Estonia Seeks A Song For 2027 Eurovision Song Contest
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Limerick City, Ireland
Estonian broadcaster ERR has confirmed that its annual song competition Eesti Laul will once again be choosing the country's entry for the Eurovision Song Contest in 2027.
A 12-song Eesti Laul will hit the Unibet Arena in Tallinn on Saturday 30 January, with the winner receiving the opportunity to represent the Baltic nation at the 71st Eurovision Song Contest.
The window for song submissions will close on Thursday 8th October.
Karmel Killandi, Editor-in-Chief of ERR’s Entertainment Programmes, said: “Estonia has shown the world that we can sing and dance, rap and rock. How we will surprise the world this time is in the hands of our outstanding songwriters and performers.”
Aligning with new Eurovision Song Contest rules, all participating artists must be at least 18 years old by the time of the first Eurovision rehearsal (born on or before May 1, 2009).
Submitting an entry confirms the artist's willingness to represent Estonia at Eurovision if they win. If a winner declines, the right to represent the country passes to the runner-up.
At least one songwriter or composer must be an Estonian citizen or resident. The performer(s) of the song may be citizens, residents or non-residents of the Republic of Estonia.
The song together with other materials must be uploaded to ERR's website at
https://eeter.err.ee/eestiLaul
while information in English on how and what to submit can be found at
https://eeter.err.ee/1610119966/eesti-laul-2027-in-english
© Jim Liddane
"Choosin' Texas" and "Dai "Dai" Top The International Charts
•
Limerick City, Ireland
Today's Worldwide Number 1 song is
"Choosin Texas" by Ella Langley,
written by Ella Langley, Miranda Lambert, Luke Dick, and Joybeth Taylor.
Today's European Number 1 song is
"Dai Dai" by Shakira & Burna Boy,
penned by Shakira, Burna Boy, Ed Sheeran, Jon Bellion, Alexander Castillo Vasquez, and Ahmed Saghir.
In the United States, the Number One song on Bilboard is “Choosin’ Texas” by Ella Langley. The song was written by Ella Langley with Miranda Lambert, Luke Dick and Joybeth Taylor, and its extraordinary run at the summit has reached a record-breaking 23 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100. It therefore became the longest-running Number One in the entire history of the American chart, overtaking Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You”, which had accumulated 22 weeks at Number One. “Choosin’ Texas” was released in October 2025 and became Langley’s first American Number One. The song was inspired by a conversation between Langley and Miranda Lambert during a writers’ retreat. Lambert told an amusing story about being stopped by a police officer while travelling in Texas, and the idea of somebody being unmistakably Texan provided the inspiration for the song’s central conceit.
In the United Kingdom, the Official Charts Company current Number One is “Great Expectation” by Sienna Spiro. The song was written by Spiro with Omer Fedi and Michael Pollack. It comes from Spiro’s debut album "Visitor" and gives the young London singer-songwriter her first Number One single. The Official Charts Company noted that Spiro becomes the youngest British female artist to reach Number One for twelve years, following Becky Hill’s achievement in 2014. The song itself deals with the disappointment produced when an imagined version of a relationship failed to correspond with reality, and its success represents a substantial breakthrough for an artist who has only recently entered the mainstream.
In Ireland, the latest published Irish Singles Chart, places “The Swell” by Amble at Number One. The Dublin-based trio consists of Oisín McCaffrey, Conor Cunningham and Robbie Cunningham, whose songwriting formed the basis of the group’s music. “The Swell” has reached the summit for a second week, making it one of the clearest examples of a contemporary Irish songwriting act achieving a substantial domestic breakthrough.
In Germany, the latest published German singles chart places Helene Fischer’s “An Meiner Seite” at Number One. The song was written by Julio Bonito, Alex Christensen, Lukas Hilbert, Julius Jules Kalmbacher, Claudio Macalvo and Shaun Baker. Its appearance at the top is particularly notable because Fischer is one of the most established figures in German popular music, while the composition brought together a large team of experienced German and international songwriters.
In Italy, the latest FIMI singles chart puts “Per Noi” by Geolier featuring Achille Lauro at Number One. The record comes from a particularly strong period for Geolier, who also occupies prominent positions elsewhere in the Italian chart. The Italian market continues to demonstrate the strength of locally produced repertoire, with Italian-language recordings dominating the upper reaches of the FIMI singles list.
