John Ryan (songwriter)

Last updated

John Ryan
Birth nameJohn Henry Ryan II
Also known as
  • John the Blind
  • JRY
Born (1987-08-19) August 19, 1987 (age 37)
Origin Rochester, New York, U.S.
Genres Pop
Occupations
  • Songwriter
  • record producer
  • singer
Years active2010–present

John Henry Ryan II (born August 19, 1987), also known as John the Blind and JRY, is an American songwriter, singer and record producer from Rochester, New York. He is best known for co-writing and co-producing One Direction's last four albums and many of their singles. He has written songs for many acclaimed artists. His compositions and productions have sold over 30 million units worldwide.

Contents

Early life

Ryan is from Pittsford, New York. [1] He grew up the youngest in his family with his mother, older brother Joe, and older sister Julie. [1] Ryan wrote his first song in third grade, learning to play guitar and piano at a young age. [1] He continued to write throughout his childhood, even making an album in eighth grade that he was selling out of his locker. [1] By the time he was 16 or 17, he remembers having to choose between music and sports and states that "music came the most naturally and made [him] the happiest." [1] He sent his only college application to Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. During his time at Berklee, Ryan learned music theory, fronted two bands, and continued to write his own material. He also spent the latter half of his college years learning to produce pop, hip hop, and alternative music. Ryan was lead guitarist for classmate Isom Innis' project, Southern Belle. [2]

During his junior year, Ryan visited a few friends in Los Angeles, and met Damon Bunetta, who later became his manager, at a party. [1] They exchanged numbers, ideas, and kept in contact. At the time, Damon, his brother Julian Bunetta, and their father Peter Bunetta were expanding their company, Family Affair Productions, and were looking to add another producer/artist/writer to the team. [1] After graduating from Berklee in 2010, Ryan moved to Los Angeles to begin his career as an artist and producer. [1]

Career

Ryan had many friends (including Julian Bunetta) who were working on the American version of The X Factor in 2011. Hit songwriter, Savan Kotecha, was involved in the television program at the time, and worked on One Direction's first two records. After hearing Kotecha rave about an emerging act discovered on UK's X Factor and explaining that there was a break in the market for boy bands, Ryan and Bunetta got onboard. [1] Ryan's first big cut was "Story of My Life" with One Direction, reaching the Top 10 on the Billboard charts. [3]

Influenced by Booker T. & the M.G's, Elvis Presley, Elvis Costello, Radiohead, The Beatles, MGMT and Julian Casablancas. Ryan has co-written and/or produced multiple songs by artists including One Direction, John Legend, David Guetta, Thomas Rhett, Harry Styles, Maroon 5, Niall Horan, Pitbull, Jason Derulo, Charlie Puth, Rudimental, Fifth Harmony, Cody Simpson, Nick Jonas, and Emblem3 among others. In total, he has 27 tracks which have been released on four of One Direction's albums ( Take Me Home , Midnight Memories , Four , and Made in the A.M. ). [1] Ryan co-wrote and co-produced the songs "Midnight Memories" and "Steal My Girl".

In addition to writing and producing for pop artists, Ryan formed his solo project John the Blind. [4]  The moniker references ancient Bohemian king John of Bohemia who fought his wars blind and was carted onto the field of battle on horseback by his men. [5] [6]

Ryan was a featured vocalist on Pitbull's "Fireball", and appeared in the music video. [7] He was also a featured vocalist on Brass Knuckles' "As Long as I'm Alive" and "Water Gun", as well as DJ Snake's "Sober" (as JRY). As JRY, Ryan has additionally released the singles "Pray" featuring Rooty, and "FWY" (with audacy).

