Songland
Songland is an American songwriting competition series on NBC that premiered in May 2019. The show, produced in cooperation with the Universal Television Alternative Studio, 222 Productions, Live Animals Productions and Dave Stewart, sets out to give undiscovered songwriters a chance to create a hit. It gives the viewers a look at the creative process in action. Contestants are selected to work with producers and a well-known recording artist to release a song. The show tries to elevate the traditional role of the songwriter in the process of creating music from "unpleasant secret" to being the celebrated "magic ingredient". Musician and composer David A. Stewart, formerly of the Eurythmics, conceived of Songland.
The show premiered in May 2019, with three producer-hosts: Grammy-nominated producer and songwriter Ester Dean; Grammy-winning producer and lead singer of OneRepublic Ryan Tedder; and Grammy-winning songwriter Shane McAnally. In September 2019, the series was renewed, and season two premiered in April 2020.
According to Heavy.com, many of the first season's songs picked by the guest artists for release hit No. 1 on an iTunes chart. Songland was the top new show of summer 2019 "in the key adults 18-49 demographic and among total viewers, according to Nielsen's "most current" metric, which counts a week's worth of delayed viewing per episode where available".
Premise
Each episode, producers Ryan Tedder, Ester Dean and Shane McAnally team up with songwriters to create the next big hit to be recorded by the guest performing artist. Four seemingly unknown songwriters audition songs they have written live for the producers and that episode's guest star. They do so in Songlands makeshift recording studio equipped with sound mixing equipment, and sometimes with live musicians and extra singers. They immediately get feedback for the song's lyrics, message, and musical construction, often with specific ways to improve the track. Reviewer Nancy Stetson commented:From four prospective songs, three are chosen and matched up with one each of the three producers to develop a final version for approval; those re-worked songs are then sung again with one chosen as the winner. The winning track is released the same night as the episode is aired, with the viewers witnessing a song produced for consumption in roughly 45 minutes. It gives the viewers a look at the creative process in action.
Production
Musician and composer David A. Stewart, formerly of the Eurythmics, conceived of Songland. Songland attempts to rework the often thankless and grueling job of songwriting. The general public rarely notes who wrote the lyrics, or the music that catches attention, instead the credit is generally given to the singer, the typical narrative being that they're anonymous "cogs in the well-oiled pop machine". A song is optioned, sometimes passed to other artists, who may wait months or years to record it, or just a hook from it, and all for the singer's own glory. The show tries to elevate the traditional role of the songwriter in the process of creating music from "unpleasant secret" to being the celebrated "magic ingredient".The show premiered in May 2019, with three producer-hosts: Grammy-nominated producer and songwriter Ester Dean; Grammy-winning producer and lead singer of OneRepublic Ryan Tedder; and Grammy-winning songwriter Shane McAnally. In 2016, an entertainment lawyer advised prospective songwriters from signing the show’s contract as they would be giving it the rights to their work whether chosen or not. The show responded, "We wish to be abundantly clear that by signing the casting application, songwriters do not transfer ownership of any of their original songs. This show is truly a celebration of songwriters and their craft."
Episodes
Color key:| Songwriter’s track won, the recording is released by the musical guest | |
| Songwriter was in the top three | |
| Songwriter eliminated before final round |
Season 1 (2019)
Episode 1 (May 28, 2019)
- Musical guest: John Legend
| Order | Songwriter | Song | Producer | Result |
| 1 | Max Embers | "Back Home" | Ryan Tedder | Top 3 |
| 2 | Tebby Burrows | "We Need Love" | Shane McAnally | Winner |
| 3 | Sam James | "Shinedown" | Eliminated | |
| 4 | Ollie Gabriel | "Something New" | Ester Dean | Top 3 |
Notes: John Legend chose the song from Bahamian-born and Miami-based Tebby Burrows because he felt that, of the four songs, it had "the biggest journey from where it was to where it is now." "We Need Love" hit No. 1 on the iTunes R&B chart.
Episode 2 (June 4, 2019)
- Musical guest: will.i.am
| Order | Songwriter | Song | Producer | Result |
| 1 | Josh Logan | "Boxes" | Shane McAnally | Top 3 |
| 2 | Charisma | "Invincible" | Ryan Tedder | Top 3 |
| 3 | Adam Friedman | "Be Nice" | Ester Dean | Winner |
| 4 | Ray Goren | "Oh Lord" | Eliminated |
Notes: will.i.am opted to record all three finalist songs; at the end of the episode he announced that he would remove three songs from Black Eyed Peas' next album to add "Be Nice", as well as "Boxes" and "Invincible". He also told fourth place Ray Goren that "Oh Lord" is "a career-making song he should record for himself", and that he would be a featured singer on Goren's track. "Be Nice" hit No. 1 on the iTunes Rock Charts.
