Rick Nowels

Last updated

Rick Nowels
Rick Nowels songwriter.jpeg
Background information
Birth nameRichard Wright Nowels Jr.
Born (1960-03-16) March 16, 1960 (age 64)
San Francisco, California, U.S.
Origin Palo Alto, California, U.S. [1]
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Record producer
  • songwriter
Years active1985–present
Labels Virgin
Website ricknowels.com

Richard Wright Nowels Jr. (born March 16, 1960) is an American songwriter, record producer, multi-instrumentalist and arranger. He has co-written and co-produced over 90 hit singles with multiple artists [2] and albums his songs have appeared on have sold over 250 million copies. In 2020, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. [3]

Contents

Career

In 1985, Stevie Nicks recorded Nowels' song "I Can't Wait" in Los Angeles, giving Nowels his first major songwriting and production credit. [4] He was later asked to co-produce Nicks' album Rock a Little alongside Jimmy Iovine. The album was released in 1986 and featured five songs produced by Nowels. [5] [6] "I Can't Wait" peaked at number sixteen for two weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and is one of only four of Nicks' singles to enter the Dance Club Songs chart. [7]

In 1987, Nowels produced Belinda Carlisle's album Heaven on Earth . The album also featured four songs written by Nowels, including "Heaven Is a Place on Earth" and "Circle in the Sand", which went to number one and number seven, respectively, on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. [8] [9] In 1989, Nowels produced Carlisle's third album, Runaway Horses . Nowels wrote six of the ten songs, including "Leave a Light On", which went to number eleven on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and to number four in the UK. [10]

Nowels co-wrote the title track from Celine Dion's album Falling into You , which won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 1997. [11]

Nowels co-wrote and co-produced the hit single "The Game of Love", performed by Santana and Michelle Branch, which won ASCAP Song of the Year in 2003. He also co-wrote the global hit single "White Flag" for Dido, which won the 2004 Ivor Novello Award for International Hit of the Year.

In 2013. Nowels collaborated with Adele on the song "Why Do You Love Me?", released as part of the deluxe version of her album 25 . Nowels co-wrote and co-produced the hit single "Out of Love" [12] with Alessia Cara from her sophomore album, The Pains of Growing . In collaboration with R&B singer-songwriter Miguel, Nowels co-wrote the hit single "Lost in Your Light" for Dua Lipa's self-titled debut album. [13] Nowels has been a longtime collaborator of Swedish singer-songwriter Lykke Li. He has co-written songs on 3 of her albums— Wounded Rhymes , [14] I Never Learn , [15] and So Sad So Sexy —including the international hit single, "I Follow Rivers". Nowels co-wrote the hit single "Loud Places" from In Colour , the solo debut album of Jamie xx. [16]

In 2016, Nowels co-wrote and co-produced the British artist FKA Twigs' single, "Good to Love". The same year, Nowels co-wrote five songs for Tom Odell's third album, Wrong Crowd , [17] along with the hit single, "Magnetized". In 2021, Odell released "Monster", the title track for his fourth album, which was co-written with Nowels.

Madonna

While Nowels was in New York for the Grammy Awards in 1997, he met Madonna during a shopping expedition at Barneys. She later booked two weeks worth of writing time with Nowels in his Hollywood Hills studio. [18] Together, they wrote "The Power of Good-Bye", [19] "Little Star" and "To Have and Not to Hold", all featured on Madonna's seventh studio album, Ray of Light . [20] [21]

Ray of Light won Best Pop Album at the 1999 Grammy Awards, where Madonna thanked Nowels from the stage during her acceptance speech. The album also won Best Recording Package, Best Dance Recording, and Best Short Form Music Video. [22]

In 2014, Nowels and Madonna collaborated again on a song, "Beautiful Scars", from her thirteenth studio album, Rebel Heart .

Dido

Nowels met Dido in 1999 during the recording sessions for her debut album, No Angel , under Cheeky Records, an independent label in London. Nowels co-produced three songs on the album, including "Here with Me", "Hunter" and "All You Want", all which were released as singles to promote the album. [23] "Here with Me" became Dido's debut single as an artist, peaking at number four on the UK Singles Chart. [24] No Angel went on to sell 15 million copies worldwide and made Dido an international superstar. [25]

In 2002, Nowels and Dido collaborated again to produce her second album Life for Rent . Nowels wrote five songs featured on the album, including singles "White Flag" [26] and "Sand in My Shoes". The album became the seventh best-selling album of the 2000s in the UK, was nominated for a Grammy, won the award for "Best Single" at the 2004 Brit Awards, won "International Hit of the Year" at the 2004 Ivor Novello Awards, and other accolades. [27]

The pair went on to collaborate on Dido's Safe Trip Home album in 2008, her Girl Who Got Away album in 2013, and her 2019 album Still on My Mind .

