Top 30 songs of The Young Songwriter 2025 competition
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)
20th May 2025
Drumroll please! The top 30 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 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 10th June. 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.
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.”
Next opportunities for young songwriters
Join our half-term songwriting workshops (online and in person) on the 28th and 29th May. Aimed at aspiring young songwriters aged 8-18. Click here for more info on our holiday workshops
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.
TOP 30 SONGS OF THE YOUNG SONGWRITER 2025 COMPETITION
CATEGORY: UK/IRELAND, 19-22 YEAR OLDS * TOP 30
18 GOING ON 80 – RUBY
AIR – SHARAI
ALL THAT I WANT – MATILDA PRATT
AND SCENE – REBEKAH DAVIDSON
BIRDSONG – GRACE ELIZABETH HARVEY
BREATHE – RYAN BROWN
COUNTERTOP – CAROLYN
EVERYTHING’S CHANGING – SAFFRON
GLIMMER – MICAH
HER – C4TRUTH
I GAVE YOU MY WORD – JOSIE SAINSBURY
I LIKE ME BETTER – HERMIONE SNOW
I’LL ONLY TELL WHEN YOU’RE NOT HERE – LEFT VENTRICLE
ISN’T IT PERFECT? ROMEO AGRELA
IVORY – IONA SUMMER
LANDSLIDE – HARRY LINES
MADNESS – VALERIE MACKERRAS
MARTIAN MAN – BLAMEALEX
ONE-TWENTY LIAM MACDONALD – ARTIST NAME IS LIAM MAC
PATTERNS – SOPHIE FERIANI
PIECE OF STRING – RAINE
PRIVILEGE – ALFIE BOWLES/ ALFE
SECONDHAND – JAKE HARRISON
SORRY – SHARMAINE WEBSTER
TEARS ON THE TINSEL – LEO HALL
TEMPERANCE – JESS HURWOOD/EMPTHY
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 30
ANGEL DUST – LAILA HOLLIS
ANOTHER DREAM OF HARLEM – JAMES CHAPMAN
AUTUMN SONG – EMRE
CURSE OF LOVE – MACY O
DOUBLE DENIM BALLERINA – THE CLAES
DROP LIKE A STONE – STRING ‘N’ BONE
END OF THE SUMMER – OSCAR BROWN & NATHANIEL MERKES
FREE YOUR MIND – GABRIELLA T & JASMINE T
GHOST – ISABEL MARIA
GREEN EYES – LIZZIE HILL
HALFWAY TO NOWHERE – WOODY COLLINS
HEART IN A VAULT – JELISA BENNETT
HOLY – MADI C
IDIOTS – BO BAGNALL
KICK BACK – SWAGSOCKS
LET MY HAIR DOWN – ANNIE MAE BATHURST
NOT JUST ANYONE MIA WHITE
ONLY WHEN IT’S EASY – SAMUEL KHANNA
OUTER SPACE – CARA FLYNN
PARACHUTES – TOBY GREEN
PILLAR – WILLOW WILSON
PRETEND – BILLY HOWARD
SOPHIA – TAMARA HENDIN
THE BOY FROM THE GLASS BOX – JACK STRICKLAND
THE CORE – CLARATEE
THE MOON – ROWAN ADDY
THE WAY WE’RE ROLLIN’ – LYDIA REDDY
WHAT I’D GIVE TO BE ME – EDEN HENDERSON
WHAT IS LOVE? FRAYA OFOEME
WHY – LIV LAYNE
CATEGORY: UK/IRELAND, 13-15 YEAR OLDS * TOP 30
ABYSS – LARA JOHNSON
ACROSS THE MOORS – BEN SKIDMORE
ALL IN YOUR DREAMS – IZZY MOOR
ANOTHER STUPID FIGHT – GEMMA
ARE YOU ENTERTAINED? HANA STANDEN
