There are ten song categories. Scroll down the page for descriptions of each category - reading these will help you choose the correct categories for your songs.

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 / Indie
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. 

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).

Folk / Country
Country includes all the many different country styles and variations. Folk includes traditional folk music as well as contemporary and easy listening folk/acoustic styles.

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).

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.

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.

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