I Wrote A Hit Song!

Some Patience

noreply@blogger.com (Josephine Cameron) — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 14:03:00 -0400

The SFK Club Newsletter and I Wrote a Hit Song! Contest will be on hold while we rethink/revamp the design of the Songwriting for Kids website. Thank you for your patience!

In the meantime, please feel free to explore and comment on the winning songs below.
Here's to a happy and musical year!
Always leave 'em singing,

Perfect Shade of Blue: Eleanor, age 12

noreply@blogger.com (Josephine Cameron) — Fri, 27 May 2011 07:52:00 -0400

Eleanor from St. Paul, Minnesota sent in this song. Have you ever had the realization that something wonderful you'd been looking for has been right in front of your very eyes? Perhaps it was something or someone you barely noticed or appreciated. Or used to appreciate but forgot. How could you have missed it? Eleanor does a terrific job of capturing that feeling of amazement and wonder. "In the days I didn't notice you/ Were your eyes this perfect shade of blue?" Congratulations, Eleanor...you wrote a hit song!

Post a comment for Eleanor and let her know how much you like her song.

Perfect Shade of Blue
by Eleanor, age 12

Sometimes perfect
Is just pretending that everything's okay
Even when it's not.
Sometimes magic
Is what happens while you look the other way.
I guess I just forgot.

I never thought
That there could be a perfect day until today.
I never dreamed it would be me that changed.
I guess I only needed rearranging.

Now there's magic in every step I take.
Now there's beauty in everything I do.
In the days I didn't notice you
Were your eyes this perfect shade of blue?

Sometimes perfect
My face was always put on for a show
And crying made it run.
Sometimes frightened
But I never let the pretty people know
I wasn't having fun.

Did you always
See the world this way?
Did you ever
Wonder whether I would turn around someday?
Did you stand there
Waiting patiently?
Knowing if you waited I would see.

I never thought
That there could be a perfect day--until today.
I never dreamed it would be me that changed.
I guess I only needed rearranging.

Now there's magic in every step I take.
Now there's beauty in everything I do.
In the days I didn't notice you
Were your eyes this perfect shade of blue?

Sometimes perfect
Is just pretending that everything's okay
Even when it's not.
Sometimes magic
Is what happens while you look the other way.
I guess I just forgot.

Together Make It More: Charlotte, age 12

noreply@blogger.com (Josephine Cameron) — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 18:33:00 -0500

Charlotte from Lombard, Illinois sent in this song. I love how she uses specific images in the chorus to illustrate her theme of togetherness. She shows us vividly that by working together, we can accomplish so much more than we could on our own. You can't have a chord without individual notes, you can't have "we" without "you and I." Just look at the beautiful way she describes that: "And just like a note/Finds its soul in a chord/We take what we have/And together make it more." Congratulations, Charlotte...you wrote a hit song!

Post a comment for Charlotte and let her know how much you like her song.

Together Make it More

By Charlotte, age 12

When we stand by ourselves

And go it alone

We can accomplish alot

But it’s sometimes a lonely road

There are things in this life

That just seem much better

When you take simple things

and combine them together

Chorus:

What is the sun

If we don’t have a sky?

There can’t be a we

If we don’t have a you and I

And just like a note

Finds its soul in a chord

We take what we have

And together make it more

A friend to lend a hand

Thanks for a job well done

For these things to occur

You must have more than one

A friend to watch your back

teachers grow your mind

Alone these things can’t be

They just exist when combined.

Chorus:

What is the sun

If we don’t have a sky

There can’t be a we

If we don’t have a you and I

And just like a note

Finds its soul in a chord

we take what we have

And together make it more

Bridge:

T. E. A. M. that Spells Team

Because together everyone achieves more; and that means

When you work together, it turns out better

Then everything’s O.K

And there is no I in team

Chorus:

What is the sun

If we don’t have a sky

There can’t be a we

If we don’t have a you and I

And just like a note

Finds its soul in a chord

we take what we have

And together make it more

Believe: Hannah, age 10

noreply@blogger.com (Josephine Cameron) — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 16:04:00 -0500

Hannah from Nibley, Utah sent in this song, and it's the first time we've ever had an instrumental composition win the I Wrote a Hit Song! Contest. I think it's beautiful, don't you? The melodies and changes throughout the song are just lovely. Hannah said she wrote the song as a dramatic piano piece and that the song "helps me believe." It certainly is uplifting. Congratulations, Hannah...you wrote a hit song!

Post a comment for Hannah and let her know how much you like her song.

Believe
by Hannah, age 10

When A Bluejay Dies by Lucy, age 9

noreply@blogger.com (Josephine Cameron) — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 16:57:00 -0400

Lucy from Woolwich, Maine sent in this song, and I love how she uses the image of a bluejay to sing about life and death...a natural process we all have to deal with. My favorite line is "Bluejays die but rock alive!" It's a great line because it celebrates the bluejay and reminds us that even though we might lose someone we love, we can remember and celebrate their life. Great work, Lucy!

Post a comment for Lucy!

When a Blue jay Dies
by Lucy, age 9

When a Blue jay dies [2x]
It’s a hard thing but it is a part of nature growth
I wish I could change it but I cannot change it at all

When a Blue jay dies [2x]
It is a part of nature but I just can’t change it

They feed at the feeder all winter long. They feel like my feathery
Friends. It’s hard to loose a friend that is so graceful and blue. Blue jays, baby I LOVE THEM!

When a Blue jay dies [2x]
It is a part of nature but I just can’t change it.

Blue jays die but rock alive. This is their life and how it
Works!!!

Heroes by Jourdyn, age 10

noreply@blogger.com (Josephine Cameron) — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 07:17:00 -0500

Boy, are the kids in Ohio a creative bunch or what? I even heard that some of them have started their own songwriting group, which is such a cool idea!

Jourdyn from Renoldsburg, Ohio sent in this song and I think it has a killer chorus. I like the idea of fighting the villains inside you, and I love the image of the hero busting in and knocking down those doors (with a great drumbeat in the background!) Congratulations, Jourdyn...you wrote a hit song!

Post a comment for Jourdyn!

Heroes

by Jourdyn, age 10

You're undeniable, indestructible

and invisible

It's like you can't control

the villain that's inside of

you so that's where the Heroes

come in

Chorus:

You can fly through

walls, you can knock

down doors and you can

save me yeah, oh yeah

Trying to catch

that villain again,

again, and again

Chorus:

You can fly

through walls, you

can knock down doors

and you can save me yeah

oh yeah

You're undeniable,

indestructible and

invisible

It's like you

can't control that

villain inside of you so

that's where the Heroes come in

Chorus:

You can fly

through walls, you

can knock down doors

and you can save me

yeah, oh yeah

Time Will Fly: Romany, age 10

noreply@blogger.com (Josephine Cameron) — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 07:29:00 -0400

Romany from Queensland, Australia sent in this song complete with an audio file that she created. You'll hear Romany singing all the vocals and playing piano, too! Her 15 year old brother did the recording at home. I think it turned out great, don't you? I absolutely love the first line of this chorus..."Time will fly, and tears will dry"...how excellent is that? Congratulations, Romany...you wrote a hit song!

Post a comment for Romany and let her know how much you like her song.

Time Will Fly
by Romany, age 10

Verse 1
I can see people living on the land
The rain won’t come so the rivers turn to sand
The cattle are starving and the crops are dying now

Pre-chorus
The farmers look to God and say how,
How will we get through this?

Chorus
Time will fly and tears will dry
The rain will fall, the grass will grow
The farmers then, will reap what they sow
Time will fly

Verse 2
I can see homes burning in the fire
The smoke and flames getting higher and higher
The horses are running, and the kids are crying now

Pre-chorus
The families look to God and say how,
How will we get through this?

Chorus
Time will fly and tears will dry
The rain will fall, the trees will grow
The families then will make their way home
Time will fly

Verse 3
I can see floods flowing over roads
The trucker’s sitting there wondering where to go
The clouds are black and heavy and the river’s rising now

Pre-chorus
The people look to God and say how,
How will we get through this?

Chorus
Time will fly and tears will dry
The roads will clear, the clouds will go
They’re happy now because they know
Time will fly

Time will fly and tears will dry
The roads will clear, the clouds will go
They’re happy now because they know
Time will fly, time will fly, time will fly.

