QUESTIONS?
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about ordering a personalised song. Can't find your answer? Email us
Your story, carefully checked
You approve the lyrics
A real person throughout
Download, keep and replay
How we look after your song
Your story, carefully checked: Our Cumbria team checks the names, dates, places and memories you supplied against your lyrics before you see them.
You approve the lyrics: Read every word and use your included lyric-change round before approval. Once approved, that version is locked; later creative amendments may be chargeable.
A real person throughout: A real member of our Cumbria team oversees your order and is available by email whenever you want to talk through your song.
Download, keep and replay: Your song and included keepsakes are delivered as digital downloads. The Lyric Sheet is a printable PDF; nothing is posted physically.
Delivery time starts once your lyrics have been confirmed. Delivered within 72 hours of lyric approval (Signature: from the later of lyric approval and your photo confirmation).
Need it for a particular date? Contact us before ordering.
About Your Song
What exactly do I get when I order a song?
Every song is a full-length, professionally produced track (typically 2½ to 3½ minutes) with original lyrics written from the story and details you share with us. What's included depends on your package:
- Classic (£24.99) — Personalised Song, Lyrics Approval Certificate, MP3 Audio File and Lyric Sheet. Delivery within 72 hours of lyric approval. 1 round of revisions at lyrics stage.
- Portrait (£39.99) — Everything in Classic, plus Personalised Songbook and Lyric Video. Delivery within 72 hours of lyric approval. 1 round of revisions at lyrics stage.
- Signature (£59.99) — Everything in Portrait, plus Personalised Video, High-Quality WAV Audio and Sing-Along Video. Delivery within 72 hours of lyric approval and receipt of the required photographs. 1 round of revisions at lyrics stage.
How long is the song?
Most songs are between 2½ and 3½ minutes — roughly the length of a typical radio single. That's long enough to tell your story properly with verses, a chorus, and a bridge, without feeling drawn out.
Can I choose the genre and style of music?
Yes. When you place your order, you can choose from a wide range of genres including pop, rock, acoustic, country, folk, jazz, R&B, classical, and more. You can also tell us the tempo you'd prefer (upbeat, moderate, or slow/ballad) and whether you'd like a male or female voice. If you're not sure, just tell us what kind of music the recipient likes and we'll match it.
Can I choose the voice?
You can choose whether you'd like a male or female voice, and you can indicate a preferred vocal style (for example, "warm and raspy" or "clear and bright"). We'll match the best voice to your song's genre and mood.
Will the song include the person's actual name?
Absolutely — that's the whole point. Your recipient's name will be woven naturally into the lyrics, not just dropped in awkwardly. We also include any other names you mention (partners, children, pets, friends) where they fit the story. Our Cumbria team checks every name before you approve the lyrics and listens carefully to how it sounds in the finished song.
What if I don't know what to write in the story section?
Don't worry — you don't need to be a writer. Just tell us what comes to mind. A few sentences about how you met, a favourite memory, an inside joke, what makes them special. The more detail the better, but even a handful of bullet points gives us enough to work with.
Here are some prompts to get you started:
- How did you meet or first become close?
- What's a memory that always makes you smile?
- What's their most lovable quirk or habit?
- Is there a phrase they always say, or an inside joke between you?
- What do you most want them to know?
Can I include specific phrases, quotes, or inside jokes?
Yes. There's a dedicated field in the order form for phrases or lines you'd like included. We'll work them into the lyrics naturally. If there's something you specifically don't want mentioned, there's a field for that too.
Is the song truly unique, or do you use templates?
Every song is written from scratch based on your story. We never use templates, and your song will never be reused or given to anyone else. The lyrics, arrangement and finished music are unique to your order. That's what makes it a genuinely personalised gift rather than a generic song with a name swapped in.
Can I speak to a real person?
Yes. A real member of our Cumbria team is available by email before you order and throughout your order. We oversee the process, carefully review your story and lyrics, and help whenever you have a question. Email us at hello@songforyou.co.uk.
