JPF Home Page Forums General Messages General Message Forum IT'S OFFICIAL...! American Idol Announces Songwriting Contest!

Hey gang...

American Idol has announced that another songwriting contest is in the works - with details to follow.

So it's official!

As a reminder, we have a forum on the Idol website under "General American Idol Discussion. It's called SONGWRITERS JOIN IN - 2008. Would sure love anyone to drop by.

I'd also like to mention that we have been promoting JPF over there...so the forum is not intended to take away anything from here.

Onward...and upward!

And now I can officially say.. "Thanks, but no thanks".
Good luck to all who enter though... !!

BTW - Whatever happened to last years' song contest winners?
(I'm so out of the loop)

It has started..... here we go again. Best of luck to the winner whoever it is they have probably been picked already.

cool
I'll take another stab
why not

here's the link to last years idol song contest thread
http://www.jpfolks.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=502291&page=0&fpart=1

Jason Blumes advice for writing “Idol” songs

don't refer to singing, being on stage, winning a contest, etc. The song should be more universal, relate to it and about something positive.

Don’t make it too specific to “Idol” because you’ll want to be able to pitch it elsewhere if you don’t get it placed with any of the “Idol” shows.

There were over 20,000 entries in the American Idol contest last year, so it's very important to find a unique twist or angle.

What makes your song special?
Why should the judges choose your song?

here's what he wrote last year

* * * * 5 HOT TIPS FOR WRITING FOR AMERICAN IDOL * * * *


1. Careful not to hit the nail too squarely on the head. Meaning: do NOT mention American Idol directly in your lyric -- and it’s probably best to stay away from references to singing, being up on a stage, or becoming a star. Everyone has hopes and dreams – but most people do not want to be singers or entertainers.

You want to evoke the emotion related to these things – without eliminating the possibility of millions of people who have different hopes and dreams – from feeling as if your lyric relates to them.

I’ll bet you didn’t realize that neither Kelly Clarkson’s “A Moment Like This” nor Taylor Hicks’ “Do I Make You Proud” (both of which reached #1 as the first single from these “Idol” winners) are love songs that do NOT talk directly about singing or being a star. (Check out the lyrics to these songs at the end of this article – and I bet you’ll be surprised.)


2. As with any songwriting situation, you’ve got to give the decision makers a compelling reason to choose your song over the competition. There will likely be hundreds of thousands of entries – and only those deemed to be the top twenty will be the ones the public votes on.

If 10,000 other songs have the same basic idea as yours –
why should they choose yours?

Almost everyone will be writing about believing in yourself; following a dream; achieving your goals; having someone who believes in them, etc … So you’d better have a fresh, original angle lyrically – a truly unique way of saying the same thing.


3. Remember that your melody is every bit as important as the lyric – if not more so. Be sure to give the singers a melody that will allow them to shine. Although you might only have a six or eight note range – Melinda, Jordin, and Lakisha have awesome voices with great range. Rewrite that melody until it’s the very best it can be. Imagine that your entire career rides on getting that melody just right – because it might!


4. Don’t believe them when they say that the quality of the recording doesn’t matter. It’s impossible for judges not to be influenced by what they hear– especially when they’re quickly slogging through tens of thousands of entries and listening to 20 - 30 seconds of each one to make a quick determination as to whether they hear something special. You don’t need to spend a fortune on a demo – but you only get one chance to make a good impression – and the judges are not mind readers. They can’t imagine what you intended – unless it’s on the recording. So be sure you give your song its best shot by submitting a recording that incorporates musicianship, vocals, and sonic quality that are up to the professional standard. If you can achieve this with a home studio – great. But if not, invest enough to record a pro keyboard or guitar and a great vocalist.


5. Lastly … read the fine print and be sure you qualify before submitting your song. Wouldn’t it be devastating to be chosen – and learn that you’re ineligible? Note that 100% of the publishing rights must be available on your song – meaning if you or any of your collaborators (if applicable) have entered into a publishing agreement for the song you submit, you are NOT eligible.

