2026 Contest Schedule

2026 Session I - NOW CLOSED
Open -
February 17, 2026
Deadline - June 30, 2026 - 11:59pm PT
Winner Announcement -
September 1, 2026
12 Grand Prize Winners (one in each category) and 36 Finalists (three in each category)

2026 Session II - NOW OPEN
Open -
July 1, 2026
Deadline - December 31, 2026 - 11:59pm PT
Winner Announcement -
March 1, 2027
12 Grand Prize Winners (one in each category) and 36 Finalists (three in each category)

2026 Song of the Year
Winner Announcement -

July, 2027
One of the 2026 Grand Prize winners will win Song of the Year and $20,000

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The John Lennon Songwriting Contest presents:
BREAK-UP SONGS

Whether you’ve been left in tears or were the one who said goodbye, we know break-ups aren’t easy. Maybe you’re feeling sorrowful, seething with anger, or surprisingly relieved. Love can be messy, a great break-up song can capture that raw emotion. From haunting whispers to powerful screams, from melancholy ballads to fiery anthems, break-up songs tell stories of heartbreak, resilience, and moving on.

JLSC’s Break-Up Songs Contest is a weekly competition with a winner selected each week through October 18, 2026. The winning Break-Up Song each week will take home Audio-Technica wireless headphones. One grand prize winning Break-Up Song will receive a limited-edition Taylor GS Mini acoustic guitar with the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus logo imprint ($699 value!).

All Break-Up Songs entries will also compete in Session II of the 2026 contest. Each song has two ways to win! There’s no better time to put yourself back out there.

Entry deadlines are each SUNDAY at 11:59pm PT (through October 18)
Winners will be announced by Tuesday.

Follow @lennonbus on Instagram and @theJLSC on Facebook to find out who won the break-up!

 

Each entry requires the following elements:
One song, five (5) minutes or less, uploaded in MP3 or AAC format (12MB or less)
A lyric sheet -- no lyrics necessary for instrumental compositions
A payment -- $30.00 per entry

Read the Rules & Regulations carefully before entering.
 

Prizes Provided By

 

Taylor Genelec Roland Solid State Logic Neutrik Avid Reason Audio Technica Music Connection