The individuals who create chart-topping music remain a mystery to most people listening to the tracks. My best friend get ready because I want to reveal some insider information about the anonymous songwriting geniuses who operate in the songwriter’s realm. Have you ever experienced earworms that inject themselves into your mind for numerous extended weeks? The pop star who delivers these songs most likely did not compose them. This essay explores the intriguing yet controversial practice of hit song creation by professionals who write music for different artists.
The Puppet Masters of Pop
The ballad written in response to an emotional breakup which your favorite singer released as authentic probably came from a 45-year-old Swedish man named Jörgen. The song comes from the pen of Jörgen who is currently 45 years old and Swedish. I’m not even kidding! Numerous popular singers who currently dominate the music charts act as beautiful karaoke performers who reproduce compositions written by other musicians.
Miley Cyrus delivered her hit song “Party in the U.S.A.” to the world though this American anthem originally came from a tune written by Jörgen. Miley Cyrus did not pen the song. The mastermind behind this American dream bop? None other than Jessie J (before her own fame) along with Dr. Luke and Claude Kelly. Jessie J composed the song directly from her personal experiences of immigrating to America before Miley Cyrus took the tune to create her signature hit. A deserving makeover transformed this song that Miley Cyrus had initially cut.
The Swedish Hitmaking Factory
Population-level music control on the planet rests with a limited number of Swedish musicians according to good faith analysis. The Swedish pop professionals dominate every corner of the music industry because this fact is no exaggeration.
Max Martin: The Invisible Pop God
In the music industry Max Martin acts as its power center directly responsible for generating twenty-five Billboard #1 hits. Max Martin stands as the writer responsible for 25 Billboard #1 hits either solo or as a co-author. TWENTY-FIVE! A number of songs bear his signature with Paul McCartney and John Lennon as the only two to achieve more success.
Your memory doesn’t fail you when you think about the musical fame of Britney Spears’ “…Baby One More Time.” Max Martin. Katy Perry’s “I Kissed a Girl”? Max Martin. The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights”? Max Martin holds the title as the creator behind twenty five Billboard number one hits. Many famous artists including Ariana Grande and Taylor Swift are among the list of talent this Swedish guru has written music for while he maintains a secretive online presence that keeps most fans unaware of his identity. A person could enter a karaoke establishment without anyone knowing who he or she is since all attendees sing songs written by the mysterious figure. Now THAT’S power.
Sia: From Songwriter to Reluctant Star
Prior to her wig fame Sia spent her time discreetly composing hit songs for different musicians. “Diamonds” by Rihanna? Sia wrote that in 14 minutes. FOURTEEN MINUTES. I struggle to choose anything from the Starbucks menu in less than that time span.
Before releasing her debut album she composed “Pretty Hurts” for Beyonce after Katy Perry and Rihanna passed on it. The idea of rejecting a song which later became Beyoncé’s property seems unimaginable to you. The audacity! Sia started her singing career despite her strong drive to remain anonymous after becoming the hottest songwriter in the industry. The irony is delicious, darling.
Ryan Tedder: The One Republic Frontman With a Double Life
Many people have been fooled by this deceptive writing talent throughout multiple years. During his time with OneRepublic Ryan Tedder secretly wrote successful songs for Beyoncé (“Halo”) and Adele (“Rumour Has It”) and Leona Lewis (“Bleeding Love”).
The song “Bleeding Love” became a best-selling single history but the world remained unknowing that Tedder composed this masterpiece. The man operates as an expert hit producer through his regular duties for his band’s frontman position. Being aware that your regular barista functions as a top-tier secret agent is one of the ultimate cover stories you can discover.
The Dark Side of Songwriting: When Credit Gets Messy
Now, let’s get into the shady stuff, because what’s gossip without a little drama? The music industry isn’t all collaborative kumbaya sessions. Sometimes things get UGLY.
The Ghostwriting Game
A number of musicians employ ghostwriters for their songs but forge their names as sole authors on every track. The team behind legal operations has forced me to keep silence regarding ghostwriter claims against certain artists who claim authentic status despite working with professional writers behind the scenes. These artists appear unexpectedly to modify several words and afterward receive writing credits for the song. Pretending to have cooked the complete meal by just adding salt to a finished product is like their self-claim of being the dinner maker.
When Songwriters Get Screwed
Beyoncé performs the hook “to the left” in her hit song “Irreplaceable” which many listeners associate with her. Ne-Yo composed much of the song’s lyrics before fans continued to believe it stemmed from Beyoncé’s pen. The phenomenon occurs frequently as composers establish cultural landmarks but anonymous artists receive every form of recognition.
The creators of worldwide hits typically earn meager copyright payments despite their breakthrough achievements. The authors receive only a single payment without royalties that could provide lifelong financial stability. When you stream a popular song you should realize the songwriter who penned those lyrics probably works as an Uber driver to pay their rent.
Ed Sheeran: The Songwriter Who Became the Star
Ed produces not only his own successful songs but also conceals his contribution to smash hits which appear under Justin Bieber and One Direction. The song “Love Yourself” by Justin Bieber serves as a hidden Bieber track even though fans pretended to know otherwise. Pure Sheeran, baby.
Ed first composed the song for his album yet he felt it required modification for his own release. When Ed Sheeran feels a song does not match his musical style he decides to give it to other artists instead. The song makes it to the top musical chart under Bieber’s name after Ed Sheeran passes it to him then receives his royalties. The key is to work smarter than to put in extra effort according to your thinking.
Julia Michaels: From Behind the Scenes to Center Stage
During several years Julia Michaels functioned as a secret songwriting talent who created popular hits for Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato and Justin Bieber. She gained center stage for the first time with “Issues.”
Songwriters who want to pursue performance careers usually face challenges during this transition period. The music industry attempts through various methods to restrain talented songwriters from participating as artists. Every Julia Michaels achievement succeeds against numerous talented songwriters whose talents stay hidden from public recognition.
The Unsung Heroes
The many writers creating lyrics which we sing during our morning routines will be forever anonymous to us. Skilled composers devote their time to creating life’s musical soundtrack but they choose to remain unknown to the world.
Throughout their performances Katy Perry roars while Lady Gaga goes gaga by expressing melodies that originated from others. When you perform your favorite pop tune while singing in the shower remember that an exhausted yet untitled songwriter produced it.
Final Thoughts: The Beautiful Illusion of Pop
Learning about industry secrets will not remove the enchanting qualities of the magic industry. Learning the methods behind amazing magic tricks offers exactly the same sense of awe as witnessing their magic. Even though sorcery does not exist it becomes clear that the knowledge behind magic is equally impressive through skillful execution.
The song that your favorite artist wrote their most successful hit may not have their input. So what? Living performance requires equal expertise as writing performance does. Many celebrated stars function as interpreters instead of writers which remains acceptable in the professional domain. It would be unreasonable to suppose that talented actors need to pen the dialogues in their performances.
During these emotional pop performances you will see performers clutching their chests because they are probably deciding which food to select for lunch instead of genuinely recalling their past sorrows. A concealed songwriter dedicated heartfelt lyrics to the songs while remaining invisible to the audience. Presently those songwriters are authoring a new chart-topping single to launch the success of a different artist.
The show must go on, and darlings, what a fabulous show it is! See you next time for more music industry tea – served piping hot, just how you like it.
