Songs You Didn't Know Were Written By...

  • 4 months ago
It's time to reveal the unsung artists behind the lyrics. Welcome to MsMojo, and today we're providing a deep dive for songs you didn't know were written by...
Transcript
00:00:00 (upbeat music)
00:00:01 - Hey everyone, I'm Rebecca and welcome to WatchMojo.
00:00:04 The music industry is full of talented folks,
00:00:07 many of whom write music for other talented folks.
00:00:09 And sometimes they do so so quietly
00:00:12 that you don't even know about it.
00:00:14 That's what I'm here for.
00:00:15 Let's start off by learning which songs
00:00:17 you may not have known were written
00:00:18 by Mother Monster herself, Lady Gaga.
00:00:21 ♪ Should've made some plans with me ♪
00:00:23 ♪ I knew that I was sprayed ♪
00:00:25 ♪ And now you won't stop calling me ♪
00:00:27 ♪ I'm kinda busy ♪
00:00:29 - Welcome to Ms. Mojo.
00:00:30 And today we're counting down our picks
00:00:32 for the top songs you didn't know
00:00:34 were written by Lady Gaga.
00:00:36 ♪ Oh no, no, by the unknown ♪
00:00:38 ♪ No, no, it's me you can find ♪
00:00:42 ♪ Ooh ♪
00:00:43 - For this list, we're looking at songs written
00:00:45 and co-written by Lady Gaga,
00:00:47 also known as Stephanie Germanotta for other artists.
00:00:51 Number seven, "Chillin'", Wale featuring Lady Gaga.
00:00:54 Not long after Lady Gaga smashed her way
00:00:57 onto the scene with the fame,
00:00:58 producer Mark Ronson introduced her to Wale,
00:01:01 a rapper who was also preparing his first album.
00:01:04 The two artists hit it off immediately,
00:01:06 and Gaga agreed to write the hook
00:01:07 for Wale's lead single "Chillin'".
00:01:09 ♪ Lookin' there, lookin' there, lookin' at me ♪
00:01:11 ♪ Look at that, look at how they lookin' at me ♪
00:01:14 ♪ Eyes all stickin' like honey on bees ♪
00:01:16 - After providing the vocals as well,
00:01:18 she would go on to appear in the music video.
00:01:20 The track includes a tribute to Wale's hometown
00:01:23 and features multiple shout-outs to the Washington, D.C. area.
00:01:26 ♪ D.C. chillin', P.G. chillin' ♪
00:01:28 ♪ My name Wale and I came to get it ♪
00:01:31 - Though Gaga herself is a New York girl,
00:01:33 her collaborative efforts fit in perfectly.
00:01:35 Her lyrics add the ego flex of two artists
00:01:38 who are destined to do their cities proud.
00:01:40 ♪ Draggin' my car to a boring place ♪
00:01:43 ♪ Lookin' at me, nothin' on my face ♪
00:01:45 ♪ We want it all now, we got it all used ♪
00:01:48 - Number six, "Elevator", the Pussycat Dolls.
00:01:51 ♪ You tell me change your mind ♪
00:01:52 ♪ I follow, cut up, all up in your maze ♪
00:01:54 ♪ And I'm so dizzy, babe ♪
00:01:55 ♪ Can't keep going, I can't both on these waves ♪
00:01:58 - Following the multi-platinum success
00:02:00 of their 2005 album, "PCD",
00:02:02 the Pussycat Dolls' sophomore album, "Doll Domination",
00:02:05 would feature several notable collaborators,
00:02:07 as well as one little-known up-and-comer
00:02:09 named Stephanie Germanotta,
00:02:11 a recent transplant to Los Angeles.
00:02:13 The artist, soon to be known as Lady Gaga,
00:02:15 was preparing for her own musical debut
00:02:18 when she wrote this song for the group.
00:02:19 ♪ Down, down, down ♪
00:02:22 ♪ Like an elevator ♪
00:02:23 ♪ You touch the sky and touch the ground ♪
00:02:27 - The smooth pop groove is an ode
00:02:28 to the ups and downs of a rocky relationship.
00:02:31 Though catchy, it would unfortunately
00:02:33 prove to be prophetic as well.
00:02:35 The Dolls split in 2010,
00:02:37 following a period of internal conflict and wounded egos.
00:02:40 ♪ You slip on one while I'm first to three ♪
00:02:42 ♪ You're in the corner for a four ♪
00:02:44 ♪ And I'm first to three ♪
00:02:46 ♪ You keep on leaving me ♪
00:02:47 - Not before Lady Gaga had a chance
00:02:49 to open several legs of their tour, though.
00:02:51 Number five, Full Service, New Kids on the Block.
00:02:55 When you're an aging boy band in the market for a comeback,
00:02:57 you need serious songwriters to give you
00:02:59 the sort of material that will catch the ear
00:03:01 of old fans and new listeners alike.
00:03:03 ♪ From the front end to the bumper ♪
00:03:06 ♪ For the window up and lock the door ♪
00:03:09 ♪ 'Cause I'm gonna rain rain and thunder ♪
00:03:11 - The Block was the group's first album since 1994.
00:03:15 So yeah, the pressure was on.
00:03:17 The 10th track on the album, Full Service,
00:03:19 was co-written by frequent Gaga collaborator Red One
00:03:22 and NKOTB's own Donnie Wahlberg.
00:03:25 Gaga was brought on board after Red One
00:03:27 showed her music to the band.
00:03:28 ♪ I'ma give you that full service ♪
00:03:30 ♪ You'll see ♪
00:03:31 ♪ You better, better get nervous, nervous ♪
00:03:33 ♪ I'ma give you, give you full service, service ♪
00:03:35 - Knowing that Gaga helped pen this catchy tune,
00:03:38 you can actually hear a lot of her earlier production
00:03:40 and songwriting style.
00:03:42 It didn't get the single treatment,
00:03:43 but we think it could have.
00:03:45 ♪ How good it could be ♪
00:03:47 ♪ Anything you need, I'ma slip right up ♪
00:03:50 ♪ Anything you need, ain't no doubt ♪
00:03:52 ♪ I'ma get on high ♪
00:03:53 - Number four, Murder My Heart, Michael Bolton.
00:03:56 And this, ladies and gentlemen,
00:03:58 is what we call a curveball.
00:04:00 Admit it, you thought this was gonna be a list of songs
00:04:03 written for conventional contemporary pop performers.
00:04:06 ♪ Baby, I can't breathe ♪
00:04:09 ♪ With my arms around you ♪
00:04:12 - So what's quintessentially '80s and '90s
00:04:15 pop rock adult contemporary singer, Michael Bolton,
00:04:18 doing collaborating with the mother monster
00:04:20 and the queen of weird herself, Lady Gaga?
00:04:22 Well, in 2008, Gaga was still breaking out
00:04:25 and doing a fair amount of songwriting for others,
00:04:27 including Michael Bolton,
00:04:29 with whom she reportedly spent two sleepless nights
00:04:32 writing this song.
00:04:33 ♪ Your love is like a weapon ♪
00:04:35 ♪ Girl, I can't live without you ♪
00:04:38 - It takes a while to wrap your mind
00:04:40 around the blend of Gaga-ish production and Bolton's voice,
00:04:43 but honestly, it totally works.
00:04:45 ♪ You murder my heart ♪
00:04:50 ♪ You murder my heart ♪
00:04:53 - Number three, Hypnotico, Jennifer Lopez.
00:04:56 It's a pretty huge endorsement
00:04:58 when one of the biggest female pop singers
00:05:00 from the last few decades wants one of your songs.
00:05:03 (upbeat music)
00:05:05 - Come on!
00:05:06 ♪ Flippin', slappin' town ♪
00:05:08 ♪ It's gonna get nasty ♪
00:05:10 - After writing the song alongside Akon,
00:05:12 Claude Kelly, Red One, and Tammy Chin for the latter's album,
00:05:16 which never saw the light of day,
00:05:17 Lady Gaga got to see the "Shelt" song get re-recorded
00:05:20 by none other than pop icon Jennifer Lopez.
00:05:23 ♪ All the boys don't want it ♪
00:05:24 ♪ But it don't mean a thing ♪
00:05:26 ♪ We got tonight ♪
00:05:28 ♪ We just can't stand it ♪
00:05:29 ♪ Heartbreak is tonight ♪
00:05:31 - It was ultimately released as a bonus track
00:05:33 on her 2011 album, "Love."
00:05:36 Though the two unfortunately never got to work
00:05:38 on the song together in the flesh,
00:05:39 Lopez was hugely complimentary
00:05:41 of both Gaga's lyrics and her melodies.
00:05:44 ♪ Tonight ♪
00:05:45 ♪ Silly heartbreak is tonight ♪
00:05:48 ♪ Hit not tonight to go ♪
00:05:49 ♪ Hit not tonight to go ♪
00:05:52 - Number two, "Fever," Adam Lambert.
00:05:54 We've got a fever, and the only cure
00:05:56 is more songs written by Lady Gaga.
00:05:59 ♪ To the end of the bar ♪
00:06:01 ♪ Kind of a null, je crois ♪
00:06:03 ♪ Sometimes, yeah ♪
00:06:05 ♪ Would you be my man? ♪
00:06:07 - Of all the singers to come out of "American Idol,"
00:06:09 Adam Lambert is without a doubt among the most successful.
00:06:12 But in the lead up to the release of his debut album,
00:06:15 it must have been quite the thrill for Lambert
00:06:17 to find himself in the studio
00:06:19 alongside such a massive talent.
00:06:21 Not only did they collaborate together to write "Fever,"
00:06:24 but Gaga's vocals can actually be heard in the chorus.
00:06:27 ♪ I wanna get you alone ♪
00:06:32 ♪ Give you a fever, fever, yeah ♪
00:06:35 - Adam's distinct vocal style
00:06:36 makes the infectious song very much his own.
00:06:38 But before the vocals come in,
00:06:40 that pounding beat and production style is pure Gaga.
00:06:44 ♪ I'm gonna start a fire ♪
00:06:46 ♪ With this fever, fever, yeah ♪
00:06:49 - Number one, "Quicksand," Britney Spears.
00:06:52 Britney Spears is a pop goddess, plain and simple.
00:06:55 And the same goes for Lady Gaga.
00:06:57 So just knowing that this recording
00:06:59 is the product of their combined efforts
00:07:01 is enough to give us shivers
00:07:02 and a whole new appreciation for it.
00:07:05 ♪ I just can't say goodbye ♪
00:07:09 ♪ No, not tonight ♪
00:07:12 - From piano ballad to pulsing electro-pop party jam,
00:07:15 "Quicksand" sounds like exactly what it is,
00:07:18 a Lady Gaga song sung by Britney Spears.
00:07:21 ♪ I don't wanna move on ♪
00:07:23 ♪ So I gotta hold on ♪
00:07:25 ♪ Only because you and me ♪
00:07:26 ♪ Thinking like we're dead ♪
00:07:28 - Unfortunately, it was seemingly too much
00:07:31 of an outlier for the album
00:07:32 and was relegated to the status of European bonus track.
00:07:35 In our books, however, it's great.
00:07:38 ♪ Gotta hold my head up ♪
00:07:39 ♪ Gotta keep my head up ♪
00:07:41 ♪ Gotta keep on breathing ♪
00:07:43 ♪ Baby, even if we're sinking ♪
00:07:46 - If only Spears hadn't passed on telephone
00:07:48 when Gaga and co-writer Rodney Jerkins offered it to her.
00:07:51 It's incredible how talented Lady Gaga is.
00:07:55 I'll never get over it.
00:07:56 Anyway, there's another name you've certainly heard
00:07:59 over the last couple of decades,
00:08:00 and that is OneRepublic's Ryan Tedder.
00:08:03 He is a prolific songwriter,
00:08:04 so let's take a listen to some of his work for other people.
00:08:08 But you're also a writer, a writer at heart.
00:08:10 What's your favorite song you've ever written?
00:08:12 - My favorite song I've ever written?
00:08:14 - Welcome to Ms. Mojo,
00:08:16 and today we're counting down our picks
00:08:18 for the top 10 songs you didn't know
00:08:20 were written by Ryan Tedder.
00:08:22 ♪ But you're a ghost ♪
00:08:24 ♪ The ghost of your way ♪
00:08:25 ♪ Kicks me away ♪
00:08:27 - For this list, we'll be looking at the best tracks
00:08:29 that were pinned by the OneRepublic frontman.
00:08:32 We're considering anything on which
00:08:34 he's credited as a co-writer.
00:08:36 Which of these songs is your favorite?
00:08:38 Number 10, Neon Lights, Demi Lovato.
00:08:43 This electro pop tune from Lovato's Demi album
00:08:46 is well known for being one of her more upbeat,
00:08:49 energetic releases.
00:08:51 ♪ Be still my heart ♪
00:08:53 ♪ 'Cause it's freaking out ♪
00:08:55 ♪ It's freaking out ♪
00:08:57 ♪ Right now ♪
00:08:58 - But not everyone is aware that it was pinned
00:09:00 by a total of five people,
00:09:02 or that Ryan Tedder was one of the writers involved.
