Vocalist-Songsmiths - Sam Scherdel, Joshua Hawkes, and Chance Peña

       With only a short time left in the year, there is a sense of urgency in posting songs that might be on our “Favorites of 2025” list. This post features songs by singer-songwriters who released engaging singles since January 1, 2025.

     Sam Scherdel is based in Sheffield, UK. The strength of “Somewhere in the Middle” lies within the lyrics. But Scherdel’s raspy vocal presentation provides a genuineness that enhances the impact of the message, and the contrasting smoother backing vocals bring a beauty to the track, particularly when combined with the piano. Regarding the lyrics, he explains:
  “It’s about learning to compromise, to meet someone in that middle ground - the space where love actually lives. I wrote it when I was trying to figure out how to make something last. I never imagined it would connect with this many people, but I’m so glad it has.”
 
     “Somewhere in the Middle” by Sam Scherdel

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/samscherdel/
 
Lyrics of “Somewhere in the Middle” by Sam Scherdel
Somewhere in the middle that only me and you would know
Got a feeling so cold it turned our rain to snow
Judging from that old grey sky it wouldn't cleanse to blue
Somewhere in the middle of the path from me and you
 
Your souls in your secret
I wanna feel it, when it blows like a bang from a gun
I got to know from the pieces
I wanna feel it, i won't float to you, darling I'll run
 
Somewhere in the middle where the pain cuts like a knife
Feeling like a candle that can't keep up with the night
Tangled in the echoes of a love that lost its tune
Somewhere in the middle of a path from me to you
 
Your souls in your secret
I wanna feel it, when it blows like a bang from a gun
I got to know from the pieces
I wanna feel it, i won't float to you, darling I'll run
 
Somewhere in the middle where the cold begins to thaw
Listening to the plans and the lines we need to draw
I'll falter then I'll alter all my plans to pull us through
Somewhere in middle of the path from me to you
 
Your souls in your secret
I wanna feel it, when it blows like a bang from a gun
I got to know from the pieces
I wanna feel it, i won't float to you, darling I'll run

     Joshua Hawkes is from South Yorkshire, UK, which is a short drive from Sheffield. About his song “We'll Find Each Other In the Dark:”
  “This track is special to me because it captures hope in uncertainty. The idea that even in our loneliest moments, connection is possible. It’s intimate, honest, and will always remain one of my favourite things I've written.”
 
      “We'll Find Each Other In the Dark” by Joshua Hawkes

LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/joshuahawkes

      As fans of the harmonica and the banjo, “Burned It Down” had an immediate impact. Still, it’s the voice of Chance Peña that carries the song. He is originally from Tyler, Texas. His 2026 tour schedule (https://www.chancepena.com/music) includes two July performances at The Fillmore in San Francisco.

     “Burned It Down” by Chance Peña

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chancepenamusic
Website: https://www.chancepena.com/

     “Tongue Ties” by Chance Peña

Lyrics of "Burned It Down" by Joshua Hawkes
It's been too damn long since I've seen your face
Felt your warmth, put my hands on your waist
But I'm heading up north and I'm thinking of you
So how's your family? Are they doing well?
Tell them I say hi and hope they're in good health
And tell them I'm sorry for the way things went down
 
You and I know
 
It was just bad timing, could have gone a little longer
But the days got heavy and the nights were getting colder
Don't that remind you of some people we know
Oh, wish I could've told you that my faith was getting stronger
But we both knew that this was it and it was over
So we lit the match and both sat on the ground
Knew that we couldn't save it so we burned it down
 
If I changed my mind, would you let me talk
I'd tell you what I feel, where I think we went wrong
Would you hear me out, or would you shut me down
The things I'm feeling, the thoughts in my head
Well they're all fucked up, feel like I'm a mess
Ain't nothing bad, just a couple regrets
 
And everybody knows
 
It was just bad timing, could have gone a little longer
But the days got heavy and the nights were getting colder
Don't that remind you of some people we know
Oh, wish I could've told you that my faith was getting stronger
But we both knew that this was it and it was over
So we lit the match and both sat on the ground
Knew that we couldn't save it so we burned it down
 
It was just bad timing, could have gone a little longer
But the days got heavy and the nights were getting colder
Don't that remind you of some people we know
Oh, wish I could've told you that my faith was getting stronger
But we both knew that this was it and it was over
So we lit the match and both sat on the ground
Knew that we couldn't save it so we burned it down
 
 
Lyrics of "Tongue Tied" by Joshua Hawkes
No I am not the man that I was, not no more
And I can't understand why I'm doing this anymore
Wanna leave but I freeze when my feet reach the door
Couldn't be what I need and I know because I'm
 
Tongue tied
My words have run dry
And I don't know why
I don't have anything else to say
 
I'm tongue tied
Alone in my mind
Even if I tried
I doubt you'd even care anyway
 
There's a hole in my chest and a burn in my lungs
Breathe it in, breathe it out last time, swear I'm done
There's a war 'cause my heart's up against my own head
Wish I knew what for but I don't, instead I'm
 
Tongue tied
My words have run dry
And I don't know why
I don't have anything else to say
 
I'm tongue tied
Alone in my mind
Even if I tried
I doubt you'd even care anyway
 
The voices in my head getting loud
Got no way getting it out, because I'm
 
Tongue tied
My words have run dry
And I don't know why
I don't have anything else to say
 
I'm tongue tied
Alone in my mind
Even if I tried
I doubt you'd even care anyway