Discography

Singles

Featured in
TitleYearPeak chart positionsCertificationsAlbum
US
AUS
[8]
GER
[9]
SPN
[10]
UK
"Fireball" (Pitbull featuring John Ryan)2014232622649 Globalization

Production discography

TitleYearArtistAlbumSongwriterProducer
"Do You Feel What I Feel?"2011 JLS Jukebox Yes check.svg
"C'mon, C'mon"2012 One Direction Take Me Home Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"I Would"Yes check.svg
"They Don't Know About Us"Yes check.svg
"She's Not Afraid"Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"Loved You First"Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"I Wish"2013 Emblem3 Nothing to Lose Yes check.svg
"Me & My Girls" Fifth Harmony Better Together Yes check.svg
"Best Song Ever"One Direction Midnight Memories Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"Story of My Life"Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"Diana"Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"Midnight Memories"Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"You & I"Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"Strong"Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"Little Black Dress"Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"Little White Lies"Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"Better Than Words"Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"Does He Know?"Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"Alive"Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"One Way or Another (Teenage Kicks)"Yes check.svg
"Good News"2014 Daley Days + Nights Yes check.svg
"Wiggle"
(featuring Snoop Dogg)
Jason Derulo Talk Dirty Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"If You Love Me Let Me Go" Colbie Caillat Gypsy Heart Yes check.svg
"Take Over" Nick Jonas Nick Jonas Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"Steal My Girl"One Direction Four Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"Ready to Run"Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"Girl Almighty"Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"Night Changes"Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"No Control"Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"Fireproof"Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"Spaces"Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"Stockholm Syndrome"Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"Clouds"Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"Change Your Ticket"Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"Illusion"Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"Once in a Lifetime"Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"Act My Age"Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"Fireball"
(featuring John Ryan)
Pitbull Globalization Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"Day Drinking"
(featuring Heymous Molly)
Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"Work This Body" Walk the Moon Talking Is Hard Yes check.svg
"We Are the Kids"Yes check.svg
"Headlights"
(featuring Ilsey)
2015 Robin Schulz Sugar Yes check.svg
"Vacation" Thomas Rhett Tangled Up Yes check.svg
"Babylon" Omi Me 4 U Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"Hey Angel"One Direction Made in the A.M. Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"Drag Me Down"Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"Perfect"Yes check.svg
"Infinity"Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"End of the Day"Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"Long Way Down"Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"Never Enough"Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"Olivia"Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"I Want to Write You a Song"Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"History"Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"Walking in the Wind"Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"A.M."Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"Sober"
(featuring JRY)
2016 DJ Snake Encore Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"Darkness and Light"
(featuring Brittany Howard)
John Legend Darkness and Light Yes check.svg
"Love Me Now"Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"Temporarily Painless"Yes check.svg
"Pray"
(featuring Rooty)
2017JRY Fifty Shades Darker: Original
Motion Picture Soundtrack
Yes check.svg
"Two Ghosts" Harry Styles Harry Styles Yes check.svg
"Guys My Age" Hey Violet From the Outside Yes check.svg
"Crawling" Chase & Status Tribe Yes check.svg
"Shed a Light"
(with David Guetta featuring Cheat Codes)
Robin Schulz Uncovered Yes check.svg
"Leave Right Now"Thomas Rhett Life Changes Yes check.svg
"Renegades"Yes check.svg
"Finish What We Started" Jessie Ware Glasshouse Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"On the Loose" Niall Horan Flicker Yes check.svg
"Slow Hands"Yes check.svg
"Flicker"Yes check.svg
"Fire Away"Yes check.svg
"The Tide"Yes check.svg
"Best 4 U" Maroon 5 Red Pill Blues Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"Wait"Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"Bet My Heart"Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"Who I Am"
(featuring LunchMoney Lewis)
Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"Whiskey"
(featuring ASAP Rocky)
Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"Closure"Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"Don't Wanna Know"
(featuring Kendrick Lamar)
Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"Cold"
(featuring Future)
Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"Lost in the Wild" Walk the Moon What If Nothing Yes check.svg
"These Days"
(featuring Jess Glynne & Dan Caplen)
2018 Rudimental Toast to Our Differences Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"Dance" DNCE Non-album singleYes check.svg
"Think About You" Delta Goodrem Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"Hate to Say" Tory Lanez Memories Don't Die Yes check.svg
"Done for Me"
(featuring Kehlani)
Charlie Puth Voicenotes Yes check.svg
"Preacher Man" The Driver Era Non-album singleYes check.svg
"How Badly" In Real Life She DoYes check.svg
"Doesn't Matter" Gallant This Song Does Not FitYes check.svgYes check.svg
"Finally Free"Niall Horan Smallfoot: Original Motion
Picture Soundtrack
Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"16 Steps"
(with Olivia Holt)
Martin Jensen TBAYes check.svgYes check.svg
"Dear Sense"
(with Max)
Louis the Child Kids at Play EPYes check.svg
"Epa Wei" Danny Ocean TBAYes check.svg
"Never Let Me Go" Jess Glynne Always In Between Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"Big Bills"
(featuring Big Boi)
The Knocks New York NarcoticYes check.svg
"Room for You"Yes check.svg
"Close to Me"IsaiahNon-album singleYes check.svgYes check.svg
"Cashmere" Rita Ora Phoenix Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"First Time High"Yes check.svg
"Out at Night"
(featuring Kyle & Big Boi)
Clean Bandit What Is Love? Yes check.svg
"Better to Lie"
(with Jesse & Swae Lee)
Benny Blanco Friends Keep Secrets Yes check.svg
"24 Hours"
(featuring Yasmin Green)
Clean Bandit What Is Love? Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"We Made It"2019 Louis Tomlinson Walls Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"Ain't Shit"2020ASLSKYLOFTYes check.svgYes check.svg
"Human Zoo"Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"Slash My Tire"Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"Room for One More"Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"Where Will I Remember You"Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"Shots with Mariah"Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"Slow Motion"Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"What Happens Here"Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"What Makes a Woman" Katy Perry Smile Yes check.svg
"Call My Friends" Shawn Mendes Wonder Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"One More"2021 SG Lewis featuring Nile Rodgers Times Yes check.svg
"My Whole Life"ASLEL GANZOYes check.svgYes check.svg
"It's Not Easy"Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"Leona"Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"On The Roof"Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"Hey Mister"Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"Leona Interlude"Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"Still Awake"Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"12:42"Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"Best Sex"Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"Jump In"Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"Fast Times"2022 Sabrina Carpenter Emails I Can't Send Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"Because I Liked a Boy "Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"Already Over"Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"Decode "Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"Heaven"2023Niall Horan The Show Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"Feather"Sabrina CarpenterEmails I Can't Send (Deluxe Edition)Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"Taste"2024 Short n' Sweet Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"Good Graces"Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"Coincidence"Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"Bed Chem"Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"Dumb & Poetic"Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"Juno"Yes check.svgYes check.svg
"Don't Smile"Yes check.svgYes check.svg

