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The Young Songwriter Competition is for both aspiring young songwriters who already have some experience as well as young people who want to write their first song.
THE LEADING SONGWRITING COMPETITION FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WORLDWIDE
For aspiring young songwriters aged 8-22 worldwide!
In its 15th year The Young Songwriter 2025 (SAYS25) competition is the world’s leading songwriting competition for young aspiring songwriters, aged 8-22 (under 23 years), to get their songs heard by leaders in the industry & connect to a talented community of young songwriters across the world – both aspiring young songwriters who already have some experience, and those writing their first song!
We are uplifting and empowering songwriters/creatives of the future.
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.
KEY UPCOMING DATES
1st February – 31st March 2025: Entry period of The Young Songwriter 2025 competition
20th May 2025: Announce the top 30 finalists
10th June 2025: Announce the top 10 finalists
August 2025: Our residential summer songwriting camps – in SURREY 6th to 9th August 2025, in NORTH YORKSHIRE 13th to 16th August 2025
4th October 2025: The Young Songwriter 2025 UK showcase (for 8-12, 13-15 and 16-18 year olds categories).
5th October 2025: The Young Songwriter 2025 International online showcase.
11th October 2025: The Young Songwriter 2025 UK showcase (for 19-22 year olds category)
ENTRY CATEGORIES
SAYS25 has 7 categories for young people worldwide: UK/Ireland 8-12 year olds, UK/Ireland 13-15 year olds, UK/Ireland 16-18 year olds, UK/Ireland 19-22, International 8-12 year olds, International 13-18 year olds and International 19-22 year olds.
Songs can be in any genre and about anything that’s important to you.
JUDGING CRITERIA
We’re looking for pure songwriting talent. Professional recordings are not required as songs will be judged on their originality, lyrics, melody, composition and hit-making potential! We judge every song on three key elements: lyrics, melody & chords/instrumental (see below). Then there’s the ‘S Factor’ – is it a sensational song?
Lyrics: Demonstrates both technical and artistic competency, highlighting emerging originality. Material is imaginative and technically accomplished with rhyme, meter & creative language.
Melody: Compliments the chord progression and other surrounding musical characteristics. Melodic content demonstrates variety by using range, rhythm and pitch effectively. Demonstrates the ability to write functional harmonic progressions that complement the melodic content. The melody is memorable.
Chords/Instrumental: Harmonic progressions are balanced and provide a sufficient amount of interest throughout the song in relation to the other musical components.
We provide a golden opportunity for aspiring young songwriters to get their songs heard by some of the best songwriters (including Eg White, Cathy Dennis, Miranda Cooper, MNEK, Naughty Boy, Plested, Jimmy Napes, Lost Boy, Emily Phillips, Hannah V, Jon Maguire, Dan Gillespie Sells, Connie Talbot & Nina Nesbitt!) and stand out in the music industry – with the opportunity to perform in a live showcase in London, win some great prizes and connect with each other as part of our vibrant community of young songwriters.
The Young Songwriter Competition 2025 judging panel includes:
MNEK – ‘Head & Heart’, ‘Where Did You Go?’ (written for: Zara Larsson, Dua Lipa, Joel Corry, Jax Jones, Beyoncé, Jess Glynne, Anne-Marie, Stormzy, Becky Hill, KSI, Mabel, Sigala, Rudimental, Jonas Blue, Little Mix, Selena Gomez, Olly Alexander, Craig David), Lost Boy (written for: Calvin Harris, Kylie Minogue, Tate McRae, Jung Kook, Ava Max, Sabrina Carpenter, Zedd/Kehlani and Bebe Rexha, Griff, Tom Grennan, Lewis Capaldi, Ellie Goulding, Rita Ora and K-Pop stars IVE), Naughty Boy – ‘La La La’ feat Sam Smith, ‘Runnin’’ (‘Lose It All) feat Beyoncé (written for: Emeli Sandé, Chipmunk, Tinie Tempah, Alesha Dixon, Professor Green, Tinchy Stryder, Rihanna, Cheryl Cole, Bastille). Eg White (written for: Adele, Sam Smith, Florence + The Machine, Dua Lipa, Pink, Olivia Dean, Tom Odell, Natalie Imbruglia, Ellie Goulding, Tom Misch, Jason Mraz, Joss Stone, James Blunt, John Legend, Tom Grennan, Paloma Faith, Celiné Dion James Morrison, Sigrid, Nick Jonas, Stormzy), Jimmy Napes (written for: Sam Smith, Disclosure, Clean Bandit, Taylor Swift, Tori Kelly, Mabel, Alicia Keys, Jessie Ware, Ellie Goulding), Miranda Cooper (written for: Girls Aloud, Sugababes, Alesha Dixon, Pet Shop Boys, Griff, Maisie Peters), Emily Phillips (written for: Florence + The Machine, Sigrid, John Newman, Rizzzle Kicks, Nicole Scherzinger, SOAK, Ruti, Connie Talbot), Cathy Dennis (written for: Kylie Minogue, Katy Perry, Britney Spears, Kelly Clarkson, Clay Aiken), Plested (written for: Lewis Capaldi, Little Mix, Anne Marie, Niall Horan, Dermot Kennedy, David Guetta, Marshmello, Kygo, The Chainsmokers, Bastille, Clean Bandit, Mimi Webb, Calum Scott, James Bay), Nina Nesbitt, – ‘The Best You Had’ (written for: Ronan Keating, The Shires, Sigala, Jessie Ware). Dan Gillespie Sells, The Feeling band, – ‘Fill My Little World’, Connie Talbot – ‘Growing Pains’, Hannah V, (written for: Stormzy, JP Cooper, Yola, and TOBi), Jon Maguire (written for: Calum Scott, Kodaline, Jax Jones, Rita Ora, The Stickmen Project, Scouting For Girls).
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.
FRASER T SMITH
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.
Naughty Boy
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.
Tom Odell
It was a great pleasure to judge The Young Songwriter 2018 competition this year. I was incredibly impressed by the level of songwriting and musicianship among these young individuals.
Guy Chambers
I’m very glad to be part of The Song Academy Young Songwriter 2018 judging panel. Good songwriting is the foundation of all good music. This competition is also simply a great way for songwriters to meet other like minded people and I’m happy to encourage anyone to connect and excel in this beautifully expressive art form and cannot wait to hear the songs.
Imelda May
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!
AMY WADGE
2024 WINNERS’ PRIZES
8-12 & 13-15 YEAR OLD CATEGORY
UK & IRELAND
A half day recording session with a top producer in London
Legendary Shure SM58 + new MVX2U interface
Focusrite Scarlett Solo Gen 3 Studio Bundle + Novation Launchkey Mini
One year membership of The Song Academy mentoring programme, Ad Lib.
IK Multimedia Total Studio 3.5 Max Software
The winner & selected finalists will perform at our Young Songwriter 2024 showcase at The Tabernacle, Notting Hill, London on Saturday 21st September 2024
INTERNATIONAL CATEGORY
EACH FOR THE 8-12, 13-18 & 19-22 CATEGORIES
Focusrite Scarlett Solo Gen 3 Studio Bundle + Novation Launchkey Mini
Legendary Shure SM58 + new MVX2U interface
One year membership of The Song Academy mentoring programme, Ad Lib.
IK Multimedia Total Studio 3.5 Max Software
The winner & selected finalists will perform at our Young Songwriter 2024 online showcase on Sunday 22nd September 2024
16-18 & 19-22 YEAR OLD CATEGORY
UK & IRELAND
A half day recording session with a top producer in London
Legendary Shure SM58 + new MVX2U interface
Focusrite Scarlett Solo Gen 3 Studio Bundle + Novation Launchkey Mini
One year membership of The Song Academy mentoring programme, Ad Lib.
IK Multimedia Total Studio 3.5 Max Software
The winner & selected finalists will perform at our Young Songwriter 2024 showcase at The Tabernacle, Notting Hill, London on Saturday 21st September 2024
2025 partners
Testimonials from SAYS finalists.
