These songwriters sought success with their own singing careers, but found their music performed better for others' hits

Katherine Tangalakis-LippertDec 31, 2022, 16:41 IST

(From left) Charles Manson, Katy Perry, Holly Knight, and Quentin Miller.Getty Images

While many have dreams of making it big as a musician, not all have a career on stage.
These musicians once aspired to performance careers, but instead wrote hits for other artists.

Though many songwriters have dreams of making it big with a performance career, not everyone with the aspiration makes a living dazzling fans from the stage.

Some continue on in the music business, creating top hits for other artists and finding an alternate path to breaking into the Top 40 charts.

While they may not be household names on their own, the writers below were behind hits for Nicki Minaj, Katy Perry, The Beach Boys, and more.

Before he came to be worth millions writing 90s hit singles like Britney Spears's "...Baby One More Time," "I Want It That Way" for the Backstreet Boys, and NSYNC's "It's Gonna Be Me," Swedish producer and songwriter Max Miller was the singer and frontman for a glam-style metal band called It's Alive. Miller has since written or co-written 25 Billboard Hot 100 number-one songs.

Max Martin (left) poses with Justin Timberlake (middle) and producer Karl Johan Schuster (right) at the 2017 Academy Awards.Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic via Getty Images

Before he came to be worth millions writing 90s hit singles like Britney Spears's "...Baby One More Time," "I Want It That Way" for the Backstreet Boys, and NSYNC's "It's Gonna Be Me," Swedish producer and songwriter Max Miller was the singer and frontman for a glam-style metal band called It's Alive. Miller has since written or co-written 25 Billboard Hot 100 number-one songs.

Bonnie McKee wrote her album "Trouble" when she was a teenager and performed publicly at events like The Citadel Outlets' 12th Annual Tree Lighting Concert in Commerce, California. Years later, she has 51 credits writing hits with other artists, like Katy Perry's #1 hits "California Gurls", "Teenage Dream," and "Roar" and songs for Britney Spears, Ke$ha and Kelly Clarkson.

Bonnie McKee in 2004 (left) sings at a Borders bookstore. In 2020 (right), she attended the Grammys as a hit songwriter for artists like Katy Perry and Ke$ha.Getty Images

Bonnie McKee wrote her album "Trouble" when she was a teenager and performed publicly at events like The Citadel Outlets' 12th Annual Tree Lighting Concert in Commerce, California. Years later, she has 51 credits writing hits with other artists, like Katy Perry's #1 hits "California Gurls", "Teenage Dream," and "Roar" and songs for Britney Spears, Ke$ha and Kelly Clarkson.

Holly Knight was in several bands in the 1980s, including Spider and Device, but her songwriting for artists like Pat Benetar, Tina Turner, and Aerosmith made her famous. In 2013 she was inducted into the songwriter's hall of fame for her writing on hits like Pat Benetar's "Love is a Battlefield" and "Obsession" by Animotion.

Holly Knight in 1988 (left) in promotional photos for her self-titled debut album "Knight." In 2013 (right) she was inducted into the songwriter's hall of fame for her writing on 80's hits like Pat Benetar's "Love is a Battlefield" and "Obsession" by Animotion.Getty Images

Holly Knight was in several bands in the 1980s, including Spider and Device, but her songwriting for artists like Pat Benetar, Tina Turner, and Aerosmith made her famous. In 2013 she was inducted into the songwriter's hall of fame for her writing on hits like Pat Benetar's "Love is a Battlefield" and "Obsession" by Animotion.

Quentin Miller, part of the duo act WDNG Crshrs, is known among the hip-hop community more for verses he writes for other artists than his own. Miller has collaborated with and written for artists like Gucci Mane, Meek Mill, Drake — and is rumored to have written lyrics for Nas. His credits include multiple tracks on Drake's "If You're Reading This" 2015 album and he's a composer and featured artist on this year's "So Icy Gang: The ReUp" release by Gucci Mane.

Quentin Miller (left) has collaborated with and written for artists like Gucci Mane (right).Getty Images

Quentin Miller, part of the duo act WDNG Crshrs, is known among the hip-hop community more for verses he writes for other artists than his own. Miller has collaborated with and written for artists like Gucci Mane, Meek Mill, Drake — and is rumored to have written lyrics for Nas. His credits include multiple tracks on Drake's "If You're Reading This" 2015 album and he's a composer and featured artist on this year's "So Icy Gang: The ReUp" release by Gucci Mane.

Before he was convicted of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder for the Tate–LaBianca murders in 1969, Charles Manson aspired to be a songwriter. His song, "Cease To Exist," was edited slightly and recorded as "Never Learn Not to Love" by the Beach Boys — and wound up on their album "20/20."

Charles Manson being arrested in 1969 (left) and his mug shot from 1996 (right).Getty Images

Before he was convicted of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder for the Tate–LaBianca murders in 1969, Charles Manson aspired to be a songwriter. His song, "Cease To Exist," was edited slightly and recorded as "Never Learn Not to Love" by the Beach Boys — and wound up on their album "20/20."

Before she earned the nickname "The Song Factory" for turning out chart-toppers for Katy Perry, Rihanna, and Beyonce, Ester Dean spent her childhood in Tulsa, Oklahoma singing for anyone she could. Her hits include Selena Gomez's "Come and Get It," Usher's "Li'l Freak," and Beyonce's "Countdown."

Ester Dean (2009, left) started out singing in Tulsa, Oklahoma for anyone who would listen. Now (2022, right) she has numerous top hits for artists like Rihanna, Katy Perry, and Beyonce.Getty Images

Before she earned the nickname "The Song Factory" for turning out chart-toppers for Katy Perry, Rihanna, and Beyonce, Ester Dean spent her childhood in Tulsa, Oklahoma singing for anyone she could. Her hits include Selena Gomez's "Come and Get It," Usher's "Li'l Freak," and Beyonce's "Countdown."

As a teenager, Sean Garrett performed in talent shows that led to his big break: a recording contract with the label Ariola/BMG at age 17. For years he pursued his solo career, releasing the album "Turbo 919," but gained notoriety writing for other artists. Garrett notably composed Usher's "Yeah!," Nicki Minaj's first single "Massive Attack," The Pussycat Dolls' hit single "Buttons," and Beyonce's "Upgrade U", "Check on It", and more.

Sean Garrett (left) writes and produces for artists like Beyonce (right) after spending his childhood performing in talent shows.Getty Images

As a teenager, Sean Garrett performed in talent shows that led to his big break: a recording contract with the label Ariola/BMG at age 17. For years he pursued his solo career, releasing the album "Turbo 919," but gained notoriety writing for other artists. Garrett notably composed Usher's "Yeah!," Nicki Minaj's first single "Massive Attack," The Pussycat Dolls' hit single "Buttons," and Beyonce's "Upgrade U", "Check on It", and more.

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These songwriters sought success with their own singing careers, but found their music performed better for others' hits

Before she earned the nickname "The Song Factory" for turning out chart-toppers for Katy Perry, Rihanna, and Beyonce, Ester Dean spent her childhood in Tulsa, Oklahoma singing for anyone she could. Her hits include Selena Gomez's "Come and Get It," Usher's "Li'l Freak," and Beyonce's "Countdown."