Pop Stars Who Wrote Songs for Other Artists
Some of the biggest names in music didn’t just become famous for their own hits. They spent time behind the scenes crafting songs that other artists turned into chart-toppers.
These pop stars proved their talent extended beyond performing, showing they could write lyrics and melodies that connected with audiences even when someone else sang them. The songs they penned often became just as successful, if not more so, than their own releases.
Plenty of famous singers got their start as songwriters or kept writing for others even after fame found them. The results might surprise anyone who thinks they know everything about their favorite artists.
Sia wrote hits for Rihanna and Beyoncé
Sia Furler spent years writing songs for other artists before stepping into the spotlight herself. She penned ‘Diamonds’ for Rihanna, which became a massive worldwide hit and one of Rihanna’s most recognizable tracks.
The Australian singer-songwriter also wrote ‘Pretty Hurts’ for Beyoncé, a powerful song about beauty standards that opened Beyoncé’s self-titled visual album. Sia’s distinctive songwriting style, which often explores vulnerability and inner strength, translated perfectly to these powerhouse vocalists.
She continued writing for others even after her own career took off, proving she genuinely enjoyed the craft of songwriting separate from performing.
Kesha co-wrote Britney Spears’ ‘Till the World Ends’
Before becoming known for party anthems like ‘TiK ToK,’ Kesha worked as a songwriter and background vocalist in Los Angeles. She co-wrote ‘Till the World Ends’ for Britney Spears alongside producer Dr. Luke and other writers.
The song became one of Spears’ biggest hits of the 2010s and showcased the energetic pop sound that would later define Kesha’s own music. Kesha also provided background vocals on the track, though most listeners had no idea she was there.
The writing credit came at a perfect time, arriving just as Kesha’s solo career was exploding.
Lady Gaga penned songs for Britney Spears and New Kids on the Block
Lady Gaga worked as a songwriter for Interscope Records before her debut album made her a household name. She wrote ‘Quicksand’ for Britney Spears, though the song didn’t make it onto Spears’ main album releases and only appeared as a bonus track.
Gaga also co-wrote ‘Big Girl Now’ for New Kids on the Block during their comeback period. Her theatrical style and knack for catchy hooks were already evident in these early writing efforts.
The songs showed Gaga understood pop music structure and commercial appeal long before she put on her first meat dress.
Bruno Mars wrote ‘Right Round’ for Flo Rida
Bruno Mars co-wrote and produced Flo Rida’s massive 2009 hit ‘Right Round’ before launching his solo career. The song samples Dead or Alive’s ‘You Spin Me Round’ and became one of the year’s biggest tracks, topping charts worldwide.
Mars was part of The Smeezingtons production team at the time, crafting hits for other artists while developing his own sound. He also co-wrote Travie McCoy’s ‘Billionaire,’ which became another major hit.
These writing credits helped Mars build industry connections and proved he could create radio-friendly pop music that resonated with mainstream audiences.
Ed Sheeran gave ‘Love Yourself’ to Justin Bieber
Ed Sheeran co-wrote ‘Love Yourself’ with Justin Bieber and Benny Blanco, creating what became one of Bieber’s biggest hits. The song’s stripped-down acoustic sound and pointed lyrics marked a shift in Bieber’s musical direction.
Sheeran originally considered keeping the song for himself but decided it fit Bieber’s voice and story better. The track topped charts globally and showed Bieber in a more mature, vulnerable light.
Sheeran has written for numerous other artists throughout his career, though he’s selective about which songs he gives away versus keeping for his own albums.
Charli XCX wrote ‘I Love It’ for Icona Pop
Charli XCX penned the rebellious anthem ‘I Love It’ that Icona Pop turned into an international smash hit in 2012. The song’s aggressive energy and defiant lyrics about not caring what an ex thinks captured something raw that resonated with listeners worldwide.
Charli originally wrote the song for herself but decided Icona Pop’s dual vocals would bring something special to the track. She was right, as their version became inescapable on radio and in commercials.
Charli also featured on the track, giving her early exposure that helped launch her own solo career.
Ariana Grande wrote ‘Honeymoon Avenue’ years before recording it
Ariana Grande co-wrote ‘Honeymoon Avenue’ when she was just 18 years old, years before it appeared on her debut album. The song showcases mature songwriting about relationship struggles and making things work despite difficulties.
Grande has writing credits on most of her songs, but this early composition proved she had serious talent beyond her vocal abilities. She’s also contributed to songs for other artists, though she’s more selective about outside projects than some pop stars.
Her songwriting often draws from personal experiences, giving her music an authentic quality that fans appreciate.
The Weeknd gave ‘Earned It’ writing credits to Belly
The Weeknd co-wrote his hit ‘Earned It’ with several collaborators, including fellow Canadian artist Belly. The song appeared on the Fifty Shades of Grey soundtrack and became one of The Weeknd’s signature tracks.
While The Weeknd kept this one for himself, he’s written for artists like Beyoncé, contributing to songs on her Lemonade album. His dark, atmospheric R&B style influenced numerous artists and showed that pop songwriting could embrace moodier, more complex emotions.