Lana Del Rey

Nowels met Lana Del Rey in the spring of 2011 and has collaborated with her on multiple albums since. [28]

In a three-day writing session they composed "Summertime Sadness", "Dark Paradise", "Lucky Ones", and "TV in Black & White". The first three songs were released on Del Rey's 2012 Born to Die album, peaking at number one in the UK in 2012. The album sold 77,000 copies in the US within the first week and peaked at number two on the Billboard 200, just behind Adele's album, 21 . It received gold certification in 2013 and became the fifth best-selling album of 2012, selling 3.4 million copies. [29] [30] [31] [32]

In November 2012, Del Rey released the Paradise Edition of the Born to Die album with three new songs written and produced by Nowels and Del Rey—"Body Electric", "American" and "Cola". [33] [34]

In 2013, Nowels and Del Rey's song, "Young and Beautiful", was featured in Baz Luhrmann's film, The Great Gatsby . The song was featured throughout the film and incorporated into the score by Craig Armstrong. "Young and Beautiful" was released in April 2013. By June 2013 it rose to number three on the charts and has sold over a million copies since its release. [35] [36]

In 2015, Del Rey released her fourth studio album, Honeymoon . The entire album was co-written by Del Rey and Nowels with the exception of the cover, "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood". Del Rey and Nowels' singles include "High by the Beach", as well as "Music to Watch Boys To". Honeymoon debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 and reached number one in Australia, Greece, Ireland, and number two in the UK. [37] [38] [39]

In 2017, Del Rey released her fifth studio album, Lust for Life . Del Rey and Nowels co-wrote 14 of the songs for the album including the 3 singles, "Love", "Lust for Life" (featuring the Weeknd), and "White Mustang". The album was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album. It debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200, as well as the UK Albums Chart. [40] [41] [42]

Dua Lipa

Nowels co-wrote "Lost in Your Light", recorded by Dua Lipa featuring Miguel, which was released on 21 April 2017 as the sixth single from the former's self-titled debut studio album.

Discography

Notable works

Personal life

Nowels married singer-songwriter, Maria Vidal, in 1990. Vidal attended New York University and is known for writing the hit dance song, "Body Rock", charting on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. [43] The couple have a son, Tommy, born in 1993. Nowels is a supporter of TreePeople Los Angeles, The Sierra Club , and the Natural Resource Defense Council (NRDC).

Awards and nominations

YearNominated workCategoryResultNotes
2014"Young and Beautiful" by Lana Del ReySatellite Award for Best Original SongWonCo-writer
2004White FlagIvor Novello Award for International Hit of the YearWonCo-writer

ASCAP Pop Music Awards

YearNominated workCategoryResultNotes
2014"The Game of Love" by Santana ft. Michelle BranchSong of the YearWonCo-writer

Grammy Awards

YearNominee / workAwardResultRef.
2013 "Young and Beautiful" Best Song Written for Visual Media Nominated [44]
2003 "Love One Another" Best Dance Recording Nominated
1997 Falling into You Album of the Year Won
1994 "Body and Soul" Best R&B Song Nominated

Related Research Articles

William Endfield Steinberg is an American songwriter. He achieved his greatest success in the 1980s with songwriting partner Tom Kelly; together they wrote or co-wrote the No. 1 hits "Like a Virgin" by Madonna (1984), "True Colors" by Cyndi Lauper (1986), "Eternal Flame" by the Bangles (1989), "So Emotional" by Whitney Houston (1987) and "Alone". They also wrote or co-wrote the hit songs "I Drove All Night", "I Touch Myself" by Divinyls (1990), and "I'll Stand by You" by The Pretenders (1994).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Power of Good-Bye</span> 1998 single by Madonna

"The Power of Good-Bye" is a song by American singer Madonna, taken from her seventh studio album Ray of Light (1998). It was written by Madonna and Rick Nowels, and was produced by the singer with William Orbit and Patrick Leonard. The song was released as the fourth single from the album on September 22, 1998, being additionally distributed as a double A-Side single in the United Kingdom with "Little Star". Lyrically, the track talks about how free and empowering saying good-bye or ending a relationship can feel. The melancholy electronica ballad features shuffle beats, acoustic guitars and sweeping strings arranged by Craig Armstrong.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heaven Is a Place on Earth</span> 1987 single by Belinda Carlisle

"Heaven Is a Place on Earth" is a single by American singer Belinda Carlisle from her second studio album, Heaven on Earth (1987). Written by Rick Nowels and Ellen Shipley, the song was released as the lead single from the album on September 14, 1987, and it reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 on December 5, 1987, becoming Carlisle's only US chart-topper to date. A month later it peaked at number one in the United Kingdom, where it held the top spot of the UK Singles Chart for two weeks. In Australia it peaked at number 2. It is considered to be Carlisle's signature song.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Circle in the Sand</span> 1988 single by Belinda Carlisle

"Circle in the Sand" is a song recorded by American singer Belinda Carlisle for her second studio album, Heaven on Earth (1987). It was written by Rick Nowels, who also produced it, and Ellen Shipley. "Circle in the Sand" was the third single released from Heaven on Earth in May 1988. It reached number seven, becoming Carlisle's fourth and last top-10 hit in the United States. It also charted at number five in Canada, ending the year as the country's 69th-most-successful single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maria Vidal</span> American singer (born 1960)

Maria Elena Vidal is an American singer songwriter. She is known for her hit single "Body Rock", which reached No. 8 on the US Dance Charts, No. 48 on the Hot 100, No. 5 on the Springbok Charts in South Africa, and No. 11 in the UK, and charted on various international charts. It was the theme song to the film Body Rock in 1984.

<i>Heaven on Earth</i> (Belinda Carlisle album) 1987 studio album by Belinda Carlisle

Heaven on Earth is the second solo studio album by American singer Belinda Carlisle. It was released on October 5, 1987, by MCA Records. Three singles reached the top 10 of the US Billboard Hot 100, including the number-one single and Carlisle's signature song "Heaven Is a Place on Earth". The album has been certified triple Platinum in the United Kingdom and Platinum in many countries, including the United States.

<i>Runaway Horses</i> (album) 1989 studio album by Belinda Carlisle

Runaway Horses is the third solo studio album by American singer Belinda Carlisle, released on October 3, 1989, by MCA Records. The album features songs written by Rick Nowels, Ellen Shipley, Charlotte Caffey and a song co-written by Carlisle herself. The album contains an array of guest artists, including George Harrison and Bryan Adams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Get Weak</span> 1988 single by Belinda Carlisle

"I Get Weak" is a song by American singer Belinda Carlisle from her second studio album, Heaven on Earth (1987). Written by Diane Warren and produced by Rick Nowels, the song was released as the second single from Heaven on Earth in January 1988. "I Get Weak" reached number two on the US Billboard Hot 100, number four on Canada's RPM 100 Singles chart, and number 10 on the UK Singles Chart.

Emile Haynie, often credited simply as Emile, is an American record producer. Born and raised in Buffalo, New York, his range of production includes alternative rock, hip hop, indie and pop music. Haynie has worked with several prominent artists in the music industry including Kanye West, Kid Cudi, Eminem, Lana Del Rey, Bruno Mars, Linkin Park, FKA Twigs, Florence Welch and Camila Cabello, among others. Additionally, Haynie received two Grammy Awards for his work with English singer Adele, namely Album of the Year for the diamond certified 25 as well as Record of the Year for "Hello".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Summertime Sadness</span> 2012 single by Lana Del Rey

"Summertime Sadness" is a song by American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey from her second studio album, Born to Die (2012). The pop ballad was released on June 22, 2012, by Interscope Records as the fourth single of the album. In the spring of 2013, "Summertime Sadness" reached number one in Poland, Ukraine and Armenia. Charting across Europe, the single reached the top 10 in Austria, Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, Luxembourg, and Switzerland. Trap and house remixes of "Summertime Sadness" helped Del Rey break into the US Hot Dance Club Songs chart. That chart is where Del Rey's song became a modest hit and marked her first foray into the chart. On the accompanied Dance/Mix Show Airplay chart, the single gave Del Rey her first US number-one single in August 2013. In September 2021, the song was ranked number 456 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dark Paradise</span> Song by Lana Del Rey

"Dark Paradise" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey for her second studio album, Born to Die (2012). It was written by Lana Del Rey and Rick Nowels, while production was handled by Emile Haynie. Nowels and Devrim Karaoglu produced the radio mix of the song. The song was released on March 1, 2013, by Universal and Vertigo Records, as the sixth and final single from Born to Die.

"Cola" is a song by American singer and songwriter Lana Del Rey, taken from her third extended play, Paradise (2012), and the reissue of her second studio album, Born to Die: The Paradise Edition (2012). "Cola" first appeared in a teaser trailer posted to her official YouTube account as a snippet. The lyrics were considered controversial, causing major media outlets to respond.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No Freedom</span> 2013 single by Dido

"No Freedom" is a song by English recording artist Dido. The song was released on 18 January 2013 as the lead single from her fourth studio album Girl Who Got Away (2013). The song was written and produced by Dido Armstrong and Rick Nowels, while Rollo Armstrong co-produced it. "No Freedom" is an acoustic ballad, with folk pop influences.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Young and Beautiful (Lana Del Rey song)</span> 2013 single by Lana Del Rey

