This is the fourth in a series of playlists called “Songwriters I Love”, where I will be making playlists of multiple songs written or co-written by the same songwriter. The ultimate goal of these playlists is to feature outstanding songwriters while also pointing out how great songwriters can maintain their personal writing voice while simultaneously writing songs that fit a variety of artists.
This playlist surrounds singer/songwriter Bonnie McKee, who started as a confessional singer/songwriter before finding success co-writing fun, fizzy pop music that would be recorded by Katy Perry, Britney Spears, Taio Cruz, and Ke$ha. Bonnie McKee is our New Music Monday this week, but the playlist focused much more on McKee’s career as an artist than her prolific career as a songwriter.
Wide Awake – Katy Perry
Just to continue hammering home how crucial Katy Perry was to Bonnie McKee’s career as a songwriter, this song is proof that the pair’s collaborations do not just result in frothy pop songs like “Teenage Dream” and “California Gurls”. This song sits right in Perry’s vocal happy place and managed to become a sizable hit in and of itself.
Alone – Kelly Clarkson
It’s a little bit sad to me that Kelly Clarkson has not sung more songs written by McKee, because the sass and fun of McKee’s writing seems like a perfect fit for Clarkson’s powerful delivery. Clarkson is exactly the type of artist at the intersection of pop and rock that McKee’s writing suits perfectly.
Vacation – G.R.L.
This reboot of the Pussycat Dolls never quite hit its stride and became more well-known for one of its members, X Factor USA alumnus Simone Battle, committing suicide than for any of their musical endeavors. Still, this song is fizzy, bubblegum pop at its finest and most unabashedly fun, all of which are things McKee excels at as a songwriter.
Thanks For Nothing – Fefe Dobson
Fefe Dobson, like McKee, is a killer songwriter and an amazing artist who has not received nearly enough recognition. This song is everything that makes Dobson so great. It is a ferocious breakup anthem with a chorus to sing at the top of your lungs. A true hidden gem that would fit right in on a Mining for Platinum playlist.
Touch Me – Smash cast
This song happens when Ryan Tedder (making a cameo as himself) is chosen by Simon Cowell-esque director Derek and producer played by Anjelica Huston to write the Marilyn Monroe musical in a new, more contemporary direction. This is all done behind the backs of Julia and Tom, the music and lyrics team, played by Will & Grace’s Debra Messing and Broadway veteran Christian Borle, leading to an all-out brawl when they come to rehearsal to find Katharine McPhee’s Monroe wrapped in a sheet with photographers all around singing this Bonnie McKee co-write. It’s a pretty generic pop song on its own with its ever-slight reference to Marlon Brando, but the intrigue and drama of the story surrounding it is what gives it its kick.
Erase – The Chainsmokers feat. Priyanka Chopra
I am a bit sad that Priyanka Chopra is not a bigger star in the US because she could be a really interesting presence in the US music industry with her background in Bollywood and Indian music. The material presented to her has been a little bit subpar, but this song is a different avenue entirely I could see her doing. The Chainsmokers’ production is strong and is a perfect foil to Chopra’s slinky vocal performance.
Supernatural – Ke$ha
This song is another good candidate for a Mining for Platinum playlist. It’s a truly great pop song that was shockingly overlooked when selecting singles from the song’s album Warrior, but considering the recent lawsuit between Ke$ha and Dr. Luke that followed this album’s creation, I figure the entire thing was fraught with tension and never quite ended up doing what it was supposed to for Ke$ha’s career. Still, she claims this song is about that one time at band camp when she has sex with a ghost. Good ol’ Ke$ha.
Inside Out – Britney Spears
Dubstep ballads ftw! This song was on the Femme Fatale album, released at a time when Skrillex was at the peak of his popularity. This is an interesting experiment that kind of works and kind of doesn’t. The verse melody is a bit forced and the lyrics are a bit hard to decipher, but the pre-chorus and chorus are strong and interesting. This song is no “Hold It Against Me”, but it’s still an interesting song and it pushes the stylistic boundaries of pop music.
Let There Be Love – Christina Aguilera
Britney is not the only Mouseketeer McKee wrote for. She co-wrote this song for Aguilera’s most recent album Lotus, and it’s a classic Bonnie McKee banger. I wonder if Ryan Gosling is interested in a music career…
Cuckoo – Adam Lambert
Adam Lambert has had one of the more unique careers coming off of American Idol, serving as the frontman of Queen while also having a solo career putting alongside the divas of dance pop (many of whom have sung McKee’s songs in the past). Lambert’s voice, though, sets this apart. He sings with an urgency and a passion that makes the entire song better.
Roar – Katy Perry
This song was nominated for Song of the Year at the Grammys, perhaps McKee’s biggest accolade as a songwriter yet. It’s simple, clever, anthemic, and classic Bonnie. Hopefully she will soon have a hit this huge under her own name.
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