Grammy-Winning Musicians Describe Their Writing Process

Grammy-Winning Musicians Describe Their Writing Process

We may earn a commission from links on this page.
Start Slideshow
Image for article titled Grammy-Winning Musicians Describe Their Writing Process

Whether they are rappers, country singers, or EDM DJs, the best musicians create a profound connection to their listeners through beat, lyric, and rhythm. We asked several Grammy-winning artists to describe their writing process, and this is what they said.

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

2 / 24

Black Eyed Peas

Black Eyed Peas

Image for article titled Grammy-Winning Musicians Describe Their Writing Process

“We’re like, ‘Okay, it’s halftime at a Lakers game and someone’s sitting there eating a pretzel and waiting for the third quarter to start. What should be playing?’”

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

3 / 24

Billie Eilish

Billie Eilish

Image for article titled Grammy-Winning Musicians Describe Their Writing Process

“I take the jingle from an amusement park ride, make it spooky, and then make it the uncomfortable kind of sexy.”

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

Skrillex

Image for article titled Grammy-Winning Musicians Describe Their Writing Process

“I don’t really know, but I’d like to point out I’ve won one more Grammys than Prince.”

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

5 / 24

Ozzy Osbourne

Ozzy Osbourne

Image for article titled Grammy-Winning Musicians Describe Their Writing Process

“Sometimes I just want to write an evil song, so I drink a six-pack of beer and then repeat whatever Satan tells me.”

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

6 / 24

Chris Stapleton

Chris Stapleton

Image for article titled Grammy-Winning Musicians Describe Their Writing Process

“Honestly, I’ve been releasing the same three songs since 2012, but nobody seems to notice.”

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

Cardi B

Image for article titled Grammy-Winning Musicians Describe Their Writing Process

“In 2002, I received an anonymous package containing hundreds of pages of song lyrics. Whenever it’s time for a new album, I just grab a few and send them in to my label.”

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

Q-Tip

Image for article titled Grammy-Winning Musicians Describe Their Writing Process

“What do you mean I won a Grammy?”

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

9 / 24

Ed Sheeran

Ed Sheeran

Image for article titled Grammy-Winning Musicians Describe Their Writing Process

“I write a hardcore rap album. The studio fires back with, ‘Ed, you are colonial white.’ So we add some acoustic guitar and make every track a love ballad.”

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

10 / 24

Sara Bareilles

Sara Bareilles

Image for article titled Grammy-Winning Musicians Describe Their Writing Process

“If I want to write a really raw, emotional song, I get fired up with a little cage fighting. When I’m in the octagon, no one can silence my primal scream.”

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

11 / 24

Billy Joel

Billy Joel

Image for article titled Grammy-Winning Musicians Describe Their Writing Process

“I have been trying to come up with a word that rhymes with ‘dance’ since 1993. As soon as I can do that, I’ll start writing new songs again.”

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

12 / 24

Jimmy Sturr

Jimmy Sturr

Image for article titled Grammy-Winning Musicians Describe Their Writing Process

“No one cares about how I write polka.”

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

13 / 24

Beyoncé

Beyoncé

Image for article titled Grammy-Winning Musicians Describe Their Writing Process

“I start the majority of my songs with the lyric, ‘I would like a Grammy for this one, please.’ So far it’s worked 28 times.”

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

Drake

Image for article titled Grammy-Winning Musicians Describe Their Writing Process

“When I write, I actually do it as my alter-ego: John Trundle, an insurance claims adjuster from Duluth.”

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

15 / 24

Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift

Image for article titled Grammy-Winning Musicians Describe Their Writing Process

“First I make sure I have an ironclad contract signing everything over to my label. Then I write a smash hit they’ll never let go. Works every time.”

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

16 / 24

Tekashi 6ix9ine

Tekashi 6ix9ine

Image for article titled Grammy-Winning Musicians Describe Their Writing Process

“My team takes care of all that. My role is to exude a ‘fuck around and find out attitude’ while simultaneously snitching on all of my closest confidants.”

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

17 / 24

Harry Styles

Harry Styles

Image for article titled Grammy-Winning Musicians Describe Their Writing Process

“Walking around the maternity ward is where I get my strongest images. If they’re being honest, I think most songwriters will tell you we’re just failed obstetricians.”

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

18 / 24

Megan Thee Stallion

Megan Thee Stallion

Image for article titled Grammy-Winning Musicians Describe Their Writing Process

“I always write the clean version first. To me, ‘wet ass pussy’ will never sound as good as ‘wet and gushy.’”

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

19 / 24

Phil Collins

Phil Collins

Image for article titled Grammy-Winning Musicians Describe Their Writing Process

“I find I do my best work when I’m sad, so I’ll have my team bully me for a few hours and that usually gets me to a dark place.”

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

20 / 24

DJ Khaled

DJ Khaled

Image for article titled Grammy-Winning Musicians Describe Their Writing Process

“I start with the same basic formula: yell my name, and hire talented musicians to do the actual work. From that point forward, the rest is pretty easy.”

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

21 / 24

John Legend

John Legend

Image for article titled Grammy-Winning Musicians Describe Their Writing Process

“When I start overthinking things, I like to take a step back and remind myself that anything I say will sound great when I sing it. Listen: Scoobedy boop bap boop. 9/11 was an inside job. See? Doesn’t matter.”

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

22 / 24

Stevie Wonder

Stevie Wonder

Image for article titled Grammy-Winning Musicians Describe Their Writing Process

“You’d be surprised how easy it is to find a website where you pay someone $200 and they send you an MP3 file.”

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

23 / 24

Rascal Flatts

Rascal Flatts

Image for article titled Grammy-Winning Musicians Describe Their Writing Process

“We’ve plagiarized every single song we’ve ever released.”

Advertisement