According to Wetalksound, not every artist who performs a song is the one who wrote it. Throughout the history of the music industry, several musicians have played a crucial role in the success of their peers by writing songs that went on to become international chart-toppers.
Their contributions highlight the importance of songwriting as one of the most valuable skills in the music business.
1. Olamide
Nigerian rapper and songwriter Olamide has helped propel the careers of several artists through his songwriting abilities. He wrote “49-99” for Tiwa Savage, a song that has amassed more than 14 million views on YouTube.
He also penned “Lonely at the Top” for Asake, which has garnered nearly 91 million views. The song explores the emotional realities of success, wealth, and fame, emphasizing the loneliness that can accompany life at the top.
2. Tems
Grammy-winning Nigerian singer-songwriter Tems co-wrote “Lift Me Up” for Rihanna, which was released on October 28, 2022.
The song marked Rihanna’s highly anticipated return to music after a six-year hiatus and was created as a tribute to the late actor Chadwick Boseman, the star of Black Panther. It has accumulated more than 195 million views on YouTube.
3. Ne-Yo
American singer and songwriter Ne-Yo wrote “Let Me Love You” for Mario, one of the most successful R&B songs of the 2000s.
The track spent nine consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and has attracted more than 735 million views on YouTube, cementing its place as a global classic.
4. Sia
Australian singer-songwriter Sia wrote “Diamonds” for Rihanna, a song that became one of the biggest hits of her career.
Released in 2012 as part of Rihanna’s Unapologetic album, the song has surpassed 2.5 billion views on YouTube and remains one of the most recognizable pop records of the last decade.
5. Teni
Nigerian artist Teni contributed to Davido’s success by writing “Like Dat,” a song that helped strengthen his position in the Afrobeats scene.
6. Runtown
Another Nigerian star, Runtown, wrote “Aye” for Davido. The song became a massive hit and has surpassed 100 million views on YouTube, playing a significant role in Davido’s rise to international recognition.
7. Pharrell Williams
Acclaimed producer and songwriter Pharrell Williams wrote “Hot in Herre” for Nelly.
Released in 2002, the song became one of the defining Hip-Hop hits of its era and remains a staple in popular music history.
8. Drake
Before becoming one of the world's biggest artists, Drake contributed as a songwriter for other musicians. He co-wrote “Un-Thinkable (I’m Ready)” for Alicia Keys, which appeared on her 2009 album The Element of Freedom.
The song tells the story of two friends whose relationship develops into romance despite uncertainty and social expectations.
9. Ed Sheeran
British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran wrote “Love Yourself” for Justin Bieber, one of the most successful songs of Bieber’s career.
The track has accumulated more than 1.8 billion views on YouTube and explores themes of self-worth and moving on from a toxic relationship.
10. Taylor Swift
Global pop icon Taylor Swift was involved in writing “This Is What You Came For,” the hit collaboration between Calvin Harris and Rihanna.
Released in 2016, the song became one of the most successful EDM records of the decade and achieved worldwide commercial success.
These examples demonstrate that songwriting is often the driving force behind some of the biggest songs in the world. While performers receive much of the spotlight, talented songwriters frequently play an equally important role in creating music that resonates with millions of listeners.
Their work highlights the value of collaboration in the music industry and underscores why songwriters remain essential to the success of artists across every genre.