Read below to learn more how our esteemed panel of judges picked the winners for the Session Two 2025 Lyric Contest.
Meet the Judges HERE.
1st Place – “She Used to Love The Rain”
By: Jonathan Helfand
Toby Gad: Made me feel something deep
Can totally relate
Beautiful choice of of words
Good poetic metaphors
Sam Ellis: Love how real this lyric is and I’m sure it’s a story that hits home for a lot of people. Great lyrical arch and title!
Kyle Clark: My reason for choosing “She Used To Love The Rain” as #1 is that the lyrics capture the raw, emotional fight of watching someone you love battle dementia. It’s bittersweet, but the imagery is so powerful, so real—it paints a picture you can feel deep in your bones. You don’t just hear it, you see it unfold like a movie, watching the writer’s journey in every word. It’s a reminder of how love and loss are intertwined in ways that make you appreciate the moments before they slip away.
Keith Hetrick: What makes “She Used to Love The Rain” so powerful is that the story keeps the reader grounded in the present moment – even up until the very end, when the final chorus takes on an entirely new meaning. I’m always a fan of reinterpreting choruses & this is a fantastic example of how a simple refrain can transform into something deeply poignant. Very well done
Jake Gosling: I always like when the first opening Lyric is something that stands out and makes your ears lean in and brings you straight into what the song is about.
I love the story and the sensitivity the lyrics bring and takes you on a journey all the way through the song. The imagery reflects the emotional mood but with a beautiful reflection of something positive throughout.
The reference to “The Rain” is shown as a sad but a happy memory that can no longer be remembered by the mother, but the whole song hangs on this lovely phrase “she used to love the rain”.
A clear and very well written lyric this has a very strong sentiment and has my vote.
Trannie Anderson: “She Used To Love The Rain”- From the first to the last lyric, I believe this storyteller because of the good balance of furniture & evoking of emotions at the right time. I love this song and so many people can relate to it. My mom went through the same thing with my grammy. The progression of the story in the verses sets the chorus up in new & effective ways each time naturally and effortlessly. The writer did a great job of walking the line between craft and heart. Congrats!
Read Lyrics HERE.
2nd Place – “The Year We Had Nothing For Christmas”
By: Douglas Westberg
Toby Gad: Brilliant storytelling
Great life lesson
Good turnaround
Rodney Clawson: I could hear this song in my head when I was reading the lyrics. Good word pictures. I believe this really happened.
Jon Shave: A spin on a Christmas song that I’ve never heard before. The song has an anti-materialistic message but manages to convey it in a way that is warm and uplifting.
Trannie Anderson: “The Year We Had Nothing For Christmas”- The structure of this one hits me as more of an incredible poem than a song lyric, but I was very impressed by it. The writer really made me believe the specifics of the story and the repeat of the hook never got old once. I was moved emotionally a little differently every time. The ultimate message by the end of the song is also so well crafted and important. Really great job!
Willie Watson: This song is relatable right away, and surely will be to many. It’s heartwarming and the song that made me feel something special.
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 – “RED RIVER RUNS”
By: Sandra DeVault and Marti Jane Dodson
Z Berg: “RED RIVER RUNS” has excellent flow, vivid imagery, and interesting wordplay.
Rodney Clawson: Great imagery – says so much using just a few words – reminds of Townes Van Zandt.
Trannie Anderson: “Red River Runs”- The poetic language and storytelling in this song is badass. I felt like I was watching a movie. It’s a great use of strong, borderline uncomfortable images mixed with beautiful, flowery words that balance it out and keep it entertaining yet digestible. Keep writing hard cause the potential & talent is undeniably here. Great job!
Read Lyrics HERE.
4th Place – “Texas From Heaven”
By: Brooke Elizabeth Malouf
Keith Hetrick: “Texas From Heaven” holds all the heartbreak you’d expect from a song about grief…but there’s also this nuanced layer of ‘playfulness’ wrapped inside it that makes it feel very human—because pain is anything but rational. The conversational tone makes it incredibly endearing, showing that you can talk about a serious topic without taking it too seriously.
Willie Watson: This song feels like it may have been done before, but I’ve never heard it and any new Texas songs that work well are okay by me!
Read Lyrics HERE.
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