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Previous SOCAN Songwriting Prize nominees and winners

The SOCAN Songwriting Prize has featured the music of some of Canada’s top emerging songwriters since the first competition in 2006.

2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
The Winner
Billy Raffoul
"Western Skies"
Written by:
Billy Raffoul
Performed by:
Billy Raffoul
Published by:
Warner Chappell Music Canada
2021
List of Nominees
“Black Woman”
Written by Emanuel Assefa, Ryan Bakalarczyk, John Fellner, Kardinal Offishall / Performed by Emanuel / Kardinal Offishall Published by BMG Rights Management Canada.
“Dancing In My Room”
Written by Carter Britz, Aidan Fuller / Performed by 347aidan / Published by Kobalt Music Publishing Canada.
“delicate”
Written by Jonah Yano, Schott Zhang/ Performed by Jonah Yano.
“Dream”
Written by Clairmont Humphrey II / Performed by Clairmont The Second.
“Frontin’ Like Pharrell”
Written by Kahdijah Payne/ Performed by DijahSB.
“homebody”
Written by Michael Brandolino, Alexander DiMauro, Karah McGillivray, Tom Peyton, Robert Sowinski / Performed by Valley.
“No Smoke”
Written by Vanessa Kalala, David Charles Fischer, Christopher Larocca, Hrag Sanbalian / Performed by LU KALA.
“Purple Carousel”
Written by Sydanie Nichol, Casey Manierka / Performed by Sydanie.
“Solid”
Written by Savannah Ré Simpson, Johann Deterville, Akeel Henry / Performed by Savannah Ré / Savannah Ré published by Sony Music Publishing
The Winner
William Prince
"The Spark"
Written by:
William Prince
Performed by:
William Prince
2020
List of Nominees
“#uvangattauq”
Written by: Rita Claire Mike-Murphy, Zahrah Ibrahim, Andrew Morrison / Performed by: Riit / Published by: Girl On A Horse, Aakuluk Music Inc.
“Breaking Down”
Written by: Meghan Meisters, Mary Beth Ancheta, Alex Mak / Performed by: iskwé / Published by: Hyvetown Music Inc.
“Grip”
Written by: Clairmont Humphrey II / Performed by: Clairmont The Second
“Mind Games”
Written by: Lauren Isenberg, David Charles Fischer, Jeff Hazin, Matt Kahane/ Performed by: renforshort.
“Mountain”
Written by: Scott Zhang;/ Performed by: Monsune
“Same Room”
Written by:JP Saxe, Ryan Marrone / Performed by: JP Saxe / Published by SONY ATV Music Publishing Canada
“Some Kinda Love”
Written by: Kira Huszar, Adam Pondang, Akeel Henry / Performed by: LOONY/ Published by: Keys Open Doors, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd. Canada
“Thinking 'Bout Love”
Written by: Khalid Yassein, Robyn Dell'Unto / Performed by: Wild Rivers/ Published by: Wild Rivers Ltd., Robyn Dell'Unto Music.
“Thirteen”
Written by: Haviah Mighty, Preston Chin, Tim Hill / Performed by: Haviah Mighty.
The Winner
grandson
"Blood//Water"
Written by:
Chester Krupa Carbone, Kevin Hissink, Jordan Benjamin
Performed by:
grandson
Published by:
B Height Music, SONY ATV Music Publishing Canada
2019
List of Nominees
“Bad Biology”
Written by: Elizabeth Ball, Kathleen Monks, Benjamin Reinhartz, James Anthony Rowlinson / Performed by: Dilly Dally
“Chances”
Written by: Kevin Celestin, Shanice Mohamed, Anthony Pierre / Performed by: Kaytranada feat. Shay Lia / Published by: Casablanca Media Publishing Inc.
“Elephant Man”
Written by: Sam Lucia, Geoff Millar / Performed by: So Loki / Published by: Owake Records
“Hang Ups”
Written by: Scott Helman, Thomas Salter, Gordie Sampson, Simon Wilcox / Performed by: Scott Helman / Published by: EMI April Music Canada, SONY ATV Music Publishing Canada
“Payback”
Written by: Sarah Hagen, Maxwell Pankiw, Isaiah Steinberg / Performed by: Bad Child
“She's the One”
Written by: Chloé Soldevila, Miles Dupire-Gagnon, Gabriel Lambert, Zachary Irving / Performed by: Anemone
“Soundboi”
Written by: Dominique Dias, John Samuels / Performed by: Just John + Dom Dias
“Tortoise”
Written by: Clairmont Humphrey II / Performed by: Clairmont The Second
“Whatever Comes to Mind”
Written by: Seth Nyquist, Adrian Cook / Performed by: Seth Nyquist, Adrian Cook
The Winner
Partner
"Play the Field"
Written by:
Josée Caron, Lucy Niles
Performed by:
Partner
Published by:
Partner Mus.
