Lyrics Only Category
The UK Songwriting Contest has always welcomed Lyrics Only entries and it is committed to encouraging and promoting the craft of lyric writing. The Lyrics Only Category is a popular category in this songwriting competition and there have been some outstanding entries over the years. Lyrics entries can be easily entered online by pasting lyrics into the Lyrics Box on the entry form. If you wish you may also add directions about the type of music style / vocalist / presentation etc that you imagine accompanying your lyric (this is optional and not a requirement). You can also add any other comments about your song lyric thhat you think might be helpful for the judges.
Past Winners
Lyrics entries have exactly the same chance of winning the Grand Prizes as entries in any other categories. The Overall Grand Prize Winner in 2007 was a Lyrics Only entry, beating all the recorded music entries, called Silver Linings by Mark Wilson. Mark received Sibelius music software (The Sibelius Prize) and a UKSC Gold Disc Award in addition to the usual impressive UKSC Overall Winners' prize package. Mark's moving song can be read below with some other successful Lyrics entries from past years. Winners in the Lyrics Only Category have also received personal one-on-one mentoring and coaching with hit songwriter Mark Cawley as part of their contest prize package. Mark's songs have sold over 15 million copies worldwide and he has written for The Spice Girls, Tina Turner, Chaka Khan, Diana Ross, Joe Cocker, Wynonna Judd and many others and he is very keen to work with the winner of this category. He has also worked with legendary songwriter Burt Bacharach and had a UK number one hit with Billie Piper's Day and Night.
Finalists, Semi Finalists, Commended Entries and all Participants...
There are also many Finalist, Semi Finalist and Commended Entry winners - see the Prizes Page for full details of prizes. And everyone who enters will have their lyrics read and examined and rated by industry professionals. Everyone also receives SongU songwriting courses (worth .US$50). Plus every songwriter is given the judges score for each lyric and also receives a UKSC Certificate for every song entered with details of the writer's achievement and position. This competition gives a genuine chance to all lyricists to be noticed and discovered by the music industry in London and to have their songs judged, rated and scored by industry professionals. Many entrants have been noticed and promoted through the contest and many have been featured in the press, in radio interviews and on prime time television. Many entrants have been published, or have been signed or produced, by top industry figures who closely follow this event looking for new talent.
Lyrics entries have exactly the same chance of winning the Grand Prizes as entries in any other categories. The Overall Grand Prize Winner in 2007 was a Lyrics Only entry, beating all the recorded music entries, called Silver Linings by Mark Wilson. Mark received Sibelius music software (The Sibelius Prize) and a UKSC Gold Disc Award in addition to the usual impressive UKSC Overall Winners' prize package. Mark's moving song can be read below with some other successful Lyrics entries from past years. Winners in the Lyrics Only Category have also received personal one-on-one mentoring and coaching with hit songwriter Mark Cawley as part of their contest prize package. Mark's songs have sold over 15 million copies worldwide and he has written for The Spice Girls, Tina Turner, Chaka Khan, Diana Ross, Joe Cocker, Wynonna Judd and many others and he is very keen to work with the winner of this category. He has also worked with legendary songwriter Burt Bacharach and had a UK number one hit with Billie Piper's Day and Night.
Finalists, Semi Finalists, Commended Entries and all Participants...
There are also many Finalist, Semi Finalist and Commended Entry winners - see the Prizes Page for full details of prizes. And everyone who enters will have their lyrics read and examined and rated by industry professionals. Everyone also receives SongU songwriting courses (worth .US$50). Plus every songwriter is given the judges score for each lyric and also receives a UKSC Certificate for every song entered with details of the writer's achievement and position. This competition gives a genuine chance to all lyricists to be noticed and discovered by the music industry in London and to have their songs judged, rated and scored by industry professionals. Many entrants have been noticed and promoted through the contest and many have been featured in the press, in radio interviews and on prime time television. Many entrants have been published, or have been signed or produced, by top industry figures who closely follow this event looking for new talent.
