Six Famous Songs Written by People Outside the Band: Elvis Costello, the Eagles, and more

It's well known that many famous musicians don't actually write their own songs, but sometimes, even musicians who do write their own stuff are given songs by other songwriters. Here are six famous songs that were written with outside help.

1. Mott the Hoople - "All the Young Dudes" (1972)

Mott the Hoople's fifth album features two songs written by people outside of the band: a cover of the Velvet Underground's "Sweet Jane," and the title track, written specifically for the band by the album's producer David Bowie. The song would go on to be a glam rock anthem, and is by far Mott the Hoople's most famous song.

2. The Go-Go's - "Our Lips Are Sealed" (1981)

Though the Go-Go's are widely renowned as the first chart-topping all-female band to write and perform its own songs, one of its biggest hits, "Our Lips Are Sealed," was co-written by an outsider. Terry Hall, lead singer of British ska band The Specials, wrote the song with Go-Go's guitarist Jane Wiedlin about an affair the two had while on tour together in 1980.

3. The Eagles - "Take It Easy" (1972)

"Take It Easy," the debut single from the Eagles, is honestly the only Eagles song I enjoy, and this is probably because Jackson Browne wrote most of it. When Browne was having trouble finishing the song, his neighbor Glenn Frey, singer/guitarist of the Eagles, came over and helped him finish the second verse. Browne gave the song to Frey to use for the Eagles, but eventually recorded his own version for his album For Everyman.

4. Elvis Costello & the Attractions - "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding" (1978)

Elvis Costello may be one of the most acclaimed songwriters of the 20th century, but one of his most famous songs is one that he didn't write. "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding" was originally released by English rock band Brinsley Schwarz, whose bassist and songwriter Nick Lowe produced Costello's first five albums, including Costello's version of his old band's song.

5. Patti Smith Group - "Because the Night" (1978)

Since Patti Smith is primarily a poet and lyricist, she usually focuses on the lyrics to her songs and leaves the music to her bandmates. However, one of her most famous songs came to her when fellow New Jersey native Bruce Springsteen was recording in the studio next door and decided to give her one of his songs, "Because the Night". Smith added her own lyrics, and the song became the biggest hit of her career.

6. Badfinger - "Come and Get It" (1969)

When Paul McCartney was commissioned to provide three songs for the film The Magic Christian, he made a deal with up-and-coming band Badfinger: if they recorded "Come and Get It" for the film, which was an unreleased Beatles demo that McCartney had written, then he would produce two of their own original songs to be included as well. The band agreed to the deal, and "Come and Get It" became one of the group's most well known songs.

Tags

David Bowie, The go-go's, Terry hall, The specials, The Eagles, Jackson browne, Elvis Costello, Patti Smith, Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, The Beatles