Read below to learn more how our esteemed panel of judges picked the winners for the Session Three 2025 Lyric Contest.
Meet the Judges HERE.
1st Place – “Marble and Stone”
By: Coco Zhai
Z Berg: These lyrics paint a vivid picture with a memorable top line and a unique perspective without leaning into tropes.
Toby Gad: Great words, great imagination, great storytelling. Overall it is quite wonderful!
Rodney Clawson: “Marble and Stone” – as I read this lyric the classic song “The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald” came to mind. A sad lover’s song with a surprise ending. Nice
Keith Hetrick: THE TWIST. This whole song is a vessel for the twist – and what a twist it was. The story of a woman waiting for a man to come home, only to find out she was the one that was gone – haunting, poetic & beautifully layered. Phenomenal.
Jake Gosling: These lyrics stand out for its haunting storytelling, rich imagery, and emotional depth. It weaves a gothic romance with mythic undertones, blending love, loss, and obsession into a chilling narrative. The poetic language and twist ending elevate it beyond a simple ballad, making it feel timeless and cinematic. It’s a lyrical ghost story that lingers long after reading.
Sean Douglas: I loved “Marble and Stone” because it feels timeless, like it could be about people ten or one hundred years ago. Years stacked like driftwood is a great phrase. Also I love the twist at the end!
Read Lyrics HERE.
2nd Place – “Latchkey Kings”
By: Tim Wasem
Rodney Clawson: “Latchkey Kings” – good word pictures w/ a concept that is relatable to everyone – every day truly is a last time
Keith Hetrick: This one hits like a screenplay — cinematic, nostalgic, and universally relatable. Ultimately though, it’s more of a story of how important living in the moment is. Also, this song very cleverly uses a readers reflection of their own childhood experiences to reiterate this message.
Trannie Anderson: Super cool lyrics! The first time I read it down I audibly said “wow this is good!”. The pictures are familiar while the descriptions are fresh, unique, and even dark in moments. I stayed interested in what was coming next throughout the entire song and it all pointed really well to the ultimate concept of “Everyday’s a last time after all”. Great job!
Sean Douglas: The details in “Latchkey Kings” painted a really clear picture and also intersected with one another in surprising ways. In some songs, a laundry list of hyper-specific visuals feel a little ‘try-hard’ but here they resonated as authentic and honest snapshots of a life.
Read Lyrics HERE.
Since 1984, American Songwriter’s Lyric Contest has helped aspiring songwriters get noticed and have fun. Enter the 2025 Lyric Contest today before the deadline:
3rd Place – “What if Today“
By: Chris Genzardi
Toby Gad: This song has a great message and the chorus made me feel something. The song is a wakeup call. I love in the chorus “to love a little harder”.
Kyle Clark: My reason for choosing “What if Today” is because it’s a heartfelt wake-up call. The lyrics push you to love deeper, forgive quicker, and live like today is the only chance you’ve got—with lines that feel personal, but speak to everyone.
Jon Shave: The message in the lyric feels direct and universal. The lyrics on the page read well as a song and feel like they would work well set to a melody.
Read Lyrics HERE.
4th Place – “The Estate Sale”
By: Joseph Ryan
Sam Ellis: Great color and pictures. I appreciate the heart and sentiment in the final outro
Jake Gosling: These lyrics shine with its heartfelt simplicity and poignant storytelling. It turns an ordinary estate sale into a moving reflection on memory, love, and legacy. Each verse paints vivid snapshots of a life once lived, making the listener feel both like an observer and a participant. Its emotional resonance and gentle reminder of life’s impermanence make it quietly powerful and deeply relatable.
Jon Shave: The level of detail and storytelling in the lyrics draws you in. There is a strong underlying message to the song that is conveyed in an interesting way.
Read Lyrics HERE.
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