Long before Kimberly Perry made a name for herself as the lead singer of The Band Perry, she was a passionate musician raised between Mississippi and Tennessee with an affinity for songwriting. From writing her first song in high school to penning one of the most poignant country songs of the past 15 years—”If I Die Young“—Perry has proven time and time again that she has a gift with words. She’s also proven it by the songs she’s written which other artists have felt compelled to record, ranging from fellow country queen Deana Carter to pop star Ciara. Check out the eclectic list of songs you didn’t know Perry wrote for other artists.
Videos by American Songwriter
1. “I Love Myself” by Ciara ft. Macklemore
Written by Macklemore, Kimberly Perry, Benny Cassette, and Clara Calaway
Kimberly Perry stepped outside of the confines of country music to write this R&B-influenced pop song by Ciara, featuring rapper Macklemore. This catchy opening track to Ciara’s 2019 album, Beauty Marks, puts the singer in the role of a confident woman who realizes her main obstacle in life is herself. Damn right, yeah, I love myself / I’m never gon’ fall ’cause I love myself / Damn right, yeah, I love myself / And I can have it all ’cause I love myself, Ciara chants in the triumphant chorus. Perry also shows off her musicianship, as she plays the electronic piano heard on the track.
2. “You Can’t Stay” by Deana Carter
Written by Deana Carter and Kimberly Perry
Deana Carter teamed up with Kimberly Perry to write the opening track of her 2013 album, Southern Way of Life. At the center of this feisty song is a woman who’s fed up with her partner who constantly has one foot out the door. Tired of the emotional rollercoaster, Carter sings, You had my heart but you let it slip away / Now you’re coming back around and you can’t stay.
3. “The Good in Me” by Jon Bellion
Written by Jon Bellion, Kimberly Perry, and Mark Williams
Perry helped out fellow singer-songwriter Jon Bellion—whose penned such hits as “The Monster” by Eminem and Rihanna, “Memories” by Maroon 5, and “Graveyard” by Halsey—when he stepped into the spotlight with his 2016 debut album, The Human Condition. A deviation from her country roots, this electro-pop deep cut demonstrates Perry’s ability to step outside of her comfort zone, as she also provides background vocals.
Photo by Steve Jennings/Getty Images
