The Songwriters Thread

Soot and Stars

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This thread is a spotlight on artist who write exclusively for other artist. These could be former musicians or just career writers but I just want to avoid the mistake of having people jot down every songwriter actually in a band.

We always complain about artist not writing their own material but for me I think songwriting alone is a talent and for someone who may not have the musical talent or unfortunately the marketability I think it's awesome that they can make career behind the scenes. One the other hand there are amazing voices and musical that just don't have the knack for writing. A great songwriter knows how to bring out the best in each artist and essentially make them come out rather than the songwriter themselves. It takes a lot of talent to do this and I have so much respect for these people. To me denying the music because someone else is singing it is disrespectful to the songwriters part in the process.

My first example is:

Linda Perry
Linda-Perry-01.jpg


You likely know Linda Perry's career as the front woman for this one hit wonder band:

4 Non Blondes-What's Up?


and she attempted a solo career with this highlight:

Linda Perry feat. Grace Slick-Knock Me Out


Linda Perry's music career never took off but she must have had garnered some respect amongst her peers because she was requested by Pink to help write. Pink's first single of the album M!ssundaztood fully written by Perry was very successful and that album in which Perry greatly contributed too jolted Pinks career and IMO they are GREAT pop songs. I think Pink owes her current career to working and learning with this great artist. These are the ones Linda contributed to!

Pink-Get The Party Started (single, full writing credit)


Lonely Girl (full writing credit)


Pinks greatest collaboration would be with Christina Aguilera. Aguilera would be famous for being the "other" pop princess and honestly she was a far more talented vocalist. Still, she had a bunch of cornball pop hits but was never taken seriously. Her second c.d. had to be great in order to prove that Christina was a legit artist and not just another teen flash in the pan. Linda worked a pop miracle with Christina and truly helped deliver what I think is a pop classic with Stripped! Granted the skanky turnaround that Christina did with her image was excessive and exploitative but the album itself was soulful, diverse and just solid track for track. This was a defining moment in bringing out the potential in an artist. These are the tracks that Linda contributed to:

The most obvious pick is
Beautiful (single, full writing credit)


This song was actually written by Perry and she had such a deep connection to it that she wanted to use it in herself musically. She even withheld it from Pink but Christina won her over when she sang it in front of Linda. I think it was a great result and maybe Linda didn't get to be the face behind she at least got to create something that resonated with the world.

Others:

Cruz (co-wrote)
(Really like this one)


Make Over (co-wrote)


I'm O.K. (co-wrote)
(really brought some depth)


Linda Perry would write on every song on the second disc to the follow up Back To Basics which garnered Christina even more respect with it's retro flavored pop!

Save Me From Myself (co-wrote)


The full list of artist on Linda's eclectic list of writing collaborations are:

Pink
Christina Aguilera
Jewel
Courtney Love
Blaque
Gwen Stefani
Vanessa Carlton
Juliette and the Licks
Sugababes
Lilix
Robbie Williams
Melissa Etheridge
Sierra Swan
Fischerspooner
Solange Knowles
Cheap Trick
Gavin Rossdale
Lisa Marie Presley
Unwritten Law
Britney Spears
LP
Kelley Osbourne
James Blunt
Ben Jelen
Enrique Inglesias
Giusy Ferrari
 
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Soot and Stars

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Gregg Alexander

New-Radicals-u02.jpg


Gregg Alexander is my favorite pop songwriter ever and when he abandoned a music career and ended New Radicals to stay behind the scenes it crushed me as much as the end of the original Smashing Pumpkins believe it or not. I've covered his music

solo:
http://www.classicrockforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4445&highlight=gregg+alexander

and with the New Radicals
http://www.classicrockforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3405&highlight=gregg+alexander

One things for sure is that he has a completely original signature sound and in his songwriting for others I can easily pick out his influence. One critic for Allmusic called him the catchiest, smartest professional mainstream pop songwriter of the early 2000s.

One thing I must note before listing my favs is that Gregg had a hand in the songwriting of the songs of most of Danielle Brisebois material before he officially became a songwriter. To list every song would be tedious and too much but I love the songwriting of that team so much. I will have Danielle in the next entry as well as a link to her material.

