songwriters are SHOWN BELOW. The International 8-12 year olds and 19-22 categories will wait until the top 10 announcements as they had fewer entries.
The top 10 finalists of all categories will be announced on the 11th June. The UK/Ireland winners will be announced on Saturday 21st September 2024 at The Young Songwriter 2024 live showcase held at The Tabernacle, Notting Hill, London. The International winners will be announced at the online showcase on Sunday 22nd September at 2pm GMT. Stay tuned to our social channels to hear the announcements first!
Naughty Boy (songwriter, producer, DJ and SAYS24 judge) says “Young songwriters are the future of music. A great song will always stand the test of time far beyond our years. I think this competition is important because every songwriter I’ve worked with was always waiting to be discovered.”
The next opportunity for young songwriters aged 11-18 is joining one of our residential songwriting summer camps from 7-10th August, in Surrey and 14-17th August in North Yorkshire, UK. There are a limited number of places available so please contact us soon! Click here for more info on our songwriting summer camps.
In addition, we offer an insightful song feedback service at a discounted price for all SAYS24 entrants. Click here for more information on how we can help you develop your songwriting talents.
Official sponsors of The Song Academy Young Songwriter 2024 competition are Shure, YouTube Music, PRS for Music, Focusrite, Soundtrap and ICMP.
CATEGORY: UK/IRELAND, 19-22 YEAR OLDS * TOP 30
ALBATROSS – FREDDY GILLMORE
ALL MY GHOSTS ARE BLEEDING – RUBY COOKE
AMBIVALENT LOVE – CHARLIE HEWLETT
BEAUTIFUL CLOUD – LEO MAIN
BO PEEP – JEM WAX
BREAKFAST ON THE ROOF – ELLIE EVANS
CLOSE – LYDIA SHUTE
COMFORT CHAOS – ROMY TAYLOR
DOWN LOW – ED GENT
EVERYBODY NEEDS SOMEBODY – JAKE ST ANGE
EVERYDAY PEOPLE – NAT DEMPSEY
FREAK! – SHE’S MINE
GIRL ON A WALK – HAMISH OGILVY
GRACEFUL TOUCH – ANNEKA SHELLEY
GREENER – CONNIE CLAXON
LANDMINES – ISOLABELLA
LIFE LINE – JAKE THOMPSON
MIRROR IMAGE – HARRY LUKE
PHOEBE – BEA PENGELLY
POINT OF VIEW – FLINTZ AND T4YLOR
RIGHT HANDS – BORRELLE
SECONDS – JAS RATCHFORD
SPACEMAN – TABLE 4 1
STILL ASKING WHY – DANNY CLEMENT
TANGLED – EVE CHRISTINA
THIS TOO SHALL PASS – HOLLY LAWLESS
VILLAIN – MALAIKA
VOID – CHESS
WHAT’S A GIRL GONNA DO – MARIANNE LEIGH
YOU DON’T WANT ME ENOUGH – DAISY PEACOCK
CATEGORY: UK/IRELAND, 16-18 YEAR OLDS * TOP 30
A LETTER TO THE MOON – ISLA MAE
ADDICTED – SAMUEL HANN JONES
AFTERLIFE – OSCAR BROWN
AUTUMN OF ADOLESCENCE – ASHER SAIPE
BACK TO SOHO – BILLY HOWARD
BRUNETTE EXPERIMENT – LYLA FOREMAN
CASINO – GAIA & ANNIE
DARKNESS OF DECEMBER – ALEX LYONS
DOLLS HOUSE – SASHA FORD
FRIO – CHUKSY AND DREAMM
GOD’S STARGIRL – SUFEEYAH
GOOD GIRL BAD – LARA, GEORGIE & VERSHANTI
GOODBYE – LAUREN HOBBS, BETHAN ESDAILE
HEADLIGHTS – NOT SO CLEVER BAND
HIT REWIND – SAFFRON
HOPELESS – FLO WILKES
I BET YOU KNOW – LAUREN ROSE
I’LL LOVE YOU JUST THE SAME – BENJY SAIA
KNIVES – DAISY
LITTLE MAJOR – MIA WHITE
LITTLE THINGS – LIZZIE HILL
MOON EYES – SHAAN BHASKAR
PIECES – TERI OFON
SCREEN SURENDER – TAMARA HENDIN
SERIOUS – SOPHIE FERIANI
SUMMER FEELING – JUST THE BRAVE
TEMPORARY REMEDY – ETHAN LAW
THE GOLDEN DAYS – CARA FLYNN
THIS LIFE TODAY – THE CHYNES
WRONG PLACE WRONG TIME – KITTY CROCKER
CATEGORY: UK/IRELAND, 13-15 YEAR OLDS * TOP 30
BEING YOU – NAD
CANDLES – JAYDEN M
CARBON MONOXIDE – OLIVIER DANTE
DESPERATE – MAYA MARTIN
DROWNING IN LOVE – ARÑAV
FELL FOR YOU – SAMUEL KHANNA
FORGIVENESS – ISLA JADE
HELPING HAND – NOAH BEHAN
HYMN FOR YOUR TOWN – KIT BOTTOMLEY
JOURNEY – JOSIAH CASTRO
LIFE LIKE THIS – SHANELLE AND MICHELLE
LIFE WORTH LIVING – ROBBIE HOPE
LOOK UP HIGH – SHANELLE RUDRIGO
MAKE IT SLOW – LOIS BROOKS
MARY – LILY-MAE
NOT ENOUGH – ROBYN JONES
OH, THE SIMPLE THINGS – JOSEPH DAVIS
OLD SOLDIER – JOEL WOODSHORE
PRINCESS – STORM HENSHAW
SAVE YOU MONEY – SHOEHORN
SHE KNOWS – THE MONUMENTALS
SOMEONE IN TUNE – JACK STRICKLAND
SUBMERGED – WILLOW WHITLEY
SUPERNOVA – SAMMY ATTOUCHE
TATTOOED SKIN – ROMY WOODWARD
TEARING AT THE AIR – STRING ‘N’ BONE – BEN GUTHRIE AND HUGO GUTHRIE
TYPE OF DAYS – THE HEIGHT
WASTE OF TIME – CORA HARKIN
WE NEVER SAW IT COMING – JOHNNY BEAU
WHY DO WE WHISPER – BENEFIT OF THE SHOUT
CATEGORY: UK/IRELAND, 8-12 YEAR OLDS * TOP 30
