2012 Results and Winning Songs
Use the search box below for details of every song entered and to view and print Certificates.
Every entry in the 2012 contest is listed with the judges score, position reached in the contest and a link to a pesonalised certificate.
Use the search box below for details of every song entered and to view and print Certificates.
Every entry in the 2012 contest is listed with the judges score, position reached in the contest and a link to a pesonalised certificate.
Prizes in 2012 included star treatment and professional production, studio recording and video shoot package with world class musicians under the personal direction of the directors and producers at MAO Studios (myownalbum.com), personal mentoring from Marc "Kipper" Eldridge (Sting's producer and a Grammy and Emmy Award winner), professionally designed CD artwork, valuable Song Copyright Registration packages, promotion to the music industry on the "Best of UKSC 2012" album, SongU.com and Broadjam memberships worth over £45 (US $75) for every songwriter who entered, personalised certificates for every entrant, Guild of International Songwriters and Composers memberships and more. For details of 2012 highlights scroll down to the bottom of this page.
DANCE / ELECTRONIC WINNER
Walk Of Shame
by Frazer Mac
Listen to the song here
This song by Canadian songwriter Frazer Mac was one of the year's most popular entries with the judges and a favourite with almost everyone involved in the contest this year. It is an outstanding electronic/dance/club crossover pop song, very contemporary, well written and very memorable. The footstep beat motif, the strong chorus and the build up of the three overlayed vocal lines in the middle leading back into the chorus are particularly impressive. When he heard the song Grammy and Emmy Award winning UKSC Judge Kipper Eldridge said: "It's a hit. I love it. Great lyric, sound, and so now".
Listen to the track here
by Frazer Mac
Listen to the song here
This song by Canadian songwriter Frazer Mac was one of the year's most popular entries with the judges and a favourite with almost everyone involved in the contest this year. It is an outstanding electronic/dance/club crossover pop song, very contemporary, well written and very memorable. The footstep beat motif, the strong chorus and the build up of the three overlayed vocal lines in the middle leading back into the chorus are particularly impressive. When he heard the song Grammy and Emmy Award winning UKSC Judge Kipper Eldridge said: "It's a hit. I love it. Great lyric, sound, and so now".
Listen to the track here
SINGER / SONGWRITER WINNER (and Production Prize winner)
Follow The Rainbow
by Emma Fitzsimons Acoustic demo entry here Produced pop version here
This year's Singer Songwriter category winner Follow The Rainbow is a song entered by a young and talented Irish Singer/Songwriter from Dublin, Ireland, Emma Fitzsimons. Emma has a distinctive voice and this song entry is a well sung, well written (with co-writer Billy Farrell) and well constructed pop song with an inspirational positive message and a memorable chorus. Emma also wins the professional Production Prize and Video Shoot package at MOA Studios in the UK with personal mentoring from Sting's producer Marc "Kipper" Eldridge. Listen to Emma performing her winning acoustic demo version of the song at her YouTube Channel and compare this to the produced pop version here.
by Emma Fitzsimons Acoustic demo entry here Produced pop version here
This year's Singer Songwriter category winner Follow The Rainbow is a song entered by a young and talented Irish Singer/Songwriter from Dublin, Ireland, Emma Fitzsimons. Emma has a distinctive voice and this song entry is a well sung, well written (with co-writer Billy Farrell) and well constructed pop song with an inspirational positive message and a memorable chorus. Emma also wins the professional Production Prize and Video Shoot package at MOA Studios in the UK with personal mentoring from Sting's producer Marc "Kipper" Eldridge. Listen to Emma performing her winning acoustic demo version of the song at her YouTube Channel and compare this to the produced pop version here.