Episode 3 (June 11, 2019)
- Musical guest: Kelsea Ballerini
| Order | Songwriter | Song | Producer | Result |
| 1 | Jack Newsome | "Lying " | Shane McAnally | Top 3 |
| 2 | Jess Jocoy | "Easy" | Eliminated | |
| 3 | Daniel Feels | "Crush" | Ester Dean | Top 3 |
| 4 | Darius Coleman | "Better Luck Next Time" | Ryan Tedder | Winner |
Notes: Kelsea Ballerini is the first country music artist on the show, and said that she is attracted to songs that provoke a strong reaction in her, whether that reaction is dancing or crying. She added that Darius Coleman had created a country hook whether he intended to or not. "Better Luck Next Time" charted No. 1 on the iTunes Pop Chart, and No. 2 on the iTunes Overall Charts.
Episode 4 (June 18, 2019)
- Musical guest: Jonas Brothers
| Order | Songwriter | Song | Producer | Result |
| 1 | Able Heart | "Greenlight" | Ester Dean | Winner |
| 2 | Remmi | "Flickering" | Ryan Tedder | Top 3 |
| 3 | Ori | "No Pressure" | Eliminated | |
| 4 | Rynn | "Crowded Places" | Shane McAnally | Top 3 |
Notes: Philadelphia songwriter and beatmaker Able Heart has been a ghost-writer up until the show; he also had never sung live. The Jonas Brothers' "Greenlight" went to #1 on the U.S. iTunes sales charts, and hit No. 1 on the iTunes Overall Charts.
Episode 5 (June 25, 2019)
- Musical guest: Meghan Trainor
| Order | Songwriter | Song | Producer | Result |
| 1 | Brandin Jay | "No Money Alright" | Ester Dean | Top 3 |
| 2 | Kole | "Hurt Me" | Ryan Tedder | Winner |
| 3 | Zachary Kale | "All Over Again" | Eliminated | |
| 4 | Josh Wood | "Alone" | Shane McAnally | Top 3 |
Notes: Trainor picked the song because of its lyrics "about the aftermath of a breakup and making sure you always rise above the drama" being empowering. "Hurt Me" is "a fun and sassy dance-pop cut" with "a hooky jam".
Episode 6 (July 2, 2019)
- Musical guest: Aloe Blacc
| Order | Songwriter | Song | Producer | Result |
| 1 | Kyle Williams | "Getting Started" | Ryan Tedder | Winner |
| 2 | Afika | "Chosen" | Eliminated | |
| 3 | TVTE | "Call for a Hero" | Ester Dean | Top 3 |
| 4 | Steve Fee | "Same Blood" | Shane McAnally | Top 3, released as a single |
Notes: The winning song, "Getting Started" by Kyle Williams aka producer Willyecho, was used for the Fast & Furious spin-off directed by David Leitch, who helped decide on the song which features rapper JID. They were looking for a “song that is motivational and inspiring with swagger”. Aloe Blacc also chose to record "Same Blood" by Steve Fee. "Chosen", the fourth-place finisher from Afika, was also released. TVTE's "Call for a Hero" was retitled "Hero" for the official version.
Episode 7 (August 14, 2019)
- Musical guest: Macklemore
| Order | Songwriter | Song | Producer | Result |
| 1 | IRO | "Shadow" | Shane McAnally | Winner |
| 2 | Pop Culture | "City Kids" | Ryan Tedder | Top 3 |
| 3 | Chris Jobe | "It Could Have Been You" | Eliminated | |
| 4 | Casey Cook | "Judgements" | Ester Dean | Top 3 |
Notes: Macklemore released the single "Shadow" as a collaboration with Iro, it reached No. 1 on the iTunes Hip-Hop/Rap Chart.
Episode 8 (August 21, 2019)
- Musical guest: Old Dominion
| Order | Songwriter | Song | Producer | Result |
| 1 | Katelyn Tarver | "Young" | Shane McAnally | Winner |
| 2 | Jacobi.e | "Westside" | Ryan Tedder | Top 3 |
| 3 | MACI | "Take a Ride" | Eliminated | |
| 4 | Jake Scott | "Is This Love?" | Ester Dean | Top 3 |
Notes: The winning song "Young" is featured on Jeep commercial. Katelyn Tarver, the winning songwriter, also starred in the commercial.
Episode 9 (August 28, 2019)
- Musical guest: Leona Lewis
| Order | Songwriter | Song | Producer | Result |
| 1 | Olivia Lane | "Perfect Skin" | Ester Dean | Top 3 |
| 2 | Rozee | "Fighting For Us" | Ryan Tedder | Winner |
| 3 | Rafferty | "A Heart Full of Love" | Shane McAnally | Top 3 |
| 4 | Annabel Lee | "Ugliest Love" | Eliminated |
Notes: "Solo Quiero " by Leona Lewis, Cali y El Dandee and Juan Magán reached No. 1 on the iTunes Latino chart. The song has also peaked at number one on several US Billboard Latin charts, including the Latin Digital Song Sales.
