Songland
| Songland | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Ivan Dudynsky |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 8 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers | Audrey Morrissey Ivan Dudynsky Adam Levine Dave Stewart Chad Hines |
| Producers | Ester Dean Shane McAnally Ryan Tedder |
| Production companies | Universal Television Alternative Studio 222 Productions Live Animals Productions Dave Stewart Entertainment |
| Original release | |
| Network | NBC |
| Release | May 28, 2019 – present |
Songland is an American songwriting competition series on NBC that premiered in May 2019.[1] The show, produced in cooperation with the Universal Television Alternative Studio, 222 Productions, Live Animals Productions and Dave Stewart Entertainment, sets out to give undiscovered songwriters a chance to create a hit. It gives the viewers a look at the creative process in action.[2] Contestants are selected to work with producers and a well-known recording artist to release a song.[3] 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".[4]
Origins and premiere
Musician and composer David A. Stewart, formerly of the Eurythmics, conceived of Songland.[2]
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.[2]
Premise
Each episode, producers Ryan Tedder, Ester Dean and Shane McAnally will team up with songwriters to create the next big hit to be recorded by a guest performing artist.[5] Four seemingly unknown songwriters audition songs they’ve written by singing them live for the three producers and that episode's guest star(s).[2]
They do so in Songland's makeshift recording studio equipped with sound mixing equipment, and sometimes with live musicians and extra singers.[4] They immediately get feedback for the song’s lyrics, message, and musical construction, often with specific ways to improve the track.[4] Reviewer Nancy Stetson commented:
“It’s enlightening to see how a song can change just by slowing it down or speeding it up, or moving the chorus, or emphasizing the beat or shuffling parts around.”[2]
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.[4] 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.[4] It gives the viewers a look at the creative process in action.[2]
Background
Songland attempts to rework the often thankless and grueling job of songwriting.[4] The general public rarely notes who wrote the lyrics, or the music that catches attention, instead the credit is generally given to the singer,[2] the typical narrative being that they're anonymous "cogs in the well-oiled pop (music) machine".[4] 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.[4] 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".[4]
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 |
Episode 1 (May 28, 2019)
- Musical guest: John Legend
| Order | Songwriter | Song | Producer | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Embers | "Back Home" (retitled "Lookin' Up") | Ryan | Top 3 |
| 2 | Tebby Burrows | "We Need Love" | Shane | Winner |
| 3 | Sam James | "Shinedown" | — | Eliminated |
| 4 | Ollie Gabriel | "Something New" | Ester | 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.”[6]
Episode 2 (June 4, 2019)
- Musical guest: will.i.am
| Order | Songwriter | Song | Producer | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Josh Logan | "Boxes" | Shane | Top 3, will release on album |
| 2 | Charisma | "Invincible" | Ryan | Top 3, will release on album |
| 3 | Adam Friedman | "Be Nice" | Ester | Winner |
| 4 | Ray Goren | "Oh Lord" | — | Eliminated |
Notes: will.i.am ultimately opted to record all three finalist songs;[7] at the end of the episode he announced that he would remove three songs from The Black Eyed Peas‘ next album to add “Be Nice,” as well as “Boxes” and “Invincible.”[8] 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.[9]
Episode 3 (June 11, 2019)
- Musical guest: Kelsea Ballerini
| Order | Songwriter | Song | Producer | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jack Newsome | "Lying (Next to You)" | Shane | Top 3 |
| 2 | Jess Jocoy | "Easy" | — | Eliminated |
| 3 | Daniel Feels | "Crush" | Ester | Top 3 |
| 4 | Darius Coleman | "Better Luck Next Time" | Ryan | 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.[10] She added that Darius Coleman had created a country hook whether he intended to or not.[10]
Episode 4 (June 18, 2019)
- Musical guest: Jonas Brothers
| Order | Songwriter | Song | Producer | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Able Heart | "Greenlight" | Ester | Winner |
| 2 | Remmi | "Flickering" (retitled “Do You Think of Me?”) | Ryan | Top 3 |
| 3 | Ori | "No Pressure" | — | Eliminated |
| 4 | Rynn | "Crowded Places" | Shane | Top 3 |