RnB WINNER
Feelin It
by Adam Easton
Listen to the song here
Adam Easton is an accomplished and prolific composer and songwriter from Crouch End in North London. Since graduating with an MA from the Royal College of Music Adam has been specialising in composing for TV and Film. This song entry is an RnB track that is very different from his usual work but the judges were unanimous in selecting his song "Feelin It" as this year's RnB category winner. Listen to the winning track here...
by Adam Easton
Listen to the song here
Adam Easton is an accomplished and prolific composer and songwriter from Crouch End in North London. Since graduating with an MA from the Royal College of Music Adam has been specialising in composing for TV and Film. This song entry is an RnB track that is very different from his usual work but the judges were unanimous in selecting his song "Feelin It" as this year's RnB category winner. Listen to the winning track here...
ACOUSTIC WINNER
Doctor James
by Katriona Gilmore
Listen to the track here
This year's Acoustic / Folk winner is song in a traditional folk style by singer, songwriter, guitarist and violinist Katriona Gilmore from Knebworth in Hertfordshire. Katriona is one half of the folk duo Gilmore & Roberts who are becoming well known on the british folk scene. This winning song is an unusual, original and very memorable composition with a catchy hook and a lyrical twist at the end which make it a worthy winner in this year's acoustic/folk category. Listen to the track here
by Katriona Gilmore
Listen to the track here
This year's Acoustic / Folk winner is song in a traditional folk style by singer, songwriter, guitarist and violinist Katriona Gilmore from Knebworth in Hertfordshire. Katriona is one half of the folk duo Gilmore & Roberts who are becoming well known on the british folk scene. This winning song is an unusual, original and very memorable composition with a catchy hook and a lyrical twist at the end which make it a worthy winner in this year's acoustic/folk category. Listen to the track here
OPEN CATEGORY WINNER
Ignite
by Mary Spender
Listen to the track here
This winning Open Category entry, Ignite by Mary Spender, is an unusual, almost a capella, vocal composition. It greatly impressed the judges with its originality and sincerity in terms of lyrics and presentation, its vocal harmonies, and its gentle, memorable and haunting feel. Mary is a 22 year old writer from Bristol in the UK and she describes herself as a blues and pop singer-songwriter - although this song is neither. Listen to the track here
by Mary Spender
Listen to the track here
This winning Open Category entry, Ignite by Mary Spender, is an unusual, almost a capella, vocal composition. It greatly impressed the judges with its originality and sincerity in terms of lyrics and presentation, its vocal harmonies, and its gentle, memorable and haunting feel. Mary is a 22 year old writer from Bristol in the UK and she describes herself as a blues and pop singer-songwriter - although this song is neither. Listen to the track here
POP WINNER
Life Of The Party
by Brooke Turner / Jeff Dawson / Laurell Barker
Listen to the song here
Pop was a very difficult category to judge this year. The standard was very high and there were a number of outstanding finalist pop songs but after much deliberation the judges finally agreed to award the winning position in the Pop Category to this song from 16 year old Brooke Turner and her co writers from Canada. It is a simple and lively pop song with a strong and memorable hook and chorus. Grammy Award winning contest judge Kipper Eldridge in particular "loved the guitar riff", the contemporary writing style of the song and "the feel good simple party vibe." Listen to the track here
by Brooke Turner / Jeff Dawson / Laurell Barker
Listen to the song here
Pop was a very difficult category to judge this year. The standard was very high and there were a number of outstanding finalist pop songs but after much deliberation the judges finally agreed to award the winning position in the Pop Category to this song from 16 year old Brooke Turner and her co writers from Canada. It is a simple and lively pop song with a strong and memorable hook and chorus. Grammy Award winning contest judge Kipper Eldridge in particular "loved the guitar riff", the contemporary writing style of the song and "the feel good simple party vibe." Listen to the track here
LOVE SONGS WINNERS (two joint winners in 2012)
If You Ever Miss Me (joint winner in Love Songs)
by Justina Shandler
Listen to the song here
Justina Shandler has written songs for voice and piano since she was 10 years old and she says that growing up in small town Roanoke, Virginia, USA musical opportunities were scarce. She performs as well as writes and has played at local open mic coffee houses, as well as opened for other local bands. Her UKSC song entry, If You Ever Miss Me was chosen as an outstanding entry in the Love Song Category winner this year. Listen to the song here...
