POP WINNER AND OVERALL WINNER
What Love Is
by Ken Brown
The UKSC judges were unanimous in picking this as the most outstanding entry in the pop category. It was also chosen as Overall Winner 2011 and the UKSC teamed songwriter Ken Brown with the top producer and contest judge Stuart Epps (Elton John, Oasis, Robbie Williams etc) who described this entry as "unusual, beautiful, sentimental and with poignant lyrics. This could be a HIT!!" Stuart immediately set to work on producing a stunning new mix of the song... Listen to Stuart Epps' mix of the winning song here.
by Ken Brown
The UKSC judges were unanimous in picking this as the most outstanding entry in the pop category. It was also chosen as Overall Winner 2011 and the UKSC teamed songwriter Ken Brown with the top producer and contest judge Stuart Epps (Elton John, Oasis, Robbie Williams etc) who described this entry as "unusual, beautiful, sentimental and with poignant lyrics. This could be a HIT!!" Stuart immediately set to work on producing a stunning new mix of the song... Listen to Stuart Epps' mix of the winning song here.
ACOUSTIC WINNER AND CHRISTMAS SINGLE RELEASE
Bloody Good Christmas
by Jamie Hawkins
Top producer, musical director and UKSC judge Richard Niles described this song as "Bloody brilliant!.... powerful, utterly original, articulate, heartfelt, emotional, very well constructed and superb in every way." The song was released as a Christmas single and reached #2 in the Amazon Downoad Charts within hours after with a grass roots Facebook Campaign promoted and supported the single. Listen to the single, watch the video, join the campaign or get your download on the official Bloody Good Xmas Website. The video is also on our YouTube channel here.
by Jamie Hawkins
Top producer, musical director and UKSC judge Richard Niles described this song as "Bloody brilliant!.... powerful, utterly original, articulate, heartfelt, emotional, very well constructed and superb in every way." The song was released as a Christmas single and reached #2 in the Amazon Downoad Charts within hours after with a grass roots Facebook Campaign promoted and supported the single. Listen to the single, watch the video, join the campaign or get your download on the official Bloody Good Xmas Website. The video is also on our YouTube channel here.
COUNTRY WINNER
He Only Broke My Heart
by Molly Hunt / Troy Johnson / Jack Williams
A powerful modern country/pop crossover song using strong and emotive imagery. The photo shows one of the writers Molly Hunt. Contest judge and CMA Award Winner Lucie Diamond says: "It's very now and has a modern Taylor Swift feel. It fits perfectly between country and pop and has a worldwide audience grabbing appeal. Miley Cyrus could have a hit with this song!" Listen to the song here...
by Molly Hunt / Troy Johnson / Jack Williams
A powerful modern country/pop crossover song using strong and emotive imagery. The photo shows one of the writers Molly Hunt. Contest judge and CMA Award Winner Lucie Diamond says: "It's very now and has a modern Taylor Swift feel. It fits perfectly between country and pop and has a worldwide audience grabbing appeal. Miley Cyrus could have a hit with this song!" Listen to the song here...
SINGER/SONGWRITER WINNER
From His Window
by John Smith
A sensitive, gentle and moving song in the classic singer/songwriter tradition. This entry is well sung (this is the only category where vocals are also judged), the song is beautiful and well written, and it deals with a difficult and emotive subject in an orignal and moving way. The judges were 100% unanimous in selecting this as the winner in the singer/songwriter category. Listen to the song here... Visit John's web site at johnsmithmusic.com
by John Smith
A sensitive, gentle and moving song in the classic singer/songwriter tradition. This entry is well sung (this is the only category where vocals are also judged), the song is beautiful and well written, and it deals with a difficult and emotive subject in an orignal and moving way. The judges were 100% unanimous in selecting this as the winner in the singer/songwriter category. Listen to the song here... Visit John's web site at johnsmithmusic.com
RnB WINNER
Bitch in the Bedroom
by Asya Satti
The judges made this song the winner in the RnB category for its original and contemporary lyric and its attention grabbing love-it-or-hate-it theme. The hook is strong and one of those that sticks in the mind even after only one or two hearings. Although not part of the judging process Asya's charismatic performance to webcam in a simple one-take video of the song is impressive - Watch video here Listen only here...
by Asya Satti
The judges made this song the winner in the RnB category for its original and contemporary lyric and its attention grabbing love-it-or-hate-it theme. The hook is strong and one of those that sticks in the mind even after only one or two hearings. Although not part of the judging process Asya's charismatic performance to webcam in a simple one-take video of the song is impressive - Watch video here Listen only here...
