Tips for Successfully Writing Your Song Lyrics
Here are some tips for writing a text that will meet the criteria of the international writing contest:
- Take into account the theme of the contest without any obligation to use the word(s) from the theme but by respecting the proposal, the idea of the theme. The use of the 10 words is not mandatory and does not fall under the selection criteria except for the French native language awards.
- Respect the form of a song (no overly long texts, without structure). The verses can be more or less numerous. The chorus is important in a song, don’t forget it!
- Try to maintain a similar form between each verse with the same number of lines or syllables if possible.
- Your text is a song lyric, written to be sung, set to music. Feeling the musicality of the words and the rhythm of the text is important.
- Talk about what matters to you, what touches you, and what you wish to share. Draw inspiration from your experience, your feelings; freedom of expression is also that!
- Don’t forget to give a title to the song. The title is the identity of a song, it summarizes or presents it, and is part of its originality.
A Francophone Songwriting Contest
Since 2005, Chansons sans Frontières has been organizing an international competition for writing a song lyric in French. This competition, launched worldwide, is free and open to everyone, except for people residing in mainland France, regardless of their nationality. It invites participants to explore essential themes such as human rights, freedom of expression, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
More than just a writing exercise, this international writing competition creates a genuine space for sharing where Francophonie comes to life. Music and the French language intertwine there to highlight and share our rights, our diversities, and our imaginations. It stimulates creativity, values individual expression, and offers a unique opportunity for emerging Francophone talents to shine.
A text and composition contest in French open to everyone
This song contest is open to all participants, except for residents living in mainland France. Everyone can participate, students, French teachers, poets, writers, musicians, young and old.
The text must be written in French, with verses and an original chorus, adhere to the guidelines, and contain no indications that would allow the author to be identified. The text cannot be a transposition or a plagiarism of an existing work, nor a text written by an AI or exclusively using AI.
ATTENTION, this contest is a writing contest in French. It is not necessary to send the music.
Categories of the International Song Contest: Age and Native Language
The competition is structured into several categories based on the age and native language of the participants:
-1st and 2nd prize: for participants over 20 years old whose native language is not French.
-1st and 2nd Young Public Prize: for participants under 20 years old, whose native language is not French.
-Mother Tongue French Prize – reserved for people over 20 years old, with at least one French-speaking parent, and the Young Public Mother Tongue French Prize – for those under 20 years old, with at least one French-speaking parent.
The prizes of the international songwriting competition (H3)
The 1st Prize of the competition is called: 1st Prize Normandy Region. It is a one-week stay in France, all expenses paid for 2 people (visa fees, insurance, travel, visits, full accommodation). An invitation to come and receive their prize at an official award ceremony is given to them (attendance is essential). The winner will see their text set to music by an artist from Chansons sans Frontières.
Five other prizes are awarded:
OVER 20 YEARS:
2nd Prize: €500
UNDER 20 YEARS OLD:
1st Prize Young Audience City of Caen: €400
2nd Prize for Young Audience: €200
FRENCH AS A FIRST LANGUAGE (FFL):
FLM Prize (over 20 years): €150
FLM Young Audience Prize (under 20 years): €100
The main objective of this competition is to allow participants to express themselves freely and in a spirit of sharing, respect, and openness, through writing a song lyric in French. This contest can be an opportunity to make your voice heard and to get noticed for your talent as a writer and lyricist.
For inspiration, follow the contest on social media, stay connected!
Don’t miss the opportunity to participate in the international French writing competition
This international writing competition is a unique opportunity to showcase your talent while contributing to a reflection on the proposed writing theme. The ingredients are simple: your ideas, your words, your talent, an internet connection, and you’re all set!
The Chansons sans Frontières team is waiting for you to discover your creations and celebrate together the beauty of language and music through your words and songs.