Who sings the songs?
You choose the voice type — male or female — along with the genre, mood and tempo. Our team then reviews the finished performance for clarity, feeling and fit with the lyrics you approved. The vocals are not performed by a session singer.
Ordering & Delivery
How long do I have to approve my lyrics?
You have 72 hours from when your lyrics reach you to approve them or tell us any changes. We'll remind you by email and text at 24 hours, with a final reminder at 48 hours (never between 9pm and 8am). If we don't hear from you, we'll treat the lyrics as approved and start recording — but only once we've confirmed your lyrics message was delivered.
Your finished files stay available to download for 12 months. See Approving your lyrics in our terms.
How long does delivery take?
Delivery time starts once your lyrics have been confirmed. For Signature orders, the required photographs must also have been uploaded.
- Classic — delivered within 72 hours of lyric approval
- Portrait — delivered within 72 hours of lyric approval
- Signature — delivered within 72 hours of lyric approval and photo upload
We'll send your lyrics for approval shortly after you order, so the sooner you review them, the sooner your song arrives. If you request changes, we apply them before creating the music. Your delivery countdown starts when you confirm the final words.
All tiers offer an optional Rush My Order add-on (+£30) for delivery within 24 hours once the same items are ready. Many orders are completed ahead of schedule.
How is the song delivered?
Your song is delivered by email with a secure download link. Depending on your package, you'll receive some or all of the following: your Personalised Song as an MP3 audio file, your Lyrics Approval Certificate, your Lyric Sheet (PDF), a Personalised Songbook, a Lyric Video, High-Quality WAV Audio, a Personalised Video and a Sing-Along Video. Everything arrives digitally — there's nothing to wait for in the post.
Can I order a song as a last-minute gift?
Yes. All packages offer a Rush My Order add-on (+£30). Classic and Portrait are delivered within 24 hours of lyric approval; Signature is delivered within 24 hours once the lyrics are approved and the required photographs have been received.
Can I order a song for someone who lives abroad?
Of course. Since everything is delivered digitally, it doesn't matter where your recipient lives. The download link and reveal page work anywhere in the world. We accept orders from any country and price in GBP (£).
What details do I need to provide to order?
When you place your order we'll ask for a few contact details — your name, your email address (this is where your finished song is delivered), and a contact phone number. The phone number is required so we can reach you quickly if we have a question about your story or an update about your order. You'll also tell us who the song is for, the occasion, and the memories you want to include.
Do I need to create an account?
No. You can order as a guest — just provide your email address and contact phone number. If you'd like to create an account, you can track your orders, save special dates, and receive reminders when occasions are coming up. But it's entirely optional.
Why do you need my phone number?
A contact phone number is required at checkout so our Cumbria-based team can reach you quickly if there's a question about your story or a time-sensitive update on your order — for example, confirming a detail before we finalise the lyrics on a rush order. We may send you the occasional order update by text, but email remains our main channel and all your files are delivered by email.
Can I order more than one song at a time?
Yes. Each song is a separate order with its own story and details. If you're ordering multiple songs (for example, one for each of your children for Christmas), just place each order individually. If you're ordering three or more songs, email us at hello@songforyou.co.uk and we'll arrange a discount.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept all major credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express) through our secure Stripe checkout. All payments are processed in GBP (£). We don't store your card details.
Quality & Accuracy
How do you make sure every detail is right?
Every name, memory, place and detail you tell us is checked against your lyrics before your song is made — we call it Story Verification. If something is missing or doesn't match your brief, you can use your included lyric-change round before approval; if a detail won't fit naturally, we'll explain why so it remains your choice. It's included with every package.
What if I don't like the song?
We want you to love your song. If we've got something wrong — a name misspelt, a date incorrect, or a detail from your brief missed — we'll fix it free of charge, at any stage. That's our quality guarantee. For creative changes, every package includes one round of revisions, used when you sign off your lyrics: request as many changes as you like in that single submission. Further rounds after sign-off are £10 each.