2018
List of Nominees
“DREAMS TONITE”
Written by Alec O’Hanley, Molly Rankin / Performed by Alvvays / Published by Rough Trade Publishing Canada.
“MONEY”
Written by Leandra Earl, Eliza Enman-McDaniel, Jordan Miller, Kylie Miller, Garrett Lee / Performed by The Beaches / Published by Done with Dolls Inc., Besme administered by Kobalt Music Group Ltd.
“MAIN GIRL”
Written by Charlotte Cardin / Performed by Charlotte Cardin / Published by Red Brick c/o Corico Arts
“COTTON CANDY”
Written by Jessie Reyez / Performed by Jessie Reyez / Published by BMG Rights Management Canada.
“CHILLS”
Written byJames Barker, Gavin Slate, Travis Wood, Donovan Woods / Performed by James Barker Band / Published by Warner Chappell Music Canada, Ole Media Management LP II.
“WALKAWAY”
Written by Jasmyn Burke, Morgan Waters / Performed by Weaves.
“MAGIC”
Written by Eoin Killeen, Timothy Law, Patrisha Sanna Campbell / Performed by Birthday Boy and Trish
“HEALERS”
Written by Benjamin McCarthy, Iskwé, Ryan Somerville / Performed by Iskwé
“LINGUA FRANCA”
Written by Neil Bednis, Christopher Laurignano, Fraser McClean, Melanie St. Pierre / Performed by Casper Skulls
The Winner
PUP
"DVP"
Written by:
Stefan Babcock, Nestor Chumak, Zachary Mykula, Steve
Performed by:
PUP
2017
List of Nominees
“Acid Test”
Written by Tommy Paxton-Beesley, Thadeus Gardwood, Johnathan Mavrogiannis, Dan Voicu / performed by River Tiber / Published by Raise Your Hands Music [Arts & Crafts Music].
“Big Boy”
Written by Charlotte Cardin / Performed by Charlotte Cardin.
“Figures”
Written by Jessie Reyez, Bjoran Johan, Tobias Frelin, Blake Carter / Performed by Jessie Reyez / Published by BMG Rights Management.
“Glowed Up”
Written by Kevin Celestin, Brandon Anderson / Performed by Kaytranada featuring Anderson .Paak / Published by Watch and Learn/BMI, PULSE, Casablanca Publishing.
“Push + Pull”
Written by Thomas D’Arcy, Ian Docherty, Peter Dreimanis, Leah Goldstein, Danny Miles, Josh Warburton / Performed by July Talk / Published by July Talk Music Inc., GalleryAC Music.
“Shithole”
Written by Jasmyn Burke, Morgan Waters / Performed by Weaves.
“We Don’t Know”
Written by Jeremy Drury, Jonathan Hembrey, Darryl James, Brian Pickett, David Ritter, Isabel Ritchie, Joanne Setterington / Performed by The Strumbellas / Published by Domino Music Publishing.
“Won’t Live Here”
Written by Ashton Simmonds, Jordan Evans, Matthew Burnett, Tommy Paxton-Beesley, Ian Culley, Alexander Ernewein / Performed by Daniel Caesar / Published by Kobalt Music Publishing & Raise Your Hands Music [Arts & Crafts Music].
“Work”
Written by Charlotte Day Wilson / Performed by Charlotte Day Wilson / Published by Raise Your Hands Music [Arts & Crafts Music].
The Winner
Fast Romantics
"Julia"
Written by:
Matthew Mcleod
Performed by:
Fast Romantics
2016
List of Nominees
“Black Body”
Written by Benjamin Addy, Renee Wisdom / Performed by Spek Won feat.Shi Wisdom.
“Dead or Alive”
Written by Jahmarie Adams, Michael Lantz / Performed by Jazz Cartier.
