The Richest Songwriters In Music, Ranked

Brian Wilson produced, managed and wrote songs for one of the most harmony-laden groups of the 1960s, The Beach Boys. His complex arrangements on the likes of the seminal Pet Sounds LP have inspired generations of musicians from all different genres over the years. And the troubled genius has also enjoyed Grammy-winning success as a solo artist.

You might not necessarily know her name, but you will undoubtedly be familiar with Diane Warren’s work. After co-writing Starship’s 1987 chart-topper “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now,” the hitmaker went on to pen other epic movie tie-ins for the likes of Aerosmith, Celine Dion and Faith Hill. Warren has bagged no fewer than ten Academy Award nods during her glittering career. Yet sadly, she’s yet to win one of those coveted statuettes.

Although in 2020 at the tender age of 70 he went his own way, Stevie Wonder had been a fixture of Motown Records since he was 11 years old. The musical maestro later established himself as a soul legend thanks to hugely influential albums such as Songs in the Key of Life and Innervisions. Wonder’s songwriting pedigree has also been recognized by the Grammy Awards on no fewer than 25 occasions, making him the most successful solo male in its history.

Chris Martin would be much higher up this list had he not entered into an admirable pact early on his career. Although he’s been solely responsible for all of Coldplay’s stadium-friendly hits, the frontman agreed to share their royalties equally with the rest of his bandmates. Still, $130 million is certainly nothing to be sniffed at. 

Barry Gibb is the only surviving member of the pop trio responsible for one of the biggest-selling soundtracks ever. But there was more to the Bee Gees than Saturday Night Fever. The group penned monster hits for several other artists, too, including Barbra Streisand’s “Guilty” and Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers’ “Islands in the Stream.” Gibb has continued to add to his $140 million fortune as a solo artist.

As their chief songwriter, Pete Townshend was instrumental to The Who’s success in the 1960s. The guitarist not only penned their signature hit, “My Generation,” he pushed musical boundaries with the likes of concept album The Who Sell Out and rock opera Tommy. Although the impressive workrate of this influential artist has slowed significantly in recent years, Townshend still has a considerable net worth of $150 million.

Bruno Mars began his career writing songs for other acts, including Flo Rida’s “Right Round,” as part of the team known as The Smeezingtons. But in 2010 he established himself as an artist in his own right, with debut album Doo-Wops and Hooligans spawning several chart smashes. Mars went on to become one of the most bankable hitmakers of the decade, earning $175 million for his efforts in the process.

Neil Young’s talents as a songwriter have been acknowledged by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on two occasions. Once as a key player in Buffalo Springfield and again for his much lengthier solo career. The folk-rock musician is also a shrewd businessman. In 2021 he bagged a cool $150 million after selling half of his music catalog income and copyright.

Ed Sheeran placed second in the list of the most-streamed acts of the 2010s, while “Shape of You” was named the most-streamed single on Spotify. And with the redhead writing all of his own material, he’s no doubt been able to watch the dollars roll in. Sheeran may have made enough money to last several lifetimes but he shows no signs of slowing down. In 2021 he scored his tenth U.K. chart-topper with the self-penned “Bad Habits.”

While the late Freddie Mercury will always be considered the MVP of rock legends Queen, Brian May has also played a pivotal part in their success. The guitarist penned several of their best-loved hits including “We Will Rock You” and “Who Wants to Live Forever?” And he’s been the driving force behind their new incarnation featuring Adam Lambert as frontman, too.

Benny Andersson was one quarter of Sweden’s biggest musical export, ABBA, and one half of the songwriting team that powered them to worldwide success. The hitmaker has earned much of his $230 million fortune since their split, too, thanks to the success of the Mamma Mia! musical. But you might be surprised to hear that his net worth is considerably lower than his regular songwriting partner.

Justin Timberlake didn’t have much creative control in his early days as a member of boyband NSYNC. But the pin-up went on to co-pen an array of Billboard chart smashes when he launched his solo career in the early ’00s. “SexyBack,” “Mirrors” and “Say Something” are just a handful of the pop hits in which Timberlake has showcased his songwriting talents on over the years.

Alongside Eagles bandmate Glenn Frey, Don Henley penned some of the most enduring soft-rock hits of the 1970s. Songs such as “Tequila Sunrise,” “Desperado” and “One of These Nights” all helped to define the Laurel Canyon era. But the drummer/singer also enjoyed much more solo success than Frey, most notably with his 1980s MTV staple “Boys of Summer.”

Tim Rice worked in record company management before forging a hugely lucrative songwriting partnership with Andrew Lloyd Webber. The one-time Sorbonne University student also served as a lyricist for several Disney animated hits including The Lion King and Aladdin. Given a knighthood by the Queen in the mid-1990s, Rice has earned an impressive $250 million during his glittering career.

From “Waterloo” and “Dancing Queen” to “Money! Money! Money!” and “The Winner Takes It All,” Bjorn Ulvaeus has co-penned some of the best-loved pop hits of all time. But his net worth stands at $70 million more than his ABBA songwriting partner Andersson. Perhaps that’s due to his other endeavors such as his work on jukebox musical En del av mitt hjärta and presidency of the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers, CISAC.

Calvin Harris has come a long way since arriving on the mid-‘00s scene as a geeky bedroom pop act. The Scotsman has not only achieved quite the glow-up but he’s also now the world’s wealthiest DJ. And in 2020 he bagged a cool $100 million after selling publishing rights to more than 150 of his productions including his hits with Dua Lipa and Sam Smith.

Unlike many of his country music peers, George Strait has never strayed from the traditional Nashville template. And his loyalty to the scene has sure paid off. The man dubbed the “King of Country” has $300 million to his name having written and recorded more than a dozen multi-platinum albums.

You could say that Mariah Carey has earned the right to act the diva. Only Madonna has shifted more records as a solo female performer. And Carey has written and produced more US Hot 100 chart-toppers than any other woman, too. That’s right: this artiste is certainly no studio puppet. The elusive chanteuse is just as gifted at crafting a melody as she is reaching those high octaves.

Lady Gaga’s meat dress-wearing antics have sometimes detracted from the fact she’s a highly gifted songwriter. The pop superstar has had a hand in all of her own monster hits including “Bad Romance,” “Just Dance” and “Poker Face.” And before she shot to fame with her own material, Gaga also penned tracks for the likes of Jennifer Lopez and Britney Spears.

Think of any major pop smash from the last 20 years and there’s a good chance Max Martin had a hand in it. The Swedish hitmaker made his name in the late 1990s when he helped to launch acts including Britney Spears and Backstreet Boys. And Martin has since worked with everyone from Katy Perry and Kelly Clarkson to Adam Lambert and Ariana Grande. Only Paul McCartney and John Lennon have written more U.S. number ones.

For many music fans, Bob Dylan is the greatest singer-songwriter of all time. He’s certainly one of the wealthiest. The folk-rock legend has amassed an almighty $350 million thanks to his winning ways with words and melody. But as one of the most-covered artists in history, much of Dylan’s wealth comes from other people’s versions of his classic songs.

Country music favorite Toby Keith started earning the megabucks the year he signed his first record deal. By the time his second single was released, the singer-songwriter was able to command $20,000 for every gig he played. Nearly three decades later and Keith’s net worth has soared to a massive $365 million thanks to global record sales of an incredible 40 million.

Taylor Swift has been hailed by many as one of the most gifted singer-songwriters of her generation. In fact, the “Shake It Off” hitmaker had penned many of her best-loved smashes before she’d even reached the age of 21. Swift initially found fame in the world of country music before pivoting into pure pop on the likes of million-sellers 1989 and Reputation.

Sting could have easily retired after penning The Police’s signature hit “Every Breath You Take” back in 1983. Incredibly, the song still rakes close to $750,000 every year in royalties nearly four decades on. In fact, the stalker tale is reportedly one of pop music’s most lucrative hits ever! Of course, Sting has also written countless other smashes to take his net worth to the $400 million mark.

In 2009 Jon Bon Jovi was honored with a Songwriters Hall of Fame induction. You could say that it had been long overdue. As the frontman and main songwriter of his eponymous band, he’d been responsible for some of the biggest pop-rock hits of the previous 30 years. Bon Jovi has also paid things forward by establishing the JBJ Soul Foundation, an organization seeking to help combat the problem of homelessness.

Bruce Springsteen built his career on songs mythologizing the working class. But ‘The Boss’ certainly hasn’t had any money worries himself since emerging in the mid-1970s with the seminal Born to Run. Springsteen now has $500 million to his famous name having become one of the 40 best-selling acts of all time.

Elton John has amassed an incredible $500 million fortune since rising to fame with his distinctive brand of piano pop in the late 1960s. But while the Rocket Man has always crafted his own melodies, he leaves the lyrics to his songwriting partner Bernie Taupin. Delivering a speech at the 1994 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, John admitted, “Without him, the journey would not have been possible.”