Can I hear the song before I give it to the recipient?
Yes — the song is delivered to you first, not directly to the recipient. You'll have full control over when and how the recipient hears it. Listen to it, check you're happy, and then share it in your own way and in your own time.
Can I request changes after I receive the song?
Yes. If there's a factual error or something we've missed from your brief, we'll fix it at no extra charge, at any stage — that's covered by our quality guarantee. Creative changes work differently: your included round of revisions is the batch of changes you submit when you sign off your lyrics, so any creative change after delivery is a further round at £10. Post-delivery requests must reach us within 14 days.
What if the recipient's name is unusual or difficult to pronounce?
Include a pronunciation guide in your order — even a simple phonetic spelling helps (for example, "Siobhan — pronounced shiv-AWN"). We check pronunciation carefully during production. If you're worried, let us know in the additional notes and we'll pay extra attention.
The Reveal Page & Sharing
What is the reveal page?
The reveal page is a beautifully designed personal web page for a song, with a unique link, an audio player, a dedication message and the full lyrics. It is a presentation extra we create for selected songs — it is not one of the items listed in the Classic, Portrait or Signature packages, so please ask us before ordering if you would like one.
How do I share the reveal page?
Where a reveal page has been created for your song, you receive its unique link by email. You can share it however you like — by text message, email or social media. When the recipient opens the link they can press play to hear their song, and the page has sharing buttons built in.
Does the reveal page expire?
Your reveal page is designed so your recipient can return to it using the same link. We also recommend downloading and keeping your purchased files, so you always have your own copy if online access changes.
Can I share the song on social media?
Yes. Your song is yours to share however you'd like. The reveal page is designed to look beautiful when shared on Facebook, Instagram, and other platforms — it shows the song title, artwork, and a preview when you paste the link.
Playing Your Song
How do I play the song at a party or event?
The easiest way is to connect your phone to a Bluetooth speaker and play the song from your downloads or the reveal page. If you're at a venue with a DJ or sound system, send them the MP3 file by email or on a USB stick in advance. We include a guide with your delivery email with tips for playing your song in different situations.
Can I play the song on Alexa, Google Home, or other smart speakers?
Yes. The simplest method is to pair your phone to the smart speaker via Bluetooth, then play the song from your phone. The audio will come through the speaker. For Amazon Echo, just say "Alexa, pair" and select the Echo from your phone's Bluetooth settings. For Google Home, use the Google Home app to connect via Bluetooth.
Can I play the song at a wedding?
Absolutely — personalised songs make beautiful first dance, father-daughter dance, or surprise speech moments. Send the MP3 file to your venue's DJ or sound technician at least a week before the wedding. We recommend doing a sound check during setup if possible. If you've ordered the Signature package, the High-Quality WAV Audio file will give the best audio quality through a professional sound system.
Can I play the song at a funeral?
Yes. Contact the funeral director at least 48 hours before the service and let them know you have a personalised song you'd like played. Most funeral directors and crematoria will ask you to email the MP3 file — they handle music requests every day and have professional sound systems. We handle memorial songs with extra care and sensitivity throughout the process.
Can I save the song to my phone's music library?
Yes. The MP3 file can be saved to any device. On Android, downloaded MP3s usually appear automatically in your music player. On iPhone, you can add the file through iTunes or save it via the Files app. We include simple instructions with your delivery.
Occasions & Special Requests
What occasions can you write songs for?
We write personalised songs for virtually any occasion. Our most popular categories are:
- Birthdays (milestone birthdays like 18th, 21st, 30th, 40th, 50th, 60th are especially popular)
- Wedding gifts, first dances, and father-daughter dances
- Anniversaries (from first anniversaries to golden 50ths)
- Valentine's Day
- Mother's Day and Father's Day
- Christmas
- New baby celebrations
- Graduation
- Retirement
- Memorial and remembrance songs
- Apologies, thank yous, get well soon, and anything else
If you have an occasion that doesn't fit neatly into a category, choose "Other" and tell us about it. We've written songs for proposals, adoption celebrations, gender reveals, leaving gifts, and more.