“Desire”
Written by Kathleen Monks, Benjamin Reinhartz, James Rowlinson, Elizabeth Ball / Performed by Dilly Dally.
“How Could You Babe”
Written by Tobias Jesso Jr / Performed by Tobias Jesso Jr./ Published by Universal Music Publishing.
“No hurry”
Written by Terra Lightfoot / Performed by Terra Lightfoot / Published by CCS Rights Management Corp.
“Paradise”
Written by Ashton Simmonds, Matthew Burnett, Jordan Evans, Alexander Sowinski, Matthew Tavares, Leland Whitty, Chester Hansen, Keaven Yazdani / Performed by Daniel Ceasar feat. BADBADNOTGOOD, Sean Leon / Published by Reclusive Music Inc., Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd. Canada, Robinson Heart Publishing.
“Pen to Paper”
Written by Sean Graham, Thomas “Tawgs” Salter / Performed by Modern Space / Published by Sony/ATV.
“Spirits”
Written by Simon Ward, Jeremy Drury, Jonathan Hembrey, Darryl G.J. James, Brian Leigh Pickett, David Ritter, Joanne Setterington, Isabel Cunningham Ritchie / Performed by The Strumbellas / Published by Domino Double Nine.
“Wendell Walker”
Written by Andy Shauf / Performed by Andy Shauf / Published by Peer International Ltd. (Canada), Music of the Mothership.
The Winner
Dear Rouge
"I Heart I had"
Written by:
Andrew McTaggart, Danielle McTaggart
Performed by:
Dear Rouge
Published by:
dear Rouge
2015
List of Nominees
“Archie, Marry Me”
Written by Alec O’Hanley and Molly Rankin / Performed by Alvvays
“Old Knives”
Written by James Anderson and Cold Specks / Performed by Cold Specks
“In My Solitude”
Written by Laura Bates, Tyler Belluz, Aaron Brooks, Lisa Conway, Karen Ng, Chris Sandes and Ira Zingraff / Performed by Del Bel
“Hideaway”
Written by Rami Afuni and Kiesza / Performed by Kiesza
“You Look Like Trouble (But I Guess I Do Too)”
Written and performed by Lisa Leblanc
“The Bells”
Written by Lowell, Justin Broad and Paul Herman / Performed by Lowell
“It’s A Burn”
Written and performed by Samantha Savage Smith.
“Young Gunner”
Written by Joel Chambers, Nevon Sinclair and Renee Wisdom / Performed by Shi Wisdom.
“Private Island”
Written by Daniel Jacques and Allie Ho-Sang / Performed by 2nd Son featuring Allie.
The Winner
Alejandra Ribera
"I Want"
Written by:
Alejandra Ribera
Performed by:
Alejandra Ribera
Published by:
Pandyamonium Artist Management
2014
List of Nominees
“Having you around”
Written by Peter Dreimanis, Leah Goldstein, Eamon McGrath, Daniel Miles, Josh Warburto / Performed by July Talk.
“Emeralds Shatter”
Written by Louise Burns / Performed by Louise Burns.
“Reservoir”
Written by Stefan Babcock, Nestor Chumack, Zachary Mykula, Steven Sladkowski / Performed by PUP.
“Gold”
Written by Colyn Cameron / Performed by Wake Owl.
The Winner
Mo Kenney
"Sucker"
Written by:
Mo Kenney
Performed by:
Mo Kenney
2013
List of Nominees
“Baby’s Got It”
Written and performed by Maylee Todd.
“Devil’s Got a Gun”
Written by Luke Doucet, Melissa McClelland / Performed by Whitehorse.
“Fineshrine”
Written by Megan James, Corin Roddick / Performed by Purity Ring.
“Mule in the Flowers”
Written by Tamara Lindeman, Steven Lambke / Performed by The Weather Station feat. Baby Eagle.
The Winner
Kathleen Edwards
"Soft Place to Land"
Written by:
Kathleen Edwards, John Roderick
Performed by:
Kathleen Edwards
Published by:
Beats Working Mus/Kobalt Mus Pubg Ltd Canada II and Potty Mouth Production / Peer International Ltd (Canada)
2012
List of Nominees
“When I Write My Master’s Thesis”
Written by John K. Samson / Performed by John K. Samson.
“Post-War Blues”
Written by Gordon Grdina, Kent Loewen, Dan Mangan, John Walsh / Performed by Dan Mangan.
