It’s a Fact: Your Fave Has Probably (Definitely? Definitely) Written Songs for Other Musicians

Sia is here to literally save pop music. She’s written hit songs for pretty much everyone. See: Britney Spears’ “Perfume” (and “Passenger”), Katy Perry’s “Chained to the Rhythm,” and Kelly Clarkson’s “Invincible.” Her own album This Is Acting is compiled of songs that she wrote for other artists—but they passed. She went number one with “Cheap Thrills,” which she originally wrote for Rihanna. So there!

“Pretty Hurts,” by Beyoncé (2013): In an unlikely collab on Beyoncé’s self-titled album, Sia gave Beyoncé a self-confidence anthem with this one. We stan!

“You Lost Me,” by Christina Aguilera (2010): Unlike Sia’s typical songs filled with belting and runs, she helps show Christina Aguilera’s soft side with this track from her album Bionic.

“Diamonds,” by Rihanna (2012): Sia’s first number one hit for another artist was shiny like “Diamonds” from Rihanna’s album Unapologetic. Not only did this elevate Sia as an in-demand songwriter, but the success of the song also pushed Rihanna into new musical territory. Trust me, I’m a music historian. (I’m not, but still.)

“Flashlight,” by Jessie J (2015): Although not originally intended for the film, the song was picked up for Pitch Perfect 2 over her other song written for the film, “Bird Set Free.” Fun fact: A pre-fame Sam Smith was also a cowriter on the tune. Sia took “Bird Set Free” for her This Is Acting album, while the Bellas took home victory with an emotional performance of “Flashlight” in the film.

St. Vincent is known for her edgy sets and alt pop sound. Her music almost always includes deep synths and vibrating electronics. And she’s the songwriter behind…

“Cruel Summer,” by Taylor Swift (2019): If this pandemic didn’t happen, Taylor would currently be pushing “Cruel Summer” for song of the summer, accompanied by an over-the-top music video from her album Lover. But, um, “cruel” maybe hits waaay too close to home. (Sorry, Tay!) Coming from a totally different sound and under her real name Annie Clark, St. Vincent lends her writing chops to this bop. How did the collaboration come about? Taylor says she’s a huge fan of St. Vincent. Which, same.

If you don’t have “Happy” stuck in your head rn, who are you?? Oh, and Pharrell’s written songs for other artists, too, you know:

“Hot in Herre,” by Nelly (2002): Nelly revealed that he turned his final cut of his album Nellyville in without “Hot in Herre” (which reigned the Billboard Top 100 for seven consecutive weeks). Nelly brought in Pharrell after feeling like something was missing from the final album, “Hot in Herre” was born, and the rest is history.

“I’m a Slave 4 U,” by Britney Spears (2001): I had no idea that Pharrell brought this iconic song from Britney’s self-titled album to being. This man can do it all!!!

“Milkshake,” by Kelis (2004): Arguably Kelis’s biggest song is never not relevant. Pharrell actually didn’t write the song for Kelis originally. He first offered the song to Britney Spears for her In the Zone album, but she passed.

Before Lady Gaga became a household name, Super Bowl halftime performer and Oscar winner, she was just a girl with a dream named Stefani Germanotta. She says she played at a thousand bars in New York City before anyone knew who she was, but she didn’t give up. While she doesn’t write for other artists anymore, she collaborated with artists early in her career.

“Quicksand,” by Britney Spears (2008): “Quicksand,” the bonus track on Britney Spears’ album Circus, has major Gaga vibes. This is a good thing.

“Fever,” by Adam Lambert (2010): Okay, this screams Gaga too.

Ryan Tedder, like Sia, has a songwriting career offstage (he’s in OneRepublic). Let’s not forget he was standing onstage with Taylor Swift when she won Album of the Year in 2016 for 1989 and collaborated with Adele on her song “Remedy” from her album 25.

“Sine From Above,” by Lady Gaga feat. Elton John (2020): This is by far the craziest song Ryan has contributed to, led by the fearless Gaga herself (he’s fully entered life on Chromatica).

