Songland
{{short description|American songwriting competition series}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox television
| image = Songland.png
| image_upright =
| image_size =
| image_alt = Songland Title Card
| caption =
| alt_name =
| genre = Reality competition
| creator = David A. Stewart
| developer =
| writer =
| screenplay =
| story =
| director = Ivan Dudynsky
| creative_director =
| starring = Ester Dean
Shane McAnally
Ryan Tedder
| narrated =
| theme_music_composer =
| opentheme =
| endtheme =
| composer = Jared Gutstadt
| country = United States
| language = English
| num_seasons = 2
| num_episodes = 21
| list_episodes =
| executive_producer = Audrey Morrissey
Ivan Dudynsky
Adam Levine
Dave Stewart
Chad Hines
| producer =
| runtime = 43 minutes
| company = Universal Television Alternative Studio
222 Productions
Live Animals Productions
Dave Stewart Entertainment
| budget =
| network = NBC
| first_aired = {{Start date|2019|05|28}}
| last_aired = {{End date|2020|06|15}}
}}
Songland is an American songwriting competition series that aired on NBC from May 28, 2019, to June 15, 2020.{{cite web |last=Pedersen |first=Erik |title=NBC Sets Summer Competition Series 'Songland' & 'Bring The Funny' |url=https://deadline.com/2019/03/nbc-sets-summer-competition-series-songland-bring-the-funny-1202575936/ |website=Deadline |date=March 14, 2019 |access-date=March 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327090554/https://deadline.com/2019/03/nbc-sets-summer-competition-series-songland-bring-the-funny-1202575936/ |archive-date=March 27, 2019 |url-status=live }} The show, produced in cooperation with the Universal Television Alternative Studio, 222 Productions, Live Animals Productions and Dave Stewart,{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevebaltin/2019/05/28/who-i-am-dave-stewart-on-songland-eurythmics-george-harrison-and-more/|title=Who I Am: Dave Stewart On 'Songland,' Eurythmics, George Harrison And More|last=Baltin|first=Steve|website=Forbes|language=en|access-date=2020-04-21}} 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 recording artist to release a song.{{cite magazine|url=https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/nbc-songland-1202974445/|first=Joe|last=Otterson|title=NBC Greenlights Songwriter Competition Series 'Songland'|magazine=Variety|date=9 October 2018|access-date=14 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181015003135/https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/nbc-songland-1202974445/|archive-date=15 October 2018|url-status=live}} 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". Stewart, a musician and composer formerly of Eurythmics, conceived Songland.
The show premiered in May 2019, with three producer-hosts: producer and songwriter Ester Dean; producer and OneRepublic frontman Ryan Tedder; and songwriter Shane McAnally. In September 2019, the series was renewed, and the second season premiered in April 2020.{{cite web|last=Otterson|first=Joe|date=September 10, 2019|title='Songland' Renewed for Season 2 at NBC|url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/songland-renewed-season-2-nbc-1203330478/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190911000231/https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/songland-renewed-season-2-nbc-1203330478/|archive-date=September 11, 2019|access-date=September 10, 2019|work=Variety}}{{cite web|date=February 12, 2020|title=Season 2 premieres April 13 on NBC|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/B8elB08Beah/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/B8elB08Beah |archive-date=2021-12-24 |url-access=limited|access-date=February 12, 2020}}{{cbignore}}
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.{{Cite web|url=https://heavy.com/entertainment/2020/04/songland-season-2-judges-guest-artists/|title='Songland' Judges & Guest Artists 2020|last=Reiher|first=Andrea|date=April 14, 2020|website=Heavy.com|language=en|access-date=April 21, 2020}} 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".{{Cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/nbc-songland-jonas-brothers-greenlight-kelsea-ballerini-better-luck-next-time/|title=NBC's 'Songland' Has Already Churned Out Multiple Hit Singles - in Just 4 Weeks|date=2019-06-19|website=TheWrap|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-29}}
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.{{cite web |last=Montplasir |first=Kyle |title=Sneak Peek: NBC’s ‘Songland’ Puts a New Twist on Reality Competition With HUGE Star Power |url=https://talentrecap.com/songland-new-show-huge-stars// |website=Talent Recap |date=April 1, 2019}} Four seemingly unknown songwriters audition songs they have written live for the producers and that episode's guest star(s). They do so in Songland{{'}}s 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:
{{Blockquote|text=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.}}
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.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/how-songland-tries-and-fails-to-honor-the-songwriter|title=How 'Songland' Tries and Fails to Honor the Songwriter|last=Battan|first=Carrie|magazine=The New Yorker |date=11 June 2019|access-date=2019-06-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626091849/https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/how-songland-tries-and-fails-to-honor-the-songwriter|archive-date=2019-06-26|url-status=live}} 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.