Also note that if you did not play all of the instruments and perform all of the vocals on your demo recording, you must be able to secure a release from the musicians and singers, granting you ownership of the “master rights” to the demo recording. (Those of you who’ve read THIS BUSINESS OF SONGWRITING already understand the necessity of securing these waivers/“work for hire” agreements in order to pitch your songs for TV and film. A sample of a waiver/work for hire agreement is included in the book on page 176.)

Now … follow your dream and give it your best shot!
I hope you win!

Jason Blume

That's great info, Ande. I'm in.

It's kind of like the lottery: you can't win if you don't play.

20,000:1 is a LOT better than the lottery.

Very, very true!
Thanks, Ande, for posting Jason Blume's advice. Great stuff!
I said on Nancy's AI thread that if you want to win, you have to combine the mood and feeling behind "Wind Beneath My Wings," "You Raise Me Up," and "We Are the Champions."

I'm not sure I'm in this year - I'm on the fence. Mostly because I don't have a good idea yet, and the clock's ticking.

Linda

you're welcome
Song Contests are a quality lottery
all the crappy songs are weeded out right off the bat
then it's sort of a lottery among the serious contenders

A winning song in AIs contest needs to be
+ very well written
+ very well produced
+ radio friendly
+ able to be sung by a male or female
+ perfect for the moment after the winner is announced and
+ probably pop with the ability to slide into the appropriate genre

I would write the song for who I thought the winner is going to be.
David A?

I am pretty sure the songs entries will be better this year. I think however that if AI is smart they won't let the winner be picked by public popularity- because I really feel that the "general" audience will not be as able to discern the difference between a great song and a great production.

The AI organization is a flexible creative group and again, if they are smart, they will keep in mind that the song has to appeal almost equally to a guy or a gal and I think that would be tricky. This year the winner will most likely be a guy but maybe not. If it is left to just popularity to decide, who is going to insure that the winner (a guy for instance) isn't going to be forced to sing "I'm so pretty, yes I'm pretty- I'm pretty and witty and wise and so charming, so disarming... ad nausium".

I have to say that a 20K to 1 chance in AI is perhaps one of the best lotteries in the world. Assuming it's all honest and fair (and there's nothing to suggest it's not) your odds, should you write a truly great song, is likely more like 1000 to 1 or better. Now we're talking serious opportunity. Probably as good as any real pitch opportunity and again, if it's honest, it's actually BETTER than any typical pitch opportunity because all the politics will have been removed.

The only downside (other than the entry fee) is that the winning song last year barely got airplay that I can remember and certainly didn't become a huge hit. Though I DO remember it. I wasn't a huge fan of the winner and thought a couple of the other finalists were better.

I didn't read any info on this, do they allow people to enter the exact same song as last time? I suspect they will since they'll want as many entry dollars as possible. Don't do it though. Force yourself to lift your game up a notch and write something new with the knowledge of what made it last year and how you need to up the ante.

Good luck to those entering!

Brian

Tammy's gonna be the winner this year ! ! Go girl ! !

Hi Herbie - I'm the new kid on the block here, so who is Tammy? Do tell!

Brian, I'm sure there would be no rule against entering the same song as last year. I intend to enter "Here I Am" again, but not because I think it's American Idol material for this year (I think this is the year of the male). While I'm writing a brand new song to enter, I'm also entering last year's song because the entry fee is only $10.00 and you never know who might hear it - that is, if it gets past all the temporary hired help and interns that have to sift through the crappola to get to anything decent. It's all a shot in the dark anyway.

Les and I simply intend to write a GREAT SONG. We'll keep in mind the criteria that would make for a good Idol song, but more importantly, we think it's better to write a song that has market potential regardless.

BTW, if anyone cares to check out Les' stuff you'll find him at: http://www.MySpace.com/lesliebowe

Hey Nanc!

I haven't been over to AI in a while, so I was psyched to see you post this....I'm surprised and I'm not, but delighted for another fun excercise opportunity. Good for you for Keeping the Flame Alive!

See you over there soon,
Beth (Gem)

Hey guys! I just found your post. So is it official? I have been waiting to hear if there is a songwriting contest this year. I had started a new song, but I think I am gonna go with my gut instinct and re enter last years song. I am uping my game by going to Nashville on Thursday and re recording my song. I have hired Background vocalists and Nashville strings. I ran my song by a SongU coach and changed 4 lyric lines that he thought needed revamped and I am good to go. If that doesn't give me a shot at it, then oh well! I tried and I will have a fun song to pitch elsewhere.

I have a song I REALLY wanted to enter that I have co written with Ande but we never got that demo'd (hint hint!) I knew the deadline would be coming. Sometimes ya gotta get on the stick!

Anyhow.. I will keep you all posted. Good luck to all of you!! I am in your corner! And thanks Herbie!

Tammy

www.TammyEdwards.com
www.myspace.com/tammyedwards2

OK, this guy can flat out sing. Amazing R&B voice. I am assuming that Les is the singer on these demos. Do you know if he sings on demos?

I was also quite impressed with the songs -- very commercial and modern sounding.

Still have to check out your Myspace.

Well, I'm not sure. I don't want to re-enter the song that was rejected last year, and I'm not sure I've got anything suitable in the Catalog this year. Uplifting? Uptempo? Able to be sung by a guy or a girl? And not about American Idol, singing, performing on stage, or making it big in the music business? (They're right--who'd want to do *that*?)

'Bout the closest I can come right now is "When I Jump Off the Cliff I'll Think of You." Except it's country (bluegrass), and we *know* they don't want any country. It does translate well into other genres, though I know a punk-rock band that might be persuaded to do it. We'll see.

Nobody's mentioned a deadline yet. What is it?

Joe

Hi! Yes, Les really is AMAZING - and even though I'm his mother-in-law (whereby I'm obligated to gush), he's truly a rare talent.

Les would be happy to do demos that are within his style - R & B, Pop, Neo-soul, Adult Contemporary. And mark my words, he's going to make it big in the biz. He's a wonderful songwriter and a great performer.

Nancy - Mother-in-law of Leslie Bowe

Tammy,

If you're going to re-enter the same song, I think at the very least you should do what Nancy is doing and ALSO write something new and enter that (or pick one of your strongest older songs and perhaps update it to fit the AI style lyrically).

I really think you were right on target last year with a couple glitches, but the downside is that anyone at AI that might have checked out your song will think "we've already rejected that one before" and may not give it a fresh opportunity.

Plus, you nailed it last time and why not nail another new song this year. You can always enter two right?

Brian

Hi Joe - We don't know any of the details yet. We don't even know when we'll know the details yet! But I'm sure word will get around as soon as more announcements are made!

BTW - I'm interviewing Scott Krippayne and Jeff Peabody tomorrow, the winning songwriters from last year's American Idol songwriting contest. I'll be posting the interview over on the Idol forum in a few days....and here if anyone is interested.

Oh I love a roller coaster!! This is fun!!! If I may make one suggestion... This year, PLEASE don't start doggin' the writers that do make it through - it just make one look like a sore loser (That is said with all due love and respect by the way)

Good luck everyone! We're ALL in this together!!
Cher

Hi Cher - THANK YOU for your comment about not cutting the songwriting finalists down. It is a "rule" I made over on the SONGWRITERS JOIN IN-2008 forum on the Idol website. It just isn't cool, and entirely unnecessary. I spoke yesterday at length with Scott Krippayne, one of the winners from last year's contest and we actually talked about this very issue. I'll be reporting his comments, with the rest of the interview, sometime next week.

Smiles from Chicago, Nancy

American Idol informed me today they created a special "folder" just for the Idol Songwriting Contest - and suggested our songwriter's forum be moved over there.

The Folder is called AMERICAN IDOL SONGWRITER and it's located right near the top of all the forums. Our thread is called SONGWRITERS JOIN IN - 2008.

Thanks guys! Nancy

If anyone wants to collab and give this a try then please PM me
I have plenty of hooks and ideas, can buy a demo or make one
I just have no music capability by myself and I don't think I can be from another country and send In a song

here's the URLs

http://www.americanidol.com/myidol/forums/forum/?fid=157

http://www.americanidol.com/songwriter/