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mitch Allan</span> American record producer and songwriter

Mitch Allan is an American record producer, songwriter, and singer. He has worked with artists including Demi Lovato, Third Eye Blind, Miley Cyrus, Carlie Hanson, Jason Derulo, Pitbull, Fifth Harmony, Kelly Clarkson, Simple Plan, Faith Hill, Selena Gomez, Bowling for Soup, Jonas Brothers, and Joe Cocker.

Marc Kinchen, known by his initials MK, is an American DJ, record producer and remixer. He hit number-one on the US Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart in 1993 and 1994 with the songs "Always" and "Love Changes". Lead vocals on both of those tracks were performed by Alana Simon. The combo also recorded the underground house music classic anthem "Burning". "Always" peaked at number 69 on the UK Singles Chart in February 1995. MK also hit the dance chart with "4 You", using the pseudonym 4th Measure Men.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">J. R. Rotem</span> Record producer

Jonathan Reuven "J. R." Rotem is a South African-born American record producer, songwriter and music publisher.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RedOne</span> Moroccan songwriter, record producer and record executive (born 1972)

Nadir Khayat, also known as RedOne, is a Moroccan-Swedish record producer, record executive, singer and songwriter. He has worked in production for high-profile recording artists including Lady Gaga, Nicki Minaj, Jennifer Lopez, Enrique Iglesias, Shakira, Mariah Carey, One Direction, and Usher, among others. His credits include several hit songs on Billboard and international charts; pop, rock, R&B, house, hip hop, and dance music are his frequented musical genres. He established his namesake record label in 2010.

