At the heart of a good song is its lyrics. But it’s easy to forget that some of the most iconic song lyrics weren’t even written by the artists who performed them. We take a look at some of the most underrated lyricists throughout music’s history, who’s names aren’t as big as their contributions.

WALLY GOLD

Elvis’ 1960s hits It’s Now or Never and Good Luck Charm was actually written by Wally Gold, a member of the American quartet The Four Esquires, alongside songwriter and publisher Aaron Schroeder. It’s Now or Never was adapted from Italian classic O Sole Mio which Presley had grown fond of whilst serving in the US army.

Gold contributed to other sixties pop hits including Leslie Gore’s number one It’s My Party. He became a house producer for Columbia Records in the mid ‘60s where he produced albums for Tony Bennett and Jerry Vale, along with Barbra Streisand’s 1969 album What About Today?

ADRIENNE ANDERSON

Behind Dionne Warwick’s Grammy-winning Déjà Vu was songwriter Adrienne Anderson. She also contributed to many of Barry Manilow’s songs as a co-writer, including 1985 song It’s Love, Daybreak and most notably Could It Be Magic. He attended his induction into the Songwriter Hall of Fame with his co-writers in 2002.

This unsung hero has had her songs recorded by the likes of Melissa Manchester, Bette Midler, Donna Summer and Isaac Hayes.

KEITH FORSEY

The story behind the Breakfast Club’s incredibly iconic Don’t You Forget About Me isn’t as simple as being a Simple Minds song – mind the pun.

In fact, the Scottish rock band turned down the song entirely, until it was passed to other artists who also declined. They reconsidered, and the 1985 skyrocketed to the top of the charts.

The tune was penned by Keith Forsey, who had co-written feature songs for other films including Flashdance…What a Feeling, The Heat is On from Beverly Hills Cop and The NeverEnding Story’s title track.  

JAN PULSFORD

Jan Pulsford is a songwriter who has written songs for big names like Cyndi Lauper, Steps, and a Eurovision entry for British act Sweet Dreams. She wrote Lauper’s 1996 Christmas song Early Christmas Morning, co-producing and writing with Lauper throughout the ‘90s for the critically acclaimed album Sisters of Avalon.

She also has appeared in the studio and played keyboard for the likes of The Thompson Twins, Tina Turner, Nile Rodgers and more.

E. KIDD BOGART

Evan Kidd Bogart is the Grammy award-winning songwriter from Beyonce’s iconic 2008 song Halo. The son of former KISS manager Joyce Bogart Trabulus, Evan Kidd Bogart has a discography of countless hits from the 2000s and 2010s: Rihanna’s SOS, The Pussycat Dolls’ Jai Ho! (You Are My Destiny) andLiam Payne’s Live Forever.

Since 2022, he has served as National Trustee for The Recording Academy and Chair of their Songwriters & Composers Wing.

ILYA SALMANZADAH

Salmanzadeh is most notable for writing for the pop powerhouse Ariana Grande, first achieving success with her song Problem. He has been nominated for Grammy awards in the pop category six times, and since written for Khalid, Sam Smith and more.

Additionally, he stepped into the producer role for Grande’s God Is A Woman and Demi Lovato’s Confident. Most recently, he has written for up-and-coming Chloe Qisha’s song Surprise Surprise.

JAMES ESSIEN

BTS’ return to the charts this summer was joyous for the global ‘Army’ fandom, but it wasn’t without the help of songwriters including British lyricist James Essien. Securing three cuts on BTS’ latest 2026 album Arirang, his credits include comeback single Swim, Alien and Please.

He has also written for former boyband One Direction member Zayn on Die For Me. His Kpop-writing credits extend to Blackpink’s LISA on her chart-topping Rockstar. OA

Featured image of Wally Gold via Wikimedia Commons