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In a consistently evolving world filled with music of all kinds, we often forget to reflect on the people who are directly responsible for creating our favorite songs. Songwriters, producers, and composers are just three of the roles that are necessary to get one song in the hands and ears of listeners everywhere. It’s important to, at the very least, take a minute to read the credits on an album or on Spotify to put the names of these creatives to the music we’re listening to.
Sometimes, if an artist is incredibly driven and well-versed in every step that goes into crafting a song from start to finish, the credits will largely feature just one name. These songs aren’t always the most elaborate, but they become much more impressive when we take into consideration every word and instrument that was placed in such a specific order by the artist who, on top of everything else, sings the song as well. The songs below come from artists across decades and genres, including rock, hip-hop, and folk, each of which was written and produced by the artist alone.
10
Cherry Wine – Live
Hozier
What immediately stands out about “Cherry Wine – Live” is its simplicity. In typical Hozier fashion, he presents listeners with a devastating narrative in the most authentic way possible, letting you in with just his voice and a perfectly-tuned acoustic guitar. It’s a song that, when you realize it was written by Hozier alone, becomes even more special. His music, especially on this first album, often explores uncomfortable or honest experiences that never shy away from the truth, and “Cherry Wine” is one that delves into the complications and the cycle of domestic abuse.
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After one listen, the production on this song doesn’t sound like much, but it’s important to note that it’s a live performance. Hozier recorded “Cherry Wine” on the roof of an abandoned hotel in Ireland at 5 a.m., the perfect time to capture the quiet nature that comes alive with the rising of the sun. The birds chirping at the end of this song always get me. They make such a painful song feel so peaceful, almost letting listeners know that there’s a light at the end of the tunnel.
9
Haegeum
Agust D
The world of K-Pop features such a wide range of artists that it’s no wonder some talented idols also double as talented producers. In particular, rappers from BTS, Stray Kids, and (G)I-DLE, to name a few, not only produce music for their groups, but write and produce their own solo music. Suga, a member of BTS’s incomparable rap line, releases solo music under the moniker Agust D.
Slaves to capitalism, slaves to money,
Slaves to hatred, prejudice, and revulsion,
Slaves to YouTube, slaves to flexing,
Selfishness and greed are frantically rampaging,
Turn a blind eye and it’s all easy, it’s all obvious,
Opinions are so transparently driven by interests
On his latest album D-Day, the main track was written and produced by Suga himself. “Haegeum” means two things. First, it’s the name of a traditional Korean string instrument. Second, it means the lifting of a ban, or freedom from the banned. On “Haegeum,” Suga raps through the barriers placed on people worldwide that prevent us from reaching the goals we hope to achieve. He incorporates traditional Korean music behind a head-banging beat that keeps you hanging onto every word he says, making this song just one of the most impressive within his solo discography.
8
Praying For Time
George Michael
George Michael’s fingerprints are all over every song he put out. Whether it was with Wham! or as a solo artist, there’s endless evidence of how talented Michael was as a songwriter, producer, singer, and performer. That fact alone made choosing just one song of his a difficult task. In the end, I dipped into his second studio album, Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1, to choose “Praying for Time,” a somber track that cites the unavoidable passing of time as the only solution to the troubles of the world and all its people.
The production of this song is often compared to that of John Lennon in the mid-1970s. A layered instrumental featuring crashing percussion and haunting synths serves as the atmosphere in which Michael’s vocals echo into the ears of listeners. It’s just one example of the impressive production work Michael did throughout his career, but I believe this is an example that shouldn’t be ignored.
7
Sir Duke
Stevie Wonder
Another iconic artist that rarely needs an introduction is Stevie Wonder. His 1976 album, Songs In The Key of Life, along with the majority of his catalog, was singlehandedly produced by Wonder. “Sir Duke” is one of his most popular songs, and for good reason. It’s an infectious track that bursts at the seams with joy, almost making it impossible to do anything but smile, sing alone, and dance around your bedroom.
His 1976 album, Songs In The Key of Life, along with the majority of his catalog, was singlehandedly produced by Wonder.
There is nothing more happiness-inducing in music to me than a good horn section. The horns that occupy “Sir Duke” are some of my favorites, and they never get old. Without them, I’m sure the song still would’ve worked, but it wouldn’t have the same effect that this version has nearly 50 years later. This is also an example of why it matters to check the credits. Until now, I had no knowledge that Wonder was such a talented producer, but that’s a fact I won’t soon forget.
6
They Don’t Care About Us
Michael Jackson
Like so many politically-charged songs of the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s, Michael Jackson’s “They Don’t Care About Us” is one that remains relevant today. It’s one of Jackson’s most controversial songs due to its lyrics and two music videos, both directed by Spike Lee, where Jackson doesn’t shy away from common human rights abuses taking place globally in Brazil and domestically in American prisons.