Together (joint winner in Love Songs)
by Maggie Harrison
Listen to the song here (and turn up volume)
Unfortunately we don't have a photo of Maggie or any details about her, and this song is a complete change from the young and contemporary entry above. It is an old school style composition about a later stage in life and it was chosen as the joint winner in this category for its very tender heartfelt lyric which works beautifully with the melody. This may not be an immediate choice for some listeners, but we think it is one of the most sincere, genuine and moving entries we have ever had in the contest. It is a true love song. NOTE: Due to the quality of the recording you will need to turn your speakers up for this one.
by Justina Shandler
Listen to the song here
Justina Shandler has written songs for voice and piano since she was 10 years old and she says that growing up in small town Roanoke, Virginia, USA musical opportunities were scarce. She performs as well as writes and has played at local open mic coffee houses, as well as opened for other local bands. Her UKSC song entry, If You Ever Miss Me was chosen as an outstanding entry in the Love Song Category winner this year. Listen to the song here...
Together (joint winner in Love Songs)
by Maggie Harrison
Listen to the song here (and turn up volume)
Unfortunately we don't have a photo of Maggie or any details about her, and this song is a complete change from the young and contemporary entry above. It is an old school style composition about a later stage in life and it was chosen as the joint winner in this category for its very tender heartfelt lyric which works beautifully with the melody. This may not be an immediate choice for some listeners, but we think it is one of the most sincere, genuine and moving entries we have ever had in the contest. It is a true love song. NOTE: Due to the quality of the recording you will need to turn your speakers up for this one.
FAITH/CHRISTIAN WINNER
Champion Of The World
by Ian Townend and Ryan Stevenson
Listen to the track here
This winning Faith/Christian Category song was written by Ian Townend and Ryan Stevenson and the contest entry was performed by co writer Ryan Stevenson (in the photo on the left). This was selected as an original and unusual entry that stood out from other entriesin this category this year. The writers describe it as "dance pop rhythmic worship music with a dubstep vibe". There is a video to accompany this song at YouTube.
by Ian Townend and Ryan Stevenson
Listen to the track here
This winning Faith/Christian Category song was written by Ian Townend and Ryan Stevenson and the contest entry was performed by co writer Ryan Stevenson (in the photo on the left). This was selected as an original and unusual entry that stood out from other entriesin this category this year. The writers describe it as "dance pop rhythmic worship music with a dubstep vibe". There is a video to accompany this song at YouTube.
ROCK WINNER
Pretty Monster
by Nathaniel Porter (Parias Day)
Listen to the track here
This year the judges chose this song, Pretty Monster, as their favourite entry in the Rock category. It is performed by the US Band Parias Day, who describe themselves as rock/alternative, and written by band member Nathaniel Porter. UKSC judge Richard Niles, sent us this message from his new home in LA as soon as he heard the song: "Pretty Monster" is the one for me without question. And I want to produce this band!". Sting's producer Kipper Eldridge also had no doubts saying that: "My winner is Pretty Monster. Best lyric and most original fusing of cross genre for me."
Listen to the track here
by Nathaniel Porter (Parias Day)
Listen to the track here
This year the judges chose this song, Pretty Monster, as their favourite entry in the Rock category. It is performed by the US Band Parias Day, who describe themselves as rock/alternative, and written by band member Nathaniel Porter. UKSC judge Richard Niles, sent us this message from his new home in LA as soon as he heard the song: "Pretty Monster" is the one for me without question. And I want to produce this band!". Sting's producer Kipper Eldridge also had no doubts saying that: "My winner is Pretty Monster. Best lyric and most original fusing of cross genre for me."
Listen to the track here
INSTRUMENTAL WINNER
Selkie and The Bride
by Iain Carnegie
Listen to the track here
This was another difficult category to judge this year with many high standard entries including outstanding guitar pieces, piano compositions, orchestral scores, film theme music, and electronic entries. The judges decided in the end to chose thisacoustic piano and violin composition as the winner. It is written by british composer and multi instrumentalist Iain Carnegie.
