Songfinch vs Songlorious vs Tune River vs CelebrationSongsForYou?

Looking for a Unique and Memorable Gift? Consider a Personalized Song!

Have you ever struggled to find the perfect gift for a special occasion? Flowers and chocolates are nice, but sometimes you want something more personal and heartfelt.  Well, personalised song services are becoming increasingly popular, offering a unique way to celebrate birthdays anniversaries, graduations, or any other milestone.

Gifting a song couldnt be easier now that there are several players in the market

It seems that the format works: if you need a special gift for the occasion of a milestone event, then these services offer to write you a dedicated song with an original tune about your loved one. Guaranteed to produce an emotional reaction judging from the videos displayed on the web sites.So these services allow customers to commission personalised songs tailored to specific occasions or individuals, adding a unique touch to gifts or special events.

It’s certainly convenient: Customers can easily order custom songs online without the need for direct communication with a songwriter, saving time and effort.

It’s professional quality: Many of these services employ professional songwriters and musicians, ensuring the quality of the final product.

You’ve got a variety of styles: Customers can choose from various genres, styles, and themes to match their preferences or the occasion.

It’s certainly memorable: custom songs can create lasting memories and emotional connections, making them ideal gifts for birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, etc.

How does it work? You provide a few personal details and the company finds a songwriter who  gets to work to produce your personalised song in a few days often with updates as the song is being processed.

Reviews are often positive on Trustpilot “ I ordered a song to be created from scratch for my sister's 30th and they didn't disappoint - I got the song this morning and have already listened to it like five times and keep humming the chorus to myself, it's so catchy! I can't wait to see my sister cry when I play this song for her at her birthday party next week (I almost did!) :)”

“I ordered a song to represent my love story and our family growing and what I got back was way more than expected. The lyrics were well thought, the melody is spot on, all together provides a great immersive experience.”

However it doesn’t always go to plan! 

You have limited control over the process: Customers may have limited control over the creative process, such as lyrics, melody, or instrumentation, depending on the service's policies.

So the song might turn out to be not what you expected: “I am writing to express my extreme disappointment and frustration regarding my recent experience.. the series of errors and lack of timely resolution have left me utterly disheartened.”  having paid in advance this reviewer wasn’t happy with a song which repeated my girlfriend name over and over...

Oh #name# Oh Oh #name#

Oh #name# Oh Oh #name#

It was completely low-effort. Also, the tune didn't match my selection. I asked for Alternative Rock but what I got was more like Bruno Mars pop. The tune also didn't match the artist's sample music at all. And when I reached out to support, they suggested I ask for a chance in lyrics, but you can only change a couple words.

Overall, such a waste. You don't get a custom song, you get a fill-in-the-blank song. Do not try it.”

Are you getting an original song? One company actually offers you a range of songs to listen to and your version will be based on the one you choose…a sort of template which the songwriter fills in with your personal details. Other companies allow their writers to re-use a musical idea and tune for the “personalised”song for several different clients.. Does that matter? Probably not as what you get will be your own song even though others will be getting something similar: it's for personal use anyway!

Another company offers a deposit deal where you pay a bit upfront and only pay when you're happy with the segments which they allow you to hear in advance.

Making changes is problematic: each service allows a limited number of amendments: “So needless to say my song sounded beautiful because my artist has a beautiful voice but there were no memories or any substance to the point of my song. It was a bunch of verses that didn't even make sense and didn't go together: you cannot edit whole sections nor can you edit just specific words.”

Limited editing of the song permitted: 

“You only get five lines even if you only need one word edited in that line. This made it very difficult for me to make this song even somewhat salvageable to use at my wedding. So to make further changes: could spend another 60$ for five more edits which still would not make the song right. All in all I paid $286 + $60 for a song I can never use” 

You can suggest your own words but: “I wrote a song telling the story about my childhood and the death of my mom. They didn’t use half my words, used generic words. They made no sense, didn’t tell a story as I wrote. My words rhymed and theirs didn’t. I contacted customer service by email, they don’t have a phone number and was given a generic response. I can’t even listen to what they sent. It’s awful. Would never use again.”

The songs just don’t meet the expectations required: “I wrote so much amazing information about my husband that they could have used. They chose the least important details, the song sounded like we almost broke up and got back together (not true), so boring and repetitive. Clearly they just take 2 lines to input 1 or 2 things to make it “custom” and put no effort into making it a good song. When I said I didn’t like it, it was like they wanted me to rewrite 4 sentences, I sent info to replace the terrible chorus but I’m not a song writer! Total waste of my time (and money) but more importantly my time!!!”

Time taken might be an issue: the turnaround time,depending on demand and the complexity of the request, it may take some time to receive the finished song, which could be a drawback for those with tight timelines.