Episode 10 (September 4, 2019)
- Musical guest: Charlie Puth
| Order | Songwriter | Song | Producer | Result |
| 1 | Sam DeRosa | "Pill for This" | Shane McAnally | Top 3 |
| 2 | Zach Sorgen | "Habits" | Ryan Tedder | Winner |
| 3 | Paris Williams | "Pity Party" | Eliminated | |
| 4 | Joel Adams | "Hate Love" | Ester Dean | Top 3 |
Notes: Even though Charlie Puth picked Zach Sorgen's song "Bad Habit", he did not release a version instead opting to give the song back to Sorgen to release himself.
Episode 11 (September 11, 2019)
- Musical guest: OneRepublic
| Order | Songwriter | Song | Producer | Result |
| 1 | JT Roach | "Somebody to Love" | Shane McAnally | Winner |
| 2 | Madi | "Darkest Days" | Ester Dean | Top 3 |
| 3 | Tyler James Bellinger | "Giving You Up" | Eliminated | |
| 4 | Brigetta | "Be Somebody" | Jason Evigan | Top 3 |
Notes: OneRepublic's "Somebody to Love" went to #1 on the U.S. iTunes sales charts, two days after the official release. The song will be on the group's upcoming album Human, as the promotional single.
Season 2 (2020)
Episode 1 (April 13, 2020)
- Musical guest: Lady Antebellum
| Order | Songwriter | Song | Producer | Result |
| 1 | Tim Halperin | "Losing You" | Ryan Tedder | Top 3 |
| 2 | Steven Battey | "Feels Good to Me" | Eliminated | |
| 3 | Madeline Merlo | "I’ll Drink to That" | Shane McAnally | Winner |
| 4 | Ryan Innes | "Long Way Home" | Ester Dean | Top 3 |
Notes:
- "Champagne Night" hit the number one spot on the US iTunes sales chart, and remained in the top ten the following week.
- "Long Way Home", written by Ryan Innes, was later chosen as an original song for The Voice winner Todd Tilghman during the season 18 finale, with Shane McAnally and Ester Dean co-producing. The song also reached the number one spot on the US iTunes sales chart upon its release. "Long Way Home" eventually became Tilghman's coronation song following his victory the day after its release.
Episode 2 (April 20, 2020)
- Musical guest: Luis Fonsi
| Order | Songwriter | Song | Producer | Result |
| 1 | DYSON | "Conditions" | Shane McAnally | Top 3 |
| 2 | Pipobeats | "Sway" | Ryan Tedder | Winner |
| 3 | Lauren Martinez | "I Don't Want to Know" | Ester Dean | Top 3 |
| 4 | Corii | "What If" | Eliminated |
Notes: “Sway” hit the number one spot on the US iTunes sales chart. Season 1 contestant IRO returned to provide vocals on DYSON's "Lost In Translation" for the final presentation phase.
Luis Fonsi became the first Puerto Rico singer-songwriter on the show.
Episode 3 (April 27, 2020)
- Musical guest: H.E.R.
| Order | Songwriter | Song | Producer | Result |
| 1 | Axel Mansoor | "Scary" | Ester Dean | Top 3 |
| 2 | Milly | "Safe Place" | Eliminated | |
| 3 | Jocelyn Alice | "How Could You Not Know?" | Shane McAnally | Top 3 |
| 4 | Raquel Castro | "Wrong Places" | Ryan Tedder | Winner |
Episode 4 (May 4, 2020)
- Musical guest: Martina McBride
| Order | Songwriter | Song | Producer | Result |
| 1 | CKAY | "Hero" | Shane McAnally | Top 3 |
| 2 | Halie | "Girls Like Me" | Ester Dean | Winner |
| 3 | WOLVES | "Miracle" | Eliminated | |
| 4 | Jeffrey James | "We Can Be " | Ryan Tedder | Top 3 |
Episode 5 (May 11, 2020)
- Musical guest: Julia Michaels
| Order | Songwriter | Song | Producer | Result |
| 1 | Keegan Bost | "Glad You Came" | Ryan Tedder | Winner |
| 2 | Jenna Lotti | "Sad Girls" | Shane McAnally | Top 3 |
| 3 | Jeremy Shayne | "Too Late” | Eliminated | |
| 4 | Dan Burke | "Numb" | Ester Dean | Top 3 |
Episode 6 (May 18, 2020)
- Musical guest: Florida Georgia Line
| Order | Songwriter | Song | Producer | Result |
| 1 | Shawn Austin | "Ain’t Going Nowhere" | Ester Dean | Top 3 |
| 2 | Lukr | "Hopes High" | Ryan Tedder | Top 3 |
| 3 | Victoria Banks | "That's a Country Song" | Eliminated | |
| 4 | Griffen Palmer | "Second Guessing" | Shane McAnally | Winner |
Episode 7 (May 25, 2020)
- Musical guest: Boyz II Men
| Order | Songwriter | Song | Producer | Result |
| 1 | Zak Waters | "Bad Things" | Ryan Tedder | Top 3 |
| 2 | Juan & Lisa Winans | "Maybe" | Shane McAnally | Top 3 |
| 3 | Charles Infamous | "Jukebox" | Eliminated | |
| 4 | ChrisLee | "Love Struck" | Ester Dean | Winner |
Notes: Boyz II Men opted to record all three finalist songs.