Being a self confessed bedroom musician the Young Songwriter competition has given me the opportunity to take my songs into the real world.
Laura, Finalist
Not only do professionals hear my music, but there’s also a lot I can learn from the other young songwriters around me.
Bella, Finalist
It encourages young people to believe in themselves.
Roman, Finalist
I like how it is focused on songwriting and not particularly vocal or instrumental talent, especially in this day and age, where that’s a critical factor for success. But if you can write a hit, it’s arguably more impressive than if you can sing one, and I think this competition shows that.
Sam, Finalist
2025 JUDGES
Miranda Cooper
Miranda Cooper is a British songwriter who has penned 4 UK number 1s with over 30 of her tracks reaching the top 10. At one point her songs spent more years on the English chart than any other female songwriter in history.
As a partner in the songwriting and production team Xenomania, Miranda found commercial success and critical acclaim writing songs for Girls Aloud and Sugababes, Pet Shop Boys, Franz Ferdinand, Kylie, Alesha Dixon and many more. 25 years on she is still celebrating success having written emerging Warner artist Griff’s debut single ‘Mirror Talk’ and multiple tracks with rising star Maisie Peters including her singles ‘John Hughes’ and ‘Elvis Song’. She has also been working with hotly tipped artists Cloves and Mae Muller.
Alongside her work in pop music Miranda has also been focusing her talents on writing musicals.
Cathy Dennis
A former dance diva with slick, soulful vocals, Cathy Dennis enjoyed a handful of pop hits during the early ‘90s before transforming herself into one of the UK’s most successful songwriters.
Cathy has written for Kylie Minogue (“Can’t Get You Out Of My Head”), Britney Spears “Toxic” and Katy Perry’s ‘”I kissed a Girl”.
During the 2000s, Simon Fuller found worldwide success as the producer for two singing-based talent shows: Pop Idol in the U.K. and American Idol in the U.S. Dennis penned and performed the franchise‘s theme song, and her music appeared on several albums by the shows’ most promising alumni (including Clay Aiken and Kelly Clarkson).
MNEK
Grammy award winning, BRIT and Ivor Novello-nominated artist/producer/writer MNEK, has clocked up an astonishing fifteen years in the music business. With over 4 BILLION streams on MNEK written, featured and produced tracks, he has grown to become a true powerhouse within the British pop world. He has collaborated with Zara Larsson, Stormzy, Gorgon City, Years & Years and Craig David. He’s written with international stars such as Beyoncé, Little Mix, Dua Lipa, Christina Aguilera, BTS, Mabel, Anne Marie, Madonna, Kelly Rowland, Selena Gomez and Clean Bandit.
His back catalogue includes a number of worldwide hits including ‘Ready For Your Love’, ‘Never Forget You’, and ‘Blinded By Your Grace’. His hit with Joel Corry, ‘Head & Heart’, became a global success, topping the charts in several countries and taking the reign as the longest standing UK #1 single in 2020. Success continued throughout 2022, both on and off stage with “Where Did You Go?”, his collaboration with Jax Jones, going platinum and spending an incredible 32 weeks on the charts, plus the launch of Island UK & Republic US’s hotly-tipped female R&B trio FLO, and their debut EP “The Lead”, which he executively produced.
After setting up a writing camp dedicated to supporting LGBTQIA+ singer/songwriters in 2019, MNEK has continued efforts to strive for more inclusivity within the industry via the launch of Summer 2023‘s PROUD SOUND, an all-encompassing hub of queer talent, with both established and emerging artists, producers and songwriters. MNEK’s dedication to illuminating more inclusivity has also seen him become a contributor to the Guardian UK diversity panel as well as hosting his own YouTube panel ‘MNEKs Inter-Section’ in conversation with 5 Black Queer artists/content creators.
Hannah V
A pioneer in a new generation of entrepreneurial female producer/songwriters, Hannah V has worked with some of the world’s most in demand major label artists including Stormzy, TOBi and JP Cooper.