David Mauricio Bowen-Petterson, better known by his stage name David Rush, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter and record producer from Highland Park, New Jersey. He signed a joint venture recording contract with Pitbull's Mr. 305 Inc. and Universal Republic Records to release his 2008 debut single, "Shooting Star." The song entered the Canadian Hot 100, Pop 100, and Rhythmic charts, and spawned a remix featuring EDM duo LMFAO and Pitbull. The year prior, Rush first guest featured alongside Trina on Pitbull's 2007 single "Go Girl," which entered the Billboard Hot 100. His follow up releases failed to chart, and Rush ultimately became a record producer, having produced Jason Derulo's 2014 single "Stupid Love."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Claude Kelly</span> American singer-songwriter

Claude Kelly is an American record producer, songwriter, and singer. A four-time Grammy Award nominee, and he has been credited on commercially successful releases for artists such as Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Kelly Clarkson, Britney Spears, Ariana Grande, Bruno Mars, Christina Aguilera, Adam Lambert, Jennifer Lopez, Kesha, Brandy, Keke Wyatt, Tori Kelly, and One Direction. He is one-half of the duo Louis York, which he formed with Chuck Harmony in 2015; the two also co-founded the record label Weirdo Workshop that same year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Start Without You</span> 2010 single by Alexandra Burke

"Start Without You" is a song by British recording artist Alexandra Burke. Featuring vocals from Jamaican American reggae rapper Laza Morgan, it was written by Kristian Lundin, Ronan Dunne, Eddy Grant, Savan Kotecha, Julian Bunetta, and RedOne. The song is an R&B song, which incorporates reggae fusion and dancehall. According to Burke the song was inspired by her Jamaican heritage and her need for a summer song. The song came about after studio sessions booked with RedOne produced a number of new records that were going to be used for a re-release of Overcome or Burke's second album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nasri (musician)</span> Canadian musician and producer

Nasri Tony Atweh, known mononymously as Nasri, is a Canadian musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer. He currently resides in Los Angeles, California. He is the lead vocalist and songwriter for the reggae fusion band, Magic!, a group consisting of fellow Toronto natives, Mark Pellizzer, Alex Tanas, and Ben Spivak. MAGIC!'s single "Rude" became a major international hit single. He is currently managed by Wassim "Sal" Slaiby.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Get It Started</span> 2012 single by Pitbull featuring Shakira

"Get It Started" is a song by American recording artist Pitbull from his seventh studio album Global Warming. It was released on June 25, 2012 as the second single from the album by RCA Records. The song features guest vocals from Colombian singer-songwriter Shakira, marking the third time they have collaborated on a song together, the others being an official remix to the Spanish version of "Did it Again", "Lo Hecho Está Hecho", and the English version of "Rabiosa". The artists co-wrote the song with its producers, DJ Buddha, Sidney Samson, Marc Kinchen, Develop, with additional writing from Durrell "Tank" Babbs and Kris Stephens. It is a dance-pop song that "blends a dance beat and up-tempo verses with a slowed-down, piano-driven pop chorus".

<i>Take Me Home</i> (One Direction album) 2012 studio album by One Direction

Take Me Home is the second studio album by British-Irish boy band One Direction, released on November 9, 2012 by Syco Music and Columbia Records. As a follow-up to One Direction's internationally successful debut album Up All Night (2011), Take Me Home was written in groups and has an average of just under five songwriters per track. Largely recorded and composed in Sweden during 2012, Savan Kotecha, Rami Yacoub and Carl Falk, who composed One Direction's hits, "What Makes You Beautiful" and "One Thing", spent six months in Stockholm developing songs for the album, and were able to shape melodies around the members' tones.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Axident</span> Musical artist

Andreas Schuller is a Norwegian songwriter and music producer based in Los Angeles. He has worked with artists Justin Bieber, Pitbull, Inna, Jason Derulo, Snoop Dogg, Jessie J, Adam Lambert, Timeflies, Jake Miller, Travis Mills, Riff Raff and Far East Movement. "Wiggle" by Jason Derulo and Snoop Dogg was co-written and produced by Axident, and is his most successful single to date, reaching #3 on the Billboard Hot 100. Other popular songs which were co-written and co-produced by Axident include "Fireball" by Pitbull and "Company" by Justin Bieber.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sam Martin (singer)</span> American singer-songwriter

Samuel Denison Martin is an American Grammy Award-winning musician, singer, songwriter and record producer. His song "Want to Want Me" holds the record for the most adds in the American contemporary hit radio history.