00:09:05 He himself dubbed it a, quote, "fun dance record,"
00:09:09 and we could not agree more.
00:09:11 ♪ Baby when they look up at the sky ♪
00:09:15 ♪ We'll be shooting stars just passing by ♪
00:09:18 - Neon Lights is filled to the brim
00:09:20 with an electric vitality,
00:09:22 which is superbly complemented
00:09:24 by the singer's captivating vocals.
00:09:26 Each lyric elevates the beat,
00:09:28 bringing the party to the listener in the process.
00:09:31 ♪ You're all I see in all these places ♪
00:09:35 - Just remember that Tedder is one of the names
00:09:37 we have to thank for that synergy.
00:09:39 ♪ Lighting up ♪
00:09:41 - Number nine, He Said, She Said, Ashley Tisdale.
00:09:48 The notion of Ryan Tedder
00:09:49 and Disney Channel darling Ashley Tisdale collaborating
00:09:53 might seem unconventional at first glance,
00:09:56 but the most unlikely pairings
00:09:57 can produce unexpectedly great results,
00:10:00 and He Said, She Said is proof of that.
00:10:03 ♪ Girl walk in the spot, she stop traffic ♪
00:10:05 ♪ She blow your mind with her ass hit ♪
00:10:07 - Tedder and his co-writers
00:10:08 skillfully embodied the singer's persona,
00:10:11 forging a record that's infectious and rich in style.
00:10:15 Their work fits effortlessly with her snappy performance,
00:10:18 and what we get is a tune
00:10:20 that feels like it's distinctly Ashley Tisdale.
00:10:23 ♪ Boy acting as if there's no pressure ♪
00:10:25 ♪ Can't do anything to get with her ♪
00:10:27 - We're not listening to her
00:10:28 the sweet life of Zack and Cody
00:10:30 or high school musical characters.
00:10:32 Instead, we get a glimpse at her own unique musical identity
00:10:36 and what a fun identity it is.
00:10:38 ♪ You can look like him ♪
00:10:40 ♪ With me and what he said, she said ♪
00:10:43 - Number eight, Happier, Ed Sheeran.
00:10:46 This 2017 track came from the minds of Benny Blanco,
00:10:50 Ed Sheeran himself, and yes, the one and only Ryan Tedder.
00:10:55 ♪ So you walk inside a bar ♪
00:10:58 - We'd say this is one great writing trio
00:11:03 because Happier is a deeply powerful piece of music.
00:11:06 With a melodious sound,
00:11:07 it takes us through the singer's painful realization
00:11:10 that he and an ex simply aren't meant to be together.
00:11:13 ♪ Ain't nobody hurt you like I hurt you ♪
00:11:17 - So many songs focus on the anger
00:11:19 that comes with heartbreak,
00:11:20 but here, Sheeran leans into the acceptance
00:11:23 and perspective that distance can give us.
00:11:26 There's an honesty imbued into the record
00:11:28 that we imagine couldn't have been easy
00:11:30 for the three writers to channel,
00:11:32 but they more than nailed it.
00:11:34 ♪ Baby, you look happier, you do ♪
00:11:38 - Number seven, Welcome to New York, Taylor Swift.
00:11:43 Individually, Taylor Swift and Ryan Tedder
00:11:46 are top-notch songwriters.
00:11:48 Together, they're unstoppable.
00:11:50 ♪ Walking through a crowd, the village is aglow ♪
00:11:54 - Indeed, they co-wrote two tracks
00:11:56 for Swift's 1989 album.
00:11:59 One of them was the addictive "I Know Places,"
00:12:01 but we wanna talk about the other, Welcome to New York.
00:12:04 We're not sure how it took us so long
00:12:06 to realize they penned it together, but we're obsessed.
00:12:10 It started with a voice memo Swift,
00:12:12 who had recently relocated to the titular city,
00:12:14 sent the One Republic frontman.
00:12:17 ♪ Everybody here was someone else before ♪
00:12:20 - The rest is '80s synth-pop history.
00:12:23 The lively tune transports listeners to the Big Apple,
00:12:26 capturing its magnetic essence.
00:12:29 New York is known to inspire great songs,
00:12:31 and this one takes us on the trip of a lifetime.
00:12:34 ♪ Welcome to New York, welcome to New York ♪
00:12:38 - Number six, Sucker, Jonas Brothers.
00:12:41 When the Jonas Brothers announced
00:12:43 that they were reuniting in 2019, we were ecstatic.
00:12:46 So when they released Sucker, their first single
00:12:49 since that infamous 2013 breakup,
00:12:52 we forgot to check who was responsible for penning it.
00:12:54 ♪ Feel the heat in December when you found me ♪
00:12:58 - Sure enough, the group of songwriters includes Ryan Tedder.
00:13:01 Creating a track special enough
00:13:03 to mark a boy band's comeback isn't an easy task,
00:13:06 but he and the rest of the team did not disappoint,
00:13:10 perfecting every detail
00:13:11 and giving fans a lot to celebrate and jam to.
00:13:15 ♪ I'm dancing with the big guys ♪
00:13:17 ♪ And stumbling out of bars ♪
00:13:18 - They created a fresh, grown-up Jonas sound
00:13:21 that still has the spark we fell in love with
00:13:23 back at the start of the brothers' career.
00:13:25 Needless to say, we're suckers for Sucker.
00:13:29 ♪ It's true, I'm a sucker for you ♪
00:13:32 - Number five, Battlefield, Jordan Sparks.
00:13:35 Why does love always feel like a battlefield?
00:13:38 Jordan Sparks posed that question back in 2009
00:13:42 through this aptly titled R&B track,
00:13:45 and she got millions to wonder alongside her.
00:13:48 ♪ Why is it the smallest things ♪
00:13:50 ♪ That tear us down ♪
00:13:52 - Of course, behind her mesmerizing vocals
00:13:54 and heartbreaking delivery were those who crafted the song.
00:13:58 In this case, Ryan Tedder was among
00:14:00 that oft-forgotten group of people.
00:14:02 He and fellow writers, Louis Bianconello,
00:14:05 Sam Waters, and Wayne Wilkins,
00:14:08 put words and music to a feeling,
00:14:10 spotlighting the combative dynamic
00:14:12 that can creep into relationships.
00:14:14 ♪ I never meant to start a war ♪
00:14:17 ♪ You know I never wanna hurt you ♪
00:14:20 - They found a way to mix vulnerability and power,
00:14:23 giving the ballad the balance it needs to grab us,
00:14:26 creating a riveting listening experience.
00:14:28 That's one creative battle we're glad they won.
00:14:32 ♪ Why does love always feel like a battlefield ♪
00:14:36 - Number four, Already Gone, Kelly Clarkson.
00:14:40 The third single from Clarkson's All I Ever Wanted album,
00:14:44 Already Gone is a rousing tune about a breakup.
00:14:47 ♪ We were never meant for to die ♪
00:14:51 - The singer herself co-wrote it,
00:14:53 but did you know that she teamed up with Tedder to do so?
00:14:56 The result is everything you'd want
00:14:58 from a Kelly Clarkson ballad.
00:15:00 It's affecting, has an evocative melody,
00:15:02 and is perfect to belt along to.
00:15:04 ♪ Looking at you makes it harder ♪
00:15:08 ♪ But I know that you'll find another ♪
00:15:10 - But while the relationship in the song
00:15:12 comes to an end on bittersweet but good terms,
00:15:15 the record was plagued by drama.
00:15:17 Clarkson felt that Tedder had recycled the backing track
00:15:21 from another one of his works, Beyonce's Halo.
00:15:24 He denied the claim, but the ordeal got rather tense.
00:15:28 Controversy aside, there's no denying Already Gone
00:15:31 is a great number in its own right.
00:15:33 ♪ I'm already gone ♪
00:15:37 ♪ Already gone ♪
00:15:40 - Number three, Bleeding Love, Leona Lewis.
00:15:44 When you think of Bleeding Love,
00:15:45 you probably instantly think of the woman
00:15:47 who sang it so beautifully, Leona Lewis.
00:15:51 ♪ Closed up from love ♪
00:15:53 ♪ Didn't need the pain ♪
00:15:55 - But we're betting the names Jesse McCartney
00:15:57 and Ryan Tedder don't immediately come to mind.
00:16:01 Well, they should, as they're the writing duo
00:16:03 responsible for creating the tune.
00:16:06 It was originally meant for McCartney, but his label passed.
00:16:10 As fate would have it, though,
00:16:11 it ended up being exactly what Leona Lewis's
00:16:13 very first studio album needed.
00:16:16 ♪ And it's draining all of me ♪
00:16:20 - A few tweaks later, it was hers to absolutely master.
00:16:24 Prince's music had a major influence on the track,
00:16:26 and we'd say Tedder and McCartney found the recipe
00:16:29 for success with that organ and those stirring lyrics.
00:16:33 It's not one of Lewis's most beloved songs for nothing.
00:16:36 ♪ Keep bleeding, keep, keep bleeding love ♪
00:16:41 - Number two, "Halo," Beyonce.
00:16:44 What do you do when you're recovering from an injury?
00:16:46 If you're Ryan Tedder, you call up your pal,
00:16:49 E-Kid Bogart, and make a record.
00:16:51 ♪ Remember those walls I built ♪
00:16:54 ♪ Oh baby, they're tumbling down ♪
00:16:57 - Few people know this,
00:16:58 but that's how Queen B's angelic hit "Halo" came to be.
00:17:02 Tedder and Bogart got together,
00:17:04 and after three very productive hours,
00:17:07 the heavenly love song had taken shape.
00:17:10 ♪ Hit me like a ray of sun ♪
00:17:13 ♪ Burning through my darkest night ♪
00:17:15 - Co-writer Beyonce then put her touch on it,
00:17:18 and a hit was born.
00:17:19 The track's story is so fleshed out,
00:17:21 both lyrically and musically,
00:17:23 that it feels like it could have taken months
00:17:25 to conceptualize, but Tedder clearly has a gift.
00:17:28 ♪ Oh, you're halo, halo ♪
00:17:31 - It seems Beyonce was a fan,
00:17:33 because she teamed up with him again for "XO"
00:17:36 a few years later.
00:17:37 Before we unveil our top pick,
00:17:39 here are a few honorable mentions.
00:17:41 Burn, Ellie Goulding.
00:17:43 When Ryan Tedder's on the writing team,
00:17:45 you know he's gonna bring the fire.
00:17:48 ♪ And we're gonna let it burn, burn, burn, burn ♪
00:17:50 ♪ We're gonna let it burn, burn, burn ♪
00:17:53 Faith, Stevie Wonder featuring Ariana Grande.
00:17:56 We'll always have faith in Tedder's writing abilities.
00:17:59 ♪ I got faith in you, baby ♪
00:18:02 ♪ I got faith in you now ♪
00:18:05 Reach Out, Hilary Duff.
00:18:07 Tedder was one of four songwriters
00:18:08 who gave us this sultry tune.
00:18:10 ♪ Reach out and touch me ♪
00:18:13 ♪ Before I go insane ♪
00:18:14 ♪ Reach out ♪
00:18:15 Not Over You, Gavin DeGraw.
00:18:17 We're still not over this impeccably written record.
00:18:20 (upbeat music)
00:18:22 ♪ No matter what I say, I'm not over you ♪
00:18:26 Love Somebody, Maroon 5.
00:18:29 We love what Ryan Tedder and his collaborators
00:18:31 created with this song.
00:18:33 ♪ I really wanna love somebody ♪
00:18:37 ♪ I really wanna dance the night away ♪
00:18:41 Number one, Rumor Has It, Adele.
00:18:44 Rumors can be nasty things,
00:18:46 especially when your friends start to buy into them.
00:18:49 ♪ She ain't real ♪
00:18:51 But leave it to Adele to take something negative
00:18:53 and use it as fuel to create an insanely catchy single.
00:18:57 And it turns out that her co-writer
00:18:58 was none other than Ryan Tedder.
00:19:01 Together, they constructed this blues-infused number
00:19:03 with an all-consuming rhythm and lyrics that never falter.
00:19:07 ♪ She is half your age ♪
00:19:11 ♪ But I'm guessing that's the reason that you stayed ♪
00:19:14 Now, Tedder has penned a lot of songs
00:19:16 for a lot of different artists,
00:19:18 but he once called Rumor Has It his favorite
00:19:21 because not only was it penned quickly,
00:19:24 but Adele only needed one take to slay the recording.
00:19:27 Rumor Has It, we're in love with that anecdote
00:19:30 and the tune itself.
00:19:31 Okay, that's not a rumor, it's a fact.
00:19:34 ♪ Rumor has it ♪
00:19:36 ♪ Rumor has it ♪
00:19:38 ♪ Rumor has it ♪
00:19:41 Our next secret songwriter rose to fame
00:19:43 by posting covers on YouTube,
00:19:45 but now he's written enough songs himself
00:19:47 that we've got a list of songs you didn't know
00:19:49 were written by him.
00:19:50 Let's see what Charlie Puth can do.
00:19:52 - Yeah, and now, Charlie Puth.
00:19:55 - Welcome to Ms. Mojo,
00:19:57 and today we're counting down our picks
00:20:00 for the top 10 songs you didn't know
00:20:02 were written by Charlie Puth.
00:20:05 ♪ Oh, I'll tell you all about it ♪
00:20:07 ♪ When I see you again ♪
00:20:10 For this list, we'll be looking at the most notable songs
00:20:14 that this hugely talented musical wonder wrote
00:20:17 with and for other artists.
00:20:20 Which of these Puth tracks surprised you the most?
00:20:23 Number 10, So Am I, Ava Max.
00:20:28 This was the second single released
00:20:30 off of Ava Max's 2020 album, Heaven and Hell.
00:20:34 The song performed well and features lyrics
00:20:37 all about being true to who you are,
00:20:39 loving yourself and embracing your differences.
00:20:43 ♪ You're beautiful, you're misunderstood ♪
00:20:46 ♪ So why you trying to be just like the neighborhood ♪
00:20:49 They say it takes a village to raise a child,
00:20:53 and we think the same could be said for creating this song.
00:20:56 It features no fewer than seven co-writers,
00:21:00 including Max herself and Charlie Puth.
00:21:03 ♪ But it's okay to be different ♪
00:21:07 ♪ Just baby so am I ♪
00:21:10 This wasn't the only time Puth lent his talents
00:21:13 to the album either.
00:21:15 He also helped to co-write another impressive track
00:21:18 called Tattoo.
00:21:19 ♪ I'm like a tattoo ♪
00:21:22 ♪ That's under your skin ♪
00:21:24 ♪ So write my name in cursive ♪
00:21:26 ♪ 'Cause you'll never forget ♪
00:21:27 Number nine, Working Class Heroes Work, CeeLo Green.
00:21:32 ♪ I got that new hotness for you this morning ♪
00:21:34 ♪ Get ready to move ♪
00:21:35 Charlie Puth didn't release
00:21:37 his first full-length studio album until 2016,
00:21:41 but that doesn't mean he wasn't getting to work
00:21:44 making amazing music for years prior to that.
00:21:48 The star put out two extended plays
00:21:51 as an independent artist,
00:21:53 and another after signing with a major label.
00:21:56 Of course, he was also busy writing
00:21:58 for and with other artists.
00:22:01 Among the people he worked with was CeeLo Green.
00:22:04 ♪ Grab your girl's head on the floor ♪
00:22:08 ♪ This is what you've been waiting for ♪
00:22:13 Puth co-wrote the track Working Class Heroes Work
00:22:17 for Green's fifth solo album, Heart Blanche,
00:22:20 which was released in 2015.
00:22:22 He also co-produced the track along with Green
00:22:26 and a few other folks, really putting his stamp on it.
00:22:30 ♪ I don't know what's wrong ♪
00:22:31 ♪ Just put your head in the air ♪
00:22:33 ♪ Just put your head in the air ♪
00:22:34 ♪ Let me see you move ♪
00:22:35 Number eight, Slow Motion, Trey Songz.
00:22:39 Puth pulled double duty again here,
00:22:42 with credits as both a co-writer and co-producer
00:22:46 on this Trey Songz track.
00:22:47 ♪ I just knew you needed something more ♪
00:22:51 ♪ Now I'm whipping straight back to the crib ♪
00:22:54 The slow R&B groove definitely sets a sultry mood,
00:22:58 and is sure to put you in the mood
00:23:00 for a romantic slow dance.
00:23:03 In fact, Puth is such a big fan of the number
00:23:06 that he's since revealed he wishes he kept it for himself.
00:23:10 ♪ We could take, we could take, we could take our time ♪
00:23:13 ♪ Baby ♪
00:23:15 ♪ In slow motion ♪
00:23:17 And we can't help but wonder how that would have sounded,
00:23:22 but there's no doubt that Songz did a stellar job
00:23:26 with the song, but it's always interesting
00:23:28 to wonder what might have been.
00:23:30 ♪ We could take, we could take, we could take our time ♪
00:23:33 ♪ Stay here ♪
00:23:35 Number seven, Broke, Jason Derulo,
00:23:38 featuring Stevie Wonder and Keith Urban.
00:23:42 With Keith Urban on the guitar,
00:23:44 and the amazing Stevie Wonder providing some vocals
00:23:48 and jamming on the harmonica,
00:23:49 Derulo's Broke is a star-studded song.
00:23:53 But one artist you might not have known
00:23:55 was part of its creation is Charlie Puth.
00:23:58 ♪ 'Cause all I've ever been told ♪
00:24:00 ♪ More money, more problems, so I'd rather be broke ♪
00:24:03 (upbeat music)
00:24:06 He was actually a co-writer
00:24:10 and the sole producer on the song.
00:24:13 He also co-wrote and co-produced a second track
00:24:16 for Derulo's Everything Is 4 record called Pull Up.
00:24:20 ♪ Two for two ♪
00:24:22 ♪ We'd be amazed what we could do ♪
00:24:25 ♪ We could roll these windows down so they all see ♪
00:24:29 This was prior to the release of Puth's first studio album,
00:24:33 but his name on the liner notes
00:24:35 probably had some fans taking notice,
00:24:38 especially considering Wiz Khalifa's track,
00:24:41 See You Again, which Puth co-wrote and was featured on,
00:24:45 had already made waves by then.
00:24:47 ♪ Oh, I'll tell you all about it ♪
00:24:50 ♪ When I see you again ♪
00:24:53 Number six, So Good, Zara Larsson featuring Ty Dolla $ign.
00:24:58 We know singers typically work with multiple artists
00:25:02 to bring their albums to life,
00:25:04 but Zara Larsson really took that concept to the next level
00:25:09 with her diversified second studio effort.
00:25:12 ♪ It's artificial, so take your time with it ♪
00:25:15 ♪ It goes straight to your head ♪
00:25:16 ♪ Control your mind with it, eh ♪
00:25:19 ♪ No, you want some, you want some ♪
00:25:20 As she mentioned in an interview in 2016,
00:25:23 part of what excited her about the record
00:25:27 was the way each track had different writers and producers,
00:25:31 and one of those collaborators was Charlie Puth,
00:25:34 who wore both creative hats on So Good.
00:25:38 ♪ You'll be stuck on it 'cause my love's so good ♪
00:25:41 ♪ So keep coming back to get some more ♪
00:25:44 The catchy tune from the identically titled album
00:25:48 also features Ty Dolla $ign,
00:25:50 and there's no denying it was a hit.
00:25:54 ♪ Got you and your feelings all in motion ♪
00:25:56 ♪ Oh, my love, my love ♪
00:26:00 ♪ So good, so good, so good, so good ♪
00:26:03 Number five, Celebrate, Pitbull.
00:26:06 While Puth has built up an impressive discography
00:26:09 full of hits over the past few years,
00:26:12 most of us initially knew him
00:26:14 as the man behind the 2015 hit Marvin Gaye.
00:26:18 ♪ I'm in trouble ♪
00:26:20 ♪ But I love to be in trouble with you ♪
00:26:23 ♪ Let's Marvin Gaye and get it on ♪
00:26:26 Yet prior to that song's release,
00:26:28 he worked with a number of artists, including Pitbull,
00:26:32 to write Celebrate for the Penguins of Madagascar soundtrack.
00:26:36 ♪ Been patiently waiting for you to shake it and shake it ♪
00:26:38 ♪ Make it or take it, the point is we made it ♪
00:26:40 ♪ Quarterback the game, car lost, I'm ready ♪
00:26:42 ♪ And it's not our fault that we have all the ladies ♪
00:26:43 It was actually one of the first tracks he collaborated on,
00:26:47 and he definitely delivered.
00:26:50 As this list proves, Puth's songwriting career
00:26:53 speaks for itself, so we'd like to think
00:26:56 the Penguins served as a sort of stepping stone,
00:26:59 helping him get to where he is today.
00:27:02 ♪ So I, I've been making history ♪
00:27:06 ♪ I, I just wanna celebrate ♪
00:27:09 Number four, I Feel Good,
00:27:11 Thomas Rhett featuring Lunch Money Lewis.
00:27:15 2015 was rather busy for Charlie Puth.
00:27:19 ♪ I feel good today ♪
00:27:22 ♪ Can't nobody bring me down ♪
00:27:24 Considering all the songs he's credited on from that year,
00:27:28 it's a wonder he had any time at all
00:27:30 to write on his own material.
00:27:33 That's probably why his first album
00:27:35 didn't come out until 2016.
00:27:38 But the sheer volume of tracks he's written aside,
00:27:41 we're also amazed by his ability to navigate a sea
00:27:45 of vastly different musical styles.
00:27:48 ♪ My truck AC is broken ♪
00:27:50 ♪ That Georgia breeze is blowing ♪
00:27:53 ♪ I'm feeling easy going, that's right ♪
00:27:56 With I Feel Good, he took a ride
00:27:58 on the countryside of things,
00:28:00 with singer-songwriter Thomas Rhett
00:28:02 and featured artist Lunch Money Lewis.
00:28:05 It certainly seems as though Puth is capable of anything.
00:28:10 ♪ But we all stay connected like the internet ♪
00:28:12 Number three, Bedroom Floor, Liam Payne.
00:28:16 According to Liam Payne, he met Charlie Puth
00:28:19 at a music studio in Los Angeles,
00:28:21 and the pair became instant friends.
00:28:24 Bedroom Floor had already been written by Puth
00:28:27 and a number of others at this point.
00:28:30 ♪ You be saying real, real nice, real nice things ♪
00:28:32 ♪ When I'm touching you ♪
00:28:34 ♪ You be getting real, real, real, real, real jealous ♪
00:28:36 ♪ When it wasn't you, oh ♪
00:28:38 But Charlie wasn't sure if Liam would be comfortable
00:28:40 with the falsetto parts.
00:28:42 Well, it only took the former One Direction member
00:28:45 singing one line to show that he
00:28:48 most definitely could handle it.
00:28:50 ♪ I'll be telling you I told you, I told you, I told you ♪
00:28:55 However, the song fans love today
00:28:57 originally sounded a bit different.
00:29:00 After recording it, the pair got some valuable help
00:29:03 from the multi-talented Steve Mac,
00:29:06 and the track eventually grew into the hit we all know now.
00:29:10 ♪ Say it was a close, say it was a close ♪
00:29:12 ♪ Say my bedroom floor ♪
00:29:14 ♪ But you close, say different on my bedroom floor ♪
00:29:18 Number two, Lips on You, Maroon 5.
00:29:22 Adam Levine is another artist with whom Charlie Puth
00:29:26 became good friends while collaborating.
00:29:29 In addition to a new buddy,
00:29:31 he also got writing and producing credits
00:29:34 on Maroon 5's Lips on You.
00:29:36 ♪ We've been waiting on this moment for so long ♪
00:29:40 ♪ You wanna be reckless, restless ♪
00:29:44 ♪ Right until tomorrow ♪
00:29:48 Initially, the star wanted to keep his involvement
00:29:51 with the song on the down low.
00:29:53 The reason was a rather understandable one,
00:29:56 as he felt that his name being on a track
00:29:59 would affect how people felt about it.
00:30:01 ♪ When I put my lips on you ♪
00:30:04 ♪ You feel the shivers go up and down ♪
00:30:07 ♪ Just smile for me ♪
00:30:09 Instead, he wanted listeners to genuinely react
00:30:13 to the piece itself without any sort of bias.
00:30:17 Still, he took the information leaking in his stride.
00:30:21 ♪ The neighbors must think that we're crazy ♪
00:30:25 ♪ Baby ♪
00:30:27 ♪ Just look how easily we keep coming undone ♪
00:30:30 Number one, Stay, The Kid LAROI and Justin Bieber.
00:30:35 They say the best things in life occur unexpectedly.
00:30:40 ♪ I do the same thing I told you that I never would ♪
00:30:43 ♪ I told you I'd change even when I knew I never could ♪
00:30:46 And we'd have to agree,
00:30:47 as Charlie Puth's involvement with this hit
00:30:50 happened very organically.
00:30:52 Charlie, The Kid LAROI and others
00:30:55 were just having fun together
00:30:57 when Puth came up with the music for Stay.
00:30:59 ♪ Ain't no way that I can leave you stranded ♪
00:31:02 ♪ 'Cause you ain't never left me empty-handed ♪
00:31:05 Well, LAROI really dug it and wanted to make a song of it.
00:31:09 Luckily for us, he did,
00:31:11 with Puth getting both a producer
00:31:14 and writer credit on the track.
00:31:16 As for Bieber's involvement, that was LAROI's idea too.
00:31:20 He clearly has impeccable vision
00:31:23 as he knew the Canadian artist's vocals
00:31:25 would bring the whole thing together.
00:31:27 ♪ Ain't nobody else as good as you ♪
00:31:30 ♪ Honey, you stay, can you stay ♪
00:31:35 Okay, now we're moving on
00:31:36 to a supremely talented multi-hyphenate
00:31:39 who has helped shape the sound of pop music.
