30+ BEST Writers In The Songwriter Hall Of Fame (2022 UPDATED) - Gemtracks Beats (2023)

By Gemtracks StaffApr 4th, 2022

If you have heard of greats like John Lennon, Bob Dylan, Chuck Berry, and Paul McCartney, you would already be familiar with the Songwriters Hall of Fame (SHOF). SHOF is an American Institution that recognizes and celebrates the incredible talents of American songwriters within the popular music industry. This organization paves the way for budding stars, grooming the next crop of master composers through outreach (partnerships and scholarships).

The Songwriters Hall of Fame was established back in 1969 as a virtual honor roll by a songwriter himself, Johnny Mercer, and his colleagues Howie Richmond and Abe Olman, who were music songwriters/publishers. On January 1st, 1970, the inaugural ceremony was hosted in New York. The event has seen 140 singer/songwriters being inducted into the Songwriter Hall of Fame. Among the inductees were - Folk singer Woody Guthrie, who wrote the beloved tune "This Land is Your Land", Gus Edwards aka The Star Maker, Father of the Blues W.C. Handy, Classical and popular music composer George Gershwin, King of Ragtime Scott Joplin, Jingle Bells composer James Lord Pierpont, and Pioneer jazz stride pianist Fats Waller.

Since then, several songwriters across the country who would become recognized for great hits throughout the years, and they've inducted into the prestigious collection. Top-notch songwriters are celebrated for their pioneering contributions. These reputed musical pioneers are immortalized while the organization's outreach to the music company will groom the next generation of troubadours.

Ironically, as technology has expanded, the institution has moved from existing in just a virtual space into a physical location in recent years. Music lovers and supporters could now see the list of inductees and awardees whose music danced their way into the hearts, inside The Grammy Museum in Los Angeles.

The Songwriters Hall of Fame has induced hundreds of incredible writers and issued over 200 awards. Inducted songwriters are those who have had at least 20 years of releasing superhit songs, whether as an individual or group. Over the years, the Songwriters Hall of Fame has honored numerous greats with diverse talents and backgrounds, including the likes of Cat Stevens, Duke Ellington, Sting, Jay Z, John Williams, Cindy Lauper, Michael Jackson, Dolly Parton, Otis Redding, Phil Collins, Mick Jagger, Elton John, Lionel Richie, AI Green, Scott Joplin, Fats Domino, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Billy Rose, Stevie Wonder, Sam Cooke, Missy Elliot, Billy Joel, and Paul McCartney.

The honorees are awarded through a voting process, of which eligible voters select 3 nominees from a songwriter category and 3 from a performing songwriter category. The latest instalment includes the 2022 inductees who were officially announced a few months back. The list includes another exceptional batch of writers who have carried on the proverbial baton. The highly talented songwriters include -

The Songwriters Hall of Fame has announced that the inductees for the Class of 2022 are Toby Keith, Amy Grant, Buddy Cannon, John Scott Sherrill, and Rhett Akins.

Rhett Akins' songwriting credits include his own "It Goes Like This" (Thomas Rhett), "That Ain't My Truck, and "Honey Bee" (Blake Shelton). Cannon's songwriting resume is known for "Set Em Up Joe" (Vern Gosdin), "Give It Away" (George Strait), "I've Come To Expect It From You" (George Strait), "The Church on Cumberland Road" (Shenandoah), "Wild and Blue" (John Anderson), and "How Long Gone" (Brooks & Dunn).

Grant popularized a lot of her own compositions, including "That's What Love is For", "Baby Baby", and "Tennessee Christmas". Keith even recorded many of his self-penned hits, including "How Do You Like Me Now?" "As Good As I Once Was", and "Should've Been a Cowboy".

The five new inductees-elect will soon join the 213 previously inducted members of the elite organization when they're officially inducted during the "50/51" Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala on November 1st at the Music City Center. As the organization's 50th Anniversary celebration was postponed last year, the event this year will honor two classes in a double-sized event that'll also spotlight the previously named class of 2020 - Bobbie Gentry, Steve Earle, Brett James, Kent Blazy, and Spooner Oldham.

Paul Simon

Starting off in the legendary musical duo Simon and Garfunkel, Paul Simon has been busy writing hit songs for years and years. He is responsible for most of the hits, including "Sound of Silence", "Mrs. Robinson", and "Bridge over Troubled Water". The duo decided to part ways in 1970 and Simon continued creating endless masterpieces.

George Harrison

Often overshadowed by other Beatles members John and Paul, many fans still acknowledge and largely appreciate the incredible talent of George Harrison. His contribution to the group included "Taxman", "While My Guitar Gently Weeps", "Within You Without You", "Something", and "Here Comes the Sun".

Joni Mitchell

Joni Mitchell has a confessional, musically adventurous songwriting style. Beside her beautiful voice and incredible guitar skills, her songs were nothing short of exceptional. Some of her most famous songs were "Help Me", "Big Yellow Taxi", and "Free Man in Paris".

Eminem

Eminem is largely considered by many people to be the greatest rapper of all-time. While this has certainly a lot to do with his rhythm, tone, and phrasing, Eminem is clearly an incredible songwriter. Eminem has an extremely unique style of songwrting, which has made him the star that he is today. Songs like "Lose Yourself", "Rap God", and "Love the Way You Die" perfectly demonstrate his songwriting brilliance.

James Taylor

James Taylor is easily one of the most popular musicians ever, having sold more than 100 million records worldwide. Due to his incredible talent and contribution to the music industry, he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2000. He has written several great songs, including "How Sweet It Is", "You've Got a Friend", and "Fire and Rain".

