Without further ado, here are the Top 50 song finalists for American Songwriter’s 2nd Annual Song Contest, in no particular order. Raw talent, breadth, and diversity characterize the findings as the American Songwriter staff, screeners, and judges panel delved into the song entries from the best and brightest songwriters and artists around. This year’s contest is sponsored by DistroKid, Play MPE, and LiveXLive.
Stay tuned for the Top 3 winners and 10 Honorable Mentions, rolling out on December 15.
“I’m Only Me (When I’m Not Sober)” written and performed by Abigail Barlow
“Light Me Up” written and performed by Piper Byers
“Grace” written by Quinton Edward Byrum Parker; performed by Byrum
“This Could Be My Last Song” written and performed by Frank Watkinson
“No Escape” written and performed by Rose Buchwald-McGlennon
Ready to Enter the 2022 Song Contest?
American Songwriter’s 2022 Song Contest is now accepting entries! Get your songs in front of top artists and A&R executives and your chance to win $10,000
“What If” written by Courtney Stahl, Stephen Stahl, and Jesse Carmichael; performed by YVR
“What Got Into You” written and performed by Kieran Rhodes
“Baby Tennessee” written and performed by Chelsea Smith
“Home” written by Daniel Steven Dillett; performed by Dan Dillett
“19” written by Kate Packer and Jarrod Headley; performed by Kate Packer
“Better” written by Matty Mullins, McKenna Risch, and Micah Kuiper; performed by MCKNA
“Walk” written and performed by Lauryn Marie
“Don’t Look Down” written by Sam Gyllenhaal, John Cirillo, Nicole Lewis; performed by Sam Gyllenhaal Band
“Are we Having Fun Yet?” written and performed by Jenna DeVries
“Carry Me” written by Gerry Hirschfeld and Kevin Griffin; performed by Wax Owls
“STARDUST” written Rachel Braig; performed by Essy
“Love’s Not for Everyone” written and performed by JonPaul Wallace
“The Story Of Us” written by Haley Marie Weed, Anna Kline, Matthew Morrisey; performed by HAYL
Ready to Enter the 2022 Song Contest?
American Songwriter’s 2022 Song Contest is now accepting entries! Get your songs in front of top artists and A&R executives and your chance to win $10,000
“Home Songs” written and performed by Lyndy Butler
“Red Robin” written and performed by Clark Kelly
“Come Home Soon” written and performed by David Jonelis
“My Own Advice” written by Lauren Jenkins, Josh Grider, Bobby Hamrick; performed by Lauren Jenkins
“Right At The Wrong Time” written by Jade Stegbauer; performed by Jade Steg
“Reasons” written by Daphne Browdy and Scott Borrell; performed by Daphne Browdy
“You Are (Cecelia June)” written and performed by Wallace Tallman
“Sparrow” written and performed by Lucas Guy
“Quicksand” written by Afika Nxumalo and Yvette Gonzalez; performed by Yvette Gonzalez-Nacer
“Family Song” written and performed by Anna Moreno
“At Least” written by Robert Quigley; performed by Original Quigley
“Here I Am” written and performed by Amy Gilvary
“City Skylines” written and performed by Christian Sibel
“Enough” written by Reid Jamieson and Carolyn Victoria Mill; performed by Reid Jamieson
“When You’re Heart Begins To Ache” written by Matthew Parrish and Justin Lofton; performed by Market Junction
“Daughters” written by Keeley Valentino and Tim Arnett; performed by Oh Glory
“Anymore” written by Chelsea McWilliams; performed by The Redhill Valleys
“Feel Like Me” written by Kate Packer and Matt Benne; performed by KG Lillian
“In My Blood” written and performed by Houston Bernard
Listen here.
“Without You” written and performed by Shara Matlock; performed by Shara Layne
Ready to Enter the 2022 Song Contest?
American Songwriter’s 2022 Song Contest is now accepting entries! Get your songs in front of top artists and A&R executives and your chance to win $10,000
“Good Time Chee” written by Damien Ketlo; performed by Kedah Clan
“Broken In” written and performed by Ben Wagner
“Thas All She Wrote” written and performed by Ervin Wilson
“Little Town Life” written by Jacob Hughes; performed by MC Jakes
“Colors” written by Tori Allen, Corey Wagar-Grogan, Joshua Paige; performed by Tori Allen
Listen here.
“Hope Heaven Has a Radio” written and performed by Kayla Griffen
“You Never Loved You” written and performed by Brennan Villines
“Feels Like Forever” written by Davis Branch and Nate Smith; performed by Davis Branch
“These Hard Days” written and performed by Casii Stephan.
“The Capital” written and performed by James Bell.
“Hurricane After You” written by John Cirillo and Sarah Spencer; performed by Payton Lamar
“Songs I Grew Up On” written by Brad McKinney, Kelly McKay, and Kyle Jackson-Rachky; performed by Eric Dodd
Listen here.
Ready to Enter the 2022 Song Contest?
American Songwriter’s 2022 Song Contest is now accepting entries! Get your songs in front of top artists and A&R executives and your chance to win $10,000
Photo of YVR courtesy of @weareyr.
Did you receive my song,The Greatest Gift?
Congrats to all the finalists! I just honestly don’t get the judging standards. I was lucky enough to work with a talented guitarist who has worked with and even produced mega-stars in the music industry and he raved about my song…can’t even make top 50 here. I guess I’m too jaded at this point to enter these popularity contests anymore. Happy music making to y’all!