Star-studded judges, including Tom Grennan, GAYLE, Miranda Cooper, Nina Nesbitt, MNEK, Toby Gad, Calum Scott, Eg White, Freddy Wexler, Plested, Dan Gillespie Sells, Hannah V, Emily Phillips, Naughty Boy & Connie Talbot + fantastic prizes going for a song! (including a home studio set-up, recording studio session with a top producer & performing at The Young Songwriter 2025 showcase) 

10th June 2025

Drumroll please! The top 10 songs of the hotly contested Song Academy Young Songwriter 2025 competition, in its 15th year, have now been revealed. This year’s competition attracted around a 1,000 high quality entries from aspiring young songwriters aged 8-22 across the world, both experienced young songwriters and those who’ve written their first song. 

Emily Phillips, songwriter and lead judge of The Young Songwriter 2025 competition said “This year just under a 1,000 songs were submitted to the Young Songwriter Competition 2025. It has been a total pleasure to come across new talent and some great songs from young songwriters in the UK and around the world. For the writers whose songs did not make the top 30, your creativity and input to the competition is so valued. The process of judging is not an absolute or determining factor in the value of a song – The Beatles were turned down 5 times by record labels before landing a deal!

That said, we try to be as rigorous as possible in deciding which songs are selected. Concepts, lyrics, melody, structure, originality and harmony are some of the aspects that we listen out for, but also, sometimes simply the X factor, which is a mysterious indefinable quality a song can have. In other words, in some cases, a hunch or a feeling might be what persuades us to choose one song over another.

I’m happy to see that lots of songs this year have been written in collaboration with other songwriters. Professional songwriters nearly always collaborate. The average number of writers on top 10 hits in the US is around 6. That goes some way to revealing how much brain power can be needed to write about love in a way that hasn’t been said before.

The Song Academy is the world’s leading platform in nurturing young songwriters to express themselves. I encourage all budding songwriters to write as much as possible. Great songs come in mysterious ways that we can’t fully control. Sometimes there is a magic and mystery at play when songwriting. The best songwriting sessions come when honesty and playfulness are combined with integrity. Be your own critic and edit! Also remember, when writing, there are no bad ideas. In other words, allow the creativity to flow before judging.

One more thing! John Lennon said all ideas are universally available. We as writers are simply the vehicles to access them.”

The Young Songwriter 2025 competition attracted a diverse group of aspiring young songwriters. 75% of entries were from across the UK/Ireland (60% outside of London) and 25% from around the world – from Shanghai, Delhi, Melbourne and Istanbul to Mexico, Los Angeles, Toronto and Cape Town. Gender breakdown was: 70% of entrants were girls, 23% boys, 6% who have a unique gender identification.  Age breakdown was: 31% aged 8-12, 34% aged 13-15, 18% aged 16-18 and 16% aged 19-22.

Listen to the top 10 finalists’ songs on the Song Academy SoundCloud account!  Plus the top 10 finalists’ songs and young songwriters are SHOWN BELOW.

The UK/Ireland winners (in the 8-12, 13-15 & 16-18 age categories) will be announced on Saturday 4th October 2025 at The Young Songwriter 2025 live showcase held at The Tabernacle, Notting Hill, London.  The UK/Ireland winner of the 19-22 years old category will be announced at the showcase on Monday 29th September at The Troubadour, Earl’s Court, London. The International winners will be announced at the online showcase on Sunday 5th October at 2pm GMT. Stay tuned to our social channels to hear the announcements first!

Official sponsors of The Song Academy Young Songwriter 2025 competition are Spotify, YouTube Music, PRS for Music, Focusrite, Soundtrap and ICMP.

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What Young Songwriter judges and partners say about the importance of The Young Songwriter competition:

Amy Wadge (songwriter) ‘It’s been an absolute privilege to listen to so much young talent, this competition is so important not only to showcase young talent but to also give an opportunity to be heard by the music industry from a young age – I’m very confident that the future of music is in some of the songwriters I’ve listened to for this!”

Fraser T Smith (songwriter, & producer) says “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.”

Naughty Boy (songwriter, producer & DJ) 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.”

Tom Odell (songwriter) says “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 its something I wish had been around when I was starting out.”

Jacqueline Ankner, Head of Songwriter and Publisher Partnerships, said: “We’re excited to support The Young Songwriter 2025 competition and their dedication to nurturing aspiring young songwriters and the next generation of creative leaders.”

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 2025 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.”

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Next opportunities for young songwriters 

Join our summer residential songwriting camps (from the 6th to 9th August, in Surrey and 13th to 16th August in North Yorkshire, UK). Aimed at aspiring young songwriters aged 11-18. There are a limited number of places available so please contact us soon! Click here for more info on our songwriting summer camps.

Apply to join our monthly mentoring programme, Ad Lib. The place for talented young songwriters (aged 13-18) to learn about the music business from leaders in the business. Click here for more info and how to apply.

Send us your songs for our insightful song feedback service at a discounted price for all SAYS25 entrants. Click here for more information on how we can help you develop your songwriting talents.

Feel and look awesome in our new range of Song Academy merchandise! Click here to view the full range.