Few artists have helped Latin music cross over to the mainstream more than Gloria Estefan. The Cuban singer fronted the hugely successful Miami Sound Machine in the 1980s and has continued to combine contemporary pop with the sounds of her heritage ever since. With sales of more than 130 million, Estefan’s mix of party anthems and heartfelt ballads has seen her reach the half-billion dollar mark.

One of the most iconic frontmen in rock history, Mick Jagger has been the rubber-lipped face of The Rolling Stones for almost 60 years! But there’s more to the influential figure’s talents than pouting and performing. Jagger was also one half of the songwriting team which helped the Stones rival The Beatles back in their heyday.

The other half of The Rolling Stones’ hugely successful songwriting partnership is, of course, Keith Richards. And despite wasting a considerable amount of money on his famously hellraising lifestyle, the guitarist has still managed to hold on to most of his fortune. In fact, like his longtime bandmate Jagger, Richards also reportedly has $500 million in the bank.

Jimmy Buffett doesn’t just write songs, he sells a way of life! The music veteran rose to fame with a laid-back country-folk sound dubbed “Gulf and western” that’s tailor-made for drinking margaritas in the sun. With a net worth of $600 million, Buffett must surely be the wealthiest beach bum of all time.

Who doesn’t love Dolly Parton? The self-deprecating singer has penned no fewer than 3,000 tracks, including 20 country chart-toppers, during her half-century stint on the Nashville scene. According to magazine Rolling Stone she once said, “I’ve always prided myself as a songwriter more than anything else. Nothing is more sacred and more precious to me than when I really can get in that zone where it's just God and me.”

Bono has always been one of rock’s most vocal advocates for social and political change. It’s a stance reflected in many of the songs he’s co-written as frontman of U2. But Bono humbly told Rolling Stone that the group’s guitarist is just as vital to the group’s massive success. He said, “Smart people know what [The Edge] does, and he doesn't care about the rest of the world. I get annoyed and I say, ‘How do people not know?’”

Alongside Prince and Michael Jackson, Madonna was part of the holy trinity of 1980s pop that completely changed the game. And she’s continued to challenge the norms ever since, earning a colossal $850 million along the way. Although the Material Girl is renowned for her inspired choice of collaborators, she’s still co-written the majority of her biggest hits. 

Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass were so popular in 1966 that they even sold more records than The Beatles! And as co-writer of their material, the trumpeter netted himself a tidy profit, too. Alpert’s overall sales tally now stands at an almighty 75 million. Of course, he’s made most of his $850 million fortune as a music industry boss.

Puff Daddy, Puffy, P Diddy, Diddy. Whatever Sean Combs is calling himself these days, he’s a very rich man indeed. The music mogul had a hand in some of the biggest hip hop hits of the ’90s and ’00s including “I’ll Be Missing You,” the tribute to his late best friend The Notorious B.I.G. Combs has also penned tracks for everyone from Usher to Aretha Franklin.

Alongside his late Beatles bandmate John Lennon, Paul McCartney wrote some of the greatest and most enduring pop songs of all time. The Liverpudlian also proved he could make it on his own following the Fab Four’s split. McCartney penned numerous further hits for both his second big band Wings and his entirely solo career. Still recording and touring today, the legend is one of the few musicians to have joined the billion-dollar club. 

The name Andrew Lloyd Webber is synonymous with musical theatre. Jesus Christ Superstar, The Phantom of the Opera and Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat are just a few of the money-spinning Broadway productions for which the Brit has composed songs over the past half-century. But he’s also enjoyed success in the pop charts, too. Little wonder, then, that the EGOT winner has comfortably passed the $1 billion mark.

Reportedly the first hip hop name to reach the ten-figure mark, Jay-Z actually now has $1.4 billion in his bank account. The rapper’s colossal net worth has undoubtedly been boosted by his various business ventures including streaming service Tidal and liquor brand Armand de Brignac. But with album sales of more than 100 million, Beyoncé’s other half has also reaped the rewards as a writer and performer.

Contrary to some reports, Kanye West isn’t worth $6.6 billion. Yet the motormouthed rapper is still very much the richest hitmaker in music today. As with his Watch the Throne collaborator Jay-Z, West has pursued several other avenues outside the hip hop world. But he’s still made much of his $1.8 billion fortune as the man behind hits such as “Gold Digger” and “Stronger.” Not bad for a college dropout.