00:31:41 He's so famous, he only needs one name.
00:31:44 Let's listen to some songs you didn't know
00:31:46 were written by Pharrell.
00:31:48 ♪ You've just been around that joke ♪
00:31:50 ♪ So it's not just gonna happen like that ♪
00:31:53 Welcome to Ms. Mojo,
00:31:54 and today we're counting down our picks
00:31:57 for the top 10 songs you didn't know
00:32:00 were written by Pharrell Williams.
00:32:02 ♪ Like somebody 'bout to play ya ♪
00:32:04 ♪ I see you on my radar ♪
00:32:05 ♪ Don't you act like you afraid of shh ♪
00:32:07 For this list, we'll be looking at tracks
00:32:09 that aren't widely known as Pharrell songs.
00:32:12 His solo career and time in N.E.R.D.
00:32:15 doesn't qualify for this list.
00:32:18 What's your favorite Pharrell song?
00:32:20 Number 10, Havana, Camila Cabello featuring Young Thug.
00:32:26 Latin pop might seem a world away
00:32:28 from Pharrell's regular music output,
00:32:31 but that doesn't stop him from collaborating
00:32:34 with an eclectic group of musicians.
00:32:36 Take, for example, Camila Cabello,
00:32:39 whose 2017 release Havana
00:32:41 made her an international sensation.
00:32:45 ♪ He didn't walk up with that how you doin' ♪
00:32:48 ♪ When he came in ♪
00:32:49 ♪ He said there's a lot of girls I can do with ♪
00:32:52 It's not Pharrell's usual genre,
00:32:54 but he did work previously
00:32:56 with another worldwide star, Shakira.
00:32:59 While Pharrell is one of 10 credited songwriters on Havana,
00:33:03 the contribution likely sprinkled
00:33:06 on an extra ounce of hit-making magic.
00:33:09 ♪ Havana, ooh na-na ♪
00:33:12 ♪ Half of my heart is in Havana, ooh na-na ♪
00:33:15 Hitting number one in over 20 countries,
00:33:18 Havana generated a renewed focus on Latin music.
00:33:23 Number nine, Girlfriend, NSYNC.
00:33:26 In the last act of their career,
00:33:28 NSYNC dished out this single in early 2002.
00:33:32 It was one of the first collaborations
00:33:34 between Justin Timberlake and the Neptunes,
00:33:37 a production team that consisted of Pharrell and Chad Hugo.
00:33:42 ♪ I don't know why you care ♪
00:33:45 ♪ Why you think about it ♪
00:33:47 While NSYNC entered a hiatus later that year,
00:33:50 Girlfriend proved that they could have evolved
00:33:52 to a whole new level.
00:33:54 It strays from NSYNC's original style,
00:33:57 embracing a hip-hop sound
00:33:59 that was uncharted territory for the group.
00:34:01 ♪ Will you be my girlfriend ♪
00:34:05 ♪ I'll treat you good ♪
00:34:07 Later, Girlfriend received a remix version with rapper Nelly.
00:34:11 ♪ Later, Beyonce, the cutest Beyonce ♪
00:34:13 ♪ Get on like the radio strap when I say ♪
00:34:16 It wasn't the group's biggest song,
00:34:18 but it pushed the boundaries of the usual boy band trappings.
00:34:22 ♪ The one that's showing where you are ♪
00:34:25 ♪ Girl, you should be my girlfriend ♪
00:34:27 Number 8, "I Just Wanna Love You, Give It To Me" Jay-Z.
00:34:31 For his fifth album, Jay-Z enlisted the Neptunes
00:34:35 to keep his success streak going.
00:34:37 ♪ I'm a hustler, baby ♪
00:34:39 ♪ I'm a hustler ♪
00:34:40 ♪ I just want you to know ♪
00:34:41 ♪ Don't let you know ♪
00:34:42 ♪ It ain't what I been ♪
00:34:44 While Pharrell's backup vocals tip off his contribution,
00:34:47 most people probably thought the writing was all Jay-Z.
00:34:51 At the height of the rapper's initial career,
00:34:53 this song was one of many examples
00:34:56 that proved Jay-Z was one in a million.
00:34:59 ♪ Go somewhere private where we could discuss fashion ♪
00:35:01 ♪ Like Prada blouse, Gucci bra, okay ♪
00:35:04 ♪ Feel for my jeans, take that off ♪
00:35:06 This song wasn't the last collaboration
00:35:08 between Pharrell and Jay-Z,
00:35:10 nor was it Pharrell's last massive hip hop record.
00:35:13 A lasting influence on the industry,
00:35:16 the song inspired Britney Spears
00:35:18 to ask the Neptunes to work on her next record.
00:35:22 ♪ Give it to me ♪
00:35:23 ♪ Give me that funk, that sweet, that nasty ♪
00:35:25 ♪ That Gucci stuff ♪
00:35:26 ♪ But don't foolish me ♪
00:35:27 ♪ Come on ♪
00:35:28 Number seven, "Milkshake", Khalees.
00:35:31 Is it just a novelty song or something greater?
00:35:35 One thing is for sure, Khalees' "Milkshake"
00:35:38 features an unmistakable beat from the Neptunes.
00:35:41 ♪ My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard ♪
00:35:43 ♪ And they're like, it's better than yours ♪
00:35:46 Pharrell and Chad Hugo made Khalees' solo career
00:35:50 with this record.
00:35:51 Pharrell previously worked with Khalees on records
00:35:54 such as "Old Dirty Bastards", "Got Your Money".
00:35:57 ♪ Hey, said hey ♪
00:35:58 ♪ Bring it ♪
00:35:59 ♪ Baby, I got your money ♪
00:36:01 ♪ Bring it, girl ♪
00:36:02 ♪ I said hey ♪
00:36:03 There's a certain power in being able to create a song
00:36:06 as infectious, iconic, and entirely unique as this.
00:36:11 In an alternate universe,
00:36:13 this song was recorded by Britney Spears,
00:36:15 who actually passed on it in real life.
00:36:19 ♪ La la la la la ♪
00:36:22 ♪ Warmin' up ♪
00:36:23 ♪ La la la la la ♪
00:36:26 ♪ The boys are waiting ♪
00:36:27 To this day, it's unclear what exactly the song refers to,
00:36:31 but Khalees sells the hook with her own passionate energy.
00:36:35 It's undeniable that even decades later,
00:36:39 "Milkshake" brings us all to the yard.
00:36:42 - It's time to get out of here.
00:36:43 Milkshake, milkshake, milkshake!
00:36:45 - Number six, "Sing", Ed Sheeran.
00:36:48 Ed Sheeran's breakthrough album, "Multiply",
00:36:50 was nothing short of a musical firecracker
00:36:54 with several highly successful singles.
00:36:57 "Sing", the album's most dance-inducing track,
00:37:00 comes courtesy of Sheeran's work with Pharrell.
00:37:04 ♪ I don't wanna know ♪
00:37:06 ♪ If you're getting ahead of the program ♪
00:37:08 ♪ I want you to be mine ♪
00:37:10 - The song "Sing" consists
00:37:12 of all the trademark Pharrell elements.
00:37:15 It's incredibly catchy, features a reliable hook,
00:37:18 and includes pronounced and inventive production.
00:37:22 ♪ Feel it rushing through you ♪
00:37:24 ♪ From your head to toe ♪
00:37:26 ♪ Oh ♪
00:37:27 - Compared to songs like "Thinking Out Loud",
00:37:29 this single stands alone as the most inviting
00:37:33 and club-ready song on the album.
00:37:35 Since Sheeran wanted to evoke the power
00:37:38 of Justin Timberlake's early records,
00:37:41 Pharrell became an obvious choice to co-write
00:37:44 and produce the song.
00:37:46 ♪ Feel it rushin' through you ♪
00:37:47 ♪ I wanna get up and go ♪
00:37:49 ♪ Feel it rushin' through you ♪
00:37:51 ♪ From your head to toe ♪
00:37:52 - Number five, "Alright", Kendrick Lamar.
00:37:55 Off of his landmark album, "To Pimp a Butterfly",
00:37:59 Kendrick Lamar's anthem, "Alright",
00:38:01 combines poetic lyrics with an expertly crafted beat.
00:38:05 ♪ But if God got us ♪
00:38:06 ♪ Then we gon' be alright ♪
00:38:08 - Considering how collaborative hip-hop records are,
00:38:11 it's only fitting that Lamar linked up with Pharrell
00:38:14 to create this now legendary hit.
00:38:17 From Jay-Z to Snoop Dogg, Pharrell's rap credits
00:38:20 made him more than qualified to write with Lamar.
00:38:23 ♪ And when I wake up ♪
00:38:25 ♪ I recognize you lookin' at me for the pay cut ♪
00:38:27 - With his trademark backing vocals,
00:38:29 Pharrell contributed to one of the songs of a generation,
00:38:33 regardless of genre.
00:38:35 ♪ Tell the world I know it's too late ♪
00:38:37 ♪ Boys and girls, I think I've gone gray ♪
00:38:39 - Leaving his mark in a wide variety of styles,
00:38:42 Pharrell's production skills helped Lamar's rap
00:38:46 soar over this instant classic.
00:38:49 ♪ My knee's gettin' weak ♪
00:38:50 ♪ And my gun might blow ♪
00:38:51 ♪ But we gon' be alright ♪
00:38:53 - Number four, "I'm a Slave 4 U", Britney Spears.
00:38:57 For her self-titled third album,
00:39:00 Britney Spears went in an entirely new
00:39:03 and more mature direction,
00:39:05 distancing herself from her first two records,
00:39:08 Britney needed a chance to break from her teen idol status.
00:39:13 ♪ All you people look at me like I'm a little girl ♪
00:39:17 ♪ Well did you ever think it'd be okay ♪
00:39:19 ♪ For me to step into this world ♪
00:39:21 - With the Neptunes, Britney got her wish and more.
00:39:24 Controversial to this day, the song's provocative lyrics
00:39:28 sent a shockwave through the pop star's fan base
00:39:31 and the general public.
00:39:33 ♪ I'm a slave 4 U ♪
00:39:38 ♪ I can't hold it ♪
00:39:40 - Mirroring what Pharrell would later achieve
00:39:42 with Justin Timberlake, the producer/songwriter
00:39:46 helped Britney explore an entirely new musical landscape.
00:39:50 Whatever people thought of the song on its release,
00:39:54 it will forever be the dividing line
00:39:56 between the old and the new Britney.
00:39:59 ♪ Baby, don't you wanna ♪
00:40:02 ♪ Step up for me ♪
00:40:04 - Number three, Hot In Here, Nelly.
00:40:07 An ageless club banger, Nelly's Hot In Here
00:40:11 still puts feet on the dance floor to this day.
00:40:15 ♪ I was like good gracious, ass is bodacious ♪
00:40:18 ♪ Flirtatious, trying to show patience ♪
00:40:20 - Few realize that the song was written in part
00:40:23 by perennial hit maker, Pharrell.
00:40:26 Mix together funk forefather Chuck Brown
00:40:28 and Nelly's charisma and you generate
00:40:31 this early 2000s staple.
00:40:33 ♪ It's getting hot in here ♪
00:40:35 ♪ It's so hot ♪
00:40:36 ♪ So take off all your clothes ♪
00:40:38 - The song skyrocketed to the top of the US charts,
00:40:41 taking Nelly to even further heights
00:40:44 as one of the hottest rappers in the country.
00:40:47 ♪ Extra, extra, spread the news ♪
00:40:49 ♪ Jack and Nelly took a trip from the Lou to the Neptune ♪
00:40:51 ♪ Came back with something big and it fit in his lap zone ♪
00:40:54 - It even won a Grammy the following year.
00:40:57 Yet another spectacular showcase
00:40:59 of Pharrell's musical prowess,
00:41:01 Hot In Here likely compelled many listeners
00:41:04 to follow Nelly's bold suggestion.
00:41:07 ♪ It's getting hot in here ♪
00:41:09 ♪ It's so hot ♪
00:41:09 ♪ So take off all your clothes ♪
00:41:11 ♪ I am getting so hot ♪
00:41:14 ♪ I will take my clothes off ♪
00:41:16 - Number two, Rock Your Body, Justin Timberlake.
00:41:20 As NSYNC dissolved, Justin Timberlake stepped out
00:41:23 from the shadow of the boy band
00:41:25 to become the superstar we know today.
00:41:28 ♪ Don't be so quick to walk away ♪
00:41:32 ♪ Dance with me ♪
00:41:33 - His debut album, Justified, was a sensation upon release,
00:41:38 telling the haters that JT wouldn't let his former group
00:41:42 be his only legacy.
00:41:44 ♪ Got time but I don't mind ♪
00:41:46 ♪ Just wanna rock your girl ♪
00:41:48 - With Rock Your Body, Pharrell put Justin's vocals
00:41:51 center stage over a timeless backing track.
00:41:55 Along with songs like Senorita,
00:41:57 Justin proved that his solo career
00:42:00 would be anything but a one-off.
