Sounds like?

I listened to "After all" on RN? It sounds like "you" and that's not a bad thing. I still hear words to all of your music. I hear it as a symphony... I don't think that will ever change. It's beautiful Janet.

Cool stuff.....
 
OK so what that means is they want to know what known/popular artists already out there have music that is of a similar nature to what you have written.
 
Film people, video production companies, and artists will contact the publisher and say that they want a song that sounds like such and such an artist. The publisher does a search of their database and looks for "sounds like" that artist and complies a list for the end user. Licensing the original recording artist could cost upwards of tens of thousands of dollars,  but they can license a "sounds like" song for a couple hundred. So you do need to do some research and perhaps have some friends who are knowledgeable about music and artists give you an honest assessment of the songs from a "sounds like" perspective.
 
The first song you and I ever did.... September Nights, when I played this for my wife, her comment was.... " that sounds like Layla by Eric Clapton.. in a way"..... waa laa, there's your "sounds like"....  Above the Clouds was one that I wrote and you played on that sounds like the theme song in a movie I started to watch.....
 
It might take a friend with a good ear.... or some research and listening to music on your end.  You could always post the songs and have people here do the work for you..... there are some pretty diverse musical taste's here. I'm sure the folks here could nail a few of them for you in short order.
 
You see this happen a lot... someone posts a song and people comment .... wow that sounds like a Bob Dylan song or some other artist.  That's the feedback you want.
 
As far as the publishers and libraries, it is pretty important that you get this correct. That way your music gets categorized into the correct areas and people seeking  "sounds like" can find it.  If you have a great song that is in the wrong category, no one will find it and it will end up never being used.

TV Themes
Movie Themes
Soundtrack pieces
 

Hi, Janet,
 
Great to see you around!  I always thought that your songs instantly reminded me of the Roger Williams vinyl albums that my parents were so fond of when I was growing up.  He was famous for masterfully played piano instrumentals with an inspirational feel.
 
Hope this helps, and don't be a stranger!
Bob

probably the easiest way to do this is to put them all on your sound click page and tell everyone start at the top and go down to.... title of the last song.....
 
that makes it simple.

Thanks Ed.  Unfortunately, I think they want it to be a tiny bit more specific.  :)
 
Thanks Bob!  We probably had some of his records too, but I remember Ferrante and Teicher, Frank & Nancy Sinatra, etc.  Some day maybe I'll get my music into the present but those influences must be strong.  :)  
 
Thanks Frank.
 
OK, I just did that, Herb, although I never expected anyone to go through them all.  But I'll write a note on the OP.  Thanks!  

Your music has the same general style throughout which is expected and is also good.   As I listened to the pieces on the first page your style was a common thread in them all. So.... all you have to do is identify someone who plays in a similar manner.
 
Then, some of the songs have a certain bent to them.. one sounded like it had a roaring 20's flavor (Iced Tea) several had cinematic soundtrack feel to them .... but that common thread in them all was your style.
 
One song.... The Sun Comes up.....  http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=12016194 reminded me almost instantly of this song>>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGoWtY_h4xo  Everything I do..... by Bryan Adams, a huge hit.... but it starts with piano and you hear fills throughout.... that sound similar to the way you play. As it turns out the piano player on this tune is a rock icon of a player..... Bill Payne ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Payne ) the 4 notes played to start the guitar solo are in my opinion the tastiest notes ever played in a song.... and the guitar solo is my hands down most favored solo ever played on 6 strings....
 
But there's my first "sounds like" for your style in general..... Bill Payne.
 
I hope this gets you started.... there are others out there with similar styles.... just find one or two more and use that for your description.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2frmVdw4yk0
 
Bill Payne interview 1 of 10..... interesting

Thank you, Walt.  And welcome to the forum.  :) 
 
Thank you, Tony.  I love your singing.  :)
 
Herb, so Bill Payne played on 'Everything I Do?'  I agree..that has to be one of the most beautiful pieces every written.  
 
Ed...my grandpa used to call me that.  Drove my dad nuts, but I don't even remember it.  As long as they don't call me late for supper. :)  
 
Anyway, thanks to all of you.  I sat down with the songs and Pandora and came up with some good ideas. Thanks for getting me started!  

Thank you, John!  

Lynn
Janet, I've racked my brain trying to decide who you sound like, but you honestly have a sound of your own.  And, that used to be considered a strength.  If the publishing company can't deal with that then try another company.  Best of luck to you!

 
Unfortunately in this business, especially if this is a film & TV library catalog company they do want to know who you sound like and telling them you're an original generally doesn't get you very far. Most likely they have clients calling then saying they want music which "sounds like" Billy Joel's piano playing, or 50's style rock, or Andres Segovia style guitar, or....... sometimes even a specific song in a "sounds like" as in, we want a song that sounds like Cold Play's Bittersweet Symphony.... yup, I have actually seen a request for THAT particular listing.
 
If Janet was seeking a recording contract then yes, being original is a huge plus.  For a songwriter trying to place cuts in a library or publishing co, not so much.
 
Listen carefully to the songs and if they remind you of another song or a particular artist.....as I mentioned in post #14 above, that is the type of advice she is seeking.   I think her piano playing in quite a few, but not all songs reminds me of the playing style of Bill Payne to some degree..... that's all the pubs need, and what she needs to hear.  I also commented in post #4 about another of Janet's songs and gave her another "sounds like" example.
 
Everyone who is trying to be nice and saying Janet is an original is not answering the OP's request. While it's nice to get compliments, that is not the purpose of her post.
 
I know there are plenty of well versed and listened players here who can put her onto some other "Sounds like" piano players. Dig deep.