ADULT CONTEMPORARY WINNER
Forgotten State
by Kevin Edge
A hauntingly original entry that fits the Adult Contemporary label perfectly. The song's theme is how people can become separated from each other and whether they can ever become "all as one again". This is not an obviously commercial song but its sincerity, its originality, and its haunting melody and lyrics made it a clear firm favourite and first choice with the judges and a very worthy winner in this category.
Listen to the song here...
by Kevin Edge
A hauntingly original entry that fits the Adult Contemporary label perfectly. The song's theme is how people can become separated from each other and whether they can ever become "all as one again". This is not an obviously commercial song but its sincerity, its originality, and its haunting melody and lyrics made it a clear firm favourite and first choice with the judges and a very worthy winner in this category.
Listen to the song here...
FAITH/CHRISTIAN WINNER
My Sanctuary
by Melvin Lijih
My Sanctuary, written by Melvin Lijih, is a unique and refreshingly different entry from Nigeria. The recording is basic with no musical backing and just a simple click track on the second and fourth beats. The acappella vocal is sung well but even with a less accomplished vocal this would still have been a worthy category winner because of the well written melody and lyric. This entry was described by one of the judges as "simply georgous". Listen to the song here...
by Melvin Lijih
My Sanctuary, written by Melvin Lijih, is a unique and refreshingly different entry from Nigeria. The recording is basic with no musical backing and just a simple click track on the second and fourth beats. The acappella vocal is sung well but even with a less accomplished vocal this would still have been a worthy category winner because of the well written melody and lyric. This entry was described by one of the judges as "simply georgous". Listen to the song here...
OLYMPIC WINNER
When You Ride A Dream
by Marv Conan and Brian Muni
There were some outstanding entries in the Olympic Theme category including some very strong instrumental themes. This entry was chosen as winner because of its relevant and positve lyric which uses a variety of Olympic images and because of the uplifting and memorable melody which fits the lyric perfectly. The photos show the US songwriting team of Marv Conan (left) and Brian Muni (right).
Listen to the song here...
by Marv Conan and Brian Muni
There were some outstanding entries in the Olympic Theme category including some very strong instrumental themes. This entry was chosen as winner because of its relevant and positve lyric which uses a variety of Olympic images and because of the uplifting and memorable melody which fits the lyric perfectly. The photos show the US songwriting team of Marv Conan (left) and Brian Muni (right).
Listen to the song here...
LOVE SONGS WINNER
If This Was The Last Night We Had
by Paul Stiegler and Rob Crosby
A classic country style love song from a talented songwriting team from Wisconsin USA. The touching and heartfelt lyric stood out from the other competing entries in this category and the gentle melody and simple guitar accompaniment compliment the theme perfectly. The photo shows Paul Stiegler, the other writer Rob Crosby is the singer on this entry. A well crafted and engaging song. Listen to the song here...
by Paul Stiegler and Rob Crosby
A classic country style love song from a talented songwriting team from Wisconsin USA. The touching and heartfelt lyric stood out from the other competing entries in this category and the gentle melody and simple guitar accompaniment compliment the theme perfectly. The photo shows Paul Stiegler, the other writer Rob Crosby is the singer on this entry. A well crafted and engaging song. Listen to the song here...
