These days, it seems like multi-Grammy Award-winner Brandi Carlile has her musical hand in many musical pies. Whether she’s playing at the Gorge Amphitheater with Joni Mitchell and a slew of others from Allison Russell to Marcus Mumford, or releasing solo material and best-selling albums, Carlile is a multi-faceted star.
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But wait, there’s more. To her credit, there are a number of songwriting co-write sessions with other popular musicians, as you can see below. These are three songs you likely didn’t know Brandi Carlile wrote for other artists.
1. “Mustang Ridge,” Tanya Tucker
Written by Brandi Carlile, Tim Hanseroth, Phil Hanseroth
In 2019, country star Tanya Tucker released her comeback album, While I’m Livin’. The record, which was produced by Carlile, a longtime fan (and multi-time Grammy Award-winner, Shooter Jennings), earned Tucker the Grammy for Best Country Album and the Grammy for Best Country Song for “Bring My Flowers Now.” For the record, Carlile co-wrote a number of songs, including “Mustang Ridge,” which is about escape.
I got my knee on the wheel and I’m feeling free
With my hobnail on the gas
I just crossed over the county line
Tryna make it up to Wild Rose Pass
Now the radio’s saying all hell broke loose
This morning at the Lockhart Jail
Now I’m flying like an angel on Dead Man’s Run
I got the devil riding on my tail
Yeah, I do
2. “Mississippi,” The Secret Sisters
Written by Brandi Carlile, Laura Rogers, Lydia Rogers, Phil Hanseroth, Tim Hanseroth
In 2015, Carlile began to work with the Muscle Shoals, Alabama-based country duo, the Secret Sisters. At first, they opened two shows for Carlile in her native Seattle. Then, Carlile found herself producing the sisters’ new album, You Don’t Own Me Anymore. The record, which was tracked at Bear Creek Studio in Woodinville, Washington, includes the four-minute number, “Mississippi,” which includes the opening verses:
All my life I’d never been a lucky man
Saw the back of my daddy’s hand
Lost your momma to the promised land
In my time I’d never had a thing that’s mine
Till they handed me a baby fine
My little girl
There’re only two things I know
I get ugly when the whiskey flows
Wanted you to know I love you so
And I would kill before I let you go
3. “How,” Marcus Mumford
Written by Marcus Mumford, Brandi Carlile
In 2022, Marcus Mumford (of the British-born folk-pop band Mumford & Sons) released his debut solo LP, self-titled. One of those tracks, “How,” featured a collaboration with Carlile. The song, which concludes the 10-track LP, also features Carlile as a guest vocalist and one of several big-name guest artists on the album. Other artists include Phoebe Bridgers and Robin Pecknold of Fleet Foxes.
And I have reckoned with what you’ve taken from me
And I killed that liar in my head
I buried him beneath the maple tree
There’s no joy in dancing with the dead
Photo by Gary Miller/Getty Images