Once Upon a Time: Chloe, age 10

noreply@blogger.com (Josephine Cameron) — Sat, 4 Apr 2009 18:19:00 -0400

Chloe from Renoldsburg, Ohio sent in this song (our second winner from Ohio...you guys are creative in that state!) Songwriters often use a traditional or common turn of phrase to make a song sound catchy and familiar...Chloe does this very nicely with the phrase "once upon a time." I also like her line "too real to be true." Congratulations, Chloe...you wrote a hit song!

Post a comment for Chloe and let her know how much you like her song.

Once Upon a Time
by Chloe, age 10

Once upon a time I forget my line and
Wished it never happened
Every dream, every once upon a time
You'll only find it way up high in the sky
Ohhh

Chorus
Once upon a time a dream will come true
Once upon a time a story will be told
Once upon a time true love comes
Too real to be true, yeah!

Once upon a time a dream will come true
Once upon a time a story will be told
Once upon a time true love comes
Too real to be true, yeah!

Don't think it will happen to you for real
Oh all you gotta do is hope, yeah
Just hope for the best, yeah

Chorus
Once upon a time a dream will come true
Once upon a time a story will be told
Once upon a time true love comes
Too real to be true, yeah!

Just dream once upon a time
And calm yourself down
Do it once upon a time

Someone Else: Lorenzo age 8

noreply@blogger.com (Josephine Cameron) — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 18:23:00 -0500

I received this song from Lorenzo in Westerville, Ohio. I especially like the line "Time to say goodbye to the before girl." It's a perfect, simple, catchy way to describe letting go of the past. Congratulations, Lorenzo...you wrote a hit song!

Post a comment for Lorenzo and let him know how much you like his song.

Someone Else
by Lorenzo, age 8

Someone else
My love you see, How can this be?
This girl who is she is a mystery.
I found a girl who understands me.
Time to say goodbye to the before girl.
Someone else out there,
Someone else out there.
Time to say goodbye to the before girl.
I know she said it.
She didn't care about me.
Someone else out there.
I know someone cares about me.
I know someone understands.
Don't cry. I'm here to comfort you.
Trying to make you the best you can be.
Don't you see?
Someone else out there.
I know someone's out there caring about me.
Someone else out there for me.
Someone. Someone. Someone else.

When I Hear Love Calling: Lauren, age 7

noreply@blogger.com (Josephine Cameron) — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 21:28:00 -0400

I received this song from Lauren in Louisville, KY, and the rhymes made me smile immediately. There are some great slant rhymes (words that sound the same but don't exactly rhyme) in this song: "twister" and "whisper," "Disney" and "fizzy." Fantastic! And the theme is universal--trying to get to know more about someone you have a connection with. Congratulations, Lauren...you wrote a hit song!

Post a comment for Lauren and let her know how much you like her song.

When I Hear Love Calling
by Lauren, age 7

When I hear are love calling I know its coming through, but the one thing I dont know is about you....

Are your eyes blue, is your hair brown, what's your favorite corlor, whats your favorite sound?

Is your music rock, pop.. or hiphop? Is your game sorry or twister. Do you talk loud or wisper?

Is your favorite show hannah montana or suite life, do you have a rude life or a polite life?

Is your favorite food cherries or grapes, do you have a window and drapes?

Do you like Nickeloden or Disney... do you like your drinks flat or fizzy?

Aligator: Ketty, Age 9

noreply@blogger.com (Josephine Cameron) — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 13:53:00 -0400

Ketty from Brunswick, Maine submitted these fun song lyrics, plus the sheet music for the tune. I love how the music for the alligator moves steadily along, but the hippo moves so slowly...all those long half and whole notes. And then the music gets really fast when she sings "there's a mass of you." If I was about to tell a gigantic hippo I thought he was overweight, I'd sing it fast too...and run!

Post a comment for Ketty and let her know how much you enjoyed "Aligator."

