Songs Taylor Swift Wrote for Other Artists: 10 Hits You Didn’t Know About
Taylor Swift is widely known for her personal, heartfelt lyrics and chart-topping hits, but few realize she’s also the songwriting genius behind several smash songs for other artists. Her ability to write across genres has made her one of the most sought-after songwriters in the industry. This article explores the songs Taylor Swift wrote for other artists that you might not even know she was behind.
The Rise of Taylor Swift as a Songwriter for Other Artists
Taylor Swift’s career began with country music, but she quickly evolved into a versatile songwriter whose talents span multiple genres. Over the years, she’s not only penned hits for herself but has also written songs for a wide array of artists. From country to pop to EDM, Taylor has helped other artists score some of their biggest hits.
Her decision to write for others often stems from her deep love of storytelling. As she transitioned into the pop world, Taylor found joy in creating stories through music—sometimes ones she felt fit better with another voice. For example, she wrote “Better Man” for Little Big Town, believing the group’s harmonies would amplify the song’s message.
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Top 10 Songs Taylor Swift Wrote for Other Artists
Here’s a look at some of the most iconic songs Taylor Swift wrote for other artists:
- “Better Man” – Little Big Town (2016)
Better Man won the Country Music Association’s Song of the Year award, showcasing Taylor’s influence in the country music genre even after her pop transition. She wrote the song and gave it to Little Big Town, and their signature harmonies brought it to life. - “This Is What You Came For” – Calvin Harris ft. Rihanna (2016)
Swift co-wrote this EDM hit under the pseudonym Nils Sjöberg, highlighting her versatility. The song became a global sensation, with Rihanna’s vocals and Harris’ production driving it to the top of the charts. - “Babe” – Sugarland (2018)
This country-pop track was co-written with Patrick Monahan of Train. Swift originally wrote it for her Red album but later gifted it to Sugarland. Her involvement in the song’s production and backing vocals added an extra layer of depth to the track. - “Best Days of Your Life” – Kellie Pickler (2008)
Co-written with Kellie Pickler, this song became a fan favorite. The collaboration between the two country artists made the song a powerful breakup anthem, resonating with many listeners. - “Two Is Better Than One” – Boys Like Girls ft. Taylor Swift (2009)
Swift’s early collaboration with the pop-rock band Boys Like Girls helped create a soft, heartfelt hit. The combination of pop-rock and Swift’s lyrical prowess made the song a commercial success, hitting the Billboard Hot 100. - “You’ll Always Find Your Way Back Home” – Miley Cyrus (2009)
Written for Hannah Montana: The Movie, this song was an upbeat, feel-good anthem perfect for Miley’s character. The catchy hooks and relatable lyrics proved once again that Swift knew how to craft a hit for young audiences. - “Both of Us” – B.O.B. ft. Taylor Swift (2012)
This track marked one of Swift’s first ventures into hip-hop, showing her ability to write across genres. The collaboration with B.O.B. resulted in a smooth, emotional track that resonated with fans of both artists. - “Renegade” – Big Red Machine (2021)
Collaborating with Aaron Dessner from The National, Swift co-wrote this haunting folk-pop track. The song is an example of her ever-evolving musical style and her ability to adapt to different genres effortlessly. - “Safe & Sound” – The Hunger Games Soundtrack (2012)
Written for The Hunger Games, this Grammy-winning song featured haunting vocals and cinematic production. Collaborating with The Civil Wars, Swift created a song that matched the dystopian tone of the movie perfectly. - “Beautiful Ghosts” – Cats Soundtrack (2019)
Written alongside Andrew Lloyd Webber for the Cats movie adaptation, this track showcases Swift’s ability to write for film. The song was nominated for multiple awards, further proving her prowess in diverse musical landscapes.
Why Taylor Swift Writes for Other Artists
One question many fans have is: why does Taylor give away such incredible songs? Taylor’s songwriting is deeply personal, but she often writes songs that she feels may fit another artist’s voice or style better. For example, “Better Man” was written during her Red era but given to Little Big Town because she thought their harmonies would enhance the song’s emotional depth.
Taylor has explained that giving songs to other artists is a way for her to explore new sounds and styles without straying too far from her own musical identity. This process also allows her to collaborate with musicians from different genres, broadening her creative horizons.
Impact of Taylor Swift’s Writing on Other Artists’ Careers
Taylor Swift’s songwriting has helped elevate the careers of several artists. For instance, Little Big Town’s “Better Man” won them a Grammy and broadened their audience base. Similarly, “This Is What You Came For” became one of Calvin Harris’ biggest hits and solidified his status in the global EDM scene.
Her ability to write across genres and connect with listeners on a personal level has made her one of the most influential songwriters in the music industry today.
Table: Top 10 Songs Taylor Swift Wrote for Other Artists
Song | Artist | Year | Genre |
“Better Man” | Little Big Town | 2016 | Country |
“This Is What You Came For” | Calvin Harris ft. Rihanna | 2016 | EDM/Pop |
“Babe” | Sugarland | 2018 | Country/Pop |
“Best Days of Your Life” | Kellie Pickler | 2008 | Country |
“Two Is Better Than One” | Boys Like Girls ft. Taylor Swift | 2009 | Pop Rock |
“You’ll Always Find Your Way Home” | Miley Cyrus | 2009 | Pop |
“Both of Us” | B.O.B. ft. Taylor Swift | 2012 | Hip-hop/Pop |
“Renegade” | Big Red Machine | 2021 | Folk/Pop |
“Safe & Sound” | The Hunger Games Soundtrack | 2012 | Folk/Cinematic |
“Beautiful Ghosts” | Cats Soundtrack | 2019 | Musical |
FAQs About Songs Taylor Swift Wrote for Other Artists
- What is the most famous song Taylor Swift wrote for another artist?
One of the most famous songs is “This Is What You Came For,” co-written with Calvin Harris for Rihanna. - How many songs has Taylor Swift written for other artists?
Taylor Swift has written or co-written numerous songs for other artists, spanning country, pop, rock, and EDM genres. - Why does Taylor Swift write songs for other artists?
Taylor often writes songs that she feels would better suit another artist’s voice or style, allowing her to collaborate across genres. - Which song did Taylor Swift write for Little Big Town?
Taylor Swift wrote “Better Man,” which became a hit for Little Big Town, winning them a Grammy Award. - Has Taylor Swift written songs for movie soundtracks?
Yes, Taylor has written songs for multiple soundtracks, including Safe & Sound for The Hunger Games and Beautiful Ghosts for Cats.
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