See examples of past Lyrics Only entries below:
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LYRICS ONLY SEMI FINALIST
Closure by Marie Clapton On the right is a video of a song that was entered as a written lyric in the Lyrics Only category in 2009. The lyric was awarded a Semi Finalist position in the contest by the judges that year. The melody on this video (composed by Marie Clapton) was added at a later date and it was not part of the original contest entry. Only the written Lyric, which you can read in the video, was entered and judged. TIP: Turn off the sound if you just want to read the Lyric as entered. Read more Lyrics Only entries below: |
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SILVER LININGS by Mark Wilson
Grand Prize WINNER 2007
NOTE FROM THE WRITER: "This song is for my Mum - a wonderful little lady with a big heart - who spent most of her life looking after others but ironically spent her last few years in a care home suffering from dementia. These lyrics were written late last year just before Mum fell ill with a chest infection. Originally the last line was "what will the New Year bring?" Sadly, no SILVER LININGS because Mum died on 9th March 2007. God Rest Her Soul.... Mxxxxx "
Why do I pretend
Fool myself again
Think you’re growing stronger
You struggle with my name
(A grey day)
Have all your angels gone?
Then you squeeze my hand
Seem to understand
Stories from my childhood
The games we used to play
(Sunny days)
Til I left home for good
When lonely clouds are raining in your eyes
When angry clowns and divas drift on by
If demons roam from once-upon-a-time
Will lonely clouds reveal
Their SILVER LININGS?
SILVER LININGS ... A ray of light ... SILVER LININGS
The spark of life ... SILVER LININGS ... early spring
What will tomorrow bring?
When you feel the cold
Running low on coal
Embers still glow gently
Like a sunrise in a storm
(New dawn)
You laugh with secret glee
Favourite tunes rewind
Echoes in your mind
Dreamtime full of dancing
A young girl once again
(Summer then)
With brand new songs to sing
When lonely clouds are raining in your eyes
When angry soldiers fight forgotten times
If God frees demons and forgives their crimes
Will lonely clouds reveal
Their SILVER LININGS?
SILVER LININGS ... a ray of hope ... SILVER LININGS
new growth ... SILVER LININGS ... eternal spring
What will tomorrow bring?
(c) 2006 Mark Wilson, Notting Hill, London
Grand Prize WINNER 2007
NOTE FROM THE WRITER: "This song is for my Mum - a wonderful little lady with a big heart - who spent most of her life looking after others but ironically spent her last few years in a care home suffering from dementia. These lyrics were written late last year just before Mum fell ill with a chest infection. Originally the last line was "what will the New Year bring?" Sadly, no SILVER LININGS because Mum died on 9th March 2007. God Rest Her Soul.... Mxxxxx "
Why do I pretend
Fool myself again
Think you’re growing stronger
You struggle with my name
(A grey day)
Have all your angels gone?
Then you squeeze my hand
Seem to understand
Stories from my childhood
The games we used to play
(Sunny days)
Til I left home for good
When lonely clouds are raining in your eyes
When angry clowns and divas drift on by
If demons roam from once-upon-a-time
Will lonely clouds reveal
Their SILVER LININGS?
SILVER LININGS ... A ray of light ... SILVER LININGS
The spark of life ... SILVER LININGS ... early spring
What will tomorrow bring?
When you feel the cold
Running low on coal
Embers still glow gently
Like a sunrise in a storm
(New dawn)
You laugh with secret glee
Favourite tunes rewind
Echoes in your mind
Dreamtime full of dancing
A young girl once again
(Summer then)
With brand new songs to sing
When lonely clouds are raining in your eyes
When angry soldiers fight forgotten times
If God frees demons and forgives their crimes
Will lonely clouds reveal
Their SILVER LININGS?
SILVER LININGS ... a ray of hope ... SILVER LININGS
new growth ... SILVER LININGS ... eternal spring
What will tomorrow bring?
(c) 2006 Mark Wilson, Notting Hill, London
I Can't Unlove You Now by Susan Muranty
Lyrics Only Winner 2012
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.
Lyrics Only Winner 2012
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.
