Congratulations to all our Session Four 2025 Lyric Contest winners. Read the winning lyrics for first through fourth place, below.
CLICK HERE to enter the 2025 Session Five Lyric Contest.
1st Place – “Whiskey Is My Witness”
By: Robert Tuzzo
[Verse]
Sittin’ on this barstool,
Dusty mirror stares me down,
Hangin’ with some old friends,
Jimmy, Johnnie, Jack, and Crown.
The neon’s buzzin’ low,
Like a mosquito in my ear,
Jukebox spins a sad song,
Got me wishin’ you were here…
[Pre-Chorus]
Now, I don’t need no jury,
The verdict’s crystal clear,
Whiskey’s been my witness,
Every time I’ve shed a tear.
Whiskey is my witness,
It holds all the proof,
Bartender ain’t no lawyer,
But he’s pourin’ out some truth.
Now, I could drink the Fifth,
But I know it’s just no use,
Whiskey is my witness,
That I’m not over you.
[Verse]
That reflection in the mirror,
Hides the guilt and fear,
Each shot more testimony,
To the reasons you’re not here.
That jukebox sings another,
Texas two-step we once knew,
But the only words I hear,
Are when you said we were through…
[Pre-Chorus]
Now, I don’t need no jury,
The verdict’s crystal clear,
Whiskey is my witness,
When I’m cryin’ in my beer.
[Chorus]
Whiskey is my witness,
It holds all the proof,
Bartender ain’t no lawyer,
But he’s pourin’ out some truth.
Now, I could drink the Fifth,
But I know it’s just no use,
Whiskey is my witness,
That I’m not over you.
Now red wine brings back the sweet taste of our first kiss,
And bourbon holds the Amber of your eyes,
Tequila just reminds me of those wild nights I miss,
But whiskey’s been the one that never lies……..
[Chorus]
Whiskey is my witness,
It holds all the proof,
Bartender pour a double shot,
Of that honest cold hard truth….
Now, I could drink the Fifth,
But I know it’s just no use,
Whiskey is my witness,
That I’m… not… over… you…
Yeah, whiskey is my witness,
That I’m not over you.
Since 1984, American Songwriter’s Lyric Contest has helped aspiring songwriters get noticed and have fun. Enter the 2025 Lyric Contest today before the deadline:
2nd Place – “Trailers and Quarters”
By: Debby Dever, Phil Aiello & Dave Rohe
Verse 1
Screen door slams on that old single-wide
Texas heat hits her as she steps outside
Hits the road
Drivin’ slow
With the baby and the laundry in tow
Windows rolled down, yeah she’s just a hot mess
Ponytail, sweat down the back of her neck
Feelin’ stuck
Had enough
Wonderin’ why life’s gotta be so tough
Pre-Chorus 1
She’s doin’ her best, yeah the best she knows how
But she hoped that life would be different by now
Chorus 1
Oh she swore that she’d never be in the same place
That her daddy left her mama way back in the day
But it’s such a vicious cycle, she can’t break away
She searches her heart for a much better way
Than all this pinchin’ pennies and cuttin’ corners
No this life sure ain’t what she ordered
Trailers and quarters
Verse 2
He left when the baby was less than a year
Like him, his promises just disappeared
She could go
On back home
But her pride says make it on your own
Watchin’ clothes spin, starts thinkin’ again
How she got into the mess that she’s in
Jobs on the wall
She’s tried ‘em all
Rest’raunt or fact’ry, waitress at a bar
Pre-Chorus 2
She’s doin’ her best, yeah the best she knows how
But she hoped that life would be different by now
Chorus 2
Oh she swore that she’d never be in the same place
That her daddy left her mama way back in the day
But it’s such a vicious cycle, she can’t break away
She searches her heart for a much better way
Than all this pinchin’ pennies and cuttin’ corners
No this life sure ain’t what she ordered
Trailers and quarters
Bridge
Oh she dreams every day of that house on a hill
Where she won’t need to struggle with payin’ her bills
She tries to imagine what life has in store
She’s happy with little but hopin’ for more
Verse 3
The baby‘s a-sleepin’ while she’s foldin’ clothes
She needs some music, a song that she knows
She feeds her last coin to that jukebox way back in the corner