"Young and Beautiful" is a song by American singer and songwriter Lana Del Rey used for the soundtrack to the drama film The Great Gatsby.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shades of Cool</span> 2014 single by Lana Del Rey

"Shades of Cool" is a song by American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey, taken from her third studio album, Ultraviolence (2014). It was written by Del Rey and Rick Nowels, and produced by Dan Auerbach. The song was released on May 26, 2014 by Interscope Records as the second single from Ultraviolence. Lyrically, the single talks about an "unfixable" man.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Love (Lana Del Rey song)</span> 2017 single by Lana Del Rey

"Love" is a song by the American singer Lana Del Rey. It was released on February 18, 2017, by Polydor Records and Interscope Records, as the lead single from her fifth studio album, Lust for Life (2017). The song was written and produced by Del Rey, Benny Blanco, Emile Haynie and Rick Nowels, with additional production by Kieron Menzies. Its release was first teased with promotional posters hung in Los Angeles on February 17, after which the release date was pushed up due to leaked versions of the song surfacing online the same day. The song incorporates alternative pop, bubblegum pop, dream pop, and rock with a 50s style.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lust for Life (Lana Del Rey song)</span> 2017 single by Lana Del Rey featuring the Weeknd

"Lust for Life" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey featuring Canadian singer the Weeknd. The song was written by the artists, Rick Nowels, and Max Martin and produced by Del Rey, Nowels, Dean Reid and Kieron Menzies. Martin handled the additional production. It was released on April 19, 2017, through Polydor Records and Interscope Records, as the second single from her fifth studio album of the same name (2017). A dream pop and bubblegum pop song, "Lust for Life" is reminiscent of 1960s music, especially from girl groups like the Shangri-Las and the Angels; the latter's 1963 song "My Boyfriend's Back" is referenced in the lyrics. It also quotes the poem "Invictus" by the English poet William Ernest Henley (1849–1903).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coachella – Woodstock in My Mind</span> 2017 song by Lana Del Rey

"Coachella – Woodstock in My Mind" is a trap song written by American songwriters Lana Del Rey and Rick Nowels. The song was recorded by Del Rey and placed on her fifth studio album Lust for Life. It was released on May 15, 2017 as a promotional single from the album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Summer Bummer</span> 2017 single by Lana Del Rey featuring ASAP Rocky and Playboi Carti

"Summer Bummer" is a song by American singer and songwriter Lana Del Rey featuring American rappers ASAP Rocky and Playboi Carti featured on her fifth studio album Lust for Life. The song was released for digital download on July 12, 2017, alongside "Groupie Love" featuring ASAP Rocky, as a promotional single with the pre-order of the album. The song was written by the artists, alongside producers BigWhiteBeatz., Boi-1da, Jahaan Sweet, and T-Minus, with additional production credits going to Rick Nowels.

References

  1. ↑ Thakur, Pradeep (2010). MADONNA: Unstoppable!. Punjab, India. ISBN   978-8-190-87057-3.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  2. ↑ Rick Nowles|Credits|AllMusic at AllMusic; retrieved July 13, 2021
  3. ↑ Mariah Carey, The Neptunes, & Rick Nowels Will Be Inducted Into The 2020 Songwriters Hall Of Fame at Genius.com; by Chris Mench; published January 16, 2020; retrieved October 15, 2020
  4. ↑ I Can't Wait by Stevie Nicks at Songfacts.com; retrieved 2019
  5. ↑ HIGH-GLOSS POP ALBUMS FLOURISH ONCE AGAIN at The New York Times; by Stephen Holden; published February 6, 1986; retrieved 2019
  6. ↑ TOM PETTY AND THE HEARTBREAKERS MOVE IN SPIRITED TRACKS at Chicago Tribune; by Daniel Brogan; published December 6, 1985; retrieved 2019
  7. ↑ Rock a Little at AllMusic.com; retrieved 2019
  8. ↑ Belinda Carlisle at Official Charts; retrieved 2019
  9. ↑ "American album certifications – Belinda Carlisle – Heaven on Earth" at Recording Industry Association of America; retrieved 2019
  10. ↑ "Belinda Carlisle | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Official Charts . December 12, 1987.
  11. ↑ "39th Annual GRAMMY Awards (1996)". Grammy Award. November 28, 2017. Retrieved February 8, 2019.
  12. ↑ "Out of Love - Alessia Cara | Song Info | AllMusic". AllMusic .
  13. ↑ Song Facts [ dead link ]
  14. ↑ "Wounded Rhymes - Lykke Li | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic .
  15. ↑ "I Never Learn - Lykke Li | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic .
  16. ↑ https://www.muso.ai/track/39172756 [ dead