After producing and co-writing tracks for JP Cooper’s Top 10 album Raised Under Grey Skies (Island Records) in 2017, Hannah scored her first Gold certified album and now continues to regularly produce tracks for JP Cooper.
Other writing and production credits include five-time GRAMMY-winning Lalah Hathaway, Yola, Misha B, Shystie and MOBO nominated artist Andreya Triana. Hannah was appointed to the Ivors Academy Songwriting Committee in 2020.
Alongside her undeniable skills as a songwriter and producer Hannah has balanced a stunning performance career. Her performances included playing stadiums and arena tours with Rihanna, Jessie J, Eminem, Lalah Hathaway, Jason Derulo, Taio Cruz and Anastasia.
Lost Boy
30-year old London-based Lostboy has become one of the most globally in demand writer/producers of recent times, cementing his reputation over the last year with his work on Calvin Harris’ UK Number One single Miracle and Kylie Minogue’s cultural landmark Padam Padam (both now Grammy nominated), alongside the billion streaming Tiesto track The Motto and follow-up Top 10 hit 10.35 with Tate McRae.
These successes have led to Lostboy winning the UK A&R Awards Songwriter Of The Year award for 2023. Further releases include singles/tracks with Jung Kook, Ava Max, Sabrina Carpenter, Zedd/Kehlani and Bebe Rexha amongst others.
First discovered by Grammy winning producer Fraser T Smith (Adele, Stormzy), Lostboy quickly developed to become the creative force behind two UK breakout artists Griff and Tom Grennan, and has since worked with Lewis Capaldi, Ellie Goulding, Rita Ora and K-Pop stars IVE. Versatile across all major genres, Lostboy’s key collaborators include Michael Pollack, Amy Allen, Cirkut, Caroline Ailin, Ryan Tedder, Rami Yacoub and David Stewart.
Plested
Phil Plested, who performs as “Plested” is a singer/songwriter from Croxley Green, Hertfordshire. He began writing songs at school (Rickmansworth) and was scouted at a talent show and signed to Island Records. He’s spent the past several years penning songs for some of pop music’s biggest names, including Lewis Capaldi (“Hollywood” and the UK and US Radio #1 “Before You Go”), Little Mix (the UK Top 5 single “Touch”) and Kygo (“Remind Me To Forget” ft. Miguel & “Lose Somebody” ft. One Republic).
Phil most recently co-wrote “Leave Before You Love Me” for Marshmello x Jonas Brothers as well as the Anne-Marie & Niall Horan duet “Our Song”. He is in the studio with Lewis Capaldi, Dermot Kennedy, Niall Horan & Clean Bandit to name a few.
Naughty Boy
It has been quite the ride for the award-winning music producer Shahid Khan, aka Naughty Boy. His decorated career includes multiple awards including the Grammy, Ivor Novello, Mobo and being awarded the Outstanding Achievement in Music Award at The Asian Awards.
In just over a decade, he has established a glowing music career, working alongside world-class artists including; Beyoncé, Rihanna, Tinie Tempah and Ed Sheeran.
He is also responsible for discovering and launching the careers of successful artists including Emeli Sandé and Sam Smith.
Born and raised on a council estate in Watford, Naughty Boy spent his youth cooking with his family, adding his mother’s special sauce to traditional British favorites – such as a delicious twist on the classic fish fingers sandwich, trying out his recipes on long-term collaborator and good friend, Emeli Sandé – whose dedication to vegan food has encouraged him to experiment with different ingredients and ideas, catering for all.
Naughty Boy continued to make his passion for cooking known by participating on ITV’s Cooking With The Stars in July 2021, making it to the semi-finals with Korean chef and owner of Seoul Bird, Judy Joo.
2022 was a busy year for Naughty Boy. He has worked on many music projects including the music with award winning Niten Sawhney for the forthcoming movie ‘What’s love got to do with it’ that was recently premiered at the Toronto Film festival.
Emily Phillips
Emily has had Platinum records on either side of the Atlantic, with John Newman, Rizzle Kicks, Big Time Rush, and DNCE. Emily is on the Songwriter Committee for the Ivor Novellos. Her latest release is “Loch Ness Monster,” a new song from TIDAL Rising star Matilda Mann which aired on BBC6. Other recent releases include the DNCE Platinum single “Hands Up”, Soak “Everybody Loves You” (a UK Radio1 Hottest Record in the World), Soak “Knock me off my feet” and Bearson and Weathan Feat. Soak, “Win you Over ” (currently on a Coca Cola campaign in the US), Dan Owen, and Ruti (The Voice).
She has recently written with L Devine, Isaac Elliot, Nicole Sherzinger, Louisa Johnson, and many more.
Eg White
Eg is a Grammy nominated songwriter and producer who has won the prestigious Ivor Novello award twice, including one for ‘Songwriter of The Year’.
Eg is primarily known for his work with artists such as Adele ‘Chasing Pavements’, Sam Smith, Linkin Park ‘One More Light’, Celine Dion, Florence and the Machine, Dua Lipa, Pink, Joss Stone, James Morrison ‘You Give Me Something’ to name a few.
He has recently been working with artists Nick Jonas, Sigrid, Stormzy, Lennon Stella, NAO, James Bay, JHart, Birdy, Stefflon Don, Ray Blk, The Knocks, Ben Platt, Elderbrook, Elle King, Kylie, Monica Martin, Tom Grennan, Maisie Peters, L Devine, Lapsley, James Arthur, Olivia Dean, Tom Tripp, Junior, Crystal Fighters, Conrad Sewell, Delilah Montagu, Kaiser Chiefs and The Vamps.
Nina Nesbitt
Nina Nesbitt is a talented Scottish singer and songwriter. She has two top 40 singles, and is known for her single ‘Stay Out’, which peaked at No. 21 on the UK Singles Chart in April 2013, and No. 11 on the Scottish Singles Chart
Nina’s second EP, The Apple Tree, was released in April 2012 and peaked at No. 6 on the iTunes download charts after receiving airplay on BBC Radio 1, and also peaked at the top of the iTunes singer/songwriter chart. The Way in the World EP and single were released on 23 July 2013, as a follow-up to ‘Stay Out’.
In August 2013, she recorded a cover version of Fleetwood Mac‘s ‘Don’t Stop’, for a new John Lewis advertising campaign. Nina released her debut studio album, Peroxide, on 17 February 2014 which debuted at No. 1 in her native Scotland.
As a songwriter, she has written for other artists including Jessie Ware, Olivia Holt, Don Diablo and the Shires. In February 2019, Nesbitt released her second studio album, The Sun Will Come Up, the Seasons Will Change. In September 2022, she released her third studio album Älskar.
Jimmy Napes
Jimmy is an English songwriter and record producer. He‘s won many awards, including an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, 3 Grammy Awards, and 2 Ivor Novello Awards. Jimmy is best known for his work with Sam Smith (‘Stay with Me’, ‘Writing’s on the Wall’, ‘Lay Me Down’, ‘Too Good at Goodbyes’, ‘Dancing with a Stranger’), Disclosure (‘Latch’, ‘You & Me’, ‘White Noise’, ‘Magnets’), Clean Bandit (‘Rather Be’)‚ Stormzy (‘Crown’) and Taylor Swift (‘Christmas Tree Farm’). He also has songwriting and producer credits with many other leading artists.
Jon Maguire
Jon is an award winning Welsh songwriter and record producer. He has appeared on over twenty UK top 40 records, including four number one albums. He is best known for writing ‘You Are The Reason with Calum Scott, ‘Brother’ with Kodaline and ‘Whistle’ with Jax Jones.
Jon has written and produced for artists including Sam Feldt, Kodaline, Scouting For Girls, Calum Scott, You Me At Six, Tiesto, Leona Lewis, Rita Ora,Jax Jones, Tom Chaplin, The Vamps,Lost Frequencies and Armin van Buuren.
Sodajerker
Sodajerker, a duo comprising British musicians Simon Barber and Brian O’Connor, creates the award-winning podcast Sodajerker On Songwriting.
