Listen to Every Single Winning Track from Songland (2024)

Winner: Tebby Burrows, "We Need Love"

Songland kicked off on a high note as John Legend hunted for his next hit single, and found it in Bahamian-born, Miami-based songwriter Tebby Burrows. Discussing why he picked Burrows's "We Need Love," Legend explained that the song appealed to him because of all the contenders, it had undergone “the biggest journey from where it was to where it is now.”

Burrows tweaked the song ahead of the show with Legend's voice in mind, and enlisted the help of country music artist Shane McAnally. Among his suggestions: simplify the lyrics, and make the song more acoustic. "It was really nice to strip the song down and get back to guitar, which is how I grew up writing songs,” she told Miami New Times.

Winner: Adam Friedman, "Be Nice"

In week two, will.i.am selected Friedman's upbeat bop to be the Black Eyed Peas' next single–featuring Snoop Dogg, no less. Ahead of the episode, Songland judge Ester Dean opened up to OprahMag.com about her love for the song. "I pray [audiences] love it because I love ‘Be Nice,’” she said. “It’s not only needed because we need the message, but God, I needed some will.i.am., Black Eyed Peas in my life, some ‘I Gotta Feeling.’ He’s making that music—the kind I like: fun, happy, energetic songs. I’m dying for that.”

Will.i.am also offered some insight into his process for picking the song, explaining that he looks for positivity in his tracks. "I think the world needs pick-me-ups. The things that we like right now are dark music,” he said. “I like to feel in love again. And love is when I can’t figure it out but I just like it. If your significant other says, why do you love me? I don’t know why I love you, I just love you. Well, s***, if I knew, I wouldn’t love you…and that’s how music should be.”

Winner: Darius Coleman, "Better Luck Next Time"

Ballerini chose Coleman's catchy song to be her next single, and while she admitted that the decision was difficult, "Better Luck Next Time" won her over in part because she just couldn't get it out of her head. Which, same.

"Music is my everything," Coleman said on the show. "I’m always creating, whether consciously or subconsciously." He revealed that the song was inspired by "a girl that I know who was cheated on. The inspiration was everything that I know that she would have said…How amazing would it be if this young Black guy from Philadelphia wrote Kelsea’s song.”

"I've always wanted to write music that leaves you feeling good," Ballerini said in a Songland featurette. "Even the songs about breakups and heavier stuff in life, the darker side of life, I really like to at least have one little lyrical twist that makes you feel like you win by the end."

Winner: Able Heart, "Green Light"

During this episode, Twitter users were already going nuts for Heart's song even before the Jonas Brothers selected it as their winner. "I think the thing we are looking for most is something that hits us right in between the eyes," Nick Jonas said on the show, explaining what he and his brothers Joe and Kevin look for in a song. "That we know we can take around the world and play for our fans everywhere we go." Seems like they found it!

"Having the Jonas Brothers release my song is just surreal," Heart told OprahMag.com exclusively. "I'm so grateful for the opportunity that Songland provided for me to work with these amazing, talented people and for the confirmation that I'm exactly where I'm meant to be."

Winner: Kole, "Hurt Me"

While fan reactions were mixed, when Trainor first heard it, she literally screamed in excitement."This song is empowering in so many ways. It's not just a sassy, mean song," she said during the episode. "It's like a powerful, I love myself song."