Aligator
By Ketty, age 9

Aligator Aligator see me
Aligator Aligator don't eat me
Hippo Hippo eat some grass
Hippo Hippo there's a mass of you

Since My Friend Moved Away by Oksana, age 6

noreply@blogger.com (Josephine Cameron) — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 18:26:00 -0400

Oksana from Great Falls, Virginia sent in this beautiful and heartbreaking song about a friend who is suddenly gone. I love that there is so much emotion in this song. So many of us have people we love who live far away, and we can *feel* those same emotions through this song. Great work, Oksana! I can't wait to see what you write next...who knows, it could be about a brand *new* friend!

Post a comment for Oksana and let her know how much you enjoyed "Since My Friend Moved Away."

Since My Friend Moved Away
By Oksana, age 6

I once knew a little girl
Then she moved a wa a ay
She was my very bestist friend
Then I never saw her again
Every night I was sufering
Dreaming of her and me running in the fields
and playing in the flowerrrrrrs

Love of the Land by Joshua, age 8

noreply@blogger.com (Josephine Cameron) — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 14:22:00 -0500

Joshua from Plymouth, Minnesota sent in this song. I can really imagine this one being belted out "with grace and pride" from the top of a tall mountain somewhere! I especially like the line about "clouds of every shape and size." It's a good reminder of all the diversity and beauty that exist in our world. Thanks for a great song, Joshua!

Post a comment for Joshua and let him know how much you enjoyed "Love of the Land."

Love of the Land
by Joshua, age 8

O the love that we share
with freedom everywhere
under this turquoise blue sky
with clouds of every shape and size
I sing this song of grace and pride-
to the mountains and the rivers
to the valleys and the sky
to the hills far beyond us
and the ocean o so wide.

Don't Need by Katie, age 10

noreply@blogger.com (Josephine Cameron) — Mon, 3 Dec 2007 16:00:00 -0500

Katie from Sale, in Cheshire, England sent in this song. I think we've all felt this way sometimes...like maybe no-one else out there *gets* us...I know I certainly have. Katie writes: "I'm my own type of person, my own type of girl." Sometimes, you just have to stand up for yourself, which is exactly what this song does. I love the opening line of the chorus: "I don't need no-one to tell me I can't sing." That's right...sing it Katie!

Post a comment for Katie and let her know how much you enjoyed "Don't Need."

Don't Need

Oooooo 1…2…3…4…

Verse One:
Help me now,
Tell me a bit about me,
And help me out,
Can’t you see I’m really, really going deep?
There's only one thing I need to say,
So here it is: OK

Chorus:
I don’t need no-one to tell me I can’t sing,
I don’t need no-one to tell me I can’t do anything,
Cause’ I’m my own type of person,
My own type of girl,
Don’t really wanna be sociable,
But right now I’m gonna switch,
And I’m gonna turn,

Verse Two:
Things are going on in my mind,
Don’t need to know what’s going on,
Cause’ I feel like I’m being timed,
There's only one thing left to say,
So here it is: OK,

Chorus:
I don’t need no-one to tell me I can’t sing,
I don’t need no-one to tell me I can’t do anything,
Cause’ I’m my own type of person,
My own type of girl,
Don’t really wanna be sociable,
But right now I’m gonna switch,
And I’m gonna turn,

Verse Three:
So here I go again on my own,
Don’t need you to call me,
Won’t pick up the phone,
Just tell me I’m special,
Just tell me I’m needed,
Just tell me you all have feelings,
There's only one thing left to say,
So here it is: OK

Chorus (x2):
I don’t need no-one to tell me I can’t sing,
I don’t need no-one to tell me I can’t do anything,
Cause’ I’m my own type of person,
My own type of girl,
Don’t really wanna be sociable,
But right now I’m gonna switch,
And I’m gonna turn,

The Storm by Sophie, age 6

noreply@blogger.com (Josephine Cameron) — Sat, 3 Nov 2007 14:39:00 -0400

Here's another song by the very prolific (and colorful) songwriter, Sophie. This one even has instructions for how the guitar and voice should sound. It's a great example of how the music and the words of a song can work together. Low and loud for thunder, high for lightning, and falling when we run. Great work, Sophie!

The Storm

a song for the guitar

by Sophie

[sing and strum low notes:]

The thunder is coming,

the thunder is coming,

Oh, no, what should we do?

I know, hide!

[sing and strum high notes:]

The lightning is coming,

the lightning is coming,

Oh, no, what should we do?