In France, the current Number One is “Maladie” by Mauvais Djo. The song is written by Joel Raul Marcolino, who performs under the name Mauvais Djo, and is produced by Taliixo and Wiils. Its lyrics presented a deliberately uncomplicated and repetitive central idea, giving the track a strong rhythmic and immediately memorable quality.
In Australia, the Number One is again Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas”. The Australian success is particularly interesting because Australia had become one of the song’s strongest markets outside the United States. Spotify data showed Sydney as the single’s biggest streaming city anywhere in the world during the Australian summer, with Brisbane also among its strongest markets.
In Canada, “Choosin’ Texas” is also at Number One. Thus Langley’s record-breaking American success is accompanied by a remarkably broad international response, with the song simultaneously leading the American, Australian and Canadian charts. The song’s writers are Ella Langley, Miranda Lambert, Luke Dick and Joybeth Taylor.
Taken together, these charts make this week an unusually interesting moment for songwriters. Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” started out as an American country hit but moved quickly to become a genuine international chart phenomenon, while Sienna Spiro’s “Great Expectation” demonstrates the continuing ability of a relatively new British songwriter-performer to reach the top through an original composition.
Ireland’s Number 1 belongs to the home-grown songwriting of Amble, Germany’s to the veteran Helene Fischer and her team of collaborators, Italy’s to the country’s increasingly dominant contemporary urban-pop scene, and France’s to Mauvais Djo. The geographical differences are considerable, but one feature remains common to all eight markets: the performer and the song itself continue to be central to the identity of the Number One record.
© Jim Liddane
ISA • International Songwriters Association (1967)
internationalsongwriters@gmail.com
The News
Today's Songwriting News
Songwriting and Music Publishing news is widely covered nowadays, even in the mainstream media. Here we present the latest news, covering all musical genres, and assembled hourly from 27 different sources
Today's Songwriter Obituaries
The International Songwriters Association remembers and honours the songwriters, music publishers performers, musicians, record producers, and music industry personnel who have recently died
Todays Record Sales Charts
The top selling songs of today, comprising physical sales, streaming and airplay, compiled daily from a wide variety of reputable sources and encompassing multiple musical genres worldwide
Jim Liddane's Blog
Jim Liddane's daily blog recounts the stories (some of them allegedly true!) behind the great songs, along with advice and anectdotes from top songwriters interviewed by the International Songwriters Association
The Interviews
Below is a brief list of interviews.
To view the full list, click
HERE
Andrew Lloyd Webber Interview
The New York Times have named Andrew "the most commercially successful composer in history" while ISA members have consistently voted "Evita" as the best musical of all time
Richard Addrisi Interview
Richard Addrisi wrote "Never My Love" intending to record it himself. The Association took it, and made it the second most-played song on radio and television of the 20th century in the USA
Dennis Locorriere Interview
He found fame as the voice of Dr. Hook, with hits like “Sylvia’s Mother” while as a songwriter, his work has been recorded by Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson!! His name? Dennis Locorriere
Buck Ram Interview
His songs have been recorded by simply everybody! Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, The Beach Boys, Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, Barbra Streisand, Whitney Houston etc etc etc!
Jim Lauderdale Interview
A Grammy-winning performer who once backed Fats Domino, before going on to pen hit songs for George Strait, while releasing 36 solo albums to date. His name? Jim Lauderdale
Chip Taylor Interview
What could Frank Sinatra, Johnny Cash, Fats Domino, Cliff Richard, Janis Joplin, Dusty Springfield and Shaggy have in common? They've all recorded songs penned by Chip Taylor!
Charles Strouse Interview
His first song sold a million. His musical "Annie" became one of the longest-running shows on Broadway. But the song that sold 10 million was by rapper Jay-Z. His name? Charles Strouse
John D Loudermilk Interview
When the first song you've ever written is a Top 10 hit and you yourself get offered an RCA recording contract - well you just have to have it made! Well John D Loudermilk had anyway!
Graham Lyle Interview
Graham penned not only Gallagher & Lyle's "I Wanna Stay with You", "Heart On My Sleeve" and "Breakaway", but also Tina Turner's "What’s Love Got To Do With It". And many more!
