Women Songwriters You Should Know
Women songwriters have changed the game musically. Without them we wouldn’t have many of the wonderful hits we cherish so much. Women have been historically underrepresented in the music business and we hope that continues to change in the coming years!
Here’s a list of women songwriters who inspire us daily. This list is ongoing and we plan to continue updating it!
Read on to learn more about these writers and celebrate their musical contributions to the world.
Missy Elliott
Melissa Arnette Elliott also known by her artist name Missy Elliott. Picture courtesy of Atlantic Records.
Missy Elliott was recently inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, making her the first female hip-hop artist to receive the honor.
Songs We Love:
- “Work It” - Missy Elliott
- “Tempo” - Lizzo (featuring Missy Elliott)
- “Cool Off” - Missy Elliott
Emily Warren
Emily has written for several high-profile pop artists, including The Chainsmokers, Dua Lipa, Khalid, Sigrid, and Shawn Mendes. She received a nomination for the Grammy Award for Song of the Year for co-writing Dua Lipa's "Don't Start Now".
Follow Emily on Instagram.
Songs We Love:
- “Don’t Start Now” - Dua Lipa
- "Don't Let Me Down" - The Chainsmokers featuring Daya
- “God Whispered Your Name” - Keith Urban
- “Silence” - Fletcher
Ester Dean
Esther Renay "Ester" Dean also known as Ester Dean. Image Courtesy of HotNewHipHop
Esther Dean has written songs for many artists, with numerous Top 10 hits, including No. 1 hits for Rihanna and Katy Perry, earning the name "The Song Factory”.
Songs We Love:
- “Thinkin Bout You” - Ciara
- “Pills N Potions” - Nicki Minaj
- “Firework” - Katy Perry
Camille Purcell
Image courtesy of MusicWeek
Camille Angelina Purcell also known professionally as Kamille, is known for writing songs with Sam Smith, Rihanna, Anne-Marie, Rita Ora, Stormzy, Dua Lipa, Zara Larsson, Jess Glynne, and Clean Bandit.
Songs We Love:
- "Hey Boy" - Sia
- "Cool" - Dua Lipa
- "Holiday" - Little Mix
Billie Eilish
Picture courtesy of Pulse Recordings
Billie Eilish Pirate Baird O'Connell's accomplishments include five Grammy Awards, two American Music Awards, two Guinness World Records, three MTV Video Music Awards, and one Brit Award. She is the youngest person and second person in history to win the four main Grammy categories—Best New Artist, Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Album of the Year—in the same year.
Follow Billie on Instagram.
Songs We Love:
- “Bad Guy” - Billie Eilish
- “Everything I Wanted” - Billie Eilish
- “No Time To Die” - Billie Eilish
Tayla Parx
Image courtesy of The Hype Magazine
Parks is credited as a co-writer on three Billboard Hot 100 top 10 singles; "Love Lies" by Khalid and Normani, "Thank U, Next" by Ariana Grande, and "High Hopes" by Panic! at the Disco.
Follow Tayla on Instagram.
Songs We Love:
- “Love Me Down” - Jason Derulo
- "Thank U, Next" - Ariana Grande
- "Like I Do" - Christina Aguilera
Diana Gordon
Diana is an American singer-songwriter. She began as a writer for other artists, later signing with Atlantic Records where she began working on an album.
Songs We Love:
- “Sorry” - Beyoncé
- “Electricity” - Silk City, Dua Lipa
- “The Kids Are Alright” - Chloe x Halle
Linda Perry
Linda Perry is an American singer-songwriter, musician, and record producer. She was the lead singer and primary songwriter of 4 Non Blondes, and has since founded two record labels and composed and produced hit songs for several other artists.
Songs We Love:
- “What’s Up” - 4 Non Blondes
- “Beautiful” - Christina Aguilera
- “Get The Party Started” - P!nk
Dolly Parton
Image courtesy of Biography.com
Dolly Rebecca Parton is an American singer, songwriter known primarily for her work in country music.
Songs We Love:
- “Jolene” - Dolly Parton
- “9 to 5” - Dolly Parton
- “Islands in the Stream” - Dolly Parton
Angela Hunte
Angela Hunte-Wisner also known as Angela Hunte. Image courtesy of AngelaHunte.com
Angela Hunte-Wisner known by the stage name Angela Hunte, is an American-Trinidadian singer-songwriter, and producer. She is best known for being a contributing writer for Empire State of Mind, with Alicia Keys and Jay Z, a song which won her a Grammy.
Songs We Love:
- “Empire State of Mind” - Jay-Z ft. Alicia Keys
- “Bang Bang” - Melanie Fiona
- “Show Stopper” - Danity Kane
Charlie XCX
Charlotte Emma Aitchison, known professionally as Charli XCX, is an English singer, songwriter, record producer, and music video director.
Songs We Love:
- “Fancy” - Charli XCX
- “White Roses” - Charli XCX
- “Break the Rules” - Charli XCX
Sia
Sia Kate Isobelle Furler is an Australian singer, songwriter, voice actress and director.
Songs We Love:
- “Elastic Heart” - Sia
- “Audio” - LSD
- “Diamonds” - Rihanna
BoA
Image courtesy of GRAMMY.com
Kwon Bo-ah also known professionally as BoA, is a South Korean singer, songwriter, and record producer. BoA has been recognized as one of the most successful and influential Korean entertainers throughout her career and is known as the "Queen of K-pop.”
Follow Kwon Bo-ah on Instagram.
Songs We Love:
- “Better” - BoA
- “Woman” - BoA
- “One Shot, Two Shot” - BoA
Kirby Lauryen
Image courtesy of Stax Music Academy.
KIRBY is an artist and singer-songwriter from Southaven, Mississippi. An alumni of Berklee College of Music, Kirby sparked a career in songwriting by writing a song a day on YouTube for 275 days. She was signed to Roc Nation on Day 302
Songs We Love:
- “FourFiveSeconds” - Rihanna, Kanye West, Paul McCartney
- “Tell Me You Love Me” - Demi Lovato
- “Kool Aid” - KIRBY