Production
Musician and composer David A. Stewart, formerly of Eurythmics, conceived 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,{{Cite web|url=https://fortmyers.floridaweekly.com/articles/capturing-the-creative-process-in-songland/|title=Capturing the creative process in 'Songland'|last=Stetson|first=Nancy|date=July 3, 2019|website=Fort Myers Florida Weekly|access-date=2019-07-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190718031332/https://fortmyers.floridaweekly.com/articles/capturing-the-creative-process-in-songland/|archive-date=July 18, 2019|url-status=live}} the typical narrative being that they're anonymous "cogs in the well-oiled pop (music) 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: producer and songwriter Ester Dean; producer and lead singer of OneRepublic Ryan Tedder; and 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:
class="toccolours" style="font-size: 90%; white-space: nowrap" |
style="background:lightgreen; border:1px solid black;"|
| Songwriter's track won, the recording is released by the musical guest |
style="background:lightblue; border:1px solid black;"|
| Songwriter was in the top three |
style="background:pink; border:1px solid black;"|
| Songwriter eliminated before final round |
=Season 1 (2019)=
==Episode 1 (May 28, 2019)==
- Musical guest: John Legend
class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
! style="row" | Order ! style="row" | Songwriter ! style="row" | Song ! style="row" | Producer ! style="row" | Result |
style="background:lightblue;"
| 1 | Max Embers | "Back Home" (retitled "Lookin' Up") | Ryan Tedder | Top 3 |
style="background:lightgreen;"
| 2 | Tebby Burrows | "We Need Love" | Shane McAnally | Winner |
style="background:pink;"
| 3 | Sam James | "Shinedown" | {{n/a}} | Eliminated |
style="background:lightblue;"
| 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."{{Cite web|url=https://www.oprahmag.com/entertainment/tv-movies/g28180134/songland-winners-songs-full-list/|title=Songland: The Full List of Winners and New Songs Released|last=Dibdin|first=Emma|website=www.oprahmag.com|date=25 June 2019|language=en-US|access-date=2019-06-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190627181417/https://www.oprahmag.com/entertainment/tv-movies/g28180134/songland-winners-songs-full-list/|archive-date=2019-06-27|url-status=live}} "We Need Love" hit No. 1 on the iTunes R&B chart.
==Episode 2 (June 4, 2019)==
- Musical guest: will.i.am
class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
! style="row" | Order ! style="row" | Songwriter ! style="row" | Song ! style="row" | Producer ! style="row" | Result |
style="background:lightblue;"
| 1 | "Boxes" | Shane McAnally | Top 3 |
style="background:lightblue;"
| 2 | Charisma | "Invincible" | Ryan Tedder | Top 3 |
style="background:lightgreen;"
| 3 | Adam Friedman | "Be Nice" | Ester Dean | Winner |
style="background:pink;"
| 4 | Ray Goren | "Oh Lord" | {{n/a}} | Eliminated |
Notes: will.i.am opted to record all three finalist songs;{{Cite web|url=https://www.iheart.com/content/2019-06-03-william-recalls-making-where-is-the-love-after-songland-appearance/|title=Will.i.am Recalls Making 'Where Is The Love?' After 'Songland' Appearance|website=iHeartRadio|language=en|access-date=2019-06-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190619224434/https://www.iheart.com/content/2019-06-03-william-recalls-making-where-is-the-love-after-songland-appearance/|archive-date=2019-06-19|url-status=live}} at the end of the episode he announced that he would remove three songs from Black Eyed Peas' next album Translation (2020), to add "Be Nice", as well as "Boxes" and "Invincible".{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/television/8514586/songland-recap-black-eyed-peas|title='Songland' Recap: Will.i.am Has a 'Nice' Time Searching For a Black Eyed Peas Single|magazine=Billboard|date=5 June 2019|access-date=2019-06-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190618072946/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/television/8514586/songland-recap-black-eyed-peas|archive-date=2019-06-18|url-status=live}} 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
class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
! style="row" | Order ! style="row" | Songwriter ! style="row" | Song ! style="row" | Producer ! style="row" | Result |
style="background:lightblue;"