Can you write a memorial or tribute song for someone who has passed away?
Yes, and we consider it a privilege. Memorial songs are among the most meaningful things we create. Share your memories of your loved one — funny stories, phrases they used to say, the things you miss most — and we'll craft a gentle, respectful song that honours who they were. We handle every memorial order with extra sensitivity, and our delivery emails use softer language for these songs.
Can you write a song from a child's perspective?
Yes. If you'd like the song to sound like it's from a child to a parent (or grandparent), just let us know in your order. Tell us the child's name, age, and anything specific they'd want to say, and we'll write lyrics that capture a child's voice while still being moving and articulate. These make wonderful Mother's Day and Father's Day gifts.
Can I commission a song for a business or corporate event?
Yes — we can write songs for retirement parties, company celebrations, team tributes, and more. For corporate enquiries or bulk orders, email us at hello@songforyou.co.uk and we'll put together a quote.
Can you write a funny song?
Absolutely. Some of our most popular songs are the ones that roast someone lovingly — a 50th birthday song about terrible golf, a retirement song about someone's legendary tea-making habits, a friendship song about years of questionable decisions. Just tell us you want it funny and share the details that'll make people laugh. We'll balance the humour with genuine warmth.
Privacy & Ownership
Who owns the song?
Your purchase gives you a perpetual personal-use licence to the finished song. You can play it, share it with friends and family, download it, give it as a gift, use it at private events, post it on personal social media, and keep it forever. The underlying intellectual property remains with SMEATON & CO LTD, and commercial use requires a separate licence.
Is my story kept private?
Your order is private by default. We use the details you share to create and deliver your song, and we do not use your story, lyrics, photographs or identifying order content for marketing unless you give explicit permission beforehand. See our Privacy Policy for how information is handled to provide the service.
Will my song be shared publicly or used as a sample?
Not without your permission. Your song is private by default and is not used as a website sample or marketing material unless you choose to give explicit permission beforehand. Sharing a testimonial or reaction video is always your choice.
Can I use the song commercially?
Your purchase includes a personal use licence, which covers playing the song at private events, sharing with friends and family, and posting to personal social media. If you'd like to use the song commercially — for example, in a business video, podcast, or public broadcast — please email us at hello@songforyou.co.uk and we'll discuss a commercial licence.
Technical & Troubleshooting
What audio format is the song delivered in?
Classic includes a high-quality MP3 file (320kbps — the highest MP3 quality). Portrait adds a Personalised Songbook and a Lyric Video. Signature adds a Personalised Video, High-Quality WAV Audio and a Sing-Along Video. All packages include your Lyrics Approval Certificate and your Lyric Sheet (PDF).
I haven't received my song — what should I do?
First, check your spam or junk folder — delivery emails occasionally end up there. If it's not there, check that you entered the correct email address when ordering. If you still can't find it, email us at hello@songforyou.co.uk with your order number and we'll resend it immediately.
The download link isn't working — what should I do?
Your purchased files remain available in your customer account or download area. Individual secure links in emails may expire for your protection. If a link has expired or isn't working, sign in or email us at hello@songforyou.co.uk and we'll send a fresh link at no charge. Please don't worry — your song is safe and we can always restore access.
Can I download the song more than once?
Yes. Your purchased files remain available in your customer account or download area, so you can download them again. If you have trouble accessing them, email us and we'll refresh your secure link at no charge.
What devices can I play the song on?
Your MP3 file will play on any device — iPhones, Android phones, tablets, laptops, desktop computers, and any MP3 player. It's compatible with every music app and media player. The reveal page works in any web browser on any device.
Still have questions?
Drop us a line at hello@songforyou.co.uk if you would like to talk through your song before ordering.