OPEN CATEGORY WINNER
Eastenders
by Andrew Estaphane
An infectious and upbeat novelty rap song about life in London's East End complete with cockney rhyming slang. Those of you from outside the UK might not get this, but for those people familiar with the lifestyles, people and history of London this has great lyrics and a memorable hook. Videos of entries are not judged (nor is the Eastenders Theme musical reference in the song) but there is an entertaining video of the song available from the writer on YouTube... Watch video here
by Andrew Estaphane
An infectious and upbeat novelty rap song about life in London's East End complete with cockney rhyming slang. Those of you from outside the UK might not get this, but for those people familiar with the lifestyles, people and history of London this has great lyrics and a memorable hook. Videos of entries are not judged (nor is the Eastenders Theme musical reference in the song) but there is an entertaining video of the song available from the writer on YouTube... Watch video here
ROCK WINNER
Danger Deep Water
by Jason Flinter / Jackie Spindley / Charlie Hodson
This year the judges bravely broke with UKSC tradition and went for an older rock style song that was written as a sound-a-like in the style of AC/DC. This is the first time a heavy metal song has won this category and this well crafted entry has all the components you would expect from this classic genre - a genre that still has a massive following worldwide. The photo shows writer Jason Flinter. The writers have also put together a great video for the song - watch it here... After the results came out this track was chosen to open and launch the LABEL EXPO Awards Show in Brussels.
by Jason Flinter / Jackie Spindley / Charlie Hodson
This year the judges bravely broke with UKSC tradition and went for an older rock style song that was written as a sound-a-like in the style of AC/DC. This is the first time a heavy metal song has won this category and this well crafted entry has all the components you would expect from this classic genre - a genre that still has a massive following worldwide. The photo shows writer Jason Flinter. The writers have also put together a great video for the song - watch it here... After the results came out this track was chosen to open and launch the LABEL EXPO Awards Show in Brussels.
SHOW TUNES WINNER
Do You Hear It
by Laarni Matta-Macaraeg
The judges thought this was a tender yet attention grabbing song that could easily be imagined as part of a hit West End musical show. It is a professional and capable composition and the judges agreed that this songwriter shows impressive potential as a writer for the musical theatre. It is a great example of the genre from Laarni Matta-Macareaeg, a songwriter from the Philippines. Listen to the song here...
by Laarni Matta-Macaraeg
The judges thought this was a tender yet attention grabbing song that could easily be imagined as part of a hit West End musical show. It is a professional and capable composition and the judges agreed that this songwriter shows impressive potential as a writer for the musical theatre. It is a great example of the genre from Laarni Matta-Macareaeg, a songwriter from the Philippines. Listen to the song here...
JAZZ/BLUES WINNER
Relativity
by Kate Ockenden
This song was the firm favourite and first choice of the top producer and undisputed jazz expert Richard Niles who picked it as the most outstanding entry among all the jazz/blues finalists this year. Kate Ockenden is a pianist, singer and songwriter from the UK and this winning song Relativity is the title track of a new compilation of her jazz/funk compositions.
Visit Kate's website at kateockenden.co.uk. Listen to the song here...
by Kate Ockenden
This song was the firm favourite and first choice of the top producer and undisputed jazz expert Richard Niles who picked it as the most outstanding entry among all the jazz/blues finalists this year. Kate Ockenden is a pianist, singer and songwriter from the UK and this winning song Relativity is the title track of a new compilation of her jazz/funk compositions.
Visit Kate's website at kateockenden.co.uk. Listen to the song here...
INSTRUMENTAL WINNER
An Indian Folk Song Meets Jazz
by Tze (Toh Tze Chin)
This was one of the most difficult categories to judge this year with outstanding acoustic guitar, piano pieces, orchestral scores, film theme music, electronic and dance entries - many of which could have been winners. But in the end the judges chose this composition from Singapore by composer and pianist Toh Tze Chin for its originality in its attempt at fusing traditional indian music and western jazz. Listen to the song here... Visit Tze's website at tzetoh.com
by Tze (Toh Tze Chin)
This was one of the most difficult categories to judge this year with outstanding acoustic guitar, piano pieces, orchestral scores, film theme music, electronic and dance entries - many of which could have been winners. But in the end the judges chose this composition from Singapore by composer and pianist Toh Tze Chin for its originality in its attempt at fusing traditional indian music and western jazz. Listen to the song here... Visit Tze's website at tzetoh.com
LYRICS WINNER
Love Can Live For Always
by Patricia Luce Chapman
This well written and emotivel song lyric is beautiful and poignant, and the strong visual imagery is outstanding. It describes a real life occurance (the writer tells us she was the one with wet cheeks) and it tells a moving story using good song structure and song form with a consistent metre and regular rhythm that would lend itself to a variety of musical interpretations. This is a worthy Lyrics Only winner. The full lyric is below:
Love Can Live For Always
by Patricia Luce Chapman
VERSE
Me and Janie were walking on the farm
late in November
I was trying to find a way
to tell her I'd love her forever.