‘CAUSE I LOVE YOU – AMBER RUSHER
ALONE – ELENI VAROUTSI
BACK UP SINGER – ELISA MCEVOY
BETTER WORLD – MAYA DICKIE KEDAR
BOOM BOOM NO – YAELLE PRELI
CLOSED DOORS – WILLOW LLEWELYN
DAVE IN THE BUSH – DJANGO EVANS COHEN
FIRST KISS – BETHAN TUDOR
FOUR SEASONS – MICHELLE GOSSEN
HEARTBREAK MELODIES – BEN M MANSELL
HEDGEHOGS – GRETA RAWSON-COURAGE
HELLO – GEORGE HILTON
I DON’T THINK YOU’RE ANYWHERE – BETTY ABLETT
IT TAKES LOVE – LEO NADARAJAH
OCEAN – CHARLEY
PICK UP THE PHONE – MICHELLE LEVINSKI
PLANE – AYONA ELLORA
RAT-A-TAT TAT – ALANNAH GEORGE
REBORN – GEORGIA RUSSELL
REGRET – HARRIS HUNTER
SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS – TESS GOODFELLOW
STARLIGHT OF MY LIFE – LEONORA SIMMONDS-HEINS
THE BEACH – HORATIO WILMOTT
THE POWER – HELENA NISSAN
THINK OF YOU – EDITH UNDERHILL
U AND I – REY
WALLS – JAHNEL MARSEGLIA MENDY
WEDNESDAYS – LILY CLARKE
WRITTEN IN THE COSMOS – MILO DELLAL
YOU WANNA LOOK AT STARS – MAX OVENDEN
CATEGORY: INTERNATIONAL, 13-18 YEAR OLDS * TOP 30
10 YEARS – ZIPZ
ALL OF US – MASON TRUEBLOOD
AVALANCHE – RENYI LIU
BETTER DAY – MONIQUE RASO
CALL IT LIKE IT IS – ORION OVERSTREET
DELUSION – EDIE YVONNE
DON’T WANNA KNOW – CHARLOTTE MOORE
DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY – ADDILY
ETERNAL – EDEN
FAH – PREMCHAI SNIPER
HAPPY DAYS – SONG SISTERS
HE’S ABLE – JANESSA SMITH
HELEN – SARAH PARMET
HOW DO YOU KNOW – NÚRIA FOREMAN
JUST A PHASE – SUMMER BENNETT
LIKE A HAIRPIN – SIAN
LOST – ORYAN BOROCHOV
MATCHBOOK – SUMMER BRENNAN
MY BEST – TINA LAROSA
PICTURE ME – MEGAN CHIPOYI
PILE OF DOLLS – INDI-LEE
RAGNAROK COMES – LILIAN VAN WYK
SUGARPILL – CORA BURCH
TELL ME – CASSIA YAP
WATCHING YOU BE YOUNG – KIRRA ALEXIS
WILDFLOWER – ZACHARY ZWELLING
WILL YOU BE MINE – ELKA VANEVSKI
WISHING STAR – DERE ARAT
WISHING YOU LOVE – TRIOFECTA
YOU ALREADY GOT MY HEART – SARAH MAY
Paul Crognale, Associate Director, Global Marketing at Shure said “We are thrilled to join SAYS24 and empower the next generation of songwriters, producers, and musicians. While Shure has maintained its position as a leader in professional audio technology on the world’s biggest stages, we also want to recognize and support those starting out in their careers. By partnering with Song Academy, we have the chance to directly engage with young individuals, encouraging them to express themselves, be heard, and sound extraordinary.”
Kenny Barber, Relationship Manager – Black Music, PRS for Music, said: “In supporting the voices that will shape our future industry, PRS for Music is investing not just in music but in the dreams, aspirations, and boundless potential of the next generation of songwriters and composers. We look forward to hearing the unique melodies, harmonies and lyrics that are entered and encourage all young people to seize this opportunity and submit their original songs!”
Rowena Atkins, Founder & CEO of Song Academy said “The Young Songwriter 2024 competition is a golden opportunity for young people to not only get recognition for their creative talent but also connect and be inspired by other aspiring young songwriters writing songs in their bedrooms around the world. We vision a world where all young people feel confident in who they are, celebrating their individuality, feeling empowered by sharing what’s important to them and creating their united future.”
NOTES TO EDITORS:
SONG ACADEMY – The Sound Of Youth Empowement
Founded 15 years ago, Song Academy is the leading songwriting platform for young people aged 8-22. Our vision is for every young person, across all backgrounds to have faith in themselves. Song Academy uses the power of songwriting and community to empower young people to express themselves, finding their voice and their tribe.
Song Academy programmes include weekly songwriting clubs, holiday workshops, summer camps, song feedback reports, school songwriting workshops, mentoring programme and The Young Songwriter competition.
We nurture the next generation of creative leaders (young songwriters, artists, musicians, producers & creative thinkers) who will be shaping the future. We believe that Song Academy makes a significant addition to the pipeline of new talented songwriters/artists/producers – creating a diverse and equal music industry where mental health is a priority.