Notes: Philadelphia songwriter and beatmaker Able Heart has been a ghost-writer up until the show, he also had never sung live.[11] The Jonas Brothers’ “Greenlight” went to #1 on the U.S. iTunes sales charts.[12]
Episode 5 (June 25, 2019)
- Musical guest: Meghan Trainor
| Order | Songwriter | Song | Producer | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brandin Jay | "No Money Alright" (retitled "We Got Us") | Ester | Top 3 |
| 2 | Kole | "Hurt Me" | Ryan | Winner |
| 3 | Zachary Kale | "All Over Again" | — | Eliminated |
| 4 | Josh Wood | "Alone" | Shane | 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.[13] The Tarzana, Los Angeles, writer, singer and producer Kole’s “Hurt Me” is “a fun and sassy dance-pop cut” with “a hooky jam”.[14]
Episode 6 (July 2, 2019)
- Musical guest: Aloe Blacc
| Order | Songwriter | Song | Producer | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kyle Williams | "Getting Started" | Ryan | Winner |
| 2 | Afika | "Chosen" | — | Eliminated |
| 3 | TVTE | "Call for a Hero" | Ester | Top 3 |
| 4 | Steve Fee | "Same Blood" | Shane | Top 3, released as a single |
Notes: The winning song, "Getting Started" by Kyle Williams aka producer Willyecho, will be used for the Fast & Furious spin-off Hobbs & Shaw (August 2019) directed by David Leitch,[15][16] who helped decide on the song which features rapper J.I.D. They were looking for a “song that is motivational and inspiring with swagger”.[17] Aloe Blacc also chose to record "Same Blood" by Steve Fee.[17] "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 | Winner |
| 2 | Pop Culture | "City Kids" (retitled "Unforgettable") | Ryan | Top 3 |
| 3 | Chris Jobe | "It Could Have Been You" | — | Eliminated |
| 4 | Casey Cook | "Judgements" | Ester | Top 3 |
Episode 8 (August 21, 2019)
- Musical guest: Old Dominion
| Order | Songwriter | Song | Producer | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Katelyn Tarver | "Young" | Shane | Winner |
| 2 | Jacobi.e | "Westside" (retilted "Where the Road Ends") | Ryan | Top 3 |
| 3 | MACI | "Take a Ride" | — | Eliminated |
| 4 | Jake Scott | "Is This Love?" (retitled "Journey") | Ester | Top 3 |
Notes: The winning song "Young" is featured on Jeep commercial.
Episode 9 (August 28, 2019)
- Musical guest: Leona Lewis
| Order | Songwriter | Song | Producer | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Annabel Lee | |||
| 2 | Olivia Lane | |||
| 3 | Rafferty | |||
| 4 | Rozee |
Episode 10 (September 4, 2019)
- Musical guest: Charlie Puth
Episode 11 (September 11, 2019)
- Musical guest: OneRepublic
Ratings
{{Television episode ratings | show_timeslot = y | title1 = John Legend | date1 = May 28, 2019 | timeslot1 = Tuesday 10:00 p.m. | timeslot_length1 = 6 | rs1 = 1.1/6 | viewers1 = 5.51[18] | dvr1 = 0.4 | dvrv1 = 1.39 | total1 = 1.5 | totalv1 = 6.90[19]
| title2 = will.i.am | date2 = June 4, 2019 | rs2 = 1.0/6 | viewers2 = 4.53[20] | dvr2 = 0.3 | dvrv2 = 1.19 | total2 = 1.3 | totalv2 = 5.72[21]
| title3 = Kelsea Ballerini | date3 = June 11, 2019 | rs3 = 0.9/5 | viewers3 = 4.15[22] | dvr3 = 0.3 | dvrv3 = 1.16 | total3 = 1.2 | totalv3 = 5.31[23]
| title4 = Jonas Brothers | date4 = June 18, 2019 | rs4 = 0.9/5 | viewers4 = 4.53[24] | dvr4 = 0.4 | dvrv4 = 1.28 | total4 = 1.3 | totalv4 = 5.79[25]
| title5 = Meghan Trainor | date5 = June 25, 2019 | rs5 = 0.9/5 | viewers5 = 4.27[26] | dvr5 = 0.3 | dvrv5 = 1.06 | total5 = 1.2 | totalv5 = 5.34[27]
| title6 = Aloe Blacc | date6 = July 2, 2019 | rs6 = 0.7/4 | viewers6 = 3.45[28] | dvr6 = 0.3 | dvrv6 = 1.02 | total6 = 1.0 | totalv6 = 4.48[29]
| title7 = Macklemore | date7 = August 14, 2019 | timeslot7 = Wednesday 9:00 p.m. | timeslot_length7 = 4 | rs7 = 0.7/4 | viewers7 = 3.28[30] | dvr7 = | dvrv7 = | total7 =
| title8 = Old Dominion | date8 = August 21, 2019 | rs8 = 0.7/4 | viewers8 = 3.44[31] | dvr8 = | dvrv8 = | total8 = | totalv8 =
| title9 = Leona Lewis | date9 = August 28, 2019 | rs9 = | viewers9 = | dvr9 = | dvrv9 = | total9 = | totalv9 =
| title10 = Charlie Puth | date10 = September 4, 2019 | rs10 = | viewers10 = | dvr10 = | dvrv10 = | total10 = | totalv10 =
- ^ Pedersen, Erik (March 14, 2019). "NBC Sets Summer Competition Series 'Songland' & 'Bring The Funny'". Deadline.
- ^ a b c d e f g Stetson, Nancy (July 3, 2019). "Capturing the creative process in 'Songland'". Fort Myers Florida Weekly. Retrieved 2019-07-17.
- ^ Otterson, Joe (9 October 2018). "NBC Greenlights Songwriter Competition Series 'Songland'". Variety. Retrieved 14 October 2018.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|work=(help) - ^ a b c d e f g h i Battan, Carrie. "How "Songland" Tries and Fails to Honor the Songwriter". www.newyorker.com. Retrieved 2019-06-26.
- ^ Montplasir, Kyle (April 1, 2019). "NBC Announces 'Songland' Celebrity Stars & Sneak Peak!". Talent Recap.
- ^ Dibdin, Emma. "Songland: The Full List of Winners and New Songs Released". www.oprahmag.com. Retrieved 2019-06-27.
- ^ "Will.i.am Recalls Making 'Where Is The Love?' After 'Songland' Appearance". iHeartRadio. Retrieved 2019-06-19.
- ^ "'Songland' Recap: Will.i.am Has a 'Nice' Time Searching For a Black Eyed Peas Single". Billboard. Retrieved 2019-06-19.
- ^ "'Songland' Recap: Will.i.am Has a 'Nice' Time Searching For a Black Eyed Peas Single". Billboard. Retrieved 2019-06-19.
- ^ a b Whitaker, Sterling. "Kelsea Ballerini Picks 'Better Luck Next Time' on 'Songland'". Taste of Country. Retrieved 2019-06-27.
- ^ "Happiness begins: Jonas Brothers give recovering addict Able Heart his big break on 'Songland'". www.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2019-06-27.
- ^ "Jonas Brothers' "Songland" Pick "Greenlight" Reaches #1 On US iTunes Sales Chart". Headline Planet. 2019-06-20. Retrieved 2019-06-27.
- ^ Fernandez, Celia (2019-06-26). "What to Know About the Writer Behind Meghan Trainor's New Song "Hurt Me"". Oprah Magazine. Retrieved 2019-07-01.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|dead-url=(help) - ^ Daw, Robbie (June 26, 2019). "'Songland' Recap: Did Meghan Trainor Just Find Her Next Smash?". www.billboard.com. Retrieved 2019-07-01.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|dead-url=(help) - ^ "'Songland': Who is Kyle Williams, the songwriter whose song Aloe Blacc picked to feature in 'Hobbs & Shaw'?". meaww.com. Retrieved 2019-07-04.
- ^ "'Songland' Recap: Aloe Blacc Hunts For a 'Hobbs & Shaw' Soundtrack Anthem". Billboard. Retrieved 2019-07-04.
- ^ a b Grant, Tamara; Articles, More; July 03, 2019 (2019-07-03). "The Making of Aloe Blacc's "Getting Started" For 'Hobbs and Shaw' Soundtrack". Showbiz Cheat Sheet. Retrieved 2019-07-04.
{{cite web}}:|first3=has numeric name (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Welch, Alex (May 30, 2019). "'Songland,' '1969,' and others adjust down: Tuesday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved May 30, 2019.
- ^ Pucci, Douglas (June 11, 2019). "Live+7 Weekly Ratings: 'America's Got Talent' Season Premiere Leads in Overall Gains". Programming Insider. Retrieved June 11, 2019.
- ^ Welch, Alex (June 5, 2019). "'America's Got Talent,' 'Songland,' everything else unchanged: Tuesday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
- ^ Pucci, Douglas (June 19, 2019). "Live+7 Weekly Ratings: 'MasterChef Junior' Season Finale Ranks Seventh Among Raw Gains in Adults 18-49". Programming Insider. Retrieved June 19, 2019.
- ^ Welch, Alex (June 12, 2019). "'Press Your Luck' adjusts down: Tuesday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved June 12, 2019.
- ^ Pucci, Douglas (June 26, 2019). "Live+7 Weekly Ratings: Four Reality Competition Series Among Top Five of Raw Adults 18-49 Gainers". Programming Insider. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
- ^ Welch, Alex (June 19, 2019). "'America's Got Talent' adjusts up, 'Songland' adjusts down: Tuesday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved June 19, 2019.
- ^ Pucci, Douglas (July 3, 2019). "Live+7 Weekly Ratings: 'Grand Hotel' Debut Finishes Fourth Among Broadcast Network Telecasts for the Week in Raw Viewer Boosts". Programming Insider. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
- ^ Welch, Alex (June 26, 2019). "'Big Brother' adjusts up: Tuesday final ratings". TV By The Numbers. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
- ^ Pucci, Douglas (July 11, 2019). "Live+7 Weekly Ratings: 'The Amazing Race' 31st Season Finale — Runner-Up Unscripted Program in Raw Viewer Gains". Programming Insider. Retrieved July 11, 2019.
- ^ Welch, Alex (July 3, 2019). "'Big Brother' adjusts up: Tuesday final ratings". TV By The Numbers. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
- ^ Pucci, Douglas (July 17, 2019). "Live+7 Weekly Ratings: 'The InBetween' Tops Broadcast Network Telecasts in Viewer Percentage Gains". Programming Insider. Retrieved July 17, 2019.
- ^ Welch, Alex (August 15, 2019). "'BH90210' and 'Big Brother' adjust up: Wednesday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved August 15, 2019.
- ^ Welch, Alex (August 22, 2019). "'America's Got Talent,' 'BH90210,' everything else unchanged: Wednesday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved August 22, 2019.