“Unkind”
Written by Jay Ferguson, Christopher Murphy, John Pentland, Andrew Scott / Performed by Sloan.
“The House That Heaven Built”
Written by Brian King, David Prowse / Performed by Japandroids.
The Winner
Katie Moore
"Wake Up Like This"
Written by:
Katie Moore
Performed by:
Katie Moore
2011
List of Nominees
“We Used to Wait”
Written by Edwin Butler, William Butler, Regine Chassagne, Jeremy Gara, Tim Kingsbury, Richard Parry / Performed by Arcade Fire.
“2012”
Written by Ben Nelson, Paul Saulnier / Performed by PS I Love You.
“When I Get Back”
Written by Dan Boeckner, Alexei Perry / Performed by Handsome Furs.
“The Beat and the Pulse”
Written by Katie Stelmanis / Performed by Austra.
The Winner
Brasstronaut
"Hearts Trompet"
Written by:
Edo Van Breeman, Bryan Davies, Brennan Saul, John Walsh
Performed by:
Brasstronaut
2010
List of Nominees
“Albatross”
Written by Olga Goreas, Kevin Laing, Jace Lasek, Richard White / Performed by The Besnard Lakes.
“Celestica”
Written by Ethan Kath, Alice Glass / Performed by Crystal Castles.
“Destroyer”
Written by Catherine McCandless, Stephen Ramsay / Performed by Young Galaxy.
“Odessa”
Written by Daniel Snaith / Performed by Caribou.
The Winner
D-Sisive
"Nobody With a Notepad"
Written by:
Derek Christoff, Rob Bakker
Performed by:
D-Sisive
2009
List of Nominees
“Lay Down In the Tall Grass”
Written by Taylor Kirk / Performed by Timber Timbre.
“Love Can Be So Mean”
Written by Sebastien Grainger / Performed by Sebastien Grainger and the Mountains.
“Through and Through and Through”
Written by Joel Plaskett / Performed by Joel Plaskett.
“Some Are Lakes”
Written by Elizabeth Powell / Performed by Land of Talk.
The Winner
The Weakerthans
"Night Windows"
Written by:
Stephen Carroll, John Samson, Greg Smith, Jason Tait
Performed by:
The Weakerthans
2008
List of Nominees
“Double Suicide”
Written by Sandro Perri / Performed by Sandro Perri.
“Lucklucky”
Written by Veda Hille / Performed by Veda Hille.
“Weighty Ghost”
Written by Loel Campbel, Tim D’eon, Paul Murphy, Jud Haynes / Performed by Wintersleep.
“You Are Never Alone”
Written by Josh Dolgin, Doris Glaspie, Waleed Shabazz, Katie Moore / Performed by Socalled.
The Winner
Abdominal
"Pedal Pusher"
Written by:
Andrew Bernstein, Rodney Pleasant
Performed by:
Abdominal
2007
List of Nominees
“Scarecrow”
Written by Keri Latimer / Performed by Nathan.
“Graveyard”
Written by Chad VanGaalen / Performed by Chad VanGaalen.
“Doppelspiel”
Written by Jeremy Strachan, David Weinkauf / Performed by Feuermusik.
“Devastation”
Written by Stephen Raegele, Nicole Lizee, Jeremiah Bullied, Jonathan Cummins, Olga Goreas, Kevin Laing, Jace Lasek / Performed by The Besnard Lakes.
The Winner
Propagandhi
"A Speculative Fiction"
Written by:
Christopher Hannah, Todd Kowalski, Jordan Samolesky
Performed by:
Propagandhi
2006
List of Nominees
“This Lamb Sells Condos”
Written by Owen Pallett / Performed by Final Fantasy.
“You Are A Runner And I Am My Father’s Son”
Written by Hadji Bakara, Daniel Boeckner, Spencer Krug, Arlen Thompson / Performed by Wolf Parade.
“Deception Island Optimists Club”
Written by Laura Barrett / Performed by Laura Barrett.
“Destroyer”
Written by Olivier Corbeil, Timothy Fletcher, David Hamelin, Liam O’Neil / Performed by The Stills.
Confirm your vote
Alessia Cara
“Ready”
Written by:
Alessia Caracciolo Jon Levine
Performed by:
Alessia Caracciolo
Confirm Vote Twitter
Song: Ready
Written by:
Alessia Caracciolo Jon Levine
Performed by: Alessia Caracciolo
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