_SONG CATEGORIES

Pop,   Rock,   Adult Contemporary,  Jazz/Blues,  Country,  Singer/Songwriter,   Love Songs,   Christian/Faith,  R&B
Lyrics Only,   Instrumental,   Open,   Acoustic / Folk,   Show Songs,   Olympic Theme

TIP 1. If you are not sure what category your songs fall into please read the descriptions below. It may also help to take a look at some of the big internet music sales sites to see how they categorise the various artists and their music.

TIP 2: Have you thought of also entering your lyrics separately in Lyrics Only? Every year there are many recordings with strong lyrics that would have achieved very high results in Lyrics Only but the writers never thought of also entering that category.

Pop
Chart style top 40 popular music that could also include some slower pop ballads as well as more obvious up-tempo pop songs. This is the most commercial of all the categories and is for songs with mass (often younger) audience appeal.

Adult Contemporary  -  AC
Artists that are often described as AC include Amy Winehouse, Sting, Eric Clapton, James Taylor, Celine Dion, Simply Red, Bryan Adams. Acoustic based singer/songwriter material could also be suited. Younger, edgier bands are often described as "Hot AC".

Rock 
All types and styles of rock music and alternative and indie music. Contestants in this category include bands as well as solo performers and songwriters. Recordings can be of any type: eg studio, bedroom, garage or live. 

Love Songs
These can be in any style at all - pop, rock, AC, country, disco, ballad, folk, opera, rock anthems, jazz, gospel - anything at all. The only rule is that the song must be about love. 

Singer / Songwriter 
Songs can be in any style. The only rule is that the songwriter sings the song. In this category the performance and vocals are also judged along with the songwriting. NOTE: This is the only category where the vocals are also judged.

Country
This category is for Country music only. Country includes all the many different country styles and variations. 

Jazz / Blues
All jazz and blues styles from jazz ballads to classic 12 bars, traditional, experimental and modern. This could also be a suitable category for contemporary jazz based easy listening styles, or heavily jazz influenced bands (eg Steely Dan).

Christian / Faith
All songs with a religious or faith theme including gospel, Christian, praise, worship etc. All musical styles - traditional, modern and alternative, choral to soul to rock. Christmas carols may be entered in this category or in Open/Miscellaneous (or both). 

Lyrics Only 
The category for lyricists. If you wish you may also add directions about the type of music/vocalist/presentation etc that you imagine accompanying your lyric (this is optional and not a requirement).

Olympic Theme
We introduced this category as we know some of you have written songs about the Olympics and have asked us for an opportunity to showcase them. We will feature the winners on our websites but please note that this is NOT an official Olympics contest - we have no connection with the Olympics 2012 organizers and we will not forward your songs to them

Acoustic / Folk
Acoustic unplugged type songs of any style. Also folk including traditional and easy listening folk/acoustic styles.

Instrumental
All styles and forms of instrumental music from classical to rock. Theme, film, jingles or mood music, songs without lyrics or improvisational - there are no limits. Any type of instrumentation - eg single acoustic instrument, all keyboards based or band/ensemble performances etc etc.

R&B / Urban
Contemporary R&B, Hip Hop styles, Rap and all Urban styles. If you feel that your songs may overlap with Pop or Adult Contemporary you may wish to also enter in those categories.

Show Songs
This category is for songs intended for or suitable for stage shows and musicals. Think Broadway and the West End, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Rogers and Hammerstein. 

Open
As the title implies, anything goes in this popular category and there are no restrictions on what you may enter. The Open category is for songs that do not fit easily into any of the above categories. Past entries have included opera, ethnic and world music, Christmas carols, childrens' songs, educational songs and comedy. Remember - anything goes.