We love it when a popular song’s origins surprise us. Perhaps it’s an original Rolling Stones tune that wasn’t written by Jagger/Richards. Or maybe Eddie Vedder wrote your favorite Pearl Jam song—all by himself (who knew?). That pop hit that features another soaring Kelly Clarkson vocal? She wrote it, too! Or how about songs written by random stars you had no idea even wrote songs? Bet you didn’t know dance master Fred Astaire, super-actor Jeremy Renner, and game show host Chuck Woolery all fall into that category.
These days American Songwriter covers diverse music from all different angles. But we still place special emphasis on songs, songwriting, and (especially) songwriters. If a song comes from somewhere—or someone—you wouldn’t expect? Rest assured, we’re gonna relish delivering that story to you.
NEW YORK – JANUARY 31: Musician Tracy Chapman performs live onstage at the AmFAR Gala honoring the work of John Demsey and Whoopi Goldberg at Cipriani 42nd Street January 31, 2007 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 08: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Mike McCready (L) and Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam perform on stage as American Express Presents BST Hyde Park, in Hyde Park on July 08, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 08: Musician Jo-El Sonnier speaks onstage at the Premiere Ceremony during The 57th Annual GRAMMY Awards at the Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE on February 8, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Buckner/WireImage)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 06: Ronnie Wood, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards pose for photographs during the Rolling Stones "Hackney Diamonds" press conference at Hackney Empire on September 06, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images)