Through Mandy's Eyes by Anne and Howard Davies
Lyrics Ony Winner 2010
VERSE 1
There's no use in thinking over
And the talking's all been done
They think they'll call it over
It's the best for everyone
When love goes out the window
And hate comes in the door
He leaves and she is staying
And they've a little girl of four
CHORUS
Through Mandy's eyes it's so different
She loves them both the same
And she wonders why her mother
Doesn't speak her daddy's name
And why they don't live together
Just like they did before
Through Mandy's eyes it's so different
For a litle girl of four
VERSE 2
And when they face across that courtroom
By the law they must abide
What God did bring together
The court will cast aside
What's meant to be forever
Has been taken all apart
And the pieces that are broken
Are of little Mandy's heart
CHORUS
Through Mandy's eyes it's so different
She loves them both the same
And she wonders why her mother
Doesn't speak her daddy's name
And why they don't live together
Just like they did before
Through Mandy's eyes it's so different
For a litle girl of four
VERSE 3
And as they walk out of the courtroom
Gone are the family ties
Why can't they see it different
Like it is through Mandy's eyes
Why can't they see it different
Like it is through Mandy's eyes
By Anne and Howard Davies
Lyrics Ony Winner 2010
VERSE 1
There's no use in thinking over
And the talking's all been done
They think they'll call it over
It's the best for everyone
When love goes out the window
And hate comes in the door
He leaves and she is staying
And they've a little girl of four
CHORUS
Through Mandy's eyes it's so different
She loves them both the same
And she wonders why her mother
Doesn't speak her daddy's name
And why they don't live together
Just like they did before
Through Mandy's eyes it's so different
For a litle girl of four
VERSE 2
And when they face across that courtroom
By the law they must abide
What God did bring together
The court will cast aside
What's meant to be forever
Has been taken all apart
And the pieces that are broken
Are of little Mandy's heart
CHORUS
Through Mandy's eyes it's so different
She loves them both the same
And she wonders why her mother
Doesn't speak her daddy's name
And why they don't live together
Just like they did before
Through Mandy's eyes it's so different
For a litle girl of four
VERSE 3
And as they walk out of the courtroom
Gone are the family ties
Why can't they see it different
Like it is through Mandy's eyes
Why can't they see it different
Like it is through Mandy's eyes
By Anne and Howard Davies
Up On The Roof by Thilo Berndt
Lyrics Ony Winner 2016
Verse 1:
We talk 'bout things we need
and places where we want to be.
Wrapped up, too busy to get what you said to me
Prechorus:
Oh, I'm pretty sure you know,
Oh, it's time to take it slow and
Chorus:
Get up on the roof
Let's escape the low,
watch the city glow,
let's just go and get up on the roof
Under dark skies,
one touch, two hands, four eyes
Get up on the roof
Verse2:
We tend to go with the flow,
a million billion people that come and go.
Steady fight with the need of rush
Never feeling satisfied, never quite enough
Prechorus:
Oh, I'm pretty sure you know,
Oh, it's time to take it slow and
Chorus:
Get up on the roof
Let's escape the low,
watch the city glow,
let's just go and get up on the roof
Under dark skies,
one touch, two hands, four eyes
Get up on the roof
Bridge:
We will always have a lot to carry straight down the line
So let's take a step back from the ordinary and take our time to
Chorus:
Get up on the roof
Let's escape the low,
watch the city glow,
let's just go and get up on the roof
Under dark skies,
one touch, two hands, four eyes
Get up on the roof (2x)
Morning Star Gently by Susan Muranty
Lyrics Ony Winner 2013
VERSE 1
Morning Star! Gently,
The lights in my head
Glitter and waver.
This floating white bed
Drifts on a river
Of silver and gold.
CHORUS
Morning Star, gently. Please hold me. I'm cold.
VERSE 2
Morning Star! Gently,
The grey mist flows on.
The sky is wing-pale.
A new sun grows strong.
We make for the shore
under sheets of cool light.
CHORUS
Morning Star, gently embracing the night.
VERSE 3
Morning Star! Gently,
We kiss in the dawn.
Our passion is broken.
Those years, so forlorn,
Lie shattered in pieces
Of nights that are past.
CHORUS
Morning Star gently afire on the mast.
VERSE 4
Morning Star! Gently,
The river flows on.
I'll love you forever.
Even when it was wrong,
I couldn't let go of your
Sparkling blue light.
CHORUS
Morning Star gently releasing the night
Lyrics Ony Winner 2013
VERSE 1
Morning Star! Gently,
The lights in my head
Glitter and waver.
This floating white bed
Drifts on a river
Of silver and gold.
CHORUS
Morning Star, gently. Please hold me. I'm cold.
VERSE 2
Morning Star! Gently,
The grey mist flows on.
The sky is wing-pale.
A new sun grows strong.
We make for the shore
under sheets of cool light.
CHORUS
Morning Star, gently embracing the night.
VERSE 3
Morning Star! Gently,
We kiss in the dawn.
Our passion is broken.
Those years, so forlorn,
Lie shattered in pieces
Of nights that are past.
CHORUS
Morning Star gently afire on the mast.
VERSE 4
Morning Star! Gently,
The river flows on.
I'll love you forever.
Even when it was wrong,
I couldn't let go of your
Sparkling blue light.
CHORUS
Morning Star gently releasing the night
The Lyrics Only winner will be promoted to our contacts in the music industry
