20 hit songs you may not know were written by music icons
(STACKER) – When we listen to a song on the radio or in a soundtrack, we tend to assume the voice we’re hearing is the same person who brought the song into existence. In reality, many steps need to happen before the artist even makes it into the studio, from writing the lyrics to recording the instruments to fine-tuning the mix in post-production. More often than we realize, the singers we hear have nothing to do with a song’s original creation.
Even when a song is written with someone specific in mind, the desired singer doesn’t always provide the vocals for the final track. On the other hand, some songs are put up for grabs and singers must vie for the right to breathe life into them. It can also be the case that a songwriter has no choice but to put their songs on the market to fulfill a contract and pay their bills.
There are numerous cases across music history, especially in the 1960s and ’70s, where the legal rights to original songs and their subsequent rearrangements are confusing and ambiguous. This can result in artists not receiving royalties, regardless of how popular a song may be.
Sometimes artists are specifically known for staying out of the limelight with a pen in hand (looking at you, Calvin Harris), allowing others to feature as surprise writing credits on the album. Indeed, the fine print on who created a track is always available. But for many, unless awards enter the picture, writers (and producers) tend not to get their kudos until much later, if at all. To shine a light on songwriters, Stacker compiled 20 hit songs released between 1960 and today that were written by a famous artist other than the singer, sourcing from Rolling Stone, Billboard, American Songwriter, and other news outlets.
‘Pretty Hurts’ by Beyonce, written by Sia
‘We Found Love’ by Rihanna, written by Calvin Harris
‘Irreplaceable’ by Beyonce, written by Ne-Yo
‘I Will Always Love You’ by Whitney Houston, written by Dolly Parton
‘Little Things’ by One Direction, written by Ed Sheeran
‘My Way’ by Frank Sinatra, written by Paul Anka
‘Get the Party Started’ by Pink, written by Linda Perry (4 Non Blondes)
‘Breakaway’ by Kelly Clarkson, written by Avril Lavigne
‘Can We Talk’ by Tevin Campbell, written by Babyface
‘My Girl’ by The Temptations, written by Smokey Robinson
‘(You Make Me Feel Like a) Natural Woman’ by Aretha Franklin, written by Carole King
‘Islands in the Stream’ by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton, written by the Bee Gees
‘Nothing Compares 2 U’ by Sinead O’Connor, written by Prince
‘Red Red Wine’ by UB40, written by Neil Diamond
‘Chain Reaction’ by Diana Ross written by the Bee Gees
‘Manic Monday’ by the Bangles, written by Prince
‘I’m a Believer’ by The Monkees written by Neil Diamond
‘Respect’ by Aretha Franklin written by Otis Redding
‘Crazy’ by Patsy Cline, written by Willie Nelson
‘I Wanna Be Your Man’ by The Rolling Stones, written by The Beatles
