Pop Secret (Songwriter Edition) - Pop Songs Written by Country Artists

Being a singer AND a songwriter is pretty common, especially in Nashville, TN. Your favorite country singer probably has written a few songs for other artists in town, whether you realize it or not. Here are a few pop songs you might not have known were written by country artists.

“This Is What You Came For” - Rihanna and Calvin Harris written by Taylor Swift

This song was penned by the iconic Taylor Swift. Swift had dated Calvin Harris, and so it makes sense that she was a part of his musical endeavors. Swift has been known as a songwriter for most of her career and has also written for the country group Little Big Town. She also has stated to have released over 250 songs in her career, and has written hundreds more. She wrote it with her ex, Calvin Harris.

“Jealous” - Labrinth written by Natalie Hemby

Natalie Hemby is a staple songwriter in country music. She has written songs for Lee Ann Womack, Eli Young Band, Toby Keith, Miranda Lambert, Sunny Sweeney, Little Big Town, Jon Pardi, Kacey Musgraves, Kelly Clarkson, Lauren Daigle, and Lady Gaga. She also has performed in the women country supergroup, The Highwomen, alongside Brandi Carlile, Amanda Shires and Maren Morris. She wrote it with Josh Kear and Timothy Mckenzie.

“I Will Always Love You” - Whitney Houston written by Dolly Parton

Made famous from the movie “The Bodyguard”, this classic love song has spanned internationally and was an important song in Whitney Houston’s career. However, the country queen herself, Dolly Parton, first wrote and released this song as a parting gift to her co-front Porter Wagoner. Houston cut the song for the movie and the rest is history. Dolly wrote it by herself, as she usually does.

“The Hard Stuff” - Justin Timberlake written by Chris Stapleton

Stapleton wrote for many artists and was also writing for the band “The SteelDrivers” that he was in. Although it might seem like an odd combo, Justin Timberlake and Chris Stapleton are no strangers to working together. They performed an iconic duet of “Tennessee Whiskey” at the 2015 CMA Awards, and have written other songs together. This song was off of the Man of the Woods album Timberlake released in 2018. Stapleton was also featured on the album with Timberlake’s song “Say Something”. He wrote it with Elliott Ives, Eric Hudson, Justin Timberlake and Robin Tadross.

“Still Somethin’” - Kid Rock written by Morgan Wallen

There’s something about the album title that this song came off of. Both Kid Rock and Morgan Wallen have had a “Bad Reputation” but are known for their killer songs. Morgan Wallen wrote this song for Kid Rock and it was released in 2022. He wrote it with Jordan Schmidt, Andrew Paul Albert, Mitchell Tenpenny and Robert James Ritchie.

SOURCES: HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE