To immediately listen to this month's Top Five Songs, please Click Here
Ben Taylor’s “Bittersweet Beautiful” Named July “Best Song
Of The Month”
By Dale Kawashima
Ben Taylor, a talented, modern rock singer/songwriter based
in Byron Bay, Australia, has won the SongwriterUniverse “Best Song Of The
Month” Contest for July, for his song “Bittersweet Beautiful.” This song was
co-written by Trey Vittetoe of Los Angeles (who is signed with Rondor
Publishing). This song is included on Taylor’s self-released demo EP Fly On
The Wall, and will also be featured on his upcoming album (which will be
released later this year).
Ben Taylor
“Bittersweet Beautiful” is a dynamic, modern rock/pop song,
which is a bit reminiscent of both U2 and the Smashing Pumpkins. It has a
powerful, high energy groove, which propels the song from beginning to end. The
recording features a clear, assertive vocal performance by Taylor, plus
first-rate production values and musicianship. This demo was a long-distance
collaboration between Taylor and Trey Vittetoe. Originally, Vittetoe sent the
track to Taylor, and then Taylor worked on the melody and lyrics.
Taylor was born in London, UK, but moved with his parents to
Australia when he was 3. He started playing piano when he was just 5, and later
learned how to play guitar. He also became interested in songwriting at a young
age. “I was always better at creating my own melodies than playing set
phrases,” recalled Taylor. “Then in my teen years, I started writing lyrics
also.” For college, Taylor attended Southern Cross University in eastern
Australia, where in 2003 he graduated with a B.A. in Contemporary Music,
majoring in vocals. Also throughout his college years, Taylor played in several
bands, and toured Japan twice.
It was in 2004 that Taylor started focusing on his career as a singer/songwriter. He began looking for music collaborators on the
internet, and found a message posted by Vittetoe. “I contacted Trey (Vittetoe)
and we liked each other’s music, so we started co-writing,” said Taylor. “Our
songs have been turning out very well, so we’re definitely going to keep
writing together.” Taylor has also hooked up with Sydney-based producer Craig
Portelis, who mixed “Bittersweet Beautiful” and other cuts by Taylor.
Ben Taylor
Taylor explained the lyric story of “Bittersweet Beautiful.”
"I spun a story around a girl living in denial about her desire to have someone
in her life, with a pretense of harsh coldness towards a male companion (the
line 'she’s better off alone'). But she ultimately has to cave in and admit her
feelings and soften towards them, so she’s…bittersweet beautiful.”
Currently, Taylor is looking forward to recording more songs
with Craig Portelis, and then finishing his album. Ultimately, he will be
shopping for label/publishing and distribution interest on an international
level. “Once I get the next recordings done, I will be looking to push the
project live here (with his new band) in Australia, and just keep on keepin’
on. We’ll see what comes over the horizon!”
Here are the Top Five Songs which were submitted for this month's contest, with the songwriter credits, plus their e-mail and website links. To hear the songs, please click on "Listen To Song".
"Best Song Of The Month" Winner
"Bittersweet Beautiful". Written by Ben Taylor of Byron Bay, Australia, and Trey Vittetoe of Los Angeles, CA. Performed by Ben Taylor.