You probably know him best as the longtime frontman of the pop-rock band Fall Out Boy, but Patrick Stump has proven himself a genuinely multi-talented artist. The Illinois native took advantage of the band’s brief hiatus following the release of their sixth album, American Beauty/American Psycho, by launching a solo career.
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His 2011 record Soul Punk was the true definition of a solo project, with Stump taking on the roles of vocalist, musician, songwriter, and producer. Over the years, he’s honed each of those skills through various side projects and collaborations.
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Stump’s contributions as co-writer on dozens of Fall Out Boy songs, often alongside bandmate Pete Wentz, are well known in the rock music community. Although his work for other artists is often overlooked, these three tracks showcase Patrick Stump’s impressive versatility as a songwriter.
From a rocking cut from Yellowcard to a groovy Bruno Mars tune, here are three stellar songs written by Patrick Stump.
1. “The Other Side”
Bruno Mars‘ 2011 debut album Doo-Wops & Hooligans was the starting point for a fruitful pop music career, which included this impressive track penned by Stump with an extensive list of seasoned co-writers. The record wraps up with “The Other Side,” an energizing, Motown-inspired cut featuring CeeLo Green and B.o.B.
2. “Sober”
This chaotic, electronica-infused cut is one of two Stump co-writes included on Blink-182‘s 2016 record California. “Sober” introduces listeners to a character caught in a drunken haze, recalling their unhinged behavior and asking for another chance once the alcohol wears off.
3. “Here I Am Alive”
Yellowcard‘s eighth record, Southern Air, provided the rock outfit with their best performance on the Billboard album chart in six years. The project’s success can be partially credited to its evolved sound and thoughtful lyrical content, qualities echoed in this stand-out track. Frontman Ryan Key teamed up with Stump to pen the lyrics for the hopeful and reflective “Here I Am Alive,” featuring guest vocals from We Are the In Crowd frontwoman Taylor Jardine.
(Photo by Pamela Littky, Courtesy of Elektra Entertainment)
