Popular songs you didn’t know were written by other artists
We all have those songs we belt out like we’re the ones who wrote them, even though we know we aren’t. But here’s the twist: sometimes, the person singing your favorite chart-topping hit didn’t actually write it either. In the music world, behind-the-scenes songwriting is just as important as the person holding the mic– and often, those songs were penned by other famous artists you know and love.
From unexpected pop pairings to rival artists lending each other hits, these tracks prove the music industry really is just one big family. It’s a reminder that even the most personal-sounding anthem might have started with someone else’s story, melody or hook. Let’s pull back the curtain on the surprising credits behind some of the biggest anthems today.
“Party in the USA”– Miley Cyrus (Written by Jessie J)
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When Party in the USA dropped in 2009, it became an instant party anthem, going on to become a seven-time platinum record. It took Miley Cyrus out of her Disney Channel bubble and transformed her into a full-blown pop sensation. The song’s references to Jay-Z and LA made the California dream seem like Cyrus’s own. But while she sold it with her signature twang and charm, the lyrics didn’t actually come from her notebook.
British popstar, Jessie J, co-wrote the song with producer Dr. Luke and songwriter Claude Kelly. Jessie later revealed that “Party in the USA paid [her] rent for, like, three years.” The rest is radio history. Miley’s version topped charts and became one of the most recognizable pop hits of the late 2000s.
“Little Things”– One Direction (Written by Ed Sheeran)
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For Directioners, Little Things is one of the band’s sweetest, most intimate songs– a gentle love song that reminded fans that little imperfections only make the heart grow fonder. With its tender and personal lyrics, the song feels real enough to have been written by one of the guys themselves.
In reality, it came from Ed Sheeran’s pen. He originally wrote the track with Fiona Bevan years earlier and never intended to record it himself. When Sheeran shared it with One Direction’s team, they instantly knew it would be a perfect fit. The boys’ harmonies brought a boy band’s charm to Sheeran’s words, and the song became a 2012 hit.
“Pretty Hurts”– Beyoncé (Written by Sia)
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Beyoncé’s Pretty Hurts is a striking masterpiece about beauty standards, self-worth and the pressures women face in the public eye. It was the opening track on her 2013 self-titled album, setting the tone for one of her most critically acclaimed projects. Her powerful delivery made it sound like a deeply personal mission statement.
But the song was actually written by Sia, who’s no stranger to penning pop anthems for other artists. In a 2014 interview with ABC News, Sia revealed that she wrote the song, “on the sofa three years ago for Katy Perry, sent it to Katy Perry and she never heard it.” She then further explained that she “sent [the song] to Beyoncé’s people and Rihanna’s people and Rihanna heard it and she had it on hold for eight months and her management forgot to secure it by paying for the track.” That’s when Beyoncé slid in and secured the track for herself. Her performance gave the song global impact, but the lyrics are pure Sia: sharp, vulnerable and powerful.
“We Found Love”– Rihanna (Written by Calvin Harris)
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In 2011, We Found Love became a defining EDM-pop track of the decade, dominating clubs, charts and festival playlists. Rihanna’s hypnotic voice paired with the soaring beat felt like pure magic– the kind of song you can’t hear without picturing a packed dance floor and flashing lights.
Scottish DJ and producer Calvin Harris actually wrote and produced the entire track before Rihanna ever heard it. When she did, she jumped on it immediately, recognizing its potential. The song became their first collaboration of many and went on to top charts in 25 countries, cementing both artists as unstoppable forces in pop.
“I Will Always Love You”– Whitney Houston (Written by Dolly Parton)
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Whitney Houston’s 1992 version of I Will Always Love You is one of the most powerful vocal performances in music history, famously featured in The Bodyguard. It’s so tied to Houston’s voice that many fans assume she wrote it herself.
The truth? Country legend Dolly Parton wrote and recorded the song back in 1973 as a farewell to her former mentor, Porter Wagoner. Parton’s gentle and bittersweet delivery made it a country hit, but Huston’s powerhouse rendition turned it into a universal love anthem. Both versions remain timeless in their own right.
“(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman”– (Written by Carole King)
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Aretha Franklin’s 1967 recording of A Natural Woman is pure soul perfection– a celebration of love and femininity that became one of her signature songs. Her commanding voice and gospel-infused style made it feel like she was singing straight from her heart.
In fact, the song was written by Carole King and her late ex-husband, Gerry Goffin. They reportedly wrote the song after being approached by producer Jerry Wexler, who said from a rolled-down limousine window, “I’m looking for a really big hit for Aretha. How about writing a song called ‘A Natural Woman?’” That night, the couple went home and came up with the music and lyrics, and the rest is history. The song might not have come from Aretha herself, but the soul was all hers.
“I Wanna Be Your Man”– The Rolling Stones (Written by The Beatles)
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It’s hard to imagine The Beatles giving one of their songs away, but that’s exactly what happened with I Wanna Be Your Man. In 1963, The Rolling Stones manager, Loog Oldham, ran after Beatles members John Lennon and Paul McCartney as they were exiting their cab. After less than half an hour, Lennon and McCartney played and offered the song to Oldham, and The Rolling Stones had their newest single.
The Rolling Stones recorded it, adding their own raw, garage-rock edge. The Beatles later recorded a version themselves for their second album. It’s one of the rare cases where two of the biggest bands in history share the same song– each putting their own stamp on it.
Conclusion
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Whether it’s a rock classic, a pop banger or a heartfelt track, the songs we love most often have unexpected origins. Behind every chart-topper is a songwriter, and sometimes, that songwriter is another famous artist lending their voice in a different way. These collaborations and hand-offs prove that music is a shared language, passed between artists until it finds the perfect match.
Next time you sing along to your favorite hit, remember: the person singing might not have written it– but they sure knew how to make it theirs.
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