<i>Globalization</i> (album) 2014 studio album by Pitbull

Globalization is the eighth studio album by American rapper Pitbull. It was released on November 21, 2014 through Mr. 305, Polo Grounds Music, and RCA Records. The production on the album was handled by multiple producers including Dr. Luke, Cirkut, DJ Frank E, The Monsters and the Strangerz and Max Martin. The album also features guest appearances from Sean Paul, Chris Brown, John Ryan, Ne-Yo, Chloe Angelides, Heymous Molly, Jason Derulo, Juicy J, G.R.L., Bebe Rexha, Jennifer Lopez, and Claudia Leitte.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fireball (Pitbull song)</span> 2014 song by rapper Pitbull

"Fireball" is a song by American rapper Pitbull, featuring vocals from American singer John Ryan. It was released on July 23, 2014 as the second release from Pitbull's eighth studio album, Globalization (2014).

<i>Four</i> (One Direction album) 2014 studio album by One Direction

Four is the fourth studio album by English-Irish boy band One Direction, released on 17 November 2014 by Columbia Records and Syco Music. The album was preceded by two singles, "Steal My Girl" and "Night Changes", both achieving platinum status in the US, and scoring the band their tenth and eleventh UK top-ten hits. The album was also One Direction's last with member Zayn Malik, who announced he was leaving the band on 25 March 2015.

"Fireproof" is a song by English-Irish boy band One Direction. The song was released on 8 September 2014, as the first promotional single from their fourth studio album, Four. The song was written by One Direction members, Liam Payne and Louis Tomlinson, along with John Ryan, Jamie Scott, Julian Bunetta and Carolina Velert. The track sold over 1.1 million downloads worldwide in 24 hours.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Abrahart</span> British singer, songwriter, record producer and arranger

James John "JHart" Abrahart Jr. is a British singer, songwriter, record producer and arranger, based in Los Angeles. Signed by Mike Caren to Artist Publishing Group in 2013, he has been nominated for several Grammy Awards and worked with popular artists including Usher, Justin Bieber, Troye Sivan, Kygo, Cher, Chris Brown, Little Mix, Kylie Minogue, OneRepublic, Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban, Jon Bellion, Kelsea Ballerini and Kevin Gates. His output has amassed over 25 million in sales.

Aaron Kleinstub, better known by his stage name Aalias, is an American music producer and musician from Cleveland, Ohio.

<i>Climate Change</i> (album) 2017 studio album by Pitbull

Climate Change is the tenth studio album by Cuban-American recording artist Pitbull. It was released on March 17, 2017, through RCA Records, Polo Grounds Music and Mr. 305 Inc. The production on the album was handled by multiple producers including Dr. Luke, Ricky Reed, Ian Kirkpatrick, Cirkut and The Monsters & Strangerz among others. The album also features guest appearances by Kiesza, Robin Thicke, Travis Barker, Flo Rida, Enrique Iglesias, Stephen Marley, Ty Dolla Sign, Jennifer Lopez, Jason Derulo, Austin Mahone and R. Kelly among others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phil Greiss</span> Canadian record producer and songwriter

Philippe Greiss is a French & Canadian record producer, songwriter, vocal producer, multi-instrumentalist & mix engineer. Greiss's recent work includes production for artists Jason Derulo, J Balvin, Nicki Minaj, Alok, David Guetta, BTS, Will I Am, Beyoncé, Willy William, and Farina

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Kawashima, Dale (November 10, 2016). "Interview With John Ryan, Hit Songwriter & Producer For One Direction, Jason Derulo, John Legend and Pitbull". Songwriter Universe. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
  2. "Interview: Southern Belle & Isom Innis – Music Review". Pinpointmusic.com. February 19, 2010. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
  3. "One Direction Chart History". Billboard.com. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
  4. "Atlantic Records John The Blind". Atlanticrecords.com. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
  5. BWW News Desk. "Atlantic Records Welcomes John The Blind". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
  6. "John-The-Blind-2019". Press.atlanticrecords.com. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
  7. Pitbull – Fireball ft. John Ryan (Official Video), September 19, 2014, retrieved November 19, 2019
  8. "Italian Charts – John Ryan discography". Australian-charts.com.
  9. "German Charts – John Ryan discography". Germancharts.com.
  10. "Spanish Charts – John Ryan discography". Spanishcharts.com.
  11. "British certifications – John Ryan". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 8, 2024.Type John Ryan in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.