And dreams of a much better life
Than trailers and quarters
3rd Place – “Take it to the Grave”
By: David Taub
From the ghettos to the slums to the tenement squares
They were begging for food, they were gasping for air
My mother was a widow at twenty-one
She came to this country with fire in her blood
It never came easy and it never came cheap
She got kicked to the ground then got back on her feet
What little we had was always enough
So I never looked down, I never gave up
Rather be a three-legged stray than best in show
Rather hit rock bottom than bask in the glow
of an ivory tower you can see from space
I’d rather have friends from a much lower place
I’d rather say I made it than say I had it made
The hardest times are the times I’d never trade
I don’t need a savior, I’ve never been saved
It’s a hard road I’ve taken
But I’ll take it to the grave
From a cold water flat to a house with a yard
An American dream never traveled so far
Through the steel mills and the factories
There were bills to pay and mouths to feed
Put myself through school, worked from coast to coast
For the father, son and the Holy Ghost
Someday I’ll die but I’m proud to say
I got what I got the hard way
Rather be a three-legged stray than best in show
Rather hit rock bottom than bask in the glow
of an ivory tower you can see from space
I’d rather have friends from a much lower place
I’d rather say I made it than say I had it made
The hardest times are the times I’d never trade
I don’t need a savior, I’ve never been saved
It’s a hard road I’ve taken
But I’ll take it to the grave
Since 1984, American Songwriter’s Lyric Contest has helped aspiring songwriters get noticed and have fun. Enter the 2025 Lyric Contest today before the deadline:
4th Place – “Birthday Cake For Breakfast”
By: Nancy Johnson
VS. 1
The Alarm went off at 6 AM
Sun’s starting to rise
Coffee’s finished brewing
I Poured some bleary eyed
Half a spoon of sugar
Then went to get some cream
When I opened up the fridge
It all came rushing back to me
VS. 2:
Mom and Daddy stopped last night
They brought a birthday cake
Said, “We’re worried ‘bout you baby girl
‘Cause we know your heart still aches
Don’tcha sit at home all alone””
They said, “You’ve got so much to give”
But when you walked out of our door
There went my reason to live.
CHORUS:
No bacon, eggs or biscuits
The way I used to do
Every single morning
Before you said, “We’re through”
I just don’t feel like cooking
Since you set me free
Now it’s birthday cake for breakfast
For me
VS. 3
A guy from work has asked me out
At least a time or two
It’s not that I don’t like him
It’s just that he’s not you
So I’ll sit at home all alone
And pray you finally call
But as the silence fills the room
I know there is no hope at all
CHORUS:
No bacon, eggs or biscuits
The way I used to do
Every single morning
Before you said, “We’re through”
I just don’t feel like cooking
Since you set me free
Guess it’s birthday cake for breakfast
For me
BRIDGE
It’s been more than a year now
Since you said goodbye
And I’d give anything
If you’d only change your mind
Chorus:
No bacon, eggs and biscuits
The way I used to do
Every single morning
Before you said, “We’re through”
I just don’t feel like cooking
Since you set me free
Guess it’s birthday cake for breakfast
For me
Since 1984, American Songwriter’s Lyric Contest has helped aspiring songwriters get noticed and have fun. Enter the 2025 Lyric Contest today before the deadline:
Honorable Mentions:
“From One Dying Man to Another”
By Evan Patterson
“Green”
By Ashley Dean
“I Won’t be Over Today by Tomorrow”
By Lynda Lee
“lottery tickets and tattoos”
By Ava Breese
“Missed Connections”
By Daniella Bozur
“Somewhere Over The Railroad”
By Martin Bannon
“Still Swingin’”
By Christopher Stone
“Storm Chaser”
By Chris Genzardi
“The Age of Goodbye”
By Gene Lempert
“Truckers Lament”
By Mark Pauley
“Twelve Bar Blues”
By Pete Gustavson
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