Songwriting Contest Winner!
The Music is Passion had four awesome entries for our first songwriting contest! After the deadline of March 31, I passed the lyrics of each of the songs to judges who helped to evaluate the songs. The judges were a mix of music performers, fans and songwriters, from the United States and Australia.
Some of the songwriters provided links to performances of their songs; however, since this contest was judged only on lyrics, the judges were not provided the links to the song performances, but they will be provided in this post, along with the lyrics.
The winner of the contest will receive a $50 Amazon gift card. Each of the other entrants will also receive a $10 Amazon gift card.
While all of the songs were well-crafted and had an amazing point of view to espouse, the song chosen as our winner was.. (drum roll)..
Negative Space by Taylor The world's gone silent in my head Tumbled til my words are dead I could watch the stars, instead I'll come quietly What's the use, what's the use in pretending I have never known what's best And the nothing in the streets is unrelenting Like the black hole in my chest There's no point, there's no point in starting fires When the world is burning down And the roads and the cities getting brighter So I'll keep my dark for now The world's gone silent in my head Tumbled til my words are dead I could watch the stars, instead I'll come quietly Who am I without a voice? What is silence without noise? I'm a dreamaholic Plagued by sobriety Put em up, put em up and surrender Cause there's no escaping time What to do, what to do but remember Everything must die I can't say I can't say that I'm ready Cause I've lived an empty life And I'm scared that I'll never stop running Cause I lost the will to fight The world's gone silent in my head Tumbled til my words are dead I could watch the stars, instead I'll come quietly Who am I without a voice? What is silence without noise? I'm a dreamaholic Plagued by sobriety And I know that I'm out of place A negative space I'm always haunted by An existence I can't justify And I know that I'm out of place A negative space I'm always haunted by An existence I can't justify The world's gone silent in my head Tumbled til my words are dead I could watch the stars, instead I'll come quietly
Judges' comments: "I thought these were strong lyrics about frustration and despair. "There's no point in starting fires when the world is burning down" is a great line from this song." "Personal and raw." "Good use of wordplay and symbolism." "I'm a dreamaholic plagued by sobriety captured my attention!"
Congratulations Taylor and thanks for your entry!
Although we could only choose one winner, all the songs entered had strong messages and were well written. Here are their songs for your enjoyment, presented in no particular order.
Only Today
Kari Fleskes
Compassion is a choice, you know, not some random feeling. Kindness isn’t happenstance, it’s all your own decision. If anger was an accident, then why do you commit to it–– boldly, strongly, staying true to a world you hate to be in? Come open, trust slowly and live like there’s only today. Break cleanly, but save the pieces-- it might be time to rearrange. Keep your patience, and travel bravely Because that’s how we learn to change. Let's live like there’s only today If I were not wounded, I would draw you all a line; Some straight and easy--better way— to occupy your minds. Because thoughts are just opinions, and those are hardly Truth. But if perfection is perspective, can’t we find that where we choose? Come open, trust slowly and live like there’s only today. Break cleanly, but save the pieces-- it might be time to rearrange. Keep your patience, and travel bravely Because that’s how we learn to change. Let's live like there’s only today
Judges' comments: "Thought provoking and well crafted lyrics. I love the question asked in the line "But if perfection is perspective, can’t we find that where we choose?" "Break cleanly, but save the pieces-- it might be time to rearrange. (Great line!)"
Other Lies Novaleigh Freng I'll say I've got it all together Everything is making sense The sky has cleared without you and everything is fine. I'll say I can't remember The way it felt when we first kissed or how my heart would melt and all you had to do was smile. No, I don't miss you I don't need you in my life. The truth and other lies. I'll say I'm sleeping like a baby Maybe I can make you see That losing you it didn't do anything to me. I'll say I hope you're happy and you'll never know it's killing me Without you It's like time's just slipping by But I don't miss you No, I don't need you in my life. The truth and other lies.
Judges' comments: "I like the denial in the song. Trying to convince yourself that what you are saying is true but knowing that it's all a lie." "Relatable lyrics. Good structure"
About Time Louis Ruben It's about time we all looked at the way the world is run Let's just decide to no longer let corruption stifle life The monetary system has had it's time Let's make a deal to only deal in what is right Now, change is nigh, and love is slowly waking up mankind To the fact the greatest riches are inside And to the limitless potential of our minds We just don't need war, greed or starvation We have all the material things and knowledge that we need To really thrive and live in peace, now Together we can fix this broken world, through non-compliance I'd like to see them try to arrest us all A six billion strong community, in peaceful protest Unified forever in our quest for universal abundance Unified, we won't accept anything less than universal abundance It's about time we stood up to this in the right way, we don't need violence It's about time to change it all, you see I'm not alone now as I express this Total dispair for all this, wasted It's about time for true equality (get rid of all the money) It's about time we had the budget For everybody to not go hungry Its about time for true equality (get rid of all the money) It's about time we cut all our losses It's about time we share all our resources It's about time we be all we can be (all possibility)
Judges' comments: "Good protest song speaking out against greed and how money is the root of all evil." "Timely content." "Good message"
Thank you all of our awesome songwriters for participating!
Thank you to our judges for taking time to give your evaluations (Marina, Holly, Chrissie and Lyric!)
-♫ M ♫-