17 February 2022
As Cân i Gymru approaches, it's time to announce the songs that have made the shortlist for Wales's most anticipated competition.
Elin Fflur and Trystan Ellis-Morris are back to present the prestigious competition which will be broadcast live from Aberystwyth Arts Centre on Friday, 4 March.
The panel of experts who selected the eight shortlisted songs are Dafydd Iwan, Betsan Haf Evans, Lily Beau and Elidyr Glyn.
"Being on the panel this year was really enjoyable, as many years have passed since I last had the privilege. The standard has improved dramatically, and the variety was amazing," said Dafydd Iwan, the iconic musician who is about to celebrate 60 years in the industry.
"Taken into consideration that these songs were produced in leisure time, and many of the composers would never think of competing, as a nation we should celebrate our creativity and I'm really looking forward to hearing the final performances."
Elidyr Glyn, winner of Cân i Gymru 2019, is also excited: "It's a privilege to be invited to take part as a judge, and I'm delighted to be given this opportunity to contribute.
"Having been involved in the process of selecting the songs for the final part of the competition, I am eager to hear the views of the public as they vote for the winner.
"Such a wide range of songs has made the final eight this year - in fact there were many more that could have secured a well-deserved place in the final. This year, I anticipate people will have more than one favourite, so it could be a really close competition.
"I'm looking forward to being part of the evening again and I wish all the composers and performers the best of luck."
The eight songs that have been selected to compete for the chance to win £5,000 and the prestigious Cân i Gymru 2022 title, are:
1. Rhyfedd o Fyd by Elfed Morgan Morris and Carys Owen. Words by Emlyn Gomer Roberts. Performed by Elain Llwyd.
2. Cana dy Gân by Geth Tomos, words by Geth Robyns. Performed by Rhys Owain Edwards.
3. Paid Newid dy Liw by Mali Hâf and Trystan Hughes. Performed by Mali Hâf.
4. Ymhlith y Cewri by Darren Bolger.
5. Diolch am y Tân by Carys Eleri and Branwen Munn. Performed by FFLOW.
6. Pan Ddaw'r Byd i Ben by Steve Williams.
7. Mae yna Le by Rhydian Meilir. Performed by Ryland Teifi.
8. Rhiannon by Siôn Rickard.
As always, viewers are responsible for choosing the winner by voting over the phone.
S4C is also preparing a playlist of past winners, which will be available to watch on S4C's YouTube channel from Sunday 27 February.
Notes
1. Rhyfedd o Fyd by Elfed Morgan Morris and Carys Owen. Words by Emlyn Gomer Roberts. Performed by Elain Llwyd.
Elfed, who is Head of Ysgol Llandygai, has already composed a winning song, the song Gofidiau, that won the competition in 2009. Carys has also had success back in 2002, when she co-wrote the song that came second, Rhy Gry, with Emyr Rhys. Emlyn, a Caernarfon-based writer and former member of the band Gwerinos, was tasked with composing the lyrics to the song inspired by how nature has flourished while having a human influence. Elain Llwyd performs.
2. Cana dy Gân by Geth Tomos, words by Geth Robyns. Performed by Rhys Owain Edwards.
Geth Tomos is a music teacher at Canolfan Addysg y Bont, Llangefni, and has worked with another teacher from Ysgol Llanfawr, Holyhead to create this rock song. Geth Robyns's lyrics encourage us to stand up for what we believe in and to protect our surroundings. Rhys Owain Edwards from the band Fleur De Lys will perform the song.
3. Paid Newid dy Liw by Mali Hâf and Trystan Hughes. Performed by Mali Hâf.
Nature and the beauty of the world is the theme of Paid Newid dy Liw, a soul / pop song performed by Mali Hâf from Cardiff. Trystan is originally from the Swansea valleys but now lives in Cardiff and plays guitar for Mali Hâf's band. Mali competed in Cân i Gymru 2019 under the name Mali Melyn with the song Aros Funud.
4. Ymhlith y Cewri by Darren Bolger.
This time, Darren, a stonemason from Gellilydan, will perform the song he has composed. His song O'r Brwnt a'r Baw, performed by Cy Jones made the last eight in Cân i Gymru 2015. Ymhlith y Cewri emphasizes the role of the older generation in leading the way in a world of technological and mental development and change.
5. Diolch am y Tân by Carys Eleri and Branwen Munn. Performed by FFLOW.
Actress, presenter and writer Carys lost her father to Motor Neurone Disease in 2017. Diolch am y Tân was composed on the day he would have turned 70, as a celebration of his life. Carys and Branwen's brand new band, FFLOW, will perform on the night. They both live in West Wales and collaborated on Carys's one-woman show Lovecraft (Not the Sex Shop in Cardiff) and also on the recent single, Don't Tell the Bees.
6. Pan Ddaw'r Byd i Ben by Steve Williams.
The inspiration for the song came from the events surrounding COP-26, and Steve hopes to raise awareness on climate change through his performance. Day to day, Steve works as a detective for Dyfed Powys Police in Newtown. His song Yr Arlywydd reached the shorlist in last year's competition.
7. Mae yna Le by Rhydian Meilir. Performed by Ryland Teifi.
Rhydian, from Cemaes near Machynlleth, is a familiar face for Cân i Gymru. He reached the shortlist in 2012 with Cynnal y Fflam, in 2019 with Gewn ni Weld Sut Eith Hi and composed two out of the eight songs shortlisted in 2020, Pan Fyddai'n 80 Oed and Tir a'r Môr. Ryland Teifi will perform the song, a tribute to nature and beauty of the world.
8. Rhiannon by Siôn Rickard.
Siôn will perform this 'sexy' love song himself, as a tribute to his girlfriend, Rhiannon. Originally from Betws y Coed, but now living in Cardiff, Siôn is one half of the Lo-fi Jones folk band, together with his brother Liam Rickard.
