Julia Michaels is now an accomplished solo artist with two 2018 Grammy nominations, a triple-platinum single, and a new EP titled Inner Monologue Part 1. However, the “Issues” singer has been writing songs for other artists professionally since she was 14 years old. Like Michaels’ solo songs, her co-writes have a refreshing real-world emotional complexity to them, which comes from her unique abilities to talk to pop stars like they’re people and to write about personal experiences from an honest perspective.
Read through for 16 songs we’ll bet you didn’t know owe a little touch of realness to Julia Michaels.
1) The Austin and Ally Theme Song
Julia Michaels wrote the theme for this 2010s Disney show with songwriter Jolene Belle.
2) Force of Nature – Bea Miller
This indie pop ballad is a jam.
3) Kingdom Come – Demi Lovato
Michaels started writing songs for Demi when she was only 20 years old, co-writing “Fire Starter” in 2013.
4) Love Myself – Hailee Steinfeld
Of course, Michaels is behind this upbeat, empowering song about female masturbation.
5) Sorry – Justin Bieber
This song was involved in a lawsuit, but it’s still iconic.
6) Good For You – Selena Gomez
Michaels also co-wrote several other Selena Gomez songs, including “Hands to Myself” and “Bad Liar.”
7) Hurts So Good – Astrid S
This Norwegian artist knew who to turn to make a splash in the U.S.
8) Slumber Party – Britney Spears
Women singing Julia Michaels’ songs always sound like they’re having fun, don’t they?
9) Used To Love You – Gwen Stefani</strong
Michaels co-wrote 10 of 12 songs on this album! She told Genius that she was inspired to write “Used To Love You” after scanning Stefani’s diary.
<h310) Close – Nick Jonas
This pop ballad is honest and sexy—Michaels’ trademarks.
11) Drew Barrymore – Bryce Vine
This Julia Michaels co-write came as quite a shock, but given its unique earworm, we should’ve known.
12) Barbies – P!nk
This touching ballad about wanting to go back to your childhood definitely feels like it was ripped straight from someone’s diary.
13) Parallel Line – Keith Urban
Michaels is quite the genre hopper!
14) Make Me Feel – Janelle Monae
This feel-good summer jam oozes with sexuality, one of Michaels’ specialties.
15) Sink In – Amy Shark
The Aussie indie popster sang this Michaels song for the Love, Simon soundtrack.
16) Heal Me – Lady Gaga from A Star Is Born
It’s hard to believe this one, sung by Gaga as Ally in A Star Is Born, wasn’t a real-life pop single.
Photo: Instagram (@juliamichaels)
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