| 1 | "Lying (Next to You)" | Shane McAnally | Top 3 |
style="background:pink;"
| 2 | Jess Jocoy | "Easy" | {{n/a}} | Eliminated |
style="background:lightblue;"
| 3 | Daniel Feels | "Crush" | Ester Dean | Top 3 |
style="background:lightgreen;"
| 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.{{Cite web|url=https://tasteofcountry.com/kelsea-ballerini-better-luck-next-time/|title=Kelsea Ballerini Picks 'Better Luck Next Time' on 'Songland'|last=Whitaker|first=Sterling|website=Taste of Country|date=12 June 2019 |language=en|access-date=2019-06-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190614025648/https://tasteofcountry.com/kelsea-ballerini-better-luck-next-time/|archive-date=2019-06-14|url-status=live}} 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
class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
! style="row" | Order ! style="row" | Songwriter ! style="row" | Song ! style="row" | Producer ! style="row" | Result |
style="background:lightgreen;"
| 1 | Able Heart | "Greenlight" | Ester Dean | Winner |
style="background:lightblue;"
| 2 | Remmi | "Flickering" (retitled "Do You Think of Me?") | Ryan Tedder | Top 3 |
style="background:pink;"
| 3 | Ori | "No Pressure" | {{n/a}} | Eliminated |
style="background:lightblue;"
| 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/happiness-begins-jonas-bothers-give-recovering-addict-able-heart-his-big-break-on-songland-031605446.html|title=Happiness begins: Jonas Brothers give recovering addict Able Heart his big break on 'Songland'|website=www.yahoo.com|date=19 June 2019 |language=en-US|access-date=2019-06-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190627055807/https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/happiness-begins-jonas-bothers-give-recovering-addict-able-heart-his-big-break-on-songland-031605446.html|archive-date=2019-06-27|url-status=live}} The Jonas Brothers' "Greenlight" went to #1 on the U.S. iTunes sales charts,{{Cite web|url=https://headlineplanet.com/home/2019/06/20/jonas-brothers-songland-pick-greenlight-reaches-1-on-us-itunes-sales-chart/|title=Jonas Brothers' "Songland" Pick "Greenlight" Reaches #1 On US iTunes Sales Chart|date=2019-06-20|website=Headline Planet|language=en-US|access-date=2019-06-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190622182207/https://headlineplanet.com/home/2019/06/20/jonas-brothers-songland-pick-greenlight-reaches-1-on-us-itunes-sales-chart/|archive-date=2019-06-22|url-status=live}} and hit No. 1 on the iTunes Overall Charts.
==Episode 5 (June 25, 2019)==
- Musical guest: Meghan Trainor
class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
! style="row" | Order ! style="row" | Songwriter ! style="row" | Song ! style="row" | Producer ! style="row" | Result |
style="background:lightblue;"
| 1 | Brandin Jay | "No Money Alright" (retitled "We Got Us") | Ester Dean | Top 3 |
style="background:lightgreen"
| 2 | Kole | "Hurt Me" | Ryan Tedder | Winner |
style="background:pink;"
| 3 | Zachary Kale | "All Over Again" | {{n/a}} | Eliminated |
style="background:lightblue;"
| 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.oprahmag.com/entertainment/tv-movies/a28185003/songland-kole-hurt-me-meghan-trainor/|title=What to Know About the Writer Behind Meghan Trainor's New Song "Hurt Me"|last=Fernandez|first=Celia|date=2019-06-26|website=Oprah Magazine|language=en-US|access-date=2019-07-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190627181507/https://www.oprahmag.com/entertainment/tv-movies/a28185003/songland-kole-hurt-me-meghan-trainor/|archive-date=2019-06-27|url-status=live}} "Hurt Me" is "a fun and sassy dance-pop cut" with "a hooky jam".{{Cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/amp/articles/news/television/8517667/songland-recap-meghan-trainor|title='Songland' Recap: Did Meghan Trainor Just Find Her Next Smash?|last=Daw|first=Robbie|date=June 26, 2019|website=www.billboard.com|access-date=2019-07-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190628161053/https://www.billboard.com/amp/articles/news/television/8517667/songland-recap-meghan-trainor|archive-date=June 28, 2019|url-status=live}}
==Episode 6 (July 2, 2019)==
- Musical guest: Aloe Blacc
class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
! style="row" | Order ! style="row" | Songwriter ! style="row" | Song ! style="row" | Producer ! style="row" | Result |
