Rock fans love to believe their heroes live and breathe every lyric and every sound, pouring their souls straight into the songs that define generations. The truth is often far less straightforward, and way more surprising.
Behind some of the biggest anthems in rock history are writers you’d never expect, and whose names barely appear in the credits.
These unsung creators shaped songs that became stadium staples, karaoke favorites, and radio sweethearts, even if their own faces never graced the album covers.
Sometimes they were brought in reluctantly, other times by chance but in each case, they left a lasting mark on rock’s loudest, proudest moments even when behind the scenes.
1
I’m a Believer - The Monkees
Written by Neil Diamond. Long before “Sweet Caroline,” Diamond gave The Monkees their biggest hit.
2
What About Love - Heart
Written by Jim Vallance, Brian Allen & Sheron Alton. Canadian pop-rock writers gave Heart their ’80s comeback hit.
3
Kiss - Tom Jones & The Art of Noise
Written by Prince, originally not intended as a rock anthem.
4
Living on a Prayer - Bon Jovi
Co-written with Desmond Child. A pro songwriter added polish that turned the band into global superstars.
5
Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around - Stevie Nicks
Written by Tom Petty & Mike Campbell. Originally meant for the Heartbreakers, producer Jimmy Iovine handed it to Nicks, giving her first solo album a Top 10 hit.
6
The First Cut Is the Deepest - Rod Stewart/Sheryl Crow
Written by a very young Cat Stevens in the ’60s. He sold the song for a small sum before his solo career exploded.
7
Nothing Compares 2 U - Sinéad O’Connor
Written by Prince, though few connected his funky style with her haunting ballad.
8
I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing - Aerosmith
Written entirely by Diane Warren, who usually wrote big ballads for pop stars.
9
Beth - KISS
The tender ballad that became KISS’s biggest radio hit wasn’t by Gene Simmons or Paul Stanley. It was written by drummer Peter Criss.
10
Don’t Stop Believin' - Journey
While credited to the band, the song actually came from Jonathan Cain’s father, who used to repeat the phrase to encourage him during his starving-artist years.
11
Because the Night - Patti Smith Group
Bruce Springsteen started this one, but felt it didn’t fit his Darkness on the Edge of Town album. Producer Jimmy Iovine handed it to Patti Smith.
12
You’ve Got a Friend - James Taylor
Written by Carole King, originally part of her Tapestry album.
13
Manic Monday - The Bangles
This jangly pop-rock classic came straight from Prince, who slipped it to the band under the pseudonym “Christopher.”
14
The Flame - Cheap Trick
Written by Bob Mitchell & Nick Graham. Outside writers gave the reluctant band their lone #1 single.
15
Piece of My Heart - Janis Joplin
Most people think Janis lived and breathed this song, but it was actually written by Bert Berns and Jerry Ragovoy, two pop-soul hitmakers.