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TOP 10 SONGS OF THE YOUNG SONGWRITER 2025 COMPETITION

CATEGORY:  UK/IRELAND, 19-22 YEAR OLDS * TOP 10

ALL THAT I WANT – MATILDA PRATT

BIRDSONG – GRACE ELIZABETH HARVEY

COUNTERTOP – CAROLYN

EVERYTHING’S CHANGING – SAFFRON

GLIMMER – MICAH

HER – C4TRUTH

THIS RAIN – ROSS STEWART

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF ME NOW – SAM HANN-JONES

WONDERFUL – BROOK FOX

YOUR SHORE – STEVIE MATHEWS

CATEGORY:  UK/IRELAND, 16-18 YEAR OLDS * TOP 10

ANGEL DUST – LAILA HOLLIS

CURSE OF LOVE – MACY O

DOUBLE DENIM BALLERINA – THE CLAES

DROP LIKE A STONE – STRING ‘N’ BONE

GHOST – ISABEL MARIA

GREEN EYES – LIZZIE HILL

NOT JUST ANYONE – MIA WHITE

ONLY WHEN IT’S EASY – SAMUEL KHANNA

PILLAR – WILLOW WILSON

WHY – LIV LAYNE

CATEGORY:  UK/IRELAND, 13-15 YEAR OLDS * TOP 10

DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO – HANLEY WEBB

DREAMS – MIA TIKARI

FEELING JUNE – JOHNNY BEAU

FIREFLIES – FREYA CORMACAN

LOVELESS – EMILY SCOTT

MANSPLAINING – DEAD SHEEP

MY MAHOGANY GUITAR – MINNA WILLIAMS

OVERTHINKING – MAYA MARTIN

SUPERSONIC LOVE – MAX WINFIELD

TIME FLIES  – JOEL WOODSHORE

CATEGORY:  UK/IRELAND, 8-12 YEAR OLDS * TOP 10

COCOA & GIN – THE POWER OF TWO

DEAR DIARY – TABITHA BUCHAN

HURT YOU BAD – MICHELLE LEVINSKI

I’M LIVING HERE! – REESE HARRIS

INVISIBLE – LEONORA SIMMONDS

IT IS HERE – HORATIO WILMOTT

OWN GAME – ISLA SMITH

SUPERHERO – AYONA ELLORA

THIS IS THE GIRL – ANNABELLE WARD

TRAVELLING GIRL – JANA PFLIEGER

CATEGORY:  INTERNATIONAL, 19-22 YEAR OLDS * TOP 10

AS LONG AS I’M WITH YOU – CHARIS

FOCUS ON ME – PAULINA

HONEYDEW – 9RUEL

LIMINAL – CHARLEJ

LOVE ME – MEGAN MAY

MY HEART GOES! – RECORD PINK

OCEAN – ELENA MARIE GONZALEZ, MARTIN ETTRICH

SOMEONE NEW – JESS CULLITY

THREW OUT UR FLOWERS – AVA GRACE

YOURS IF YOU WANT – JOEY WILBUR

CATEGORY:  INTERNATIONAL, 13-18 YEAR OLDS * TOP 10

BURNING TREES – DEVYNE 

CAN IT BE REAL FOR ONCE – LAURA VITOLA            

DON’T LEAVE ME LONELY – PIMWIPAT          

I MIGHT – EDIE YVONNE         

MAKING STRANGERS – KIRRA ALEXIS            

PRETTY – SUMMER BRENNAN             

ROULETTE – SARAH PARMET/SOFIA BELLA                

SATISFIED – ELLA REESE        

THE OTHER GIRL – GRACE WATT      

THOUGHT I KNEW YOU – YAH!

CATEGORY:  INTERNATIONAL, 8-12 YEAR OLDS * TOP 10

ALL THE HAPPY THINGS – SIERRA ADAMS

FEBRUARY – ZELLA BENKO

HELLO DARK – HARRISON AINGER

INVINCIBLE – AASTHA VAKIL

LOVE – TARA OZALP

MEMORY LANE – LEYLA SABO

ONE DAY – HONOR BAILEY

PARTNERS IN CRIME – EYLA STEAD

RIVERBED – MILASKY

SEVEN SEAS – RAMIN (DEMIS) SYPSOMOS

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NOTES TO EDITORS:

SONG ACADEMY – The Sound Of Youth Empowerment

As the world’s leading songwriting platform for young people, Song Academy plays a vital role in inspiring 1000’s of young people to fulfil their creative potential. Founded 16 years ago, Song Academy nurtures and develops young aspiring songwriters, giving them the chance to develop important creative and social skills.

Song Academy has developed excellent songwriting programmes and services, including songwriting clubs, workshops, residential summer camps, a song feedback service, mentoring programmes and the highly prestigious and competitive annual International Young Songwriter Competition. 

Many of the past Young Songwriter finalists and Song Academy programmes alumnae are now making waves in the industry, including Gayle, Lexie Carroll, Wasia Project, Matilda Mann, Cassa Jackson, Natalie Shay, Tom A. Smith, Andrea Turk, Rosie Sullivan, Hetta Falzon and Conor Marcus. 

Song Academy also plays a vital role for the Music Industry, not only in discovering new talent, but also by adding revenue streams for professional songwriters, producers, musicians, music venues and recording studios.  

Song Academy has the support of some of the world’s most renowned songwriters and producers as mentors and judges; Fraser T Smith, Miranda Cooper, Eg White, MNEK, Tom Grennan, Calum Scott, Cathy Dennis, Jimmy Napes, Dan Gillespie Sells, Emily Phillips, Hannah V, Plested, Jon Maguire & Toby Gad. 

Song Academy is sponsored by some of the biggest brands in the music industry, including PRS for Music, Spotify, Focusrite & Shure. 

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