style="background:lightgreen;"
| 1 | Kyle Williams | "Getting Started" | Ryan Tedder | Winner |
style="background:pink;"
| 2 | Afika | "Chosen" | {{n/a}} | Eliminated |
style="background:lightblue;"
| 3 | TVTE | "Call for a Hero" | Ester Dean | Top 3 |
style="background:lightblue;"
| 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 Hobbs & Shaw (August 2019) directed by David Leitch,{{Cite web|url=https://meaww.com/songland-kyle-williams-getting-started-new-song-fast-and-furious-presents-hobbs-and-shaw-aloe-blacc|title='Songland': Who is Kyle Williams, the songwriter whose song Aloe Blacc picked to feature in 'Hobbs & Shaw'?|website=meaww.com|language=en|access-date=2019-07-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190704060822/https://meaww.com/songland-kyle-williams-getting-started-new-song-fast-and-furious-presents-hobbs-and-shaw-aloe-blacc|archive-date=2019-07-04|url-status=live}}{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/television/8518673/songland-recap-aloe-blacc|title='Songland' Recap: Aloe Blacc Hunts For a 'Hobbs & Shaw' Soundtrack Anthem|magazine=Billboard|date=3 July 2019|access-date=2019-07-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190703210429/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/television/8518673/songland-recap-aloe-blacc|archive-date=2019-07-03|url-status=live}} who helped decide on the song which features rapper JID. They were looking for a “song that is motivational and inspiring with swagger”.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/aloe-blacc-hobbs-shaw.html/|title=The Making of Aloe Blacc's "Getting Started" For 'Hobbs and Shaw' Soundtrack|last1=Grant|first1=Tamara|date=2019-07-03|website=Showbiz Cheat Sheet|language=en-US|access-date=2019-07-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190704225112/https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/aloe-blacc-hobbs-shaw.html/|archive-date=2019-07-04|url-status=live}} 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
class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
! style="row" | Order ! style="row" | Songwriter ! style="row" | Song ! style="row" | Producer ! style="row" | Result |
style="background:lightgreen;"
| 1 | IRO | "Shadow" | Shane McAnally | Winner |
style="background:lightblue;"
| 2 | Pop Culture | "City Kids" (retitled "Unforgettable") | Ryan Tedder | Top 3 |
style="background:pink;"
| 3 | Chris Jobe | "It Could Have Been You" | {{n/a}} | Eliminated |
style="background:lightblue;"
| 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
class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
! style="row" | Order ! style="row" | Songwriter ! style="row" | Song ! style="row" | Producer ! style="row" | Result |
style="background:lightgreen;"
| 1 | "Young" | Shane McAnally | Winner |
style="background:lightblue;"
| 2 | Jacobi.e | "Westside" (retitled "Where the Road Ends") | Ryan Tedder | Top 3 |
style="background:pink;"
| 3 | MACI | "Take a Ride" | {{n/a}} | Eliminated |
style="background:lightblue;"
| 4 | Jake Scott | "Is This Love?" (retitled "Journey") | Ester Dean | Top 3 |
Notes: The winning song "Young" is featured on Jeep commercial. Katelyn Tarver, the winning songwriter, also starred in the commercial.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/dalebuss/2019/08/21/jeeps-hour-on-songland-and-90-second-commercial-seek-to-elevate-brand-placement/#7a3930887779|title=Jeep's Hour on NBC's 'Songland,' And 90-Second Commercial, Elevate Brand Placement|magazine=Forbes|last=Buss|first=Dale|date=August 21, 2019|access-date=August 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190822173944/https://www.forbes.com/sites/dalebuss/2019/08/21/jeeps-hour-on-songland-and-90-second-commercial-seek-to-elevate-brand-placement/#7a3930887779|archive-date=August 22, 2019|url-status=live}}
==Episode 9 (August 28, 2019)==
- Musical guest: Leona Lewis
class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
! style="row" | Order ! style="row" | Songwriter ! style="row" | Song ! style="row" | Producer ! style="row" | Result |
style="background:lightblue;"
| 1 | Olivia Lane | "Perfect Skin" | Ester Dean | Top 3 |
style="background:lightgreen;"
| 2 | Rozee | "Fighting For Us" (retitled "Solo Quiero (Somebody to Love)"/"All I Want") | Ryan Tedder | Winner |
style="background:lightblue;"
| 3 | Rafferty | "A Heart Full of Love" (retitled "When You Fall In Love") | Shane McAnally | Top 3 |
