Win $10k in cash, receive A&R mentorship, be featured in American Songwriter Magazine & More!
The American Songwriter Song Contest
The World's Largest Songwriting Contest
Win $10,000, get mentorship from top industry A&R pros, and get your music heard by the people who can move your career forward.
Backed by a trusted music authority for over 40 years
2026 Song Contest Open Now!
Worldwide • Originals Only • 23 Categories
Join thousands of songwriters each year
Limited Time: SHAMROCK & ROLL PROMOTION
Got a drinking song? Enter your best celebration-inspired track into American Songwriter’s Contests for our brand-new SHAMROCK & ROLL promotion.
All promotion entries are automatically included in the 2026 Song Contest
Promotion Deadline: March 23, 2026, 11:59 CST US
🍀 $500 in Cash
🍀 Feature on American Songwriter
🍀 One Year American Songwriter Membership
🍀 One Year Bourbon+ Magazine Subscription
🍀 Eligible for all respective contest prizes
2026 Song Contest Prizes
Real rewards designed to move your career forward.
- $10,000 USD Cash
- Mentorship with industry veteran Leslie Fram
- 2-page Feature in American Songwriter Magazine
- Custom Premium Acoustic Guitar
- Global Promotion of Your Album + Radio Tracking (Play MPE and MTR)
- Social Media Collab Post on American Songwriter’s socials
- Premium Studio Recording Time
- Publishing Deal Opportunity with Savage Music
- American Songwriter Membership
- $500 USD Cash
- Feature on American Songwriter
- American Songwriter Membership
Ready to submit your song?
2026 Song Contest Judges Coming Soon
Meet the 2025 Song Contest Judges
Your music will be heard by some of the most respected artists, songwriters, and industry professionals today.
Categories To Enter
Choose the category at checkout that best fits your song. You can submit your song to multiple categories for more chances to be recognized.
Americana blends folk, country, blues, and rock roots, featuring acoustic instrumentation, heartfelt lyrics, and strong storytelling traditions.
Blues features soulful vocals, expressive guitar-driven instrumentation, and emotional themes of hardship and resilience, often built around classic 12-bar structures.
Children’s music entertains and educates young audiences with catchy melodies, simple lyrics, and playful, age-appropriate themes.
Christian Music centers on faith-based themes of worship, praise, and devotion, expressed across a wide range of musical styles.
Comedy/Novelty songs use humor, satire, and playful storytelling to entertain with originality and lighthearted creativity.
Contemporary Country blends modern production with country storytelling.
Electronic/Dance music uses electronic production, pulsing beats, and high-energy drops to create rhythmic, club- and festival-ready soundscapes.
Folk/Singer-Songwriter music emphasizes acoustic instrumentation, intimate vocals, and lyrical depth rooted in personal storytelling.
Global Music celebrates traditional and contemporary styles from around the world, highlighting diverse instruments, rhythms, and cultural expression.
Golden is open to songwriters age 50 and older, celebrating creativity and excellence across all musical genres.
Hip-Hop/Rap features rhythmic beats, spoken rhymes, and expressive lyrical flow, often highlighting storytelling, wordplay, and cultural commentary.
Indie music values artistic freedom and experimentation, spanning diverse styles while showcasing distinctive sounds and independent spirit.
Instrumental music relies solely on melody, harmony, and rhythm, using musical instruments to convey emotion without vocals.
Jazz is defined by improvisation, complex harmonies, and rhythmic syncopation, highlighting expressive musicianship and spontaneous performance.
Latin Music encompasses vibrant styles from Latin America and Spain, featuring rich rhythms, lively instrumentation, and diverse cultural influences.
Music Video entries combine original songs with compelling visual storytelling, evaluating both musical quality and production creativity.
Musical Theatre features character-driven songs written for the stage to advance story, emotion, and dramatic performance.
Pop music delivers catchy hooks, polished production, and broad appeal, blending contemporary influences into accessible, radio-ready songs.
R&B/Soul highlights smooth, emotive vocals, groove-driven arrangements, and deep roots in rhythm and blues and gospel traditions.
Rock is driven by electric guitars, bass, and drums, featuring powerful riffs, dynamic energy, and expressive vocals.
Sync Ready songs are professionally produced, commercially appealing tracks ideal for placement in film, television, advertising, and media.
First Place category winner receives A&R mentorship from Savage Music.
Teen is open to songwriters age 18 or younger as of December 31, 2026, across all genres and styles.
Traditional Country honors classic country roots with twang-driven instrumentation, storytelling lyrics, and timeless themes of love and heartache.
Not sure which category to choose? Go with the genre, style, and audience your song naturally fits.
Past Winners & Success Stories
See how songwriters are gaining recognition and exposure through the contest.
Frequently asked questions
If you’re still deciding whether to enter, you’re probably wondering how it all works. Here’s everything you need to know before beginning your entry process.
Have an additional question? Reach out to us directly below.
Deadline is December 7, 2026 at 11:59:59 PM (CT)
Yes! You retain full ownership of your song. We do NOT claim any rights to the songs entered into the contest.
Yes! Submissions from any country are allowed.
No, production quality is NOT a factor in the review.
Copy and paste a public link to your songs into the form at checkout. They can be hosted on any streaming platform: Spotify, SoundCloud, Google Drive, YouTube, etc.
To edit your entry please email our Customer Relations team at [email protected] with your Order ID and the edit you need to make.
*Note: We cannot guarantee that we will be able to edit your entry if you contact us more than 2 weeks after your entry date.
Per our rules, American Songwriter does not provide feedback on song contest entries.
If you are interested in having your lyrics or song reviewed, we offer a critiques benefit included in our Diamond Memberships.
The winners of the 2025 Song Contest will be announced via email and on our website in the Spring 2026.
Note: Promotion winners are announced throughout the contest.