We stopped to watch the white snow geese
flying high above the lake
Then someone took a shot at them
one bird spun out of place
CLIMB
Well the frightened geese flew off, but one
dropped to the lake to die
We saw one other circle back
to float right by its side – and I held Janie, saying,
CHORUS
LOVE CAN LIVE FOR ALWAYS
love can live beyond life
some have many playmates,
some have just one mate for life
LOVE CAN LIVE FOR ALWAYS
VERSE
The sky grew dark, but the faithful bird
swam close beside its mate
keeping watch as the dying bird
laid its head down on the lake
CLIMB
As the moonlight shone on one lonely bird
Janie’s cheeks were wet
and we knew that what we saw this night
we could never ever forget – and I held Janie, saying,
CHORUS
I love you for always
My love will live beyond life
Some have many playmates
but I'll have just one mate for life
My love will live for always
LOVE CAN LIVE FOR ALWAYS
LOVE CAN LIVE FOR ALWAYS
love can live beyond life
some have many playmates,
some have just one mate for life
LOVE CAN LIVE FOR ALWAYS
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by Patricia Luce Chapman
This well written and emotivel song lyric is beautiful and poignant, and the strong visual imagery is outstanding. It describes a real life occurance (the writer tells us she was the one with wet cheeks) and it tells a moving story using good song structure and song form with a consistent metre and regular rhythm that would lend itself to a variety of musical interpretations. This is a worthy Lyrics Only winner. The full lyric is below:
Love Can Live For Always
by Patricia Luce Chapman
VERSE
Me and Janie were walking on the farm
late in November
I was trying to find a way
to tell her I'd love her forever.
We stopped to watch the white snow geese
flying high above the lake
Then someone took a shot at them
one bird spun out of place
CLIMB
Well the frightened geese flew off, but one
dropped to the lake to die
We saw one other circle back
to float right by its side – and I held Janie, saying,
CHORUS
LOVE CAN LIVE FOR ALWAYS
love can live beyond life
some have many playmates,
some have just one mate for life
LOVE CAN LIVE FOR ALWAYS
VERSE
The sky grew dark, but the faithful bird
swam close beside its mate
keeping watch as the dying bird
laid its head down on the lake
CLIMB
As the moonlight shone on one lonely bird
Janie’s cheeks were wet
and we knew that what we saw this night
we could never ever forget – and I held Janie, saying,
CHORUS
I love you for always
My love will live beyond life
Some have many playmates
but I'll have just one mate for life
My love will live for always
LOVE CAN LIVE FOR ALWAYS
LOVE CAN LIVE FOR ALWAYS
love can live beyond life
some have many playmates,
some have just one mate for life
LOVE CAN LIVE FOR ALWAYS
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TIPS ON PRINTING CERTIFICATES
Every browser/computer and printer combination is different and you may need to make adjustments to get the certificate to print the way you want. Read the following tips for advice and ideas.
1. Click the "Certificate" link next to your song listing to see and print your certificate.
2. You won't want the web page details to appear on the top and bottom of the page when you print the certificate so in "Print Preview" and "Page Set Up" click on "Remove Header and Footers", or delete these yourself manually, to remove these webpage details.
3. In "Print Preview" and "Page Set Up" use the Margin controls to adjust the margins, and centre the certificate if this is necessary. Every printer browser combination is different and you may need to adjust these settings to get the certificate to appear exactly as you wish.
4. Print on the paper of your choice.
PAPER: Try using different types of paper for different effects. There are many special certificate papers available in stores and some have attractive borders pre-printed onto the paper. We have kept our border very simple so that this will not clash with these designs. Please note that we have made the certificates so that it is possible for you to remove or change the border and even change colours and other details by saving and editing in Word.
LAYOUT PROBLEM? In some cases where there are unusual computer settings or where the name(s), song title etc are longer than average, this may effect the layout and you may need to use the "Resize" facility in Print Preview. Try resizing to 90% or experiment with different sizes.