style="background:pink;"
| 4 | Annabel Lee | "Ugliest Love" | {{n/a}} | Eliminated |
Notes: "Solo Quiero (Somebody to Love)" by Leona Lewis, Cali y El Dandee and Juan Magán reached No. 1 on the iTunes Latino chart.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/nbcs-songland-finds-6th-hit-single-of-the-summer-with-leona-lewis-solo-quiero-somebody-to-love/|title='Songland' Finds 6th Hit Single with Leona Lewis' 'Solo Quiero'|date=2019-08-29|website=TheWrap|language=en-US|access-date=2019-09-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190914035128/https://www.thewrap.com/nbcs-songland-finds-6th-hit-single-of-the-summer-with-leona-lewis-solo-quiero-somebody-to-love/|archive-date=2019-09-14|url-status=live}} The song has also peaked at number one on several US Billboard Latin charts, including the Latin Digital Song Sales.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/leona-lewis|title=Leona Lewis Solo Quiero (Somebody To Love) Chart History|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2019-09-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190630193344/https://www.billboard.com/music/leona-lewis|archive-date=2019-06-30|url-status=live}}
==Episode 10 (September 4, 2019)==
- Musical guest: Charlie Puth
class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
! style="row" | Order ! style="row" | Songwriter ! style="row" | Song ! style="row" | Producer ! style="row" | Result |
style="background:lightblue;"
| 1 | Sam DeRosa | "Pill for This" | Shane McAnally | Top 3 |
style="background:lightgreen;"
| 2 | Zach Sorgen | "Habits" (retitled "Bad Habit") | Ryan Tedder | Winner |
style="background:pink;"
| 3 | Paris Williams | "Pity Party" | {{n/a}} | Eliminated |
style="background:lightblue;"
| 4 | "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
With Tedder serving as the musical guest, Jason Evigan served as a guest producer.
class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
! style="row" | Order ! style="row" | Songwriter ! style="row" | Song ! style="row" | Producer ! style="row" | Result |
style="background:lightgreen;"
| 1 | JT Roach | "Somebody to Love" | Shane McAnally | Winner |
style="background:lightblue;"
| 2 | Madi | "Darkest Days" | Ester Dean | Top 3 |
style="background:pink;"
| 3 | Tyler James Bellinger | "Giving You Up" | {{n/a}} | Eliminated |
style="background:lightblue;"
| 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.{{Citation needed|date=September 2019}} The song was included on the group's album Human (2021), as the promotional single.
Winning Producers (Season 1)
class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
! style="row" | Producer ! style="row" | Wins |
Shane McAnally
|4 |
Ester Dean
|2 |
Ryan Tedder
|5 |
=Season 2 (2020)=
==Episode 1 (April 13, 2020)==
- Musical guest: Lady Antebellum
class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
! style="row" | Order ! style="row" | Songwriter ! style="row" | Song ! style="row" | Producer ! style="row" | Result |
style="background:lightblue;"
| 1 | "Losing You" | Ryan Tedder | Top 3 |
style="background:pink;"
| 2 | Steven Battey | "Feels Good to Me" | {{n/a}} | Eliminated |
style="background:lightgreen;"
| 3 | "I’ll Drink to That" (retitled "Champagne Night") | Shane McAnally | Winner |
style="background:lightblue;"
| 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.{{Cite web|url=https://headlineplanet.com/home/2020/05/19/the-voices-todd-tilghman-reaches-1-on-us-itunes-sales-chart-with-long-way-home/|title=The Voice's Todd Tilghman Reaches #1 On US iTunes Sales Chart With "Long Way Home"|last=Cantor|first=Brian|date=2020-05-10|website=Headline Planet|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-19}} "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
class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
! style="row" | Order ! style="row" | Songwriter ! style="row" | Song ! style="row" | Producer ! style="row" | Result |
style="background:lightblue;"
| 1 | Dyson | "Conditions" (retitled "Lost in Translation") | Shane McAnally | Top 3 |
style="background:lightgreen;"
| 2 | Pipobeats | "Sway" | Ryan Tedder | Winner |
style="background:lightblue;"
| 3 | Lauren Martinez | "I Don't Want to Know" | Ester Dean | Top 3 |
style="background:pink;"
| 4 | Corii | "What If" | {{n/a}} | 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.