Described by Esquire magazine as ‘the Frost/Nixon of tunesmithery’, the pair have published over 250 podcast episodes featuring long-form interviews with world-leading songwriters like Sir Paul McCartney, Burt Bacharach, Alicia Keys, Paul Simon, Sting, Rosanne Cash, Beck, Elvis Costello, Tori Amos, Nile Rodgers, Jon Bon Jovi, Lindsey Buckingham and Diane Warren. The show has been downloaded almost 10 million times since its launch in 2011.
Crispin Hunt
Crispin Hunt is a renowned multi-platinum-selling songwriter and producer, having worked with artists including Jake Bugg, Florence and The Machine, Lana Del Ray, Ellie Goulding, Maverick Sabre, Newton Faulkner, Natalie Imbruglia, Bat For Lashes, Rod Stewart, You Me At Six, Tom Grennan, Luke Sital-Singh and numerous others.
In 2016, Hunt was appointed Chair of BASCA (now known as The Ivors Academy). In this role, he campaigns for songwriters’ rights, including the EU Copyright Directive and Broken Record campaigns.
Dan Gillespie Sells
Dan is best known for being the lead vocalist and principal songwriter in The Feeling. Their debut album, Twelve Stops And Home sold over a million copies, whilst their second album, Join With Us reached the No. 1 spot in the UK Charts. The band’s 5th album was released in March 2016.
Dan was the recipient of the 2015 Stonewall award for Entertainer of the Decade for his work in the LGBT community and the 2007 Ivor Novello Award for Songwriter of the Year.
Dan composed the music for the hit musical Everybody’s Talking About Jamie.
In November 2023 Sells was a contestant on BBC’s Celebrity Mastermind, answering questions on Bernie Taupin.
Kenny Barber
Kenny Barber is the relationship manager at PRS for Music. PRS for Music supports and promotes many high-profile songwriters, producers, their representatives, and music publishers. Kenny’s responsible for raising a better awareness and understanding around PRS and MCPS, at the same time highlighting some of the ways in which music creators can generate an income whilst developing their career.
With a background as a singer-songwriter signed to Sony ATV, Kenny is also Managing Director of Sonitus Music Group, where he oversees R&B sensation Bellah and a talented tour management roster including Nippa, Ragz Originale, Marie Dahlstrom and Tay Iwar.
Connie Talbot
Connie Talbot found passion for music from a very young age. She first stepped onto stage as a finalist on the first series of Britain’s Got Talent in 2007. Since then, she has released 4 albums.
Some of Connie’s projects have been Gold in the UK and Platinum in South East Asia, and she also had a number 1 single in the US. Connie has built up a following of nearly 2 million subscribers on YouTube where she has uploaded at home recordings of her favourite covers and original songs over the years.
Blessed with all this early experience, Connie continues to lead her life as an independent artist. Last year Connie wrote and released her first critically acclaimed EP as an adult, called “Growing Pains” . This cinematic alternative pop EP gave Connie the opportunity to write about the rollercoaster of emotions of growing up in the music industry. As well as singing, Connie found her love for writing from a very young age. Starting with poems, Connie began to navigate writing songs as she picked up instruments from the age of 9. Connie quickly learned how much writing can provide a form of therapy. She continues to write and co-write with incredible writers such as Emily Phillips, Ant Whiting, Alfie Jackson, Jeff Franzel. She has recently written a song called “Heart” for K-Pop superstar, Taeyeon.
Matt Kent
Matt Kent is leaving his mark on the music industry by fusing R&B, Classical, and Pop genres to make a sound that’s all his own.
His series "Turning Classical Music into Pop Songs" on TikTok has amassed over 40 million views and over 300,000 followers. Kent has enthralled audiences at iconic venues and festivals across New York City and London.
In 2019, Kent caught the attention of Grammy nominated music producer Dante Lattanzi, who signed him to his management company Caelum Music Production. The following year, legendary UK radio host Chris Evans discovered Kent and invited him to open for James Bay at CarFest South for over 40,000 people. Matt Kent is in collaboration with pianist and songwriter Liv Lester, known for her detailed arrangements and clean sound.