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Every browser/computer and printer combination is different and you may need to make adjustments to get the certificate to print the way you want. Read the following tips for advice and ideas.
1. Click the "Certificate" link next to your song listing to see and print your certificate.
2. You won't want the web page details to appear on the top and bottom of the page when you print the certificate so in "Print Preview" and "Page Set Up" click on "Remove Header and Footers", or delete these yourself manually, to remove these webpage details.
3. In "Print Preview" and "Page Set Up" use the Margin controls to adjust the margins, and centre the certificate if this is necessary. Every printer browser combination is different and you may need to adjust these settings to get the certificate to appear exactly as you wish.
4. Print on the paper of your choice.
PAPER: Try using different types of paper for different effects. There are many special certificate papers available in stores and some have attractive borders pre-printed onto the paper. We have kept our border very simple so that this will not clash with these designs. Please note that we have made the certificates so that it is possible for you to remove or change the border and even change colours and other details by saving and editing in Word.
LAYOUT PROBLEM? In some cases where there are unusual computer settings or where the name(s), song title etc are longer than average, this may effect the layout and you may need to use the "Resize" facility in Print Preview. Try resizing to 90% or experiment with different sizes.
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EXPLANATION OF THE JUDGES SCORING
Songs are scored between 1 and 10 but most songs in the contest will not receive a score higher than 6.
Semi finalists and finalists will receive a very high score of 7, 8 or 9. The score of 10 is reserved for the winning song in each category.A score of 1 or 2 indicates that the song was considered to be poorly written in comparison to other songs in the contest. It indicates that in the judges opinion the song needs either almost complete re writing or, especially in the case of a score of 1, abandoning. Very few songs receive such low scores.
A score of 3 indicates that the song follows accepted standards of song form and that the writer shows potential and some songwriting ability and talent. But the song is among the weakest songs in the contest and will certainly benefit from re working and re writing. Few songs receive low scores of 3 and below and receiving one of these scores is a clear sign to look critically at your songwriting style and approach.
A score of 4, 5 and 6 indicates that the writer has demonstrated real songwriting ability and understanding and songs with these scores will receive a Commended Entry Certificate. The UKSC attracts a high standard of entries and the majority of songs in this contest will usually fall somewhere in this range. A score of 6 can be regarded as a borderline semi finalist score and indicates that the song nearly made it into the semi finals.
Songs with a score of 7 or 8 are awarded a semi finalist position and certificate and are considered by the judges to be among the top songs in the contest. A score of 8 indicates that the song was a borderline finalist and almost made it into the finals.
Songs with a score of 9 are finalists and these very high scoring songs are considered for the winning positions in their respective categories. The winning song in each category is given a score of 10.
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Songs are scored between 1 and 10 but most songs in the contest will not receive a score higher than 6.
Semi finalists and finalists will receive a very high score of 7, 8 or 9. The score of 10 is reserved for the winning song in each category.A score of 1 or 2 indicates that the song was considered to be poorly written in comparison to other songs in the contest. It indicates that in the judges opinion the song needs either almost complete re writing or, especially in the case of a score of 1, abandoning. Very few songs receive such low scores.
A score of 3 indicates that the song follows accepted standards of song form and that the writer shows potential and some songwriting ability and talent. But the song is among the weakest songs in the contest and will certainly benefit from re working and re writing. Few songs receive low scores of 3 and below and receiving one of these scores is a clear sign to look critically at your songwriting style and approach.
A score of 4, 5 and 6 indicates that the writer has demonstrated real songwriting ability and understanding and songs with these scores will receive a Commended Entry Certificate. The UKSC attracts a high standard of entries and the majority of songs in this contest will usually fall somewhere in this range. A score of 6 can be regarded as a borderline semi finalist score and indicates that the song nearly made it into the semi finals.
Songs with a score of 7 or 8 are awarded a semi finalist position and certificate and are considered by the judges to be among the top songs in the contest. A score of 8 indicates that the song was a borderline finalist and almost made it into the finals.
Songs with a score of 9 are finalists and these very high scoring songs are considered for the winning positions in their respective categories. The winning song in each category is given a score of 10.
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