Of course there’s the costs: custom songwriting services can be relatively expensive compared to purchasing pre-existing music or gifts.

However there is one songwriting service which is different!

This service takes a unique approach. Instead of creating a new song, they personalise the lyrics to a well-known song you choose. 

www.celebrationsongsforyou.com  offers a bespoke service where you choose the actual song to be sung and then special lyrics are rewritten to that song. The intention is that these personalised lyrics to a favourite song is designed be sung or played at a celebration , ideally as a complete surprise but can also be put onto a lyric video to be shown on a TV or tablet etc. This bespoke song  lyric service creates tailor made lyrics set to your choice of a familiar song, providing a unique and unforgettable gift for those marking significant life moments. 

With the other song services you supply a few details and a song is made up around that. Celebrationsongsforyou.com will collect information from a whole range of people both friends and family to gather meaningful details about  the person's life events, passions, accomplishments, and anecdotes to include personal tributes, ensuring that the new lyrics resonate with humour and authenticity.

There is no limit to the changes you can request to the song lyrics until a final version is agreed. I will be checking with the organiser  as we go through the process as I want to make sure we achieve the correct tone and balance for a fitting tribute. 

Instead of paying up front, I will not ask for payment until the organiser is completely happy with the final version as there is a high degree of mutual trust and co-operation involved in delivering a personal yet entertaining song. 

Each song is of course unique and relies on the organiser to encourage contributions with relevant stories, characteristics and qualities to make up the content (on-line forms are provided but of course a WhatsApp group  or similar could be used). I try to weave in the original song words somewhere if possible.

The song choice is of course equally important: it needs to be sung easily by an individual or a group from the party to have maximum effect and enjoyment, but of course could be passed to the party band. 

Turnaround time can be as little as 3 or 4 days depending on your needs. Obviously the more notice you can give, the more people can contribute to your song’s content.

There is a choice of lyrics only, a lead vocal track or a lyric video.

Please see examples at www.celebrationsongsforyou.com

Costs start at £150 for a set of lyrics with a couple of verses. You will know the full costs before our collaboration begins.

There are 3 tiers of service:

Tier 1: Lyrics only I will provide the lyrics to your chosen song. This is suitable for a singer or group of singers if they are familiar with the tune they have chosen. I will also send you the original lyric version of the song alongside the rewritten tribute lyrics. I can also give you an adapted (if necessary) backing track to use for your event. Your tribute lyrics will be sent in a presentation format.

Tier 2: Lead Vocal Track

In addition I will provide a lead vocal track for people to sing along to as a guide using the same backing track. Costs here include the services of a singer.

Tier 3: Lyric Video

A lyric video version with the lead vocal and all the lyrics to sing along to, photos and other memorabilia included. This is intended to be played on a TV screen for an event or on a tablet etc for a private viewing.

Here are the lyrics to Sheila’s 80th birthday song to the tune of “My favourite things” . This song was sung at her party. See the version here: 

This birthday sing-a-long is a tribute to Sheila which recalls her Irish heritage and Brooklyn youth. She had a tough catholic upbringing but still enjoyed her dancing with ambitions to become a Rockette. Her love of big cars led her to her future husband of 58 years. With her children and grandchildren, her emphasis on life courtesies is renowned but she’s also a canny IT user. Happy 80th birthday!

Sheila’s the name of a special young lady

We can’t believe that you’ve now got to eighty

Your folks took the boat from the Emerald Isle

Grew up in Brooklyn: New York was your style

Good Catholic girl but those nuns with their rulers

Were out of order and lacking in humour

Knew how to dance with your sister so young

Bother the homework, Rockettes here we come

Sheila, your love of big cars was your passion

Dating our Jack, not the only attraction:

His fancy car with its pillows so sweet

Back seat so comfy and ever so neat!

Cleanliness planned

Godliness and

Manners make us all

We all do remember your favourite things

And we still do have a ball!

Moved to Orlando to raise your ambitions

Said bye to New York and improved  your conditions

Close to your Winnie with your husband Jack

Loved doing Legal and never looked back!

Time for a fam’ly and at home you stayed

Terry and Kelly and your fine son, Jay

Grandchildren came along: now up to five.

They all add up to your favourite times

Sheila’s become a fine user of IT

Columbo’s no match for her skills on the pc

All she will need is just one little clue

Beware what she finds out when looking up you!

Fifty-eight years

They’ve been great years

With your husband Jack

Now let’s raise our glasses, as eighty years passes

So Happy Birthday to you!

or see sample songs on the website

To discuss this offer further or to enquire about  pricing and packages, please feel free to contact me at celebrationsongsforyou@gmail.com.