20 famous songs you didn't know were written by other celebrities

Allie Lembo,Crystal WallOct 28, 2020, 00:55 IST

Justin Bieber and Ed Sheeran in 2015.David M. Benett/Dave Benett/WireImage

Stars like Ed Sheeran, Jessie J, and Sia got their start in the music industry writing for others before they became big stars themselves.
Whitney Houston's version of Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You" became so famous that much of the public forgot it was a cover.
When they were 17 years old, Ed Sheeran wrote One Direction's "Little Things" and Finneas O'Connell wrote Billie Eilish's "Ocean Eyes."

It's no secret that not all musicians write their own songs. But some stars pen their own tracks and more — and several award-winning artists got their start as songwriters.

Read on for 20 hit songs that were written by other celebrities.

Ed Sheeran wrote One Direction's "Little Things" when he was just 17 years old.

Ed Sheeran at the 2018 Brit Awards and One Direction at the 2014 American Music Awards. Vianney Le Caer/Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

Finneas O'Connell was also 17 when he wrote "Ocean Eyes."

Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell at the 2020 Grammy Awards. Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images

Miley Cyrus' hit "Party in the USA" paid Jessie J's rent for three years.

Miley Cyrus performing in 2009 and Jessie J in 2017. Jason DeCrow/Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP

Harry Styles wrote Grande's "Just a Little Bit of Your Heart" on a whim.

Harry Styles penned Ariana Grande's "Just a Little Bit of Your Heart." Helene Marie Pambrun/Getty Images; Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

Beyoncé's "Irreplaceable" was written by Ne-Yo.

Ne-Yo wrote Beyoncé's hit song "Irreplaceable." Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP; Tibrina Hobson/Getty Images

Kesha's been writing for artists like Britney Spears since before she became a household name.

Kesha and Britney Spears performing. Jonathan Short/AP

Two huge stars passed on Sia's song "Pretty Hurts" before it was recorded by Beyoncé.

Sia and Beyoncé. Rich Fury/Daniela Vesco/AP

Pink wrote (and later released her own version of) "Whataya Want From Me."

Pink released her own recording of Adam Lambert's hit song "Whataya Want From Me." Adam Berry/Getty Images; Rich Polk/Getty Images

Sheeran wrote the pop song "Trust Fund Baby" for Why Don't We.

Ed Sheeran at the 2018 Berlin International Film Festival and Why Don't We performing in September 2018. Markus Schreiber/Charles Sykes/Invision/AP

Avril Lavigne was behind Kelly Clarkson's hit track "Breakaway."

Avril Lavigne cowrote "Breakaway" about her own experiences. Gregg DeGuire/Getty Images, NBC/Getty Images

Bruno Mars let Cee Lo Green sing "Forget You."

Bruno Mars at the 2018 Grammy Awards and Cee Lo Green. Charles Sykes/Invision/AP / Erik Kabik Photography/MediaPunch

Clarkson's big hit, "Miss Independent," was supposed to be on Christina Aguilera's album.

Kelly Clarkson and Christina Aguilera. Lucy Nicholson/Lee Roth/AP

Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You" is a Dolly Parton creation.

Whitney Houston performing at the 1994 American Music Awards and Dolly Parton. Mark J. Terrill/Harms/AP

Sia wrote Rihanna's hit "Diamonds" in just 14 minutes.

Sia at the 2017 Vanity Fair Oscar Party and Rihanna performing in 2015. Evan Agostini/Rich Fury/Invision/AP

Sheeran wrote with Liam Payne after One Direction split up.

Ed Sheeran called Liam Payne out of the blue. Michael Kovac/Getty Images; Tristan Fewings/Getty

Pharrell helped write "Hollaback Girl."

Pharrell and Gwen Stefani wrote the song together in New York. Pharrell/YouTube; REUTERS/Kevork Djansezian

Taylor Swift surprised Little Big Town by sending them the song "Better Man."

Taylor Swift surprised Little Big Town by sending them the song. Johannes Eisele/AFP/Getty Images; Jason Kempin/Getty Images

Perry penned Minaj's "Get on Your Knees."

Katy Perry and Nicki Minaj. Reuters/Danny Moloshok; ANDER GILLENEA/AFP/Getty

Meghan Trainor has written several songs for Fifth Harmony.

Meghan Trainor wrote three songs on Fifth Harmony's debut album. Jason Merritt/Getty Images; eff Kravitz/AMA2015/Getty Images

Justin Bieber's "Love Yourself" was cowritten by Sheeran.

Justin Bieber and Ed Sheeran in 2015. David M. Benett/Dave Benett/WireImage

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