The Weeknd’s willingness to collaborate with other writers and artists helped expand his influence beyond his own discography.
Katy Perry wrote for Selena Gomez
Katy Perry co-wrote ‘Rock God’ for Selena Gomez early in both of their careers. The song appeared on Gomez’s first album with her band The Scene.
Perry was already gaining recognition at the time but hadn’t yet become the pop powerhouse she’d later transform into. The collaboration showed Perry understood how to write for voices and styles different from her own.
She focused primarily on her own music afterward, but this early writing credit demonstrated her versatility as a songwriter.
Ryan Tedder wrote hits for nearly everyone
OneRepublic frontman Ryan Tedder became one of pop music’s most in-demand songwriters and producers. He penned ‘Halo’ for Beyoncé and ‘Rumor Has It’ for Adele among dozens of other hits.
Tedder’s ability to craft emotional, piano-driven pop songs made him a go-to writer for artists seeking powerful ballads. He continued leading OneRepublic while maintaining his songwriting career, somehow balancing both successfully.
His work earned him recognition as one of the most successful songwriters of the 2010s based purely on chart performance.
Britney Spears co-wrote for herself and others early on
Britney Spears co-wrote several songs throughout her career, including ‘Everytime’ from her In the Zone album. She contributed to writing on multiple albums, though she’s better known as a performer than songwriter.
Early in her career, Spears participated in writing sessions for tracks on her albums, though later she relied more heavily on outside writers. The songs she did co-write often dealt with personal experiences and relationships.
Her involvement showed she wanted creative input beyond just recording what others handed her.
P!nk wrote ‘Whataya Want from Me’ for Adam Lambert
P!nk co-wrote ‘Whataya Want from Me’ but gave the song to Adam Lambert, who turned it into a Grammy-nominated hit. The emotional ballad fit Lambert’s powerful voice perfectly and became one of his signature songs.
P!nk has written extensively for her own albums but occasionally passes songs to other artists when she feels they’d perform them better. She’s known for writing honest, sometimes raw lyrics about relationships and personal struggles.
Her songwriting tends to focus on emotional truth rather than following trends, which gives her music longevity.
Ne-Yo penned ‘Irreplaceable’ for Beyoncé
Ne-Yo wrote ‘Irreplaceable’ for Beyoncé, creating one of her biggest hits and most empowering anthems. The song topped charts worldwide and became a breakup anthem that people still reference today.
Ne-Yo originally considered recording it himself but realized the lyrics worked better from a woman’s perspective. He made the right call, as Beyoncé’s version became unstoppable on radio and helped define her mid-career sound.
Ne-Yo built a successful career as both a performer and songwriter, with writing credits for numerous R&B and pop artists.
Jessie J gave away ‘Party in the USA’
Jessie J co-wrote ‘Party in the USA’ for Miley Cyrus, creating what became one of the most recognizable pop songs of the late 2000s. The British singer was still working to break into the American market when she wrote the cheerful anthem about arriving in Los Angeles.
Jessie J later admitted she found it funny that she wrote a song about being in the USA when she’d barely spent time there. The song became a much bigger hit than her early solo releases, though she eventually found success with her own music.
She’s expressed mixed feelings about the song over the years, acknowledging its success while noting it doesn’t represent her musical style.
Justin Timberlake penned songs for Michael Jackson
Long before it hit ears, Justin Timberlake sat down with Michael Jackson to shape “Love Never Felt So Good.” Only later did the world hear it – after Jackson was gone.
Out it came in 2014, tucked inside the album Xscape, glowing with a bounce few expected from his final years. For Timberlake, writing alongside his idol felt less like chance and more like return.
Fans welcomed the sound like an old letter finally delivered. His name beside Jackson’s pulled threads across time – one voice past, one present, both threading through pop’s steady pulse.
Alicia Keys wrote ‘Million Dollar Bill’ for Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston sang ‘Million Dollar Bill,’ a tune shaped by Alicia Keys. That groove-heavy number landed on Houston’s 2009 return record, I Look to You.
Instead of slow-building drama, this one snapped with rhythm – fresh territory for her usual path. Keys proved she can stretch past her own soulful sound when crafting tunes for others.
Strong runs and bold phrasing lifted the track into spotlight status once Houston took hold. Writing for fellow musicians hasn’t slowed Keys’ solo pace – both happen steadily.
A keyboard at the core defines how she builds songs, an approach now echoed across modern R&B and mainstream melodies.
When the pen proves mightier
Behind every tune hummed on repeat, someone might’ve penned it without ever stepping onstage. Singers belt lyrics crafted by others – often names known just as well in backrooms as they are on marquee signs.
Connections between people, quiet deals, shared dreams – they’re stitched into tracks topping playlists. New melodies pass hands like notes in class, traded among creators chasing that one spark.
Knowing who shaped the words shifts how you hear them, showing skill lives not only in voices but in minds shaping sound.
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