BORN IN THE FIRE – JOE MAY
CLICHÉ – MERRYN HUGHES
DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO – HANLEY WEBB
DREAMS – MIA TIKARI
EUPHORIA – THEA WARD
EVERYTIME – GEORGIE
FEELING JUNE – JOHNNY OVENDEN
FIREFLIES – FREYA CORMACAN
HEART – KIT BOTTOMLEY
HELD ON TOO TIGHT – SEDINA
HESITATE – WILLOW WHITLEY
I’LL ALWAYS KNOW – ELLY ROSE HANSON
LANDMARK TO GUIDE ME – HERMIONE HAVOC
LOVELESS – EMILY SCOTT
MANSPLAINING – DEAD SHEEP
MY MAHOGANY GUITAR – MINNA WILLIAMS
OLDER – PHOEBE CHEFFINGS
OVERTHINKING – MAYA MARTIN
PICK UP THE PHONE – MICHELLE LEVINSKI
PROUD – ROSE TANGYE
REASON TO BELIEVE – JOSEPH DAVIS
SUPERSONIC LOVE – MAX WINFIELD
THE WAY I PLANNED – OLLIE REGAN
TIME FLIES (I SEE THE WORLD TURN) – JOEL WOODSHORE
WRAPPED AROUND ME – TJM
CATEGORY: UK/IRELAND, 8-12 YEAR OLDS * TOP 30
A GOOD DAY – MARGOT CHALMERS
BOY WITH A UKE – BEN BAYLISS MANSELL
COCO & GIN – THE POWER OF TWO
DEAR DIARY – TABITHA BUCHAN
DOMINOES – ISABELA BUCKLAND
GET YOU BACK – FLORENCE KADARE
GRAVITY – KAY DENNIS
HOW DOES IT HAPPEN – HELENA NISSAN
HURT YOU BAD – MICHELLE LEVINSKI
I SEE IT – ANAIAH HAYWOOD & AYSEN STUART (AKA A2 POWER OF 2)
I’M LIVING HERE! – REESE HARRIS
INVISIBLE – LEONORA SIMMONDS
IT IS HERE – HORATIO WILMOTT
JUST WANNA DANCE – ROSIE EDELIN DE LA PRAUDIERE
LOST MYSELF – BETHAN TUDOR
MEMORIES – THE CELLOS
MEMORIES – MARIA YANAKOVA
ON MY MIND – PRICELESS GIRLS
OWN GAME – ISLA SMITH
SMOKE AND MIRRORS – PEGGY WINGHAM
SPAGHETTI ON MARS – AVA CHENG
SUPERHERO – AYONA ELLORA
THANKS FOR THE PAIN – AMELIA PUCCINELLI
THAT’S LIFE – MIA COLE
THIS IS THE GIRL – ANNABELLE WARD
TOGETHER WE ARE PERFECT – GEORGE SMITH
TRAVELLING GIRL – JANA PFLIEGER
WAVES – SOPHIA HARVEY
WAVES – HARRIS HUNTER
WHAT DO I DO? – LIVI D
CATEGORY: INTERNATIONAL, 13-18 YEAR OLDS * TOP 30
ACIDIC – SUMMER BENNETT
ALL I CAN SAY – HOLLIE ISABELLA
BEAUTIFUL MOMENT – CÉSAR ROCHER
BURNING MEMORY – JULIAN LARUCCI
BURNING TREES – DEVYNE
CAN IT BE REAL FOR ONCE – LAURA VITOLA
DON’T LEAVE ME LONELY – PIMWIPAT
EMPTY ROOM – NÚRIA FOREMAN
HER – TONY DENG
I MIGHT – EDIE YVONNE
INSOMNIA – OLIVIA LEE
JUST KEEP ON WALKING – ISABEL MIRRI
LOVELESS – JOVITA BHAUMIK
MAKING STRANGERS – KIRRA ALEXIS
MONSTERS – SAMUSIC
NEVERLASTING – MEGAN & LILIA
OVER IT – TINA LAROSA
PRETTY – SUMMER BRENNAN
ROULETTE – SARAH PARMET/SOFIA BELLA
RUNNING – ORYAN BOROCHOV
SATISFIED – ELLA REESE
SECOND HAND SMOKE – EFFIE HALL
STORMIER WEATHER – MAGDALENA FANNING
SUPERMAN – ANDREW TRAN
SUZANNE – LARUCCI
SYSTEMATIC LOVE – KATHRYN D’COSTA
THE OTHER GIRL – GRACE WATT
THE WORLD – ADDILY PARK
THOUGHT I KNEW YOU – YAH!
TULIPS – LELÊ
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.