Stevie Nicks

Everyone knows that Stevie Nicks is an incredibly talented songwriter who has written some of the best songs ever created. Whether she was joined by her iconic band Fleetwood Mac or on her own, she has always displayed beautiful aspects of poetry. She has written a ton of great songs including "Rhiannon", "Landslide", and "Edge of Seventeen".

Buddy Holly

After Buddy Holly opened for Presley back in 1955, he decided to pursue a career in music. Great thing that he did, because he went down in the history books as one of the best musicians and songwriters to ever live. Holly has writing credits for his like "It's So Easy", "That'll Be the Day", and "Everyday".

James Brown

James Brown was definitely a true legend, having played a key role in shaping and influencing multiple genres of music. He had numerous talents including vocals, drums, organ, guitar, harmonica, and of course his incredible songwriting. He has written numerous songs through the years, including "Please Please Please", "I Got You", and "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag".

Van Morrison

Have you been to a karaoke night without hearing "Brown Eyed Girl"? Maybe, maybe not. Van Morrison has written some incredible songs to this day. Along with "Brown Eyed Girl", he has managed to write some incredible hits like "Into the Mystic", "Moondance", and "Domino".

Johnny Cash

With over 90 million records sold worldwide, Johnny Cash is undoubtedly one of the best to ever do it and he will go down as one of the best-selling musicians of all time. He was a singer, guitarist, and a songwriter who stole the hearts of everyone around him. Some of his classics include "Folsom Prison Blues", "On The Road Again", and "Ring of Fire".

Prince

Losing the legendary Prince in 2016 was definitely a massive tragedy to the entire world of music. Famously known for his guitar licks and insane vocals, Prince was also known to be one of the greatest songwriters to have ever lived. He left the industry with treasures like "1999", "I Wanna Be Your Lover", and "Diamonds and Pearls".

Mick Jagger and Keith Richards

The genuieses behind the sweet music of The Rolling Stones are the lead singer Mick Jagger and the guitarist Keith Richards. They developed a songwriting partnership pretty quickly, very similar to the one of The Beatles' John Lennon and Paul McCartney and released amazing tracks including "Wild Horses", "Sympathy for the Devil", and "Satisfaction".

Neil Young

Starting his musical journey in Canada and making his way all the way to Los Angeles, Neil Young made a massive name for himself pretty quickly. Between his guitar, vocals, and songwriting skills, he is truly unstoppable. With hit songs like "Heart of Gold" and "Old Man", he is known to have create some of the best songs in music history.

Freddie Mercury

Very few fans can argue with the notion that "Bohemian Rhapsody" is easily one of the greatest songs of all time. While Freddie Mercury wrote this track in particular, every member of Queen played a part writing for the band Guitar player Brian May famously wrote "We Will Rock You", bass player John Deacon wrote "Another One Bites the Dust", and drummer Roger Taylor wrote "Radio GaGa".

Michael Jackson

It was very easy to be distracted by the King of Pop's incredible voice and dance music but underneath it all were his talented writing skills. Tracks like "Billie Jean", "Smooth Criminal", and "Beat It" will forever linger in the world of great music.

Bruce Springsteen

Everyone knows of the legendary Bruce Springsteen or as many in the industry like to call him "The Boss". While everyone likes to focus on his unique and distinct voice, Springsteen is also an incredibly talented songwriter. His most popular songs include "Born in the USA" and "Born to Run".

Hank Williams

Hank Williams has widely been considered to be one of the most influential and most significant American singers and songwriters of the 20th century. He actually had 35 singles that reached the top-10 charts. He is best known for his songs "I Saw the Light", "Hey Good Lookin'", and "I'll Never Get Out of This World Alive".

Brian Wilson

Brian Wilson, the Beach Boys star wrote or co-wrote more than 25 songs for the group. He was actually the very first pop artist who was credited for writing, producing, arranging, and performing his own material. He is responsible for tracks like "I Get Around", "Good Vibrations", and "Wouldn't It Be Nice".

Stevie Wonder

Before he was even a historic music figure, he was being described as a child prodigy. This was because of his incredible voice, instrumental talent, and exceptional songwriting. Stevie Wonder is responsible for giving some all-time greats including "Superstition" and "I Just Called to Say I Love You".

Elton John

Elton John is a living legend, one of the most well-known artists of all-time. While he is an incredibly talented pianist and vocalist, he is also well known for his incredible songwriting. Elton John wrote some incredible songs like "Rocket Man", "Tiny Dancer", and "Bennie and The Jets".

Bob Marley

Bob Marley was a legendary Jamaican musician who eventually made a massive name for himself all over the world. His music had a distinct, soothing sound that was hard to dislike. Many of his songs have carried on through the years, including "Is This Love", "No Woman No Cry", and "One Love".

David Bowie

David Bowie or also called "Ziggy Stardust" was easily one of the best songwriters and performers of his time. It was a hard day for the music industry when the world lost the legend back in 2016. Even though he is no longer here, he has still left music enthusiasts with some of the most iconic music in history.

John Lennon

While John Lennon started writing alongside his band mate Paul McCartney, he went on to write some of the best songs ever created during his solo career. Apart from his individual projects, he has also earned writing honors for numerous Beatles superhits.

Paul McCartney

Now onto the next famous Beatles star, Paul McCartney. Starting out writing with John Lennon, Paul McCartney went on to pursue an incredibly successful solo career. Hit songs like "Let It Be" and "Hey Jude" will live on to be counted among some of the best songs ever written.

Bob Dylan

It can be pretty hard to deny that the legendary Bob Dylan is the greatest songwriter of all time. While many people joke that he did not particularly have the greatest voice, his incredible poetry made up for that. His music could go from breaking your heart deeply to healing it all within a matter of minutes.