Listen to the song here...
by Iain Carnegie
Listen to the track here
This was another difficult category to judge this year with many high standard entries including outstanding guitar pieces, piano compositions, orchestral scores, film theme music, and electronic entries. The judges decided in the end to chose thisacoustic piano and violin composition as the winner. It is written by british composer and multi instrumentalist Iain Carnegie.
Listen to the song here...
COUNTRY WINNER
All The Wasted Time
by Maddy Rodriguez
Listen to the track here
The winner in the Country Category this year is All The Wasted Time by country singer and songwriter Maddy Rodriquez from Toronto, Canada. The UKSC's own resident country music expert judge and CMA Award Winner Lucie Diamond had no trouble picking this song as the country winner this year. She says: "The stand out track is All The Wasted Time, kind of a cross between Taylor Swift with a nod to Faith Hill in its arrangement style. Lyrics that are easy on the ear and would appeal to young and old". Listen to the song here...
by Maddy Rodriguez
Listen to the track here
The winner in the Country Category this year is All The Wasted Time by country singer and songwriter Maddy Rodriquez from Toronto, Canada. The UKSC's own resident country music expert judge and CMA Award Winner Lucie Diamond had no trouble picking this song as the country winner this year. She says: "The stand out track is All The Wasted Time, kind of a cross between Taylor Swift with a nod to Faith Hill in its arrangement style. Lyrics that are easy on the ear and would appeal to young and old". Listen to the song here...
ADULT CONTEMPORARY WINNER
The Way You Are
by Kate Vigo
Listen to the track here
The winning track in the Adult Contemporary category this year is The Way You Are by Australian songwriter Kate Vigo. On the surface the song is simple with a sweet "doo doo" vocal motif - and it is also very catchy! But there is also an extra depth and interest provided by the unusual mix of the song's contemporary indie writing style with soul and jazz undertones and it is this which impressed the judges.
by Kate Vigo
Listen to the track here
The winning track in the Adult Contemporary category this year is The Way You Are by Australian songwriter Kate Vigo. On the surface the song is simple with a sweet "doo doo" vocal motif - and it is also very catchy! But there is also an extra depth and interest provided by the unusual mix of the song's contemporary indie writing style with soul and jazz undertones and it is this which impressed the judges.
JAZZ/BLUES WINNER
State Of Mind
by Paul Raj
Listen to the track here
Paul Raj is a London based songwriter, singer, jazz musician and music teacher. He says he writes for "jazz aficionados, soulsters, romantics and musicians" and this impressive song entry, State Of Mind, was chosen by the UKSC judges as their 2012 UKSC Jazz / Blues category winner. Listen to the song here...
by Paul Raj
Listen to the track here
Paul Raj is a London based songwriter, singer, jazz musician and music teacher. He says he writes for "jazz aficionados, soulsters, romantics and musicians" and this impressive song entry, State Of Mind, was chosen by the UKSC judges as their 2012 UKSC Jazz / Blues category winner. Listen to the song here...
WORK IN PROGRESS WINNER
Losing Everything
by Yazzy Chamberlain
Listen to the track here
This song, Losing Everything, by young british songwriter Yazzy Chamberlain, needs some reworking and rewriting but the judges saw a lot of potential in this entry as a work in progress. Yazzy is only 13 and she says "This is recorded in a shed, so not the best quality! Please tell me what you think !:)" We think that Yazzy, with this song and also with some of her other entries in the UKSC this year, shows great potential and promise as a songwriter and singer. She is one to watch out for in the future.
by Yazzy Chamberlain
Listen to the track here
This song, Losing Everything, by young british songwriter Yazzy Chamberlain, needs some reworking and rewriting but the judges saw a lot of potential in this entry as a work in progress. Yazzy is only 13 and she says "This is recorded in a shed, so not the best quality! Please tell me what you think !:)" We think that Yazzy, with this song and also with some of her other entries in the UKSC this year, shows great potential and promise as a songwriter and singer. She is one to watch out for in the future.
