The 18 best songs in history that were written by teenagers

Callie AhlgrimJan 27, 2021, 03:24 IST

Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo, and Stevie Wonder all found critical acclaim as teenagers.Billie Eilish/Olivia Rodrigo/YouTube / Daily Mirror/Mirrorpix via Getty Images

Teenagers have written some of the most striking and relatable songs in music history.
Olivia Rodrigo's hit "Drivers License" is the latest stunning addition to that category.
Billie Eilish, Taylor Swift, Chance the Rapper, Lorde, Halsey, and Khalid also made our list.

If you're still one of those people who believe teenagers have nothing important to say, or don't know what they're talking about, allow these songwriters to prove you wrong.

There are artists who've written some of the most striking, emotionally tender, and relatable songs in music history - before they even turned 20 years old.

Insider rounded up 18 of the best songs ever written by teenagers. They are listed below in no particular order.

Olivia Rodrigo wrote and released her debut single, "Drivers License," at just 17 years old.

"Drivers License" was released in 2021. Olivia Rodrigo/YouTube

"Bad Guy" made Billie Eilish the first person born in the 21st century to have a No. 1 hit.

"Bad Guy" was released on March 29, 2019. Billie Eilish/YouTube

Eilish's breakout hit, "Ocean Eyes," was written by her teenage brother, Finneas.

"Ocean Eyes" was originally released in 2015. Finneas O'Connell has won five Grammy Awards for his work with Eilish. Billie Eilish/YouTube / Rachel Luna/FilmMagic

Adele's debut single, "Hometown Glory," was the first song she ever wrote. She was 16 years old.

"Hometown Glory" was released on October 22, 2007. Adele/YouTube

Chance the Rapper wrote the first draft of his debut mixtape as a senior in high school. "Brain Cells" is a lyrical standout.

"Brain Cells" was released on the mixtape "10 Day" on April 3, 2012. Chance The Rapper/YouTube

Avril Lavigne's debut album "Let Go," released when she was 18 years old, opens with the deliciously bitter "Losing Grip."

"Losing Grip" was released in 2002 and rereleased as a single in 2003. Avril Lavigne/YouTube

A teenage Amy Winehouse cowrote her award-winning debut single, "Stronger Than Me."

"Stronger Than Me" was released in 2003. Amy Winehouse/YouTube

"Royals" by Lorde has been called "the greatest striver's anthem of our modern era." She wrote it in 30 minutes when she was 15.

"Royals" was released in 2012 and rereleased as a single in 2013. Lorde/YouTube

Stevie Wonder's Grammy-nominated single "Uptight (Everything's Alright)" was released when he was 15.

Stevie Wonder photographed in 1965. Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images

Fiona Apple wrote her biggest hit "Criminal" in 45 minutes when she was 17 years old.

"Criminal" was released in 1996 and rereleased as a single in 1997. Fiona Apple/YouTube

Halsey wrote "Ghost" on a whim when she was 19 years old.

"Ghost" was released in 2014. Halsey/YouTube

Alex Turner was just 18 when "I Bet You Look Good On The Dance Floor," one of the Arctic Monkeys' most-loved songs, made the rounds online.

"I Bet You Look Good On The Dance Floor" was released online in 2004 and rereleased as a single in 2005. Domino Recording Co/YouTube

Taylor Swift wrote one of her most iconic songs, "Teardrops on My Guitar," as a freshman in high school.

"Teardrops on My Guitar" was released in 2006 and rereleased as a single in 2007. Taylor Swift/YouTube

Another classic Swift song, "Sparks Fly," was written when she was 16.

"Sparks Fly" was released in 2010 and rereleased as a single in 2011. Taylor Swift/YouTube

"Do You Know (What It Takes)" was Robyn's first top 10 single in the US. It was released when she was 16.

"Do You Know (What It Takes)" was released in 1995 and rereleased as a single in 1997. Robyn/YouTube

Khalid released his breakout single "Location" when he was 18 years old.

"Location" was released as a single on January 26, 2017. Khalid/YouTube

Kate Bush was just 19 when "Wuthering Heights" made her the first female artist to have a No. 1 hit in the UK with a self-written song.

"Wuthering Heights" was released in 1978. KateBushMusic/YouTube

None of the members of A Tribe Called Quest had yet turned 20 when they recorded the iconic single "Can I Kick It?"

"Can I Kick It?" was released in 1990. A Tribe Called Quest/YouTube

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