I know, run!

[sing and strum loudly:]

The thunder is coming!

The lightning is coming!

Oh, no what should we do?

I know, just GO!

[finale: slide whole hand along all strings from neck to body of guitar!]

Post a comment for Sophie...let her know how much you enjoyed "The Storm."

"Kids Rule" by Kaylin, age 9

noreply@blogger.com (Josephine Cameron) — Wed, 1 Aug 2007 08:41:00 -0400

This rollicking declaration was sent in by Kaylin from North Brunswick, New Jersey. This song has a lot of spirit and humor, and great rhythm. I love the effect of the whispering. Great work, Kaylin!

Kids Rule

Kids Rule we all know that. It's running thru are veins to are flats. Kids Rule we can stay up all night long. Kids Rule don't sing us a song. Kids Rule don't dinie. Kids are smaller. We are much cooler. We earn money for free. THAT DON'T ENVOL ME. (whisper) Kids Rule, we always will. Kids Rule, don't make a deal. Kids Rule, save your money (stop whispering) CAUSE WE CAN BUY ARE OWN PONY!!! Kids Rule, let's rock this house. Kids Rule let's chase a mouse. Kids Rule let's play some games. Kids Rulllllleeeeeee, your the same.

Post a comment for Kaylin...let her know how much you enjoyed "Kids Rule."

"Some Kind" by Sophie, age 6

noreply@blogger.com (Josephine Cameron) — Tue, 3 Jul 2007 08:55:00 -0400

This colorful, fun song was sent in by Sophie from Bailey Island, Maine. I love the rhythms and the fun lyrics. You can imagine clapping and dancing along to this one, can't you? Terrific job, Sophie!

Some Kind

What kind of sheep?

Some kind of sheep.

What kind of sheep?

Some, some, some some

Some kind of sheep!

Post a comment for Sophie...let her know how much you enjoyed "Some Kind".

"The Ocean" by Brenna, age 11

noreply@blogger.com (Josephine Cameron) — Tue, 1 May 2007 07:30:00 -0400

Brenna from Durango, Colorado sent in the lyrics to this thoughtful song. Don't you just love the image of the stowaway in the opening lines, and the rhythm of the chorus? Keep up the good work, Brenna!

The Ocean

You tend
To stray
From what you used to be
You stowed
Away
On the ship to becoming nobody
I know
Deep down
The real you is waiting to prevail
When will you set sail?
The Ocean
The Ocean
The Ocean of possibilities
The Island
The Island
The Island of opportunity
As far as the eye can reach
How far 'till the nearest beach?
The Ocean
The Ocean
The Ocean of possibilities
The Island
The Island
The Island of opportunity

Take a chance dive right in
Feel the warmth of the water on your skin
Paddle out to the Island way out there
Let the wind mess with your hair
The Ocean
The Ocean
The Ocean of possibilities
The Island
The Island
The Island of opportunity

I miss
The real you
The you that had a truly special spark
Out there
For miles
That's the journey you need to embark
When will you set sail?
The Ocean
The Ocean
The Ocean of possibilities
The Island
The Island
The Island of opportunity
As far as the eye can reach
How far 'till the nearest beach?
The Ocean
The Ocean
The Ocean of possibilities
The Island
The Island
The Island of opportunity
Take a chance--dive right in

Leave a comment on this post for Brenna and let her know how you like her song!

"Flaming Hills" by McKenzie, age 9

noreply@blogger.com (Josephine Cameron) — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 09:38:00 -0400

McKenzie from Prestonsburg, Kentucky sent me these song lyrics. I love the rhythms and the imagery of the flames. It's a beautiful song, McKenzie...great work! -Josephine

Flaming Hills

When you see hills so beautiful
Red flames so beautiful and lights any day
And anywhere

Chorus:
Cause when the flames go high it
Shows the one that loves me and
Shows the one who made this beautiful
Red flames on the hills let it be
The one I love the most and
Let him love me

And when you see him I hope
He loves me like I do and if
He loves me like I do I'll
Sing with all my love
Please let him be the one
I love

If you'd like to leave a comment for McKenzie and let her know what you think of her song, please click on the comment link below.