Skip to main content
BarbatanaStudio

Barbatana Studio · Custom songs

A song written
only for you

Tell us your story in a guided conversation. We write the lyrics with you, and our producers craft the finished song — made for one person, one moment, and no one else.

No music knowledge needed · About 10 minutes

  • Luanda
  • Rio
  • Lisbon
  • Houston

“A fin doesn’t fight the water. It reads it — and moves with perfect grace.”

Barbatana is Portuguese for fin — the fin that cuts clean through open water. It’s how we write: we follow the current of your story wherever it leads.

Our philosophy

Every story has its own current

A first dance. A fiftieth birthday. A goodbye no one was ready for. Every story moves in its own direction, at its own pace — and none of them fit a template.

So we listen first. Then we write a song that moves with your story: your names, your places, the inside jokes and the quiet moments, until it could only ever be about you.

It’s the same craft that goes into every Barbatana release. The discipline is the same. The heart is the same.

How it works

From your story to your song

No music theory, no jargon, no blank page. Just a warm conversation, lyrics you can read and shape, and a producer who takes it the rest of the way.

  1. Tell us your story

    A guided interview in plain language: the occasion, the person, the story, the details only you know, the feeling, the sound and the voice.

    Saves as you go — come back any time

  2. Read your lyrics

    Our AI music director drafts original lyrics from your story within minutes. Read them as a clean lyric sheet, try another direction or ask for changes — and approve them when they feel right.

    Ready within minutes

  3. A producer takes it from there

    Every song is reviewed by a Barbatana producer, who refines the words, shapes the arrangement and produces the finished track.

    A real person on every song

  4. Receive & share

    Listen to and download your finished song, then send a private gift page with the song, the lyrics and your own message.

    Yours to keep forever

Your song’s journey

Always know where your song is

Your song page shows each stage as it happens, and we’ll email you when there’s something new to read or hear.

  1. Request received

    Your story is in

  2. Lyrics written

    Read and approve them

  3. Producer review

    A producer refines the words

  4. Approved

    The lyrics are final

  5. In production

    Arranged, recorded and mixed

  6. Delivered

    Ready to play and share

The conversation

What we’ll ask you

The interview feels like talking with a songwriter who wants to get it right. Answer in your own words — a sentence or a page, in English, Spanish or Portuguese.

Not sure about the genre? Choose “recommend one” and we’ll pick the sound that fits your story.

Start the conversation

About 10 minutes · Saves as you go

  • The occasion

    The moment it’s for — a birthday, a wedding, a goodbye.

  • The person

    Who the song is for, and what they mean to you.

  • Your story

    How you met, what you’ve lived through, what you’d say if you could.

  • Personal details

    Names, places, nicknames and inside jokes only you would know.

  • The feeling

    Joyful, tender, nostalgic or triumphant — how it should feel.

  • The sound

    A genre you love or songs that inspire you — or let us choose.

  • The voice

    A male or female voice, a duet or a group, and the lyric language.

  • Timing & contact

    When you need it, and the email where we’ll send updates.

Occasions

For the moments that deserve their own song

Some moments are too important for a playlist. Not someone else’s hit adapted to fit — a song built entirely from your story, for the people who were there.

Start your song
A couple sharing their first dance under warm string lights and candlelight

Occasions we write for

  • Birthdays
  • Anniversaries
  • Weddings & first dances
  • Proposals
  • Quinceañeras
  • Graduations
  • Retirements
  • A new baby
  • Mother’s & Father’s Day
  • Memorials & tributes
  • Friendship & thank-yous
  • Brand & event anthems

Something else in mind? If it matters to you, it deserves a song — tell us about it in the interview.

The sound

Many rhythms, one ocean

Kizomba and semba are our home waters, but we write across many styles. Choose the one that feels like you — or let us recommend it.

  • African & Lusophone

    Our home waters

    From Luanda to Lagos and Johannesburg.

    • Kizomba
    • Semba
    • Kuduro
    • Afro-House
    • Afrobeats & Amapiano
  • Latin

    Warm, romantic and made to move.

    • Latin Pop & Bachata
    • Reggaeton
  • Pop & Contemporary

    Heartfelt, polished and timeless.

    • Pop
    • Cinematic Pop
    • R&B & Soul
    • Ballad
    • Acoustic
  • Americana & Rock

    Big choruses, real stories, a little grit.

    • Country
    • Rock
    • Gospel
    • Jazz & Blues
  • Urban & Dance

    Bold beats for big energy.

    • Hip-Hop
    • EDM & Dance Pop
  • Family

    Gentle songs for the smallest listeners.

    • Lullabies

Lyric languages

  • English
  • Español
  • Português
  • Bilingual · English + Español
  • Bilingual · English + Português

Voices

  • Male voice
  • Female voice
  • Duet
  • Group

Not sure? Choose “recommend one” in the interview and we’ll pick for you.

People + AI

AI drafts. People decide.

We use AI for what it does well — a fast, thoughtful first draft — and people for everything that matters.

  • A fast first draft

    Our AI music director turns your story into original lyrics in minutes, so you can read, react and refine while the moment is still fresh.

  • A producer on every song

    Before anything is recorded, a Barbatana producer reviews and refines every song — the words, the arrangement, the sound. Nothing is made without human hands.

  • Your story stays private

    What you share is used to write your song — nothing else.

    • Your contact details are never sent to the AI.
    • Your story is never used to train AI models.
    • You can delete your data any time.
    Read our privacy policy
  • Original, always

    Songs and artists you mention are inspiration only. We never copy a song, and we never imitate a real singer’s voice.

Share it as a gift

Wrap it in a private page

Once your song is delivered, create a private gift page with the song, the lyrics and a message from you — then send the link however you like.

  • The song, the lyrics and your message, together on one page
  • Only people with the link can open it
  • Turn it off any time

FAQ

Questions, answered

Still curious? Write to us at hello@barbatana.com — a real person reads every message.

How long does it take?

Your lyrics are ready within minutes of finishing the interview. The finished song usually takes 3–14 business days, depending on your date and our producers’ schedule. Tell us your deadline in the interview and we’ll plan around it.

Do I need to know anything about music?

Not at all. The interview asks about people, memories and feelings, in plain language. If you have musical ideas there’s room for them — but none are needed.

Can I change the lyrics?

Yes. Once your lyrics are written you can ask for an alternative version in a different direction, or send change requests to your producer. Approve them only when they feel right.

Which languages do you write in?

We write lyrics in English, Spanish or Portuguese — or bilingual, mixing English with Spanish or Portuguese. The interview itself is available in all three languages.

Is my story private?

Yes. Your story is used only to write and produce your song. Your contact details are never sent to the AI, your story isn’t used to train AI models, and you can delete your data any time — from your song page or by emailing us.

What do I receive?

The finished audio file to stream and download, your lyric sheet and — if you like — a private gift page to share the song with the people it was made for.

Can I mention songs or artists I love?

Please do. They help us understand the mood and style you’re after. They’re inspiration only: we never copy an existing song or imitate a real singer’s voice.

Do I need an account?

No. You can start right away, without a password. To come back from another device, just enter your email and we’ll send you a sign-in link.

Ready when you are

Every great song starts with a single conversation

Tell us who it’s for and what you want them to feel. We’ll take it from there — together.