LYRICS WINNER
I Can't Unlove You Now
by Susan Muranty
This was another difficult category to judge this year with so many high standard entries, but in the end the judges chose this Lyrics Only entry. The writer is Susan Muranty, a sculptor and singer-songwriter based in Sydney Australia. This song, with music, was also an entry in another category where it received a much lower score from the judges, showing that it is sometimes a very good idea to also enter your lyric separately in the Lyrics category.The full lyric is below:
I Can't Unlove You Now
by Susan Muranty
VERSE 1
I gave you up again today, I packed away the sun
I piled my dreams in crates. I was the one
Who drained the skies of colour. I just won't need that blue
In any world that I can't be with you.
CHORUS
I can't unlove you now, cause it's way too late
I can't unmake the way I feel. I'm trying to uncreate -
I can't unlove you now and even if I could
I can't unlove you now the way I should.
VERSE 2
I just can't take your calls. You see, I'm ripping out the night
I'm tearing down the stars. They're bleeding light
I'm trying to live without you. I thought that was ok
But misery keeps getting in my way.
CHORUS
I can't unlove you now, cause it's way too late
I can't unmake the way I feel. I'm trying to uncreate -
I can't unlove you now and even if I could
I can't unlove you now the way I should.
INSTRUMENTAL BRIDGE
CHORUS
I can't unlove you now, cause it's way too late
I can't unmake the way I feel. I'm trying to uncreate -
I can't unlove you now and even if I could
I can't unlove you now the way I should.
by Susan Muranty
This was another difficult category to judge this year with so many high standard entries, but in the end the judges chose this Lyrics Only entry. The writer is Susan Muranty, a sculptor and singer-songwriter based in Sydney Australia. This song, with music, was also an entry in another category where it received a much lower score from the judges, showing that it is sometimes a very good idea to also enter your lyric separately in the Lyrics category.The full lyric is below:
I Can't Unlove You Now
by Susan Muranty
VERSE 1
I gave you up again today, I packed away the sun
I piled my dreams in crates. I was the one
Who drained the skies of colour. I just won't need that blue
In any world that I can't be with you.
CHORUS
I can't unlove you now, cause it's way too late
I can't unmake the way I feel. I'm trying to uncreate -
I can't unlove you now and even if I could
I can't unlove you now the way I should.
VERSE 2
I just can't take your calls. You see, I'm ripping out the night
I'm tearing down the stars. They're bleeding light
I'm trying to live without you. I thought that was ok
But misery keeps getting in my way.
CHORUS
I can't unlove you now, cause it's way too late
I can't unmake the way I feel. I'm trying to uncreate -
I can't unlove you now and even if I could
I can't unlove you now the way I should.
INSTRUMENTAL BRIDGE
CHORUS
I can't unlove you now, cause it's way too late
I can't unmake the way I feel. I'm trying to uncreate -
I can't unlove you now and even if I could
I can't unlove you now the way I should.
Back to Top
2012 HIGHLIGHTS
There were some outstanding songs in 2012 ranging from the very memorable and quirky traditional style folk song Dr James by UK folk artist, violinist and songwriter Katriona Gilmore, to the very infectious elecronic / dance club track Walk Of Shame by Canadian songwriter Frazer Mac. The Rock winner was a song by the US band Parias Day and the writer Nate Porter was contacted and advised by the renowned Holloywood producer and UKSC judge Richard Niles who was very impressed with this entry from the USA. The 2011 Olympic Theme winner "When You Ride A Dream" was released for worldwide promotion during the 2012 OLYMPIC GAMES this year, produced by Juno Award winning producer Mel Shaw (Founding President of the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences and a multiple Gold Album producer). Mel noticed the song through the UKSC and was so impressed that he produced several versions by different artists for release during the Games. Acoustic Finalist song "Down To Earth" by Kate Diaz from Chicago was spotted in the contest and picked up by Music Aid International for Music Aid TV and they made it one of their featured songs for 2013.