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The production of this song is imposing in a way that invites listeners to hear the message Jackson hopes to convey. From start to finish, the percussion in the background has the effect of a marching band carrying the message from one place to another. The chorus of young people in the opening makes Jackson’s forceful vocal delivery pierce through the ears of listeners even more. He rasps through the verses while leaning into his smoother vocals in each pre-chorus to hold everyone’s attention, making for an altogether memorable track from one of the most iconic artists of all time.
5
So Unsexy
Alanis Morissette
Alanis Morissette’s fifth studio album from 2002, Under Rug Swept, was collectively written and produced by Morissette, making it an incredibly impressive feat for one of the most iconic artists of the mid-90s and early 2000s who continues to make waves today. “So Unsexy” is the album’s fifth track that discusses the painfully relatable feelings of insecurity and uncertainty brought on by the smallest things.
Oh, these little defenses
How they fail to comfort me
Your hand pulling away
And I’m devastated
I can feel so unsexy for someone so beautiful
So unloved and for someone so fine
I can feel so boring for someone so interesting
So ignorant for someone of sound mind
It’s worth noting right off the bat that this song and “Hands Clean” won Morissette the Jack Richardson Producer of the Year award at the 2003 Juno Awards. The heavy guitar backs up her vulnerable mezzo-soprano voice as she spills her deepest insecurities onto listeners, and the easy percussion guides the song’s seemingly simple instrumental until the last note. She spends the song going back and forth between laying out each individual event that alters her mood and encouraging herself that she’s better than that.
4
Hey Jane
Tyler, The Creator
Tyler, The Creator is one of the most exciting rap artists today. His eighth studio album, CHROMAKOPIA, is another fully self-produced masterpiece that features endless examples of his talent, including perfectly produced collaborations with Doechii and Lola Young. “Hey Jane” is one of the less flashy tracks on this album. Named after the New York City-based healthcare company focused on providing abortion-related assistance, the song talks about just that: unplanned pregnancy and the weighted question of abortion.
This song serves as a conversation between two people. The first half of the song features Tyler, The Creator as himself, addressing the fictional Jane and the thoughts swirling through his mind about the situation they find themselves in. The latter half is stated from the woman’s point of view, reiterating certain lines almost verbatim with a slight adjustment. Within this album, “Hey Jane” grounds listeners, both in its meaning and its beautiful production.
3
Uncle Albert / Admiral Halsey
Paul McCartney & Linda McCartney
Paul McCartney is a songwriting and production genius who, like so many of these artists, made it difficult to choose just one song. “Uncle Albert / Admiral Halsey” is off of his collaborative 1971 album Ram with his then-wife Linda McCartney. Similarly to Abbey Road‘s iconic medley, “Uncle Albert / Admiral Halsey” was made up of unfinished song fragments. Thanks to George Martin’s orchestral arrangements and Paul and Linda’s vocals, this song became McCartney’s first gold record since the breakup of The Beatles.
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The final product doesn’t sound fragmented in any way, with the sounds of a thunderstorm, a sweeping chorus accompanying a vocal effect that sounds like McCartney is leaving a voicemail for Uncle Albert, and a fantastical second half that sounds straight out of your favorite childhood movie. It’s a testament to McCartney’s genius in a career filled with testaments.
2
Doo Wop (That Thing)
Ms. Lauryn Hill
The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill is an album everyone should listen to. Every song on the album is produced by Hill, with nearly every single song being at least co-written by her. “Doo Wop (That Thing)” is arguably her most popular solo song. Produced and written solely by Hill, this song was her debut solo single and her only US Billboard Hot 100 number one hit, marking the first US number one written, produced, and recorded by one woman since 1989’s “Lost in Your Eyes” by Debbie Gibson.
Every song on the album is produced by Hill, with nearly every single song being at least co-written by her.
Hill pulls elements from soul and, appropriately, doo-wop music for this track, filling it with hypnotizing harmonies, upbeat piano chords, and a horn section that brings it all to an even higher level. The song’s message can be interpreted in a more conservative or a more freeing way, but, either way, there’s no denying Hill’s mark she left on the music industry.
1
Purple Rain
Prince
There’s nothing like “Purple Rain” by Prince. Of the endless number of rock songs over the five-minute mark, “Purple Rain” always has to be mentioned. The timeless anthem is a feat of songwriting, production, singing, and guitar playing wrapped up in one song almost nine minutes in length.
Everything from Prince’s desperate vocal delivery to the production effects on his voice to make them feel as if they’re surrounding the listener from all sides make this a perfect song that I can’t say anything new or unique about that hasn’t already been said. Throughout his career, Prince created some of the most well-produced songs ever released that artists today still cite as inspiration. It goes without saying that we wouldn’t have music from some of our favorite artists without his talent and influence.
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