class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
! style="row" | Order ! style="row" | Songwriter ! style="row" | Song ! style="row" | Producer ! style="row" | Result |
style="background:lightblue;"
| 1 | Axel Mansoor | "Scary" | Ester Dean | Top 3 |
style="background:pink;"
| 2 | Milly | "Safe Place" | {{n/a}} | Eliminated |
style="background:lightblue;"
| 3 | "How Could You Not Know?" | Shane McAnally | Top 3 |
style="background:lightgreen;"
| 4 | "Wrong Places" | Ryan Tedder | Winner |
==Episode 4 (May 4, 2020)==
- Musical guest: Martina McBride
class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
! style="row" | Order ! style="row" | Songwriter ! style="row" | Song ! style="row" | Producer ! style="row" | Result |
style="background:lightblue;"
| 1 | CKAY | "Hero" | Shane McAnally | Top 3 |
style="background:lightgreen;"
| 2 | Halie | "Girls Like Me" | Ester Dean | Winner |
style="background:pink;"
| 3 | WOLVES | "Miracle" | {{n/a}} | Eliminated |
style="background:lightblue;"
| 4 | Jeffrey James | "We Can Be (Heroes)" (retitled "We Can Be Heroes") | Ryan Tedder | Top 3 |
==Episode 5 (May 11, 2020)==
- Musical guest: Julia Michaels
class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
! style="row" | Order ! style="row" | Songwriter ! style="row" | Song ! style="row" | Producer ! style="row" | Result |
style="background:lightgreen;"
| 1 | Keegan Bost | "Glad You Came" (retitled "Give It to You") | Ryan Tedder | Winner |
style="background:lightblue;”
| 2 | Jenna Lotti | "Sad Girls" | Shane McAnally | Top 3 |
style="background:pink;”
| 3 | Jeremy Shayne | "Too Late” | {{n/a}} | Eliminated |
style="background:lightblue;”
| 4 | Dan Burke | "Numb" | Ester Dean | Top 3 |
==Episode 6 (May 18, 2020)==
- Musical guest: Florida Georgia Line
class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
! style="row" | Order ! style="row" | Songwriter ! style="row" | Song ! style="row" | Producer ! style="row" | Result |
style="background:lightblue;"
| 1 | "Ain’t Going Nowhere" (retitled "Lean On") | Ester Dean | Top 3 |
style="background:lightblue;"
| 2 | Lukr | "Hopes High" (retitled "What You're Puttin' Down") | Ryan Tedder | Top 3 |
style="background:pink;"
| 3 | "That's a Country Song" | {{n/a}} | Eliminated |
style="background:lightgreen;"
| 4 | "Second Guessing" | Shane McAnally | Winner |
==Episode 7 (May 25, 2020)==
- Musical guest: Boyz II Men
class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
! style="row" | Order ! style="row" | Songwriter ! style="row" | Song ! style="row" | Producer ! style="row" | Result |
style="background:lightblue;"
| 1 | "Bad Things" | Ryan Tedder | Top 3 |
style="background:lightblue;"
| 2 | Juan & Lisa Winans | "Maybe" (retitled "What If It's Love") | Shane McAnally | Top 3 |
style="background:pink;"
| 3 | Charles Infamous | "Jukebox" | {{n/a}} | Eliminated |
style="background:lightgreen;"
| 4 | ChrisLee | "Love Struck" | Ester Dean | Winner |
Notes: Boyz II Men opted to record all three finalist songs.{{Cite web|url=https://www.soundslikenashville.com/news/songland-boyz-ii-men/|title=SONGLAND RECAP: BOYZ II MEN PULL OFF SURPRISE SONG CHOICE|date=2020-05-29|website=Sounds Like Nashville|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-29}}
==Episode 8 (June 1, 2020)==
- Musical guest: Bebe Rexha
class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
! style="row" | Order ! style="row" | Songwriter ! style="row" | Song ! style="row" | Producer ! style="row" | Result |
style="background:lightgreen;"
| 1 | Greg Scott | "Miracle" | Ryan Tedder | Split Winner |
style="background:pink;"
| 2 | Alyssa Newton | "Made for Something" | {{n/a}} | Eliminated |
style="background:lightgreen;"
| 3 | "Gold" (retitled "Bones") | Shane McAnally | Split Winner |
style="background:lightblue;"