00:42:02 ♪ So you grab the girls ♪
00:42:03 ♪ And you grab a couple more ♪
00:42:05 ♪ And we all can meet me in the middle of the cross ♪
00:42:07 - Setting Justin on the right path,
00:42:09 Pharrell's guidance gave the pop heartthrob
00:42:12 the keys to the musical kingdom.
00:42:15 If Rock Your Body doesn't get you to rock your body,
00:42:18 nothing will.
00:42:20 ♪ I say hey, come on dance with me ♪
00:42:22 ♪ You don't have to pretend ♪
00:42:24 ♪ You don't have to admit you ♪
00:42:25 ♪ Come on play, wanna play, just dance with me ♪
00:42:27 - Before we unveil our top pick,
00:42:30 here are a few honorable mentions.
00:42:32 Hella Good, No Doubt, a tightly produced dance pop smash
00:42:37 courtesy of Gwen and the Neptunes.
00:42:40 ♪ I think I'm feeling hella good ♪
00:42:42 ♪ So let's just keep on dancing ♪
00:42:46 - Greenlight, Beyonce, an underrated Queen B single
00:42:51 with a mix of throwback and new R&B styles.
00:42:55 ♪ My socks just went up over two feet ♪
00:42:57 ♪ We in one, two ♪
00:42:59 ♪ You got the green light ♪
00:43:01 - Suite Life, Frank Ocean, a soulful showcase
00:43:05 of Frank's lyrical talents and Pharrell's production skills.
00:43:10 ♪ Don't nobody see the world ♪
00:43:13 ♪ When you got the beach ♪
00:43:16 ♪ Suite life ♪
00:43:18 - Drop It Like It's Hot, Snoop Dogg,
00:43:20 a signature Snoop rap with Pharrell's
00:43:23 inventive and minimal beats.
00:43:26 ♪ Low in the pimps in the crib, ma ♪
00:43:27 ♪ Drop it like it's hot ♪
00:43:29 ♪ Drop it like it's hot ♪
00:43:30 ♪ Drop it like it's hot ♪
00:43:31 - Hit Different, SZA.
00:43:33 SZA's inimitable voice lifts Pharrell's
00:43:36 timeless songwriting abilities.
00:43:39 ♪ All that I know is ♪
00:43:43 ♪ It was inside me ♪
00:43:47 - Number one, Hollaback Girl, Gwen Stefani.
00:43:51 We can't think of a more recognizable drum beat
00:43:54 in the history of pop music.
00:43:57 Pharrell's talents provided a drum line
00:43:59 to underscore Gwen's massive crossover hits.
00:44:03 ♪ A few times I've been around that drug ♪
00:44:05 ♪ So it's not just gonna happen like that ♪
00:44:07 - While she might have spent the previous decade
00:44:10 making rock and ska music,
00:44:12 the Neptunes helped bring the No Doubt singer
00:44:15 a career-defining hip hop smash.
00:44:18 ♪ I heard that you were talking ♪
00:44:20 ♪ And you didn't think that I would hear it ♪
00:44:23 - Once again reinvigorating a solo career,
00:44:26 Pharrell and Chad Hugo defined a cultural moment
00:44:29 with their work on Hollaback Girl.
00:44:32 ♪ There ain't no Hollaback Girl ♪
00:44:34 ♪ There ain't no Hollaback Girl ♪
00:44:36 - Call it a rallying cry or just a hugely catchy song,
00:44:41 Gwen's iconic statements were served up
00:44:44 via Pharrell's music magic.
00:44:46 Most importantly, she taught a whole generation
00:44:50 how to spell bananas.
00:44:53 ♪ If bananas be A-N-A-N-A-S ♪
00:44:57 (upbeat music)
00:44:59 - This next list is one certified pop banger after the next,
00:45:02 and I promise you, I am not overstating that.
00:45:05 You may not know the name Max Martin,
00:45:08 but you definitely know his work by heart.
00:45:10 So let's get some killer songs stuck in our heads, shall we?
00:45:13 - Britney and Backstreet Boys, it was just like,
00:45:17 those songs were one after the other,
00:45:19 after the other, after the other,
00:45:20 and you could still go back and listen to them
00:45:21 and they're just great songs.
00:45:23 - Welcome to Ms. Mojo, and today we're counting down
00:45:26 our picks for the top 10 songs you didn't know
00:45:28 were written by Max Martin.
00:45:30 ♪ See you now again ♪
00:45:33 ♪ What I want ♪
00:45:36 - For this list, we're looking at some of the most popular
00:45:39 hits of the late 20th and early 21st century
00:45:42 that you might not have realized were written
00:45:44 or co-written by the Swedish record producer.
00:45:46 Are you familiar with Max Martin?
00:45:48 Which of his songs is your favorite?
00:45:50 Number 10, "Can't Stop the Feeling," Justin Timberlake.
00:45:54 In the summer of 2016, it felt like you couldn't go anywhere
00:45:58 without this tune blaring across the airwaves.
00:46:01 - Kind of idolized you when she first came out
00:46:03 with a lot of the stuff she did, whether it was her mixtapes,
00:46:06 whether it was the same posters, the same--
00:46:08 - Everything.
00:46:09 - We're complaining.
00:46:09 It is a whole bop.
00:46:11 Its upbeat, funky disco pop sound
00:46:13 totally screams summer vibes.
00:46:15 - Probably when it was very fresh.
00:46:17 - No, we asked about her album, came out with last month,
00:46:19 she was a month ago.
00:46:20 - Yeah, no, but you were on her album, so--
00:46:22 - Absolutely.
00:46:22 - Co-written by Timberlake, Max Martin, and Shellback,
00:46:25 it served as the lead track
00:46:26 for the DreamWorks animation "Trolls."
00:46:28 Even though the movie didn't come out until the fall,
00:46:31 the song debuted at number one
00:46:32 on the US Billboard Hot 100,
00:46:34 topped charts internationally,
00:46:36 and was the year's best-selling song in the US.
00:46:39 - She started releasing all these records,
00:46:42 doing her vocals--
00:46:43 - "Can't Stop" received several
00:46:44 prestigious award nominations,
00:46:46 even winning the Grammy for best song
00:46:48 written for visual media.
00:46:49 It always feels like the sun is shining
00:46:51 whenever we hear this tune.
00:46:53 - For four years.
00:46:55 And we decided that we were gonna go
00:46:56 into business together.
00:46:58 - Number nine, "Can't Feel My Face," "The Weeknd."
00:47:01 Max Martin's responsible for launching many careers,
00:47:04 and for "The Weeknd," this was the song that did just that.
00:47:08 ♪ Your leads will both be numb ♪
00:47:09 ♪ And she'll always get the best of me ♪
00:47:12 ♪ The worst is yet to come ♪
00:47:14 The Toronto-born Abel Tesfaye was not unknown per se,
00:47:17 but this song gave him his first number one hit,
00:47:20 propelling him to international recognition.
00:47:23 This lively, poppin' melody,
00:47:25 somewhat inspired by Tesfaye's idol Michael Jackson,
00:47:28 became the definitive earworm of 2015.
00:47:31 ♪ All the misery was necessary ♪
00:47:33 ♪ Well, what deep in love did I know ♪
00:47:37 Its enticing beat draws you in before really taking off
00:47:41 and leaving you with no other option
00:47:42 but to jam out until that final note.
00:47:45 There's been much speculation over the song's meaning,
00:47:48 with many, including the singer, alluding to substance use.
00:47:51 ♪ I can't feel my face when I'm with you ♪
00:47:53 ♪ I can't feel my face ♪
00:47:54 ♪ But I love it ♪
00:47:56 ♪ Yeah, I love it ♪
00:47:57 Still, the only thing we're hooked on
00:47:59 is just how much we love this track.
00:48:01 Number eight, Problem, Ariana Grande featuring Iggy Azalea.
00:48:05 Co-written by both artists, along with Martin and others,
00:48:09 our only problem in 2014 was that we couldn't get this hit
00:48:13 out of our heads.
00:48:13 ♪ Hey, baby, even though I hate ya ♪
00:48:15 ♪ I wanna love ya ♪
00:48:16 ♪ I want you ♪
00:48:18 Supposedly, it took two years to get Martin on board,
00:48:21 but his daughter was a huge Grande fan,
00:48:23 so how could he refuse?
00:48:25 Only someone as skilled as this songwriter and producer
00:48:28 could amalgamate dance pop, R&B, jazz, and funk,
00:48:32 chuck in some '90s throwback vibes, and give us a mega hit.
00:48:35 ♪ I'm a weight on my shoulder ♪
00:48:38 ♪ And I should be wonderin' ♪
00:48:40 ♪ Realize that I'm gone ♪
00:48:43 If you love Grande's far-reaching range in the pre-chorus,
00:48:46 or you still can't get enough of those saxophone notes,
00:48:48 you have Martin to thank.
00:48:50 ♪ One less problem without ya ♪
00:48:52 ♪ I got one less problem without ya ♪
00:48:54 ♪ I got one less problem without ya ♪
00:48:57 He really understands how to take a great song
00:48:59 and turn it into something phenomenal,
00:49:01 and this six-time platinum-certified record
00:49:04 proves just that.
00:49:05 ♪ Listenin' to you knowin' ♪
00:49:07 ♪ I can't believe what you're sayin' ♪
00:49:08 ♪ Familiar news, baby, boy, so don't be dumb ♪
00:49:10 ♪ I got 99 problems, but you won't be one ♪
00:49:12 ♪ Like what? ♪
00:49:13 Number seven, "Teenage Dream," Katy Perry.
00:49:16 ♪ Think I'm pretty ♪
00:49:17 ♪ Without any makeup on ♪
00:49:20 ♪ You think I'm funny ♪
00:49:21 Martin collaborated with the California Girls singer
00:49:24 on several occasions.
00:49:25 They worked together on her debut single, "I Kissed a Girl,"
00:49:28 and again on her female empowerment anthem, "Roar,"
00:49:31 among several others.
00:49:32 ♪ 'Cause I am a champion ♪
00:49:35 ♪ And you're gonna hear me roar ♪
00:49:39 However, the title track on her "Teenage Dream" album
00:49:42 was a euphoric breath of fresh air
00:49:45 that reminded us what it meant to be young and in love.
00:49:48 The alluring mid-tempo pop number evokes imagery
00:49:51 of blissful days in the sun and youthful,
00:49:53 free-spirited energy.
00:49:54 ♪ Let's go all the way tonight ♪
00:49:58 ♪ No regrets, just love ♪
00:50:01 It earned Martin his eighth number one
00:50:04 and went platinum in a plethora of countries,
00:50:06 including nine times in the US.
00:50:09 Meanwhile, Perry received her third
00:50:11 Best Female Pop Vocal Performance Grammy nomination.
00:50:14 ♪ Like me ♪
00:50:16 ♪ I could live in a teenage dream ♪
00:50:20 ♪ The way you turn me on ♪
00:50:22 The song has also been covered endlessly
00:50:24 across popular culture.
00:50:26 Number six, "Shake It Off," Taylor Swift.
00:50:29 Two outstanding songwriters, Martin and T-Swift,
00:50:32 are forces to be reckoned with.
00:50:34 ♪ Can't stop, won't stop moving ♪
00:50:37 ♪ It's like I got this music in my mind ♪
00:50:42 So when they come together, we get iconic earworms
00:50:45 like the breakup anthem,
00:50:46 "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together."
00:50:48 [Music]
00:50:54 They have also collaborated on several other unforgettable tunes,
00:50:58 but there's one we simply can't shake off.
00:51:00 An animated and catchy dance pop number,
00:51:03 Swift reclaimed the haters' words and turned it into a number one hit,
00:51:08 marking Martin's 18th chart-topper.
00:51:10 [Music]
00:51:17 The single saw Swift seamlessly transition into pop
00:51:20 with a sharp middle finger to her critics.
00:51:23 It was named favorite song at the 2015 People's Choice Awards
00:51:26 and awarded Diamond certification.
00:51:28 [Music]
00:51:35 It also received three Grammy nominations.
00:51:38 Although it didn't win,
00:51:39 Martin was honored with the Producer of the Year non-classical award.
00:51:43 "I wanna thank all my co-producers, co-writers and artists
00:51:48 who make me look a whole lot better than I deserve."
00:51:51 Number 5. So What, "Pink"
00:51:53 [Music]
00:51:57 From its opening chords,
00:51:59 So What has an instantly memorable sound and cheeky tone.
00:52:02 Inspired by Alicia Moore, aka Pink's separation from Carrie Hart,
00:52:06 this song had us thrashing around and singing along at the top of our lungs.
00:52:10 [Music]
00:52:18 It wasn't the first time Moore and Martin collaborated,
00:52:20 but So What marked the singer's second chart-topper
00:52:23 as well as her highest-selling single in the US.
00:52:26 Its banging tune and liberating tongue-in-cheek lyrics
00:52:29 made it an instant fan favorite.
00:52:31 [Music]
00:52:36 Whether you relate to its themes or just need space to let loose,
00:52:39 it's difficult to deny how empowering it is.
00:52:42 In 2008, it won Most Addictive Track at the MTV Europe Music Awards,
00:52:48 and all these years later, we're still obsessed.
00:52:51 [Music]
00:52:57 Number 4. Since You Been Gone, Kelly Clarkson
00:53:00 Winning American Idol put Kelly Clarkson on the map,
00:53:03 but she secured her place there with the timeless and vivacious
00:53:07 pop-rock power ballad, Since You Been Gone.
00:53:09 [Music]
00:53:16 Apparently, the song's co-writers, Martin and Dr. Luke,
00:53:20 were inspired by the "Ya Ya Ya" song, "Maps,"
00:53:22 which they thought would be elevated by a pop chorus.
00:53:25 Martin initially co-wrote Since You Been Gone for Pink, who passed on it.
00:53:29 It was then offered to Hilary Duff, who also turned it down.
00:53:32 [Music]
00:53:39 Ultimately, the track fell into the right hands,
00:53:41 with Clarkson opting to amp up the rock and make the number more explosive.
00:53:46 [Music]
00:53:53 It was a critical and commercial worldwide success,
00:53:56 earning the singer a Grammy for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.
00:54:00 Number 3. It's Gonna Be Me, NSYNC
00:54:03 In 1997, this beloved boy band was tearing up our hearts
00:54:07 with their second single from their debut album.
00:54:09 [Music]
00:54:17 Later, Martin, joined by collaborators Andreas Carlsen and Rami Yacoub,
00:54:22 set to work on the group's next hit single for their follow-up album.
00:54:25 As the story goes, Martin overheard Carlsen whistling a tune that caught his intrigue,
00:54:30 and eventually became the melody for It's Gonna Be Me.
00:54:33 [Music]
00:54:38 Apparently, that famed over-pronunciation that launched a million memes
00:54:42 was also a deliberate creative choice.
00:54:44 [Music]
00:54:50 The song, which we can all agree is an absolute banger,
00:54:53 spent two consecutive weeks at number one,
00:54:56 marking Martin's second hit to reach the top spot.
00:54:59 Decades later, you can still find us on the dance floor whenever this song plays.
00:55:04 [Music]
00:55:10 Number 2. I Want It That Way, Backstreet Boys
00:55:13 By now, we have established that Max Martin is a larger-than-life songwriter.
00:55:19 In 1997, he had us all chanting along to
00:55:23 [Music]
00:55:30 And in 1999, he co-wrote the pop ballad of the year.
00:55:34 The poppy yet gentle melody of I Want It That Way captivated us,
00:55:39 while the boys' harmonies had us mesmerized.
00:55:41 [Music]
00:55:48 It was nominated for three Grammys,
00:55:50 and deservingly became the group's highly celebrated signature track.
00:55:54 It was even featured on Rolling Stone's 2021 list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
00:56:00 The tune has been covered and parodied to no end,
00:56:03 including the iconic Brooklyn Nine-Nine bit.
00:56:06 [Music]
00:56:16 Thanks to its catchy rhythm and somewhat nonsensical call-and-response lyrics,
00:56:20 its legacy continues to thrive.
00:56:22 [Music]
00:56:28 Guess you could say we want it that way.
00:56:30 Before we unveil our top pick, here are some honorable mentions.
00:56:34 Show Me Love, Robin
00:56:36 The song achieved gold certification in the US.
00:56:39 [Music]
00:56:45 My Universe, Coldplay x BTS
00:56:48 Its many accolades include a Guinness World Record for highest debut
00:56:52 by a UK group in the US Singles Chart.
00:56:54 [Music]
00:57:01 That's The Way It Is, Celine Dion
00:57:04 Billboard called it one of the greatest songs of 1999.
00:57:07 [Music]
00:57:15 It's My Life, Bon Jovi
00:57:17 Max Martin helped introduce Bon Jovi to younger audiences with this legendary rock anthem.
00:57:22 [Music]
00:57:28 One More Try, Jessie J
00:57:30 A breathtaking tune written specifically for the musical and Juliet.
00:57:34 [Music]
00:57:42 Number 1, Baby One More Time, Britney Spears
00:57:46 We could write a whole list just on the songs Max Martin has written for Britney Spears,
00:57:51 but instead, we will take you back to where it all began.
00:57:54 [Music]
00:57:59 Baby One More Time became Martin's first number one hit
00:58:02 and started him on the trajectory of becoming one of the most influential songwriters of the modern age.
00:58:09 It also catapulted a 16-year-old Spears to stardom and launched the 90s teen pop era.
00:58:15 [Music]
00:58:22 The song went multi-platinum in several countries
00:58:25 and remains one of the best-selling singles of all time.
00:58:28 Baby One More Time by the great Britney Spears
00:58:31 was actually number one in every single country on the planet it was released,
00:58:36 which is quite incredible.
00:58:37 It speaks volumes that despite Spears' countless subsequent hits and accolades,
00:58:42 Baby One More Time stays unrivaled.
00:58:45 Oops, we listened to it again.
00:58:46 [Music]
00:58:54 I wanted that
00:58:57 See, I told you it'll be stuck in my head for a week.
00:59:00 Actually, no, you know what I will have stuck in my head for a week?
00:59:02 The number one song on our next list,
00:59:05 which is songs you didn't know were written by Mariah Carey.
00:59:08 Any guesses?
00:59:09 [Music]
00:59:17 Welcome to Miss Mojo,
00:59:18 and today we're counting down our picks for the songs you didn't know were written by Mariah Carey.
00:59:23 [Music]
00:59:31 For this list, we'll be looking at the most popular songs recorded by other artists
00:59:35 in which Mariah Carey is credited as a songwriter.
00:59:39 Did we miss any other hits penned by the songbird supreme?
00:59:42 Number eight, Demented, Chick.
00:59:46 Since her debut in 1990,
00:59:48 Mariah Carey has dominated the pop and contemporary R&B music genres.
00:59:53 She even popularized the incorporation of hip-hop into pop music through song remixes.
00:59:58 [Music]
01:00:05 But what many may not know is that Carey also ventured into alternative rock and grunge.
01:00:11 Yes, together with her friend Clarissa Dane,
01:00:13 the singer privately co-wrote and recorded a rock album titled Someone's Ugly Daughter in 1995.
01:00:20 [Music]
01:00:28 Due to contractual obligations,
01:00:30 she was prevented from releasing the songs with her lead vocals,
01:00:33 so Dane had to re-record them.
01:00:35 Carey also directed the music video for the album's second single, Demented,
01:00:39 and you can still hear her vocals in the background.
01:00:42 [Music]
01:00:51 Interestingly, the song's chorus inspired the name of her now-defunct label, Crave Records.
01:00:57 Number seven, I Lose Control, Penny Ford.
01:01:00 While crafting her self-titled debut album,
01:01:03 Mariah Carey worked with renowned songwriters such as Rhett Lawrence and Narda Michael Walden.
01:01:08 With Walden, she wrote "I Lose Control", which was reportedly supposed to be included on the album,
01:01:14 but was cut from the final tracklist.
01:01:16 [Music]
01:01:21 The song eventually found its way into the hands of Penny Ford,
01:01:24 who recorded it as the second single from her sophomore solo album.
01:01:28 Ford's version was a groovy, catchy pop piece that helped solidify her solo career
01:01:33 after her departure from the Eurodance group, Snap.
01:01:36 [Music]
01:01:44 Even though it was recorded by an artist with a vastly different sound,
01:01:48 you can still hear Carey's influence in the song's structure.
01:01:51 [Music]
01:02:00 Number six, Don't Go Looking For Love, Black.
01:02:03 The American girl group Black drew upon several influences
01:02:06 in the making of their eponymous debut album.
01:02:09 The 1999 record was equal parts R&B, pop and hip-hop,
01:02:14 and helped launch the music careers of the trio.
01:02:16 [Music]
01:02:25 While it wasn't so well received by music critics, the album fared much better commercially,
01:02:30 selling over a million copies and earning a platinum certification.
01:02:35 The tenth track, Don't Go Looking For Love,
01:02:37 was a collaborative writing effort between the album's producers and Mariah Carey.
01:02:41 [Music]
01:02:49 It combines the recurring themes of love characteristic of Carey's music
01:02:54 with the vocal harmonies of Black.
01:02:56 The result? A soulful tune that just keeps on giving.
01:03:00 [Music]
01:03:05 Number five, Head Over Heels, Allure, featuring Nas.
01:03:09 Throughout her decades-long career,
01:03:10 Mariah Carey has ventured into record label ownership quite a few times.
01:03:14 [Music]
01:03:21 Her first foray into the business came in 1997, when she founded Crave Records.
01:03:26 The label immediately signed on multiple acts,
01:03:29 with the best known of them arguably being the R&B quartet, Allure.
01:03:33 [Music]
01:03:41 For their debut album, the girls got the help of Carey,
01:03:44 their label boss, in crafting the lead single, "Head Over Heels".
01:03:47 [Music]
01:03:55 She also made a brief appearance in the music video.
01:03:57 The song, which features Nas delivering two hard-hitting rap verses,
01:04:01 was a moderate success for the group, reaching number 35 on the Hot 100.
01:04:06 In addition to Head Over Heels, you'll also find Carey's writing credit on Last Chance.
01:04:11 [Music]
01:04:19 Number four, After, Seven Mile.
01:04:21 One of the lesser-known acts signed to Mariah Carey's Crave Records,
01:04:25 Seven Mile only released one album before they disbanded.
01:04:28 [Music]
01:04:34 They put out their self-titled debut effort in 1998,
01:04:38 and only managed to send the third single, "Do Your Thing", onto the Hot 100.
01:04:43 Before releasing her new signees out into the world,
01:04:45 Carey put in work on the album, and is credited as one of the producers.
01:04:49 [Music]
01:04:57 Alongside Stephen Jordan, Will Turpin, and Melanie Daniels,
01:05:00 Carey also co-wrote the second single, "After".
01:05:03 While it fell to charts, "After", with its slow, thumping beat,
01:05:07 and perfectly harmonised backing vocals, truly encapsulated the marvel of simplicity.
01:05:12 [Music]
01:05:21 Number three, Someone to Hold, Trey Lorenz.
01:05:24 Trey Lorenz saw his first glimpse of stardom in 1992,
01:05:28 when he performed a cover of "I'll Be There" by the Jackson 5,
01:05:31 with Mariah Carey on MTV Unplugged.
01:05:34 [Music]
01:05:40 The duet became an international hit,
01:05:43 and secured Lorenz a recording contract with Epic Records.
01:05:46 [Music]
01:05:53 For his debut effort, Carey came on board as a producer,
01:05:56 and also helped write the lead single, "Someone to Hold", which was a top 20 hit.
01:06:01 After providing background vocals on Carey's album, "Emotions",
01:06:05 she returned the favour on this 90s R&B gem, about finding the one to call your own.
01:06:10 [Music]
01:06:16 She also received songwriting credits on Lorenz's songs,
01:06:19 "Always In Love" and "Make You Happy",
01:06:22 the latter of which was recorded for the "Men In Black" soundtrack.
01:06:25 [Music]
01:06:32 2. "Help Me Find A Way To Your Heart" - Daryl Hall
01:06:36 [Music]
01:06:42 Daryl Hall, whom you may know as one half of the successful rock and roll duo Hall & Oates,
01:06:48 also has multiple solo projects in his name.
01:06:51 His third solo album, "Soul Alone", was released in 1993,
01:06:55 and marked a major deviation from the familiar pop rock sound of his intentionally acclaimed band.
01:07:01 [Music]
01:07:11 To achieve the soulful feel of the album,
01:07:14 Hall recruited the help of several R&B producers and musicians, including Mariah Carey.
01:07:19 Carey co-wrote the album's third single, a moving ballad titled "Help Me Find A Way To Your Heart".
01:07:25 [Music]
01:07:33 1. "Where Are You Christmas" - Faith Hill
01:07:37 Mariah Carey is undoubtedly the queen of Christmas.
01:07:40 [Music]
01:07:48 Just six years after she released her record-smashing holiday classic,
01:07:52 "All I Want For Christmas Is You", she recorded yet another potential hit.
01:07:56 [Music]
01:08:04 "Where Are You Christmas" was co-written and recorded by the artist for the 2000 holiday movie,
01:08:10 "How The Grinch Stole Christmas".
01:08:12 However, due to a messy divorce with music mogul,
01:08:14 Tommy Mottola, Carey was legally blocked from releasing her version of the tune.
01:08:19 [Music]
01:08:26 Instead, it was performed by Faith Hill, whose rendition was well-received by most music critics.
01:08:32 Carey recently confirmed that she still has her demo of the song,
01:08:36 so here's hoping she'll gift us a present under the music tree soon enough.
01:08:40 [Music]
01:08:50 This next artist started off as a songwriter before becoming a star in her own right,
01:08:55 and today she's been referred to as a "pop chameleon",
01:08:59 which certainly helps when she writes for other artists.
01:09:01 Let's check out Bebe Rex's work next.
01:09:04 [Music]
01:09:08 Welcome to Miss Mojo, and today we're counting down our picks
01:09:11 for the top 10 songs you didn't know were written by Bebe Rexha.
01:09:15 [Music]
01:09:20 For this list, we'll be looking at the most notable tracks Rexha has penned for other artists.
01:09:25 We're including tracks on which she's credited as a co-writer.
01:09:29 Which of these songs is your favourite?
01:09:30 [Music]
01:09:32 Number 10 - "Glowing" - Nicky Williams
01:09:35 In December 2012, this Nicky Williams single entered our lives,
01:09:39 and we're all the better for it.
01:09:40 [Music]
01:09:46 The star herself has helped pen several great tracks throughout her career,
01:09:49 like Demi Lovato's "Heart Attack".
01:09:51 For "Glowing", she enlisted the help of some great songwriters,
01:09:54 including Bebe Rexha, and it more than paid off.
01:09:57 [Music]
01:10:02 The poppy bop never fails to get us dancing,
01:10:04 making us feel like we're glowing in the dark every time we hear it.
01:10:08 Rexha's career had only started a few years prior when this bubbly number was released,
01:10:12 but listening to it, you would swear she was already a seasoned pro.
01:10:16 [Music]
01:10:20 Number 9 - "Take Me Home" - Cash Cash, featuring Bebe Rexha
01:10:24 When it comes to creating memorable EDM and house music,
01:10:27 you can count on Cash Cash to deliver.
01:10:30 [Music]
01:10:36 Well, it turns out that Bebe Rexha also knows a thing or two about that as well.
01:10:40 She teamed up with the New Jersey group for "Take Me Home",
01:10:43 putting her stamp on it in more ways than one.
01:10:46 Of course, it's her voice we hear throughout.
01:10:48 [Music]
01:10:55 But she also played a part as a co-writer.
01:10:57 Rexha, the Cash Cash members and Sterling Fox teamed up,
01:11:01 creating something fun and catchy.
01:11:03 The electronic track ended up being the band's biggest hit,
01:11:06 so there's no denying the partnership, both in front of the mic and behind it, was a success.
01:11:12 [Music]
01:11:20 Number 8 - "One More Night" - Bella Thorne
01:11:23 2014 marked the year Bella Thorne put out her very first solo EP, "Jersey".
01:11:28 Among the five songs featured is "One More Night".
01:11:30 [Music]
01:11:35 Rexha is one of the track's four co-writers, and her influence can definitely be heard.
01:11:40 The carefree tune doesn't dwell on the negative,
01:11:42 instead putting a spotlight on taking advantage of the moment to create lasting memories.
01:11:47 [Music]
01:11:52 The electro-pop beat and easygoing message combine, grabbing our attention.
01:11:57 It makes a pretty convincing case for hitting the dance floor,
01:12:00 and not leaving until you physically can't move anymore too.
01:12:04 "One More Night" wasn't promoted much, and it's been years since its release,
01:12:07 but Rexha deserves more credit for her work.
01:12:10 [Music]
01:12:17 Number 7 - "Lucifer" - SHINee
01:12:19 You wouldn't necessarily anticipate B.B. Rexha and K-pop group SHINee working together,
01:12:24 but boy are we glad they did.
01:12:26 [Music]
01:12:29 Rexha contributed to everything from the lyrics to the music to the arrangement on "Lucifer".
01:12:33 [Music]
01:12:41 There's clearly no genre she can't master,
01:12:43 because it sounds as magnetic today as it did in 2010.
01:12:47 The star actually gave fans a glimpse at what went into creating the track on Twitter,
01:12:51 revealing that she worked on it in her room of all places.
01:12:54 That fact makes her already impressive feat feel even more unbelievable.
01:12:59 The song may be named after the devil, but it feels like heaven to us.
01:13:02 [Music]
01:13:08 Number 6 - "Team" - Iggy Azalea
01:13:11 Prior to its release, Iggy Azalea described "Team" as being
01:13:15 "20% meaningful, 70% bop, 10% ratchet."
01:13:19 [Music]
01:13:24 Well, if you ask us, it's 100% special.
01:13:27 And one of the songwriters we have to thank for that is, you guessed it, B.B. Rexha.
01:13:32 The record's mix of house music and hip-hop blend with these self-assured lyrics flawlessly,
01:13:37 and the final product speaks for itself.
01:13:39 [Music]
01:13:45 It's basically impossible not to feel good about yourself when the hook plays.
01:13:49 It's just so lively.
01:13:51 Now, we know it's about independence more than anything else,
01:13:54 but we'd welcome Rexha to our team with open arms anytime.
01:13:57 Who wouldn't?
01:13:59 [Music]
01:14:06 Number 5 - "Crowded Room" - Selena Gomez & Black
01:14:09 Selena Gomez and B.B. Rexha are both incredibly talented artists in their own right,
01:14:14 but not everyone realizes that they've worked together on multiple occasions.
01:14:17 Rexha was part of the group that penned Gomez's upbeat 2013 track, "Like A Champion."
01:14:23 [Music]
01:14:28 It would seem the "Slow Down" singer was a fan of the result,
01:14:31 because Rexha helped write "Crowded Room" years later, too.
01:14:35 The collaboration with Black was released on Gomez's Rare album,
01:14:39 and it's a sensual, romantic offering that gets better with each listen.
01:14:43 [Music]
01:14:49 We'd say teamwork really did make the dream work here.
01:14:52 Now, can you imagine what a Selena Gomez/B.B. Rexha duet would sound like?
01:14:56 [Music]
01:14:59 Number 4 - "All Hands On Deck" - Tinashe
01:15:02 It was all hands on deck to write this hip-hop hit,
01:15:05 and the fact that B.B. Rexha was among said hands is an unexpected and very pleasant surprise.
01:15:10 [Music]
01:15:14 The song's empowering, lyrical content is nothing short of alluring,
01:15:18 embracing the theme of confidently moving on after a relationship ends.
01:15:22 As if that wasn't enough, the beat is also wildly gripping,
01:15:25 immediately pumping us up.
01:15:26 [Music]
01:15:35 Our only complaint is that the track ends before we're ready to stop dancing.
01:15:38 One thing's for sure though, Rexha can co-write the heck out of a girl power tune.
01:15:43 It goes without saying, but we hope she never stops.
01:15:46 [Music]
01:15:49 Number 3 - "Under You" - Nick Jonas
01:15:52 When Nick Jonas released the music video for "Under You",
01:15:54 people immediately took notice.
01:15:56 [Music]
01:16:02 After all, it stars Pretty Little Liars actress Shay Mitchell and radiates steam.
01:16:08 We mean that literally.
01:16:10 There's a passionate shower scene,
01:16:12 so many folks were too distracted to take a look at the credits.
01:16:15 But sure enough, B.B. Rexha's name is there on the list of writers.
01:16:19 Interestingly, she and her collaborators, which included Max Martin,
01:16:23 had initially penned the tune for her to sing.
01:16:25 [Music]
01:16:34 Fearing it would be too risque, she opted to pass on it,
01:16:38 and Jonas ultimately took it and made it his own.
01:16:41 It all worked out in the end, and we got a hit we won't soon forget.
01:16:44 [Music]
01:16:53 Number 2 - "Hey Mama" - David Guetta
01:16:55 Featuring Nicki Minaj, B.B. Rexha and Afrojack.
01:16:58 Chances are, "Hey Mama" has gotten stuck in your head a bunch.
01:17:02 Don't worry, we're right there with you.
01:17:04 It's wildly compelling.
01:17:05 [Music]
01:17:10 Yet you'd be forgiven for not knowing that B.B. Rexha is featured.
01:17:14 Yes, that's her on the chorus.
01:17:16 She shockingly didn't receive her official credit until the summer of 2015,
01:17:20 months after the "Electro House" track was released as a single.
01:17:23 [Music]
01:17:32 You'd also naturally be forgiven for not realising that she was one of the eight songwriters
01:17:36 who crafted the infectious tune.
01:17:39 Thankfully, she was credited for that from the start, though.
01:17:42 It's a shame that so many listeners didn't realise what a pivotal role
01:17:45 Rexha played in making "Hey Mama" great, but better late than never.
01:17:49 [Music]
01:17:56 Number 1 - "The Monster" - Eminem Featuring Rihanna
01:17:59 Is there anyone who wasn't singing this song at the top of their lungs in 2013?
01:18:03 [Music]
01:18:07 We couldn't get enough of it, with the hook in particular always, well, hooking us.
01:18:13 Well, we didn't know when we were memorising each word, however,
01:18:16 was that Bebe Rexha was among the brilliant minds who brought "The Monster" to life.
01:18:20 And she didn't simply come in at the end and sprinkle in some magic either.
01:18:24 [Music]
01:18:28 No, she and her co-writers crafted it from scratch,
01:18:31 and it was initially meant to be her record.
01:18:34 That didn't pan out, and it eventually became the Rihanna and Eminem chart-topper we all know and love.
01:18:40 Hey, if this song is the monster under our beds, we'll gladly make friends with it.
01:18:44 [Music]
01:18:54 We're finishing up with one of the most impressive songwriters of our time,
01:18:58 and a true living legend.
01:19:00 There's not much else to say except,
01:19:01 here are all the songs you didn't know were written by Dolly Parton.
01:19:05 This is a song that I had out a few months back, and I hope maybe you might enjoy this one.
01:19:10 Welcome to Ms. Mojo.
01:19:11 And today, we're counting down our picks for songs you might not know were written by the great Dolly Parton.
01:19:17 - So, she's a Whitney fan? - Oh, I think it's Dolly inspired.
01:19:20 [Music]
01:19:22 Number 18.
01:19:23 "Too Lonely, Too Long" - Lucille Starr.
01:19:26 [Music]
01:19:33 It's more likely people think the song belongs on a list of songs Dolly Parton covered,
01:19:38 as opposed to tracks she actually wrote.
01:19:40 And we say that because there is a 1970 version of the song recorded by Parton herself.
01:19:46 However, that version was released two years after "The Gorgeous Number" was first released in 1968,
01:19:52 performed by Canadian singer Lucille Starr.
01:19:54 [Music]
01:20:03 So, it might sound a little odd to say, but the fact is that "Too Lonely, Too Long"
01:20:07 was both written by Dolly Parton and covered by her as well.
01:20:11 [Music]
01:20:18 Number 17.
01:20:19 "I Lived So Fast and Hard" - Porter Wagner.
01:20:22 [Music]
01:20:27 Dolly Parton's mother didn't pass away when she was young,
01:20:30 and she didn't spend five years in an orphanage.
01:20:33 Given those facts, you could be forgiven for not thinking she wrote "I Lived So Fast and Hard",
01:20:38 which has lyrics that speak those statements.
01:20:40 [Music]
01:20:46 However, fans of the star already know she didn't grow up wealthy,
01:20:50 so the message about living with little means rings true to a young Parton story.
01:20:54 All that to say that while the track was recorded and released by both Porter Wagner
01:20:59 and Mel Tillis in the 60s, it was written by the inimitable Dolly Parton.
01:21:04 [Music]
01:21:10 Number 16.
01:21:12 "In the Good Old Days When Times Were Bad" - Merle Haggard and the Strangers.
01:21:16 [Music]
01:21:23 Given that "In the Good Old Days When Times Were Bad" was the title of Dolly Parton's
01:21:27 third solo studio album, this one might not come as much of a shock as some others on our list.
01:21:32 However, although the eponymous tune was released in 1968 as the first single from said album,
01:21:38 country fans were already familiar with it thanks to a version released earlier in the
01:21:42 year by Merle Haggard and the Strangers.
01:21:44 [Music]
01:21:51 The song has since been covered many other times, including in 2016 by Parton's sister Stella.
01:21:57 So it might be easy to lose sight of who actually wrote it, but it was indeed Dolly herself.
01:22:03 [Music]
01:22:10 Number 15.
01:22:11 "Get Out and Stay Out" - Stephanie J. Block.
01:22:14 [Music]
01:22:20 We already know that Parton is a wonderful singer and songwriter,
01:22:24 and was one of the stars of the 1980 cult classic 9 to 5.
01:22:28 So it only makes sense that she would have been involved with the 9 to 5
01:22:31 "The Musical" of the late aughts.
01:22:33 Not only was she involved, Parton wrote all the music and lyrics for the show.
01:22:38 One of those songs was the big, penultimate number "Get Out and Stay Out,"
01:22:42 performed wonderfully in the original Broadway production by Stephanie J. Block.
01:22:46 [Music]
01:22:53 In 2011, Parton released her own version of the tune on her Better Day album.
01:22:58 No matter which version you're listening to though, you'll definitely get chills.
01:23:02 [Music]
01:23:08 Number 14.
01:23:09 "Kentucky Gambler" - Merle Haggard and the Strangers.
01:23:12 [Music]
01:23:20 We aren't gamblers, but we feel pretty confident that if you asked people
01:23:24 who wrote Merle Haggard and the Strangers' number one country hit "Kentucky Gambler,"
01:23:28 most folks wouldn't know it was Dolly Parton.
01:23:30 In fact, they might assume Haggard penned it since it was his version that came out first,
01:23:35 making a splash in 1974.
01:23:37 [Music]
01:23:43 But of course, few can tell a story through their lyrics quite like Dolly Parton.
01:23:48 And it's her talent on display in this tale of a man who loses the people who matter.
01:23:52 Naturally, she also put out her version of the hit the following year
01:23:56 on her The Bargain Store album.
01:23:57 [Music]
01:24:04 Number 13.
01:24:06 "Waltz Me to Heaven" - Waylon Jennings.
01:24:08 [Music]
01:24:15 Dolly Parton has written so many great songs,
01:24:17 we can't possibly expect her to have also recorded every single one of them.
01:24:22 Of course, that doesn't mean we don't secretly hope she one day will.
01:24:25 One example of this is "Waltz Me to Heaven,"
01:24:28 the second single from Waylon Jennings' "Waylon's Greatest Hits Vol. 2" album.
01:24:32 [Music]
01:24:38 Fans of the "Rhinestone" movie will also recognize it from that musical comedy soundtrack.
01:24:43 While the flick itself did indeed star Parton,
01:24:46 the gorgeous tune was sung by her brother Floyd on that occasion.
01:24:49 [Music]
01:24:56 Number 12.
01:24:57 "The Company You Keep" - Bill Phillips.
01:25:00 [Music]
01:25:07 Dolly Parton and Bill Phillips both released versions of "The Company You Keep" in the 60s.
01:25:12 The main difference is that Parton also wrote it.
01:25:15 Well, if we're being specific, she co-wrote it with her uncle Bill Owens.
01:25:20 Naturally, her musical and lyrical mark is all over it,
01:25:23 and what a stunning mark it is, as always.
01:25:26 As the track says, "You're known by the company you keep."
01:25:29 [Music]
01:25:34 Regardless of which version you prefer,
01:25:36 anyone who keeps musical company with Dolly Parton
01:25:39 puts themselves in a great position to be known for recording fantastic songs.
01:25:43 [Music]
01:25:49 Number 11.
01:25:50 "I'm in No Condition" - Hank Williams Jr.
01:25:53 "I'm in No Condition" was included on Dolly's 1967 album "Hello, I'm Dolly,"
01:25:58 but has since been revived by Hank Williams Jr.
01:26:02 [Music]
01:26:08 Williams is the son of a country music legend,
01:26:10 but has carved out his own place in the industry with his blend of southern rock,
01:26:15 country, and blues.
01:26:16 Dolly's song allowed him to explore his vulnerable side.
01:26:19 [Music]
01:26:26 The song's refrain, "I'm in no condition to try to love again,"
01:26:30 tells of the hurt experienced in the aftermath of a broken relationship.
01:26:34 Country music loves a breakup song, and Dolly's lyrics are honest and raw.
01:26:39 [Music]
01:26:46 It's a bit different from "All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight,"
01:26:49 but once you hear Williams's version,
01:26:51 it's hard to believe it was written for anyone else.
01:26:55 Number 10.
01:26:56 "Fuel to the Flame" - Skeeter Davis
01:26:59 Dolly Parton's fame as a singer is part and parcel of her blonde bombshell image,
01:27:03 but her initial success came with songwriting.
01:27:06 "Do you remember the first time I was ever on radio?"
01:27:09 "Yeah, the Kaz Walker show. You were about 10 years old and..."
01:27:12 Her first hits were co-written with the aforementioned Uncle Bill Owens,
01:27:16 shortly after she arrived in Nashville.
01:27:18 [Music]
01:27:23 Skeeter Davis released it in 1967, and it charted in the top 10.
01:27:28 Davis was one of the first women in country music to gain major success as a solo artist,
01:27:33 and she was an acknowledged influence on Dolly.
01:27:36 [Music]
01:27:41 "Fuel to the Flame" became her first major hit in two years.
01:27:45 The song helped to fuel Davis's career and also to launch Dolly's.
01:27:49 [Music]
01:27:56 Number 9.
01:27:57 "Put It Off Until Tomorrow" - Bill Phillips
01:28:00 Another song that garnered chart success during Dolly's early songwriting period
01:28:04 was "Put It Off Until Tomorrow."
01:28:05 [Music]
01:28:12 It was released by country singer Bill Phillips and was to become his biggest hit,
01:28:16 peaking at number 6 on the country charts.
01:28:19 Dolly sings backing vocals on the track, although these are uncredited.
01:28:23 [Music]
01:28:29 Parton soon came to the attention of Monument Records, who signed her to their label.
01:28:35 We know this wouldn't be the only time Parton wrote a tune for Phillips,
01:28:38 and it acts as another testament to her unparalleled abilities with a pen.
01:28:42 [Music]
01:28:51 Number 8.
01:28:52 "Not Enough" - Queen Latifah and Dolly Parton
01:28:55 While primarily a country artist, Dolly's songwriting is not limited to that field.
01:29:00 She also loves a musical, and over the years, she's written many songs for film soundtracks.
01:29:06 This includes "9 to 5" and "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas."
01:29:09 [Music]
01:29:17 "Joyful Noise" is a movie musical from 2012, starring Dolly, Queen Latifah, and Jeremy Jordan.
01:29:23 It received mixed reviews, but was praised for its music.
01:29:27 The gospel-infused soundtrack was written by Mervyn Warren,
01:29:30 but Dolly contributed three of her own songs.
01:29:33 [Music]
01:29:37 From here to the moon and back is classic Dolly,
01:29:40 but the opening number, "Not Enough," is a rousing gospel chorus.
01:29:44 Led by Queen Latifah and Dolly herself, it throws you straight into the world of the movie.
01:29:50 [Music]
01:29:57 Number 7.
01:29:58 "Rainbowland" - Miley Cyrus
01:30:00 "If you want the rainbow, you've got to put up with the rain.
01:30:03 Do you know which philosopher said that?
01:30:07 Dolly Parton."
01:30:08 Miley Cyrus has made quite a journey from Disney Channel child star to the artist we know today.
01:30:14 Her godmother, Dolly Parton, has been behind her through all of it.
01:30:17 "Somebody here wants to see you."
01:30:19 "Dad, I'm not in the mood to see anybody right now."
01:30:21 "Well, fine!"
01:30:22 [Applause]
01:30:25 They've even performed together.
01:30:27 On Miley's album "Younger Now," Dolly joined her to co-write the track "Rainbowland."
01:30:32 [Music]
01:30:39 The name of the song comes from Cyrus' home studio,
01:30:42 which she had painted rainbow colors, and where she began building her new album.
01:30:46 [Music]
01:30:53 But the duet itself is a simple song with a message of hope and unity.
01:30:57 Dolly describes it as a song for the times right now, saying,
01:31:01 quote, "It's really just about dreaming and hoping that we could all do better."
01:31:05 [Music]
01:31:13 Number 6.
01:31:14 "To Daddy," Emmylou Harris.
01:31:16 Story songs are an integral part of the country music canon,
01:31:20 and "To Daddy" shows off some of Dolly Parton's sharpest lyrics.
01:31:24 Written from a child's perspective, it tells the tale of a wife and mother.
01:31:28 [Music]
01:31:34 Her family takes it for granted that her life as a neglected homemaker is enough for her,
01:31:38 and she never complains about her lot.
01:31:40 [Music]
01:31:48 But when her kids are old enough, she leaves to find the things she really needs,
01:31:52 leaving behind a letter that blindsides her husband.
01:31:55 [Music]
01:32:03 Emmylou Harris released the song as a single in 1977,
01:32:06 where it reached number three in the Hot Country Billboard charts.
01:32:10 Harris's gentle performance engages the listener,
01:32:13 but Parton's lyrics are deceptively hard-hitting.
01:32:16 [Music]
01:32:24 Number 5.
01:32:25 "Circle of Love," Jennifer Nettles.
01:32:27 "We ain't getting no presents for Christmas, Daddy."
01:32:30 "Circle of Love" is the title track for Dolly Parton's Christmas of many colors,
01:32:34 "Circle of Love," a made-for-TV holiday movie from 2016.
01:32:38 The film tells the story of a Christmas during Dolly's childhood in the Smoky Mountains.
01:32:42 [Music]
01:32:50 Her family goes through some tough times,
01:32:52 but ultimately gets through it thanks to their love for each other and a little bit of faith.
01:32:57 The titular song was penned by Dolly herself.
01:32:59 [Music]
01:33:07 Singer-songwriter Jennifer Nettles played Dolly's mother in the movie.
01:33:11 She released the song on her solo Christmas album that same year.
01:33:14 [Music]
01:33:30 The track has a waltzing rhythm and simple, heartfelt lyrics relating to the Christmas story.
01:33:35 Number 4.
01:33:37 "Dagger Through the Heart," Sinead O'Connor.
01:33:39 Although most of the songs on this list were written for the artists,
01:33:44 there are some great covers out there too.
01:33:46 [Music]
01:33:54 "Just Because I'm a Woman's Songs of Dolly Parton" is a compilation album
01:33:58 and a tribute from fellow artists.
01:34:00 It brings together well-known singers who cover tracks from Dolly's back catalog.
01:34:05 The most out-there arrangement comes from singer-songwriter Sinead O'Connor.
01:34:09 The late musician made Dolly's 2002 single "Dagger Through the Heart" her own.
01:34:14 She was drawn to the quote "anger" of the lyric,
01:34:16 but perhaps the video struck a chord with her too.
01:34:19 [Music]
01:34:30 After recording the song, Sinead was overwhelmed to learn that
01:34:33 Dolly was influenced by O'Connor's memorable video for "Nothing Compares to You."
01:34:38 Number 3.
01:34:39 "The Stranger," Kenny Rogers.
01:34:42 "The Stranger" features on Kenny Rogers' 1984 album "What About Me?"
01:34:46 Another story song from Dolly, it's a heart-wrenching tale about an absent parent,
01:34:51 this time told from a man's perspective.
01:34:53 [Music]
01:35:00 The narrator meets the father he never knew,
01:35:03 but "The Stranger" is at least 10 years too late.
01:35:06 The son has no time for the man who abandoned him
01:35:09 and left his late mother to live a hard life.
01:35:11 [Music]
01:35:25 Parton and Rogers were longtime singing partners and collaborators.
01:35:29 They released their revered Christmas album just a month after "What About Me?" was unveiled.
01:35:34 The tone is very different, but Dolly brings her songwriting magic to both.
01:35:38 [Music]
01:36:06 Number 2.
01:36:07 "There Will Always Be Music," Tina Turner.
01:36:10 Although she is sometimes referred to as the queen of rock and roll,
01:36:14 Tina Turner kicked off her solo career with a country album.
01:36:16 [Music]
01:36:22 "Tina Turns the Country On" was her first solo outing from then-husband and bandmate Ike Turner.
01:36:28 [Music]
01:36:40 The new 10-track album features a who's who of country stars on the songwriting staff.
01:36:45 Bob Dylan, James Taylor, Chris Christopherson, Hank Snow, and Dolly Parton all took a turn.
01:36:50 [Music]
01:37:04 Dolly's contribution was a piano ballad that showed off Turner's soulful vocals.
01:37:09 Although the album didn't chart,
01:37:10 Turner did bag a Grammy nomination for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.
01:37:15 [Music]
01:37:28 Number 1.
01:37:29 "I Will Always Love You," Whitney Houston.
01:37:31 [Music]
01:37:57 It might sound odd to say that a song Parton made one of the highest selling of 1974
01:38:03 is one some often forget she wrote.
01:38:05 But that is the case with "I Will Always Love You."
01:38:08 And there's really only one person to affectionately blame for that, Whitney Houston.
01:38:13 [Music]
01:38:38 While Parton's version was a hit,
01:38:40 Houston's cover, off of the "Bodyguard" soundtrack, was a cultural phenomenon.
01:38:45 Not only was it the top single of 1993,
01:38:48 it also found a comfortable home atop the Billboard Hot 100,
01:38:52 where it stayed for a whopping 14 weeks.
01:38:55 The ballad broke sales records and hit the number one spot on charts worldwide, too.
01:39:00 Dolly Parton did a beautiful job creating it,
01:39:02 but Houston will forever be associated with this masterpiece.
01:39:06 [Music]
01:39:30 Did we open your eyes to any Parton surprises?
01:39:33 "And all you can say is I must have made a mistake."
01:39:35 "It could happen to anyone."
01:39:37 "Oh, this is awful. It's so improper. It's so disrespectful."
01:39:42 "He's dead. He doesn't mind."
01:39:44 "Look."
01:39:44 "There is nothing to get excited about."
01:39:46 So I definitely learned some things today, did you?
01:39:51 What's the best song that you didn't know was written by someone famous?
01:39:54 Did you gain any newfound respect for any songwriter?
01:39:57 Better yet, which song will you now be adding to your playlist?
01:40:00 As always, thank you for joining me on this trip through the WatchMojo archives.
01:40:04 See ya!
01:40:05 [Music]

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