Episode 8 (June 1, 2020)
- Musical guest: Bebe Rexha
| Order | Songwriter | Song | Producer | Result |
| 1 | Greg Scott | "Miracle" | Ryan Tedder | Split Winner |
| 2 | Alyssa Newton | "Made for This" | Eliminated | |
| 3 | Anna Graceman | "Gold" | Shane McAnally | Split Winner |
| 4 | Josh Vida | "Crazy Enough" | Ester Dean | Top 3 |
Notes: In a first for the series, Rexha combined "Miracle" by Scott and "Bones" by Graceman for the winning song that will be used to promote the 2021 Tokyo Summer Olympic Games. Season 1 contestant Sam DeRosa returned to provide vocals on Scott's "Miracle" for the final presentation phase.
Episode 9 (June 8, 2020)
- Musical guest: Ben Platt
| Order | Songwriter | Song | Producer | Result |
| 1 | David Davis | "Everything It Took to Get to You" | Ryan Tedder | Winner |
| 2 | Kylie Rothfield | "Lonely" | Ester Dean | Top 3 |
| 3 | Caroline Kole | "Fool’s Gold" | Shane McAnally | Top 3 |
| 4 | Anna Hamilton | "Deathbed" | Eliminated |
Episode 10 (June 15, 2020)
- Musical guest: Usher
| Order | Songwriter | Song | Producer | Result |
| 1 | Miranda Glory | "Salty" | Ryan Tedder | Top 3 |
| 2 | Ryan Cam | "Staying Over" | Ester Dean | Winner |
| 3 | David Wade | "Horse ‘N Carriage" | Shane McAnally | Top 3 |
| 4 | Fatherdude | "Billions" | Eliminated |
''The Voice'' 2020 finale crossover
For the finale of The Voice, Songland songwriters and producers Shane McAnally, Ester Dean, and Ryan Tedder were recruited to help each of the five finalists with original songs. The contestants, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, consulted and performed remotely.| Singer | Songwriter | Song | Producer | Result |
| Micah Iverson f. Team Kelly Clarkson | Troy Ogletree, Jason Strong | "Butterflies" | Shane McAnally | Fifth place |
| CammWess f. Team John Legend | CammWess, John Legend | "Save It For Tomorrow" | Ryan Tedder | Fourth place |
| Thunderstorm Artis f. Team Nick Jonas | Thunderstorm Artis | "Sedona" | Ryan Tedder | Third place |
| Toneisha Harris f. Team Blake Shelton | Toneisha Harris | "My Superhero" | Shane McAnally | Runner-up |
| Todd Tilghman f. Team Blake Shelton | Shane McAnally, Ester Dean and Ryan Innes | "Long Way Home" | Shane McAnally and Ester Dean | Winner |
Notes: Todd Tilghman from Team Blake Shelton became the first and the only contestant of the eighteenth season to reach top ten on iTunes. His original song's studio recording hit #1 on iTunes Overall Chart and iTunes Country Chart.
List of songs premiered on ''Songland''
This is a list of songs that appeared on the show that have been released by the guest artists, or through the songwriters. Sounds Like Nashville noted, “All of the songs from Songland are available digitally for purchase or streaming”.Artists' appearances on other television shows
- Sam James was a contestant on the third season of The Voice, but was eliminated in the Knockout Rounds.
- Josh Logan was a contestant on season five of The Voice, but was eliminated in the Live Shows.
- Katelyn Tarver was a contestant on American Juniors. She is also known for her recurring role as Jo Taylor on Big Time Rush.
- Joel Adams previously competed on season four of The X Factor Australia, but was eliminated during the bootcamp round.
- Tim Halperin was a contestant on season ten of American Idol, but was eliminated in the Top 24.
- Ryan Innes was a contestant on season four of The Voice, but was eliminated in the Knockout Rounds.
- Raquel Castro was a contestant on the first season of The Voice, but was eliminated in the Live Shows.
- Anna Graceman was a finalist on season six of America's Got Talent.
- Kylie Rothfield was a contestant on season eleven of The Voice, but was eliminated during the Live Playoffs.
Ratings