| 4 | Josh Vida | "Crazy Enough" (retitled "Sideline") | 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 was set be used to promote the 2020 Summer Olympics before it was replaced with "Remember This" by Jonas Brothers. Season 1 contestant Sam DeRosa returned to provide vocals on Scott's "Miracle" for the final presentation phase.{{cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/bebe-rexha-finds-official-2021-051747283.html|title=Bebe Rexha finds official 2021 Olympic anthem on 'Songland'|work=Yahoo! Entertainment|date=June 2, 2020|access-date=June 6, 2020}}
==Episode 9 (June 8, 2020)==
- Musical guest: Ben Platt
class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
! style="row" | Order ! style="row" | Songwriter ! style="row" | Song ! style="row" | Producer ! style="row" | Result |
style="background:lightgreen;"
| 1 | David Davis | "Everything It Took to Get to You" (retitled "Everything I Did to Get to You") | Ryan Tedder | Winner |
style="background:lightblue;"
| 2 | Kylie Rothfield | "Lonely" (retitled "Ghost") | Ester Dean | Top 3 |
style="background:lightblue;"
| 3 | "Fool’s Gold" | Shane McAnally | Top 3 |
style="background:pink;"
| 4 | Anna Hamilton | "Deathbed" | {{n/a}} | Eliminated |
==Episode 10 (June 15, 2020)==
- Musical guest: Usher
class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
! style="row" | Order ! style="row" | Songwriter ! style="row" | Song ! style="row" | Producer ! style="row" | Result |
style="background:lightblue;"
| 1 | Miranda Glory | "Salty" (retitled "No Cap (Missing You)") | Ryan Tedder | Top 3 |
style="background:lightgreen;"
| 2 | Ryan Cam | "Staying Over" (retitled "California") | Ester Dean | Winner |
style="background:lightblue;"
| 3 | David Wade | "Horse ‘N Carriage" (retitled "Personal") | Shane McAnally | Top 3 |
style="background:pink;"
| 4 | Fatherdude | "Billions" | {{n/a}} | Eliminated |
Winning Producers (Season 2)
class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
! style="row" | Producer ! style="row" | Wins |
Shane McAnally
|3 |
Ester Dean
|3 |
Ryan Tedder
|5 |
''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.{{Cite web|title='The Voice' top 5 finale recap with videos|url=https://www.ajc.com/blog/radiotvtalk/the-voice-top-finale-recap-with-videos/11g5LGTYkjZ2RpmiibNntJ/|last=Ho|first=Rodney|date=May 22, 2020|website=Atlanta Journal-Constitution|language=en|access-date=May 29, 2020}}
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.{{cite web |last1=Sheehan|first1=Paul|title='The Voice' Top 5 results: Todd Tilghman leads Apple Music sales and will win season 18|url=https://www.goldderby.com/article/2020/the-voice-top-5-results-apple-music-bonus-todd-tilghman-winner-season-18/|publisher=Idol Chatter |date=May 19, 2020}}
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”.{{Cite web|url=https://www.soundslikenashville.com/news/songland-season-1-finale-onerepublic/|title=Songland Recap: Season 1 Wraps With a New Song For OneRepublic|last=Ragusa|first=Tammy|date=2019-09-12|website=Sounds Like Nashville|access-date=2020-04-22}}
{{Dynamic list}}
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.
- Halie would later compete on the first season of American Song Contest, representing Missouri.
- Caroline Kole would later compete on season twenty-one of American Idol.
- Corii would later compete on season twenty-four of The Voice.
Ratings
=Season 1=
{{Television episode ratings
| width = 99
| show_timeslot = y
| title1 = John Legend
| date1 = May 28, 2019
| timeslot1 = Tuesday 10:00 p.m.
| timeslot_length1 = 6
| rs1 = 1.1/6
| dvr1 = 0.4
| dvrv1 = 1.39
| total1 = 1.5
| title2 = will.i.am
| date2 = June 4, 2019
| rs2 = 1.0/6
| dvr2 = 0.3
| dvrv2 = 1.19
| total2 = 1.3
| title3 = Kelsea Ballerini
| date3 = June 11, 2019
| rs3 = 0.9/5
| dvr3 = 0.3
| dvrv3 = 1.16
| total3 = 1.2
| title4 = Jonas Brothers
| date4 = June 18, 2019
| rs4 = 0.9/5
| dvr4 = 0.4
| dvrv4 = 1.28
| total4 = 1.3
| title5 = Meghan Trainor
| date5 = June 25, 2019
| rs5 = 0.9/5
| dvr5 = 0.3
| dvrv5 = 1.06
| total5 = 1.2
| title6 = Aloe Blacc
| date6 = July 2, 2019
| rs6 = 0.7/4
| dvr6 = 0.3
| dvrv6 = 1.02
| total6 = 1.0
| title7 = Macklemore
| date7 = August 14, 2019
| timeslot7 = Wednesday 9:00 p.m.
