There is nothing wrong with getting a little help. Rock bands are good at rocking. Songwriters are good at songwriting. Why not combine both and let each contributor play to their strengths? Many bands have opted to do just that. While not everyone will agree with this practice, the rock bands below owe some of their greatest hits to outsiders.
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Aerosmith
Aerosmith members have written and co-written many of their songs. We certainly don’t want to call them non-songwriters, but they have had their fair share of help in that department. Aerosmith co-opted the talents of Desmond Child and Jim Vallance on multiple occasions. Many of this rock band’s biggest hits were collaborative efforts with these songwriters, including “Dude (Looks Like a Lady)”, “Angel”, and “Rag Doll.” Aerosmith’s commercial renaissance can be heavily credited to these outside voices. While their ’70s releases focused on baring their innermost thoughts, the help of other writers later in their career brought their music to the masses.
That, that dude looks like a lady
That, that dude looks like a lady
That, that dude looks like a lady
That, that dude looks like a lady
Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi also worked with Child on a number of occasions, including during the writing sessions for “Livin’ On A Prayer” and “You Give Love a Bad Name.” Needless to say, Child amassed a certain reputation in the rock ranks for his hit-making abilities. Bon Jovi also made use of songwriter Holly Knight’s expertise on “Stick to Your Guns.” Though the band has many writing credits to their name, they weren’t afraid to get a leg up via these tried and true hitmakers.
She says, “We’ve gotta hold on to what we’ve got
It doesn’t make a difference if we make it or not
We got each other, and that’s a lot for love
We’ll give it a shot”
Oh, we’re half way there
Oh-oh, livin’ on a prayer
Take my hand, we’ll make it, I swear
Oh-oh, livin’ on a prayer
KISS
Like Aerosmith, KISS started to rely on outside songwriters as their career progressed. They too leaned on Child and also tapped Diane Warren. Child notably penned “I Was Made For Lovin’ You” while Warren delivered “(You Make Me) Rock Hard” to the band. Not every KISS fan agrees with the direction of their career in the ’80s and ’90s, but it certainly earned them a few radio-friendly tracks–something not all of their rock peers can boast.
I was made for lovin’ you, baby
You were made for lovin’ me
And I can’t get enough of you, baby
Can you get enough of me?
(Photo by Ron Pownall/Corbis via Getty Images)
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