By Miguel Mike Medina
Photo Credit: Jim Spellman/WireImage
When an artist writes a song, some of it comes from personal experiences, and there are times when it’s too good for words.
Inspiration can come from anywhere. Artists take the time to walk around, read, and try to find anything to put their words in a notebook. Many of these artists, who are great at what they do, have won fans’ love and respect.
It’s not easy to write a great song, especially when you have to do it over and over. Here are some of the greatest American songwriters of all time.
Prince
The King! The Man! “Purple Rain” will always be the album that stands out the most. However, he also had other impeccable written albums like
“1999,” “Sign O The Times,” “Emancipation,” and “Controversity.”
Prince pioneered the Minnesota sound and influenced many generations of artists. He has written and released many albums over the years.
Mariah Carey
The Queen! The Voice of Angel! Carey has no problem selling millions of copies thanks to her voice and songwriting.
If you followed her career, then you know what songs and albums were terrific. It’s too much to mention, but when it comes to great American songwriters, you can’t miss Mariah on any list.
Jay-Z
The No. 1 in hip hop history. The undisputed GOAT of the genre. His skills are so incredible that he often doesn’t have to write down his lyrics. That’s something that he and the late great The Notorious B.I.G. had in common besides both being from Brooklyn, NY.
“Reasonable Doubt,” “The Blueprint 1,” and “The Black Album” are three of his greatest albums and among his best of his career. Jay has released many more studio albums, but nothing comes close to these three.
“Song Cry” from the Blueprint 1 album is one of his best-written songs. He also wrote for his wife, Beyoncé, on “Baby Boy” featuring Sean Paul.
Taylor Swift
Swift has been dominating the music industry for the past 17 years with her smash hits, and it all began with a pen and a notebook.
She is one of the most successful artists and songwriters of this era. Her albums “1989” and “Folklore” are among her best-written.
Bruce Springsteen
Springsteen has written over 400 songs in his illustrious career. He has had numerous songs hit the Top 10.
He wrote songs for other artists, including Natalie Cole, “Pink Cadillac,” Manfred Mann’s Earth Band, and the Pointer Sisters.
Some of his best-written songs are “Born to Run,” Atlantic City,” “Bobby Jean,” “Dancing in the Dark,” and many more. What an unbelievable talent he is. His music had sold millions, and he is one of those artists born to write great music.
Dolly Parton
Parton has written thousands of songs in her career. She is highly admired for her ability to write amazing songs, and artists enjoy working with her. Parton is a rare breed. There aren’t too many like her.
Some of her best written works are: I Will Always Love You, 9 to 5, Two Doors Down, Waltz Me to Heaven, Fuel to the Flame, etc.
R. Kelly
Regardless of his behavior and bad conduct, R. Kelly is a tremendous R&B singer and songwriter. Not only has he written for his own catalog, but also for other artists, including most of Aaliyah’s debut album. Age Ain’t Nothin’ But A Number, Michael Jackson’s “You Are Not Alone,” Maxwell’s “Fortunate.”
B2K, arguably the hottest boy band of the early 2000s, had many of its hit songs written by Kelly. B2K’s “Bump, Bump, Bump,” featuring Diddy, “Girlfriend,” and “What a Girl Wants.” Kelly has a history of working with The Isley Brothers. Kelly wrote six songs for the Isley Brothers, including the major hit “Contagious,” which was released in 2001.
“I Believe I Can Fly” and “The World’s Greatest,” which are arguably two of his greatest songs that can be played at graduations and other important events, were written by him.
Lucinda Williams
She is one of the most celebrated singer-songwriters of her generation. Williams wrote fantastic albums such as Car Wheels on a Gravel Road, Sweet Old World, and her self-titled album, Lucinda Williams, among others, in the 2000s.
She has won three Grammys and 17 nominations.
Bob Dylan
For many fans or critics, when they think about what song stands out the most from a songwriting standpoint, it would be “Wichita Lineman.”
Dylan has other great hits that should be mentioned, such as “Every Grain of Sand” and “Mr. Tambourine Man.”
Dylan is an all-time great. We know how much he meant to the music industry. Great artist. Great songwriter.
Carol King
Her work on her album Tapestry is off the charts. King is one of the most talented and successful songwriters ever. Tapestry went platinum 14 times and won four Grammys for her work on this album. Tapestry is part of the Rolling Stones’ list of 500 greatest albums of all time.
King has received honors such as induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and twice into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. 118 songs that she either wrote or co-wrote have made it to Billboard Top 100 charts.
Honorable Mention:
The Notorious B.I.G.
Eminem
Missy Elliott and Timbaland
Jermaine Dupri
Stevie Wonder
Nina Simone
Valerie Simpson
Madonna
Miguel Mike Medina is the publisher of The MMM Journal. He can be reached at medinamiguelmike@gmail.com and themmmjournal@gmail.com
X: @mmm_sportnfilms, Instagram: @miguel_passionforsports and @themmmjournal, LinkedIn: The MMM Journal, TikTok: @miguelmikemedina
