Year 12 student Joseph Lorimer reports on his prize-winning effort in the Lion Foundation "Play it Strange" Songwriting competition.

This competition is open to all secondary students around New Zealand. Hundreds of songs were submitted and judged 50% on lyrics and 50% on the music. I made it into the top 50 finalists (not first but no placings were given) and received a $50 Rockshop voucher along with a signed certificate and personal advice on how to improve my song from Mike Chunn (a member of legendary New Zealand rock band Split Enz). I also won a professional recording studio session to the value of $750 (plus GST).

All songs are mastered for the annual "Play It Strange" album for free downloading and/or streaming (Spotify).