The most notable song in his post-New Radical songwriting career so far is

Santana feat. Michelle Branch-The Game of Love
(This song won him a Grammy)


My personal favs are:

Sophie-Ellen Baxter-Murder on the Dance Floor


Hanson-Lost Without Each Other


Ronan Keating-Loving Each Day


The complete list of artist that Gregg has written for are:

Ronan Keating
Sophie Ellis-Bextor
Enrique Iglesias
Hanson
Geri Halliwell
Melanie C
Mónica Naranjo
Danielle Brisebois
Santana and Michelle Branch
 
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Soot and Stars

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Danielle Brisebois

Danielle%20Brisebois%2000001.jpg


This artist just about goes hand and hand with the above artist as Gregg aided in the songwriting of both her solo albums and recruited her for the New adicals as well. Ironically as a songwriter for other artist Danielle has actually succeeded Greg in success! For an idea of Danielle's own sound check out this link:

http://www.classicrockforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3112&highlight=danielle+brisebois

First of all Danielle helped write what is in opinion one of the best pop songs ever written. Since then a number of artist have sang it but in my opinion none of them match Danielle's version. I'll play each version and you can judge for yourself. Regardless of whether you agree with me the fact that so many have performed it shows how great a song it is!

Danielle Brisebois-Just Missed The Train
(the original)


Trine Rein-Just Missed The Train


Carly Hennessy aka Carly Smithson-Just Missed The Train
(this American Idol Contestant was a project of Gregg and Danielle first)


Kelly Clarkson-Just Missed The Train
(most successful and well known version)


The most successful song that Danielle wrote on was:

Natasha Bedingfield-Unwritten


and

Natasha Bedingfield-Pocketful of Sunshine


One of my favorite songs Danielle wrote is another one of her own she gave away:

Carly Hennessy/Smithson-Rip In Heaven


The complete list of artist Danielle has written for includes:

Leona Lewis
Natasha Bedingfield
Kelly Clarkson
Carly (Smithson) Hennessy
Paula Abdul
Kylie Minogue
Donna Summer
Clay Aiken
New Radicals
Mandy Moore
Trine Rein
Marion Raven
Kimberly Locke
Leigh Nash
Jamelia
Stefy
Lalaine
Lucie Silvas
Idina Menzel
Jonas Myrin
 

Soot and Stars

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Dan Wilson

danwilson_performs_at_push08jpg_3_2.jpg
y1pVA07vBcxHSz6Pdx3I6qtIrXkVJv7PUeNvuEPOb7CzYZc7KILFOIqNRb4hi1IZC6w41dRMh66Ug8


As I wrote in the solo thread Dan Wilson had a career with a successful band and his songwriting lead to a chance at a solo career! For Dan's music follow this link:

http://www.classicrockforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4346&page=2

Dan Wilson's biggest accomplishment was helping to write perhaps The Dixie Chicks most important song ever:

Dixie Chicks-Not Ready to Make Nice


Not only was the song important for resuscitating their politically endangered career but it found them a new audience and expanded them into a new genre. Dan won a 2007 Song of The Year Grammy along with The Dixie Chicks for this song!

Dan co-wrote a song for one of my favorite bands Anberlin!

Anberlin-Retrace
(definitely has the Semisonic vibe)


Most of Dan Wilson's work came with co-writing songs The Gabe Wilson Band on their 2008 self titled album!

Gabe Wilson Band-All Will Be Well


Gabe Wilson Band-Five More Hours


On top of his success in a short period of time Dan has co-written plenty of songs that he would perform with other artist including this one with Bic Runga that was featured on the first American Pie soundtrack!

Dan Wilson w/ Bic Runga-Good Morning Baby


Dan Wilson is one more artist that proves that your career is over when you let it be over. Even though Dan's name may not be one that pops in your head he's accrued more success than anyone knows! :grinthumb
 

bobbyg29

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This one surprises the hell out of people if they did not know...

Shel Silverstein (yes the childrens' author)
shel_silverstein.jpg

Songs he wrote include:


Boy Named Sue - Johnny Cash


The Unicorn - The Irish Rovers


Cover of the Rolling Stone - Dr Hook


Sylvia's Mother - Dr Hook
 

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