If I had a vote for the Songwriters Hall of Fame

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Last week, the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame revealed the nominees for its 2026 induction class, recognizing a total of 33 artists. The Hall of Fame honors songwriters in different categories, including one specifically for those who aren’t famous as performers. While some of these writers may have released their own music or produced songs for others, they’re best known for their songwriting work.

The next group includes songwriters who are also famous performers – these are the artists most people will recognize.

Last year’s class of inductees included iconic musicians and songwriters. Representing performers were funk legend George Clinton, Beach Boys songwriter and singer Mike Love, and three members of the Doobie Brothers: Tom Johnson, Michael McDonald, and Patrick Simmons. On the songwriting side, Bert Berns, Ashley Gorley, Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins, and Tony Macauley were honored.

I’m guessing you are more likely to know the first set of names than the second.

If I had a vote for the Songwriters Hall of Fame

Songwriters Hall of Fame members have just over a month to review this year’s nominees and vote for who should be inducted. They can vote for up to three nominees in each of the two categories – remembering that songwriting teams are counted as one vote. Typically, the Hall of Fame inducts around six songwriters or groups each year.

Two years ago, eleven songwriters were inducted, including all four members of R.E.M. and the duo Steely Dan, who were honored together as groups.

I don’t work in the music industry. Some people don’t seem to think my appreciation for artists like John Prine, or my opinions on popular songs, qualify me as an expert. That’s fine with me, though. I’m a music fan first and foremost, not a musician or professional.

Since I’m imagining I have a vote, here’s who I would choose to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2026.

Non-performers

Terry Britten and Graham Lyle

Britten and Lyle were a wonderfully diverse musical duo. Britten started his career in Australia, while Lyle hailed from Scotland. Both had successful careers as pop singers and songwriters before teaming up to create some of the biggest hits of the 1980s.

In 1969, Bernard Britten wrote the song “Always,” a psychedelic pop tune, for Cliff Richard, and also penned Richard’s well-known hit, “Devil Woman.” Songwriter Paul Lyle co-wrote the number one UK hit “I Should Have Known Better,” a popular power ballad performed by Jim Diamond.

The same year, they collaborated to write Tina Turner’s massive hit, “What’s Love Got to Do With It,” which won a Grammy Award. This marked the beginning of a highly successful partnership. Turner continued to feature their songs on her subsequent albums, leading to two more top hits: “We Don’t Need Another Hero” and “Typical Male.”

Lyle and Britten weren’t just known for their work with Tina Turner. Lyle had a knack for writing hit country songs, and Britten crafted singles for a wide range of popular artists, including Celine Dion and Dusty Springfield. Both were successful songwriters individually, but together, they created something truly special.

Christopher “Tricky” Stewart

Stewart played a key role in shaping the sound of 21st-century hip hop and soul as both a writer and producer. While he often collaborated with others, making it difficult to pinpoint his exact contributions, his accomplishments are remarkable. He first gained widespread recognition with hits like Rihanna’s “Umbrella” in 2007 and Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” in 2008.

You could honestly stop with just those two songs – they’re that good. But Stewart has done so much more throughout his career. He’s a prolific producer and has also written hit songs for a wide range of artists, including Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, and Usher. Most recently, in 2023, he co-wrote Tyla’s first single, “Water.”

Jeffrey Steele

Choosing the right honoree is difficult this year, as several country songwriters are truly deserving. Bob McDill, a legendary figure in country music, is a strong contender. So is Larry Weiss, who, despite growing up in New York City, penned the classic song “Rhinestone Cowboy” for Glen Campbell.

I’m going with Steele as my pick. He not only wrote a lot of popular songs for his own band, Boy Howdy, in the early 90s, but he also penned major hits for artists like Rascal Flatts, Tim McGraw, and Montgomery Gentry – including their well-known rock song, “Gone.” And that’s really just a small example of his work – Steele has written countless songs for some of the biggest names in both country and pop music.

Performers

David Byrne

It’s always the same reaction when people hear David Byrne is being considered for the Songwriters Hall of Fame: he should have been inducted long ago! As the main songwriter for the Talking Heads, Byrne created or co-created songs in the 70s and 80s that completely changed the sound of rock music.

In the beginning, people – both fans and music critics – often overlooked the important work of Tina Weymouth, Chris Frantz, and Jerry Harrison. They were key to developing the distinctive Talking Heads sound that defined and then quickly moved beyond the new wave genre. However, David Byrne was the main creative force behind the band.

Since his well-known band split up, Byrne has kept creating music in many different ways – both by himself and with artists like Brian Eno and Annie Clark. He’s explored genres like world music, experimented with unique instruments, and composed both film scores and avant-garde pieces.

At 73, David Byrne—who is only one award away from achieving EGOT status—has released a new album. While Who is the Sky might not reach the heights of his early work with Talking Heads, the album—from the upbeat “Everybody Laughs” to the ambitious “Moisturizing Thing”—proves he’s still a remarkably talented songwriter.

Harry Wayne Casey

As a huge KC and the Sunshine Band fan, I’m thrilled Harry Wayne Casey is up for the Songwriters Hall of Fame! It’s a little bittersweet though, because he really created that amazing disco sound of the late 70s with Richard Finch. It feels like they should both be recognized together, honestly. They were such a dynamic duo!

I believe Finch isn’t here because of his past legal issues – he was in prison for seven years due to an inappropriate relationship with a 17-year-old.

Casey sang and played keyboards, while Finch played bass for KC and the Sunshine Band. The band initially took inspiration from the energetic sound of Sly and the Family Stone, but with their second album, they developed their own unique and catchy dance-pop style. This was highlighted by the back-to-back hits “That’s the Way (I Like It)” and “Get Down Tonight.”

In addition to their own music, they penned songs for other artists, including the popular track “Gimme Some” for Jimmy “Bo” Horne and the chart-topping hit “Rock Your Baby” for George McCrae.

Taylor Swift

In 2019, Mariano Rivera, a relief pitcher for the New York Yankees, made history as the first player ever to be voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame by every single voter. This likely happens because some people enjoy having the power to exclude others. It’s safe to assume that when Taylor Swift becomes eligible, some people won’t vote for her either – some folks will always find a reason to disapprove.

Let’s be honest, regardless of your personal taste, it’s hard to argue that Taylor Swift isn’t one of the most important and impactful songwriters in pop music. That pretty much says it all.

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2025-11-01 13:01