The winner of the singer songwriter category, Emma Fitzsimons, caught many people's attention and she was noticed and mentored by Sting's producer and UKSC contest judge Kipper Eldridge after the contest. Emma, from Dublin, Ireland, also won a professional recording and production package at the MOA studios in England and in 2013 the UKSC arranged for Emma to have a professional music video shoot and production with MOA director Carmen Falkenburg. She has also since received offers from a number of labels and she also came to the attention of Perez Hilton and Calvin Harris who both tweeted about her. Emma's YouTube videos are now approaching one million (1,000,000) views. Emma won a professional music video shoot and production plus a music studio production with world class musicians as part of her contest prizes. Another favourite song with the judges this year was "Together" by Maggie Harrison in the Love Songs Category. This outstandingly beautiful, tender and sincere (but, unfortunately, very poorly recorded) song proves once again that a professional recording is not needed for success in this contest. A great song will always be noticed by the judges no matter how it is recorded.
Two new judges joined the judging panels in 2012 - award winning producer and composer Marc "Kipper" Eldridge and songwriter and singer Natalie Chua. Kipper Eldridge is one of the world's top producers with both a Grammy and an Emmy Award and he is well known and respected in the music industry as Sting's producer. Kipper is also an accomplished Hollywood film score writer and producer. The Gold and Platinum albums he has produced have sold over 15 million copies. Another new member to join the judging panels in 2012 was Natalie Chua. Natalie knows the contest very well as she is the past UK Songwriting Contest winner (Open Category) who was famously signed by Simon Cowell. She went on to be awarded a Platinum Album for her work and over 500,000 sales with Cowell's band Angelis.
2012 HIGHLIGHTS
There were some outstanding songs in 2012 ranging from the very memorable and quirky traditional style folk song Dr James by UK folk artist, violinist and songwriter Katriona Gilmore, to the very infectious elecronic / dance club track Walk Of Shame by Canadian songwriter Frazer Mac. The Rock winner was a song by the US band Parias Day and the writer Nate Porter was contacted and advised by the renowned Holloywood producer and UKSC judge Richard Niles who was very impressed with this entry from the USA. The 2011 Olympic Theme winner "When You Ride A Dream" was released for worldwide promotion during the 2012 OLYMPIC GAMES this year, produced by Juno Award winning producer Mel Shaw (Founding President of the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences and a multiple Gold Album producer). Mel noticed the song through the UKSC and was so impressed that he produced several versions by different artists for release during the Games. Acoustic Finalist song "Down To Earth" by Kate Diaz from Chicago was spotted in the contest and picked up by Music Aid International for Music Aid TV and they made it one of their featured songs for 2013.
The winner of the singer songwriter category, Emma Fitzsimons, caught many people's attention and she was noticed and mentored by Sting's producer and UKSC contest judge Kipper Eldridge after the contest. Emma, from Dublin, Ireland, also won a professional recording and production package at the MOA studios in England and in 2013 the UKSC arranged for Emma to have a professional music video shoot and production with MOA director Carmen Falkenburg. She has also since received offers from a number of labels and she also came to the attention of Perez Hilton and Calvin Harris who both tweeted about her. Emma's YouTube videos are now approaching one million (1,000,000) views. Emma won a professional music video shoot and production plus a music studio production with world class musicians as part of her contest prizes. Another favourite song with the judges this year was "Together" by Maggie Harrison in the Love Songs Category. This outstandingly beautiful, tender and sincere (but, unfortunately, very poorly recorded) song proves once again that a professional recording is not needed for success in this contest. A great song will always be noticed by the judges no matter how it is recorded.
Two new judges joined the judging panels in 2012 - award winning producer and composer Marc "Kipper" Eldridge and songwriter and singer Natalie Chua. Kipper Eldridge is one of the world's top producers with both a Grammy and an Emmy Award and he is well known and respected in the music industry as Sting's producer. Kipper is also an accomplished Hollywood film score writer and producer. The Gold and Platinum albums he has produced have sold over 15 million copies. Another new member to join the judging panels in 2012 was Natalie Chua. Natalie knows the contest very well as she is the past UK Songwriting Contest winner (Open Category) who was famously signed by Simon Cowell. She went on to be awarded a Platinum Album for her work and over 500,000 sales with Cowell's band Angelis.
