Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition 2022 Top 40

2,950 entries raised A$147,500 for Noro music therapies.

More than half of the Top 40 songs were entered by unpublished songwriters.

Featuring local songwriters Zoé Mugasa and 17-year-old Georgie Levien.

Stream the Top 40 playlists on Spotify and Apple Music.

Today the 2022 Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition Top 40 finalists are announced, featuring a roster of emerging talent alongside some of music’s best songsmiths. The NT’s King Stingray continues their hot streak with three shortlisted songs: ‘Camp Dog’ written by Roy Kellaway, and co-writes by Kellaway and Yirrŋa Gotjiringu Yunupingu ‘Get Me Out’ and ‘Milkumana’.

In the running are songs from reigning champ, Genesis Owusu, singer-songwriter Gordi, Ball Park Music and Ruel, as well as up-and-comers including LA-based Aussie, Beks, Melbourne three-piece, Telenova, bedroom-pop artist, Eli Greeneyes and more. For the talent spotters, keep an eye on new singer-songwriter talent including Southern Tablelands’ Olivia Pearl, Adelaide nursing student Thessa Lourens and Sydney’s Zac Sellars.

Congrats to Kiwi singer/songwriters Zoé Mugasa for her self-penned 'Flaunt It' and Georgie Levien for her original 'Covers'.

The competition received 2,950 entries from 45 countries, as entrants generously raised $147,500 with 100% of their $50 entry fee going to support the services of Noro Music Therapy.

More than half of the Top 40 songs were entered by unpublished songwriters, with one of those set to take out the $5,000 AMPAL Emerging Songwriter Prize, provided by Australasian Music Publishers Association Limited (AMPAL).

Winners will be announced in June, with the winning songwriter taking home a first-place cash prize of $50,000 courtesy of APRA AMCOS, Alberts and Sony Music Publishing; 2nd place receives $10,000 thanks to legal experts Banki Haddock Fiora, and 3rd place receives $5,000 courtesy of Aon. Additionally, one songwriter based outside of Australia and New Zealand will receive a $1,500 cash prize and a feature on American Songwriter as the recipient of the American Songwriter Spotlight Award.

“On behalf of the families and individuals we work with, Noro extends our gratitude to songwriters worldwide for entering their songs. You and your songs are the catalysts to the care we provide and the progress our clients make due to the power of music therapy,” said Belinda Leonard, CEO, Noro.

Thanks to music credits data platform Jaxsta, who helped promote the competition to its worldwide network of songwriters and music creators. Music creators are encouraged to claim their profile on the world’s largest and only official music credits database.

Since the competition began in 2009, entrants have contributed $1.75 million, making an incredible impact on the lives of others with their songs.

Named after the iconic songwriters and founding members of The Easybeats, Harry Vanda and the late George Young, the long-running competition has honoured a range of songwriting talent: Genesis Owusu is the reigning 1^st place finisher, Thelma Plum in 2020, Matt Corby and Dann Hume (2019), Amy Shark (2018), Gretta Ray (2016), Husky Gawenda (2014), Isabella Manfredi (2013), Kimbra (2011) and Megan Washington (2009), as well as top finishers including Baker Boy, Ruel, Kaiit, Sarah Aarons, Gotye, Meg Mac, and Gang of Youths frontman David Le’aupepe.

This year’s judging panel included influential artists, producers, media and music industry professionals including Jenny Morris, Robert Conley, Dallas Frasca and reps from Double J, Jaxsta, Billboard, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, Universal Music Australia, EMI Music Australia and more.

Without further ado, here is the 2022 Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition shortlist in alphabetical order by song title: