We love it when a popular song’s origins surprise us. Perhaps it’s an original Rolling Stones tune that wasn’t written by Jagger/Richards. Or maybe Eddie Vedder wrote your favorite Pearl Jam song—all by himself (who knew?). That pop hit that features another soaring Kelly Clarkson vocal? She wrote it, too! Or how about songs written by random stars you had no idea even wrote songs? Bet you didn’t know dance master Fred Astaire, super-actor Jeremy Renner, and game show host Chuck Woolery all fall into that category.
These days American Songwriter covers diverse music from all different angles. But we still place special emphasis on songs, songwriting, and (especially) songwriters. If a song comes from somewhere—or someone—you wouldn’t expect? Rest assured, we’re gonna relish delivering that story to you.
NUERBURG, GERMANY – JUNE 01: Chris Cornell of Soundgarden performs on stage during the first day of Rock Am Ring on June 01, 2012 in Nuerburg, Germany. (Photo by Peter Wafzig/Redferns via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 03: John Legend attends the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures 3rd Annual Gala Presented by Rolex at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on December 03, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Academy Museum of Motion Pictures )
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 29: Tom Jones attends the "Long Story Short: Willie Nelson 90" Concert Celebrating Willie's 90th Birthday, presented by Blackbird, at Hollywood Bowl on April 29, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images)
American singer-songwriter John Denver (1943-1997) attends the John Denver Celebrity Ski Classic, at Heavenly Mountain Resort, a ski resort in South Lake Tahoe, California, February 1979. (Photo by Kathy Keough/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – JANUARY 10: (Editors Note: Image has been converted to black & white. Color version is available.) Lainey Wilson attends the ELVIS Act Press Conference – Protect Tennessee Music at RCA Studio A on January 10, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Ensuring Likeness Voice and Image Security (ELVIS) Act, Tennessee's proposed bill to update the state's Protection of Personal Rights law, aims to protect artists and music industry professionals against the unethical use of artificial intelligence. Tennessee is the first state in the U.S. to take this step. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 16: Jerry Cantrell performs at I Am The Highway: A Tribute to Chris Cornell at the Forum on January 16, 2019 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
INDIO, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 21: Damon Albarn of Gorillaz performs on the Coachella Stage during the 2023 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on April 21, 2023 in Indio, California. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for Coachella)