| timeslot_length7 = 5
| rs7 = 0.7/4
| dvr7 = 0.2
| dvrv7 = 0.78
| total7 = 0.9
| title8 = Old Dominion
| date8 = August 21, 2019
| rs8 = 0.7/4
| dvr8 = 0.2
| dvrv8 = 0.75
| total8 = 0.9
| title9 = Leona Lewis
| date9 = August 28, 2019
| rs9 = 0.7/4
| dvr9 = 0.2
| dvrv9 = 0.76
| total9 = 0.9
| title10 = Charlie Puth
| date10 = September 4, 2019
| rs10 = 0.8/5
| dvr10 = 0.2
| dvrv10 = 0.67
| total10 = 1.0
| title11 = OneRepublic
| date11 = September 11, 2019
| rs11 = 0.8/4
| dvr11 = 0.2
| dvrv11 = 0.67
| total11 = 1.0
}}
=Season 2=
{{Television episode ratings
| width = 99
| show_timeslot = y
| title1 = Lady Antebellum
| date1 = April 13, 2020
| timeslot1 = Monday 10:00 p.m.
| timeslot_length1 = 10
| rs1 = 0.8/5
| viewers1 = 4.54{{cite web|last=Metcalf|first=Mitch|title=Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Monday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 4.13.2020|url=http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-monday-cable-originals-network-finals-4-13-2020.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200417083225/http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-monday-cable-originals-network-finals-4-13-2020.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 17, 2020|work=Showbuzz Daily|date=April 13, 2020}}
| dvr1 = 0.3
| dvrv1 = 1.12
| total1 = 1.1
| title2 = Luis Fonsi
| date2 = April 20, 2020
| rs2 = 0.8/4
| dvr2 = 0.3
| dvrv2 = 1.05
| total2 = 1.1
| title3 = H.E.R.
| date3 = April 27, 2020
| rs3 = 0.6/3
| dvr3 = 0.2
| dvrv3 = 0.93
| total3 = 0.8
| title4 = Martina McBride
| date4 = May 4, 2020
| rs4 = 0.6/4
| dvr4 = 0.3
| dvrv4 = 1.02
| total4 = 0.9
| title5 = Julia Michaels
| date5 = May 11, 2020
| rs5 = 0.6/4
| dvr5 = 0.3
| dvrv5 = 0.93
| total5 = 0.9
| title6 = Florida Georgia Line
| date6 = May 18, 2020
| rs6 = 0.7/4
| dvr6 = 0.2
| dvrv6 = 0.96
| total6 = 0.9
| title7 = Boyz II Men
| date7 = May 25, 2020
| rs7 = 0.5/3
| dvr7 = 0.3
| dvrv7 = 1.06
| total7 = 0.8
| title8 = Bebe Rexha
| date8 = June 1, 2020
| rs8 = 0.6/4
| dvr8 = 0.2
| dvrv8 = 0.94
| total8 = 0.8
| title9 = Ben Platt
| date9 = June 8, 2020
| rs9 = 0.5/3
| dvr9 = 0.2
| dvrv9 = 0.97
| total9 = 0.7
| title10 = Usher
| date10 = June 15, 2020
| rs10 = 0.5/4
| dvr10 = 0.3
| dvrv10 = 1.01
| total10 = 0.8
}}
International adaptations
Songland Thailand premiered on TrueID on October 20, 2020. It is produced by GMM Grammy and Online Creator Club.{{cite web|url=https://cities.trueid.net/article/songland-thailand-%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A2%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%84%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%AB%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%81%E0%B9%81%E0%B8%95%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%87%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%9E%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%AB%E0%B8%99%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%B2%E0%B9%83%E0%B8%AB%E0%B8%A1%E0%B9%88-%E0%B8%9F%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%94%E0%B9%84%E0%B8%9F%E0%B8%95%E0%B9%8C%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%94%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%A2%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%B7%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%A3%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%87-trueidintrend_197253|title=Songland Thailand, a list of new songwriters, thrashed out with lyrics.|work=TrueID|date=July 10, 2020|access-date=October 21, 2020}}
References
{{Notelist}}
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.nbc.com/songland Official website]
- {{IMDb title|id=9165752}}
{{Songland}}
Category:2010s American reality television series
Category:2010s American music television series
Category:2020s American reality television series
Category:2020s American music television series
Category:2019 American television series debuts
Category:2020 American television series endings
Category:Music competitions in the United States
Category:NBC original programming
Category:Television series by Universal Television
Category:Television series created by Dave Stewart (Eurythmics)