P J Proby Interview
He went to Hollywood to become an actor, released records, did demos for Elvis, wrote songs for Ricky Nelson and Johnny Burnette before finally emerging as a full-blown rock star himself
Larry Henley Interview
He scored a #1 as a singer with "Bread & Butter" before writing for everybody from Tina Turner to Wille Nelson, But he's still best known for the classic "Wind Beneath My Wings"
Simon May Interview
Cliff Richard, "EastEnders", The Pointer Sisters, "Howard's Way", Richard Clayderman, "Eldorado", and Ruby Turner all share just one thing in common. Which is? Simon May!
Beth Nielsen Chapman Interview
She's written songs for Tanya Tucker, Bette Midler, Faith Hill, Neil Diamond, Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson, but has in addition also released several outstanding solo albums
Gary Osborne Interview
His first song was published at age 15. He has had covers ranging from Cliff Richard to Jennifer Warnes - yet is still best known for his co-writing with Elton John and Jeff Wayne!
Jona Lewie Interview
As a teenager, he backed Gene Vincent. Then scored his first hit "Seaside Shuffle" in 1972, going on to produce "Stop The Cavalry" and "You'll Always Find Me in the Kitchen at Parties"
Mitch Murray Interview
The Beatles record your first song, but you're not too impressed. Instead, you go on to pen dozens of hits for other acts, and a country issues a set of postage stamps in your honour!
Wayland Holyfield Interview
To date, he has scored more than forty US Top Ten Country hits, including fourteen Number Ones, and he even got to pen his own state's song - "Arkansas (You Run Deep In Me)"!
Dan Hill Interview
An international singer-songwriting star at 23 whose first hit "Sometimes When We Touch" was covered by more than 130 other singers, Dan Hill is undoubtedly the stuff of legends
Les Reed Interview
When he can pen songs recorded by artists as diverse as Elvis Presley, Garth Brooks, Bing Crosby, Marvin Gaye and Luciano Pavarotti, then Les Reed is clearly no ordinary songwriter!
Chas Hodges Interview
He worked with Joe Meek, backed Jerry Lee Lewis and Gene Vincent, played with hit-makers Deep Purple, to finally emerge as one-half of one of Britain's most loved acts - Chas & Dave
Steve Harley Interview
Most often praised for an innovative approach to music, his band, Cockney Rebel and the song "Make Me Smile (Come Up And See Me)", bear testament to a unique musical talent
Guy Clark Interview
A luminary in the realm of American folk and country music, Guy Clark leaves an indelible mark on the hearts of those who have been fortunate enough to listen to his compositions
Mel Tillis Interview
He has released a hundred singles, scored six Number One hits, and penned million-sellers not just for himself, but also for such luminaries as Kenny Rogers, Tom Jones and Patsy Cline
Bill Anderson Interview
He wrote his very first hit in 1958, his latest was nominated for a Grammy in 2023, and Steve Huey of AllMusic called him "one of the most successful songwriters in country music history"
Eric Woolfson Interview
Starting out as a session pianist during the heyday of Merseybeat, Eric Woolfson emerged as a songwriter of note, before founding what would become the legendary Alan Parsons Project
Mike Read Interview
When you are an iconic BBC DJ, and have edited the "Guinness Book of Hit Singles", what is left to do? Well how about penning a raft of hit songs? Mike Read has done all this. And more
Marty Wilde Interview
Marty Wilde is an iconic singer, songwriter and record producer - one of the tiny number of music personalities to have scored a British hit in every decade from the 1950s to the 2020s
Nik Kershaw Interview
Nik has released 27 singles, and 20 albums. Has worked with everybody from Elton John to Genesis' Tony Banks. And he also performed at Live Aid, alongside Sting, Queen and Bowie!
Jerry Reid Interview
As a singer-guitarist, he is the tops. As a songwriter, well how about his songs for Elvis and Johnny Cash? And as for his acting - well there's always "Smokey & The Bandit". 1, 2 and 3!
Ron Miller Interview
Ron Miller pens hits for Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Barbra Streisand and Ray Charles - yet manages to maintain the lowest profile of any hit songwriter we know. But he spoke to us!
Stephen Schwartz Interview
Stephen Schwartz conquered Broadway at the age of 23 with 'Godspell' and his work includes 'Wicked', 'The Hunchback Of Notre Dame' and 'Enchanted', winning 3 Grammys and 3 Oscars!
Keith McCormack Interview
Given just how many new songs are released each and every day, what are the chances of a new songwriter penning the best-selling song for any given year? Well Keith McCormack did!
Hank Cochran Interview
He arrived in Nashville on a bus, but within a year, his songs were at the top of the Billboard charts. Since then, every country star of importance, has recorded at least one of his tunes
Mick Hanly Interview
Limerick-born Mick Hanly is the only Irish songwriter to be awarded both the prestigious BMI Most Played Country Song Of The Year Award and the equally prestigious BMI MillonAir Award
Bruce Welch Interview
Bruce Welch co-founded The Shadows who backed Cliff Richard. But then, he went on to pen million-selling songs for Olivia Newton John and to set up his own music publishing company
Guy Chambers Interview
His production and songwriting credits include Queen, Diana Ross, Tom Jones, James Blunt and Kylie Minogue, while his co-writing with Robbie Williams has so far sold fifty million units
Dallas Frazier Interview
He cut his first record at fourteen, and three years later, had his first US Number One as a songwriter. Elvis Presley, Number 1s, Gold Discs and Grammies, Dallas Frazier has done it all
Bill Martin Interview
Bill Martin, the Eurovision-winning writer whose songs have been recorded by everybody from Elvis Presley, Cliff Richard, Van Morrison & The Bay City Rollers, to country's Waylon Jennings!
Tony Hatch Interview
Tony Hatch has written hits for Petula Clark, Chubby Checker, Jackie Trent, Bobby Rydell and Connie Francis. And of course, he also penned the legendary theme for TV's "Neighbours"!
Janis Ian Interview
Janis wrote and recorded her first Top 20 hit at 14, and since then has had songs covered by Celine Dion, Bette Midler, Joan Baez, Cher, Shirley Bassey, Sheena Easton & Dusty Springfield
Gordon Lightfoot Interview
Gordon remains Canada's greatest singer-songwriter whose songs have been covered by Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Barbra Streisand, Eric Clapton, and Olivia Newton John
Gene Pitney Interview
A legendary star in his own right, Gene Pitney was also a talented songwriter who penned several hits for other stars, including Phil Spector, Bobby Vee, Roy Orbison & Ricky Nelson
Roger Cook Interview
Starting out as a pop star, Roger wrote 50+ hits for people like Cliff Richard, before moving to country music, becoming the only British songwriter in the Nashville Songwriters Hall Of Fame
Mike Batt Interview
Mike Batt introduced The Wombles to TV. Then he discovered, and wrote hits for Katie Melua, penning 'Bright Eyes' for Art Garfunkel, and even setting up his own hit-making record label
Don Black Interview
Don's very first songwriting attempt actually won him an Oscar! He has also written themes for several James Bond movies, and collaborated with Michal Jackson & Andrew Lloyd Webber
Barry Mason Interview
Barry Mason left London for Hollywood hoping to become a movie star. Instead he became a songwriter, selling more than 50 million records for Barbra Streisand, Tom Jones and more!
Lionel Bart Interview
Lionel's first Gold Disc song was written in ten minutes, and he went on to pen the musical 'Oliver' which won a shower of Oscar nominations gaining him the title "King Of Tin Pan Alley"
Johnny Marks Interview
Johnny Marks wrote one of the two most valuable songs of all time, which so far has sold 168 million copies. It is the song which everybody, everywhere, has sung - no matter how badly!
John Spalding Interview
After twenty years working for other publishers, John quit to set up his own Bocu Music. His very first signing? Abba! And he still runs the entire business without using a single computer!
Herbert Kretzmer Interview
At the age of 59, the TV critic for the Daily Mail got a call from Cameron Mackintosh asking if he could possibly pen lyrics for a musical. Herbert agreed. And so was born 'Les Misérables'!
Terry Noon Interview
Terry Noon backed Gene Vincent, and was part of Them with Van Morrison. But when offered a job in publishing, he took it, to become the era's most successsful independent publisher
Norman Petty Interview