“Halo,” by Beyoncé (2008): Just when we think he couldn’t have written for anyone bigger, he wrote one of Beyoncé’s most uplifting songs alongside her. Iconique.

From the Super Bowl to taking home seven Grammys in 2018 for his album 24K Magic, Bruno Mars has quickly hit icon status—and so has, wait for it, his songwriting. Of course. Let’s get to it:

“Forget You,” by Cee Lo Green (2010): With distant characteristics of Bruno Mars’ own music, it’s not sooo farfetched that he was attached to this hit.

“All I Ask,” by Adele (2015): No one could have seen this collaboration coming—it’s the most heart-wrenching song on Adele’s 25. In 2016, Bruno covered the song at BBC Radio’s Live Lounge, saying, “The next song I’m about to do for y’all is a song that means a lot to me.”

Wanna know something legendary? Taylor Swift wrote all of Speak Now *solo* because critics were saying that she doesn’t play a big part in the writing process. Any further questions???! Didn’t think so. Here’s a lil look at just some of the other bops she’s written:

“Better Man,” by Little Big Town (2016): Releasing her first complete pop album 1989 was Taylor’s proclamation to the world that she’s leaving her country music roots. But even if the songs aren’t for her, she’s continued to write for country artists like Little Big Town, Sugarland, and Kellie Pickler.

“You’ll Always Find Your Way Back Home,” by Miley Cyrus (2009): Who could have guessed that Taylor Swift was behind the *iconic* song that Miley Cyrus performed as Hannah Montana in Hannah Montana: The Movie before revealing her true identity to an entire crowd? Me. I could’ve.

“This Is What You Came For,” by Calvin Harris feat. Rihanna (2016): Originally written under her pseudonym Nils Sjöberg, Taylor Swift and her then-boyfriend Calvin Harris are the sole writers on this hit track. Taylor used a fake name because they didn’t want their relationship to overshadow the song. If you listen closely, fans speculate that you can hear Taylor in the chorus!

Remember when Ed Sheeran teamed up with Beyoncé for his song “Perfect”? I didn’t see that coming, but the song was so…perfect. K, so anyway, he also wrote:

“Love Yourself,” by Justin Bieber (2015): If you know Ed’s music, then it shouldn’t come as a surprise that he’s behind this track. Last year, Justin Bieber was featured on Ed’s song “I Don’t Care” that went number one on the Billboard Top 100 (from his album No. 6 Collaborations Project), which, TBH, is a v nice thank-you gift.

“Little Things,” by One Direction (2012): Although Ed wanted this track for himself (I mean, come on), he passed it off to his friend Harry Styles with One Direction. *swoon*

Katy Perry broke into superstardom by kissing a girl (and liking it, etc., etc.), but JYSK, she’s been breaking hits for other pop stars this whole time (and liking it, etc., etc.). Her album Teenage Dream broke records by having five Billboard Top 100 number ones and was two spots away from having a sixth with the ironically named The One That Got Away. We’ll see what she has up her sleeve for her next album due out this August. P.S. She also penned:

“Black Widow,” by Iggy Azalea feat. Rita Ora (2014): Katy Perry originally cowrote “Black Widow” for her 2013 album Prism but ultimately decided to pass it off to Iggy Azalea, fresh off of Iggy’s summer smash “Fancy.”

“I Do Not Hook Up,” by Kelly Clarkson (2009): Katy also wrote this song for herself, but after choosing not to use it, she gave it to Kelly Clarkson when she switched record labels.

Fine. I’ll say it: Jessie J is arguably one of the most talented singers of this generation, coming on the scene with “Price Tag” and uplifting ballads like “Nobody’s Perfect” and “Who You Are.” She threw us all for a loop when she entered China’s Singer in 2018 (a singing competition like the X Factor UK, which she was a judge on) and won! Oh, yeah, and she wrote:

“Party in the USA,” by Miley Cyrus (2009): Jessie J wrote “Party in the USA” for herself, but once she hopped off the plane at LAX, she thought the song wasn’t mature enough for her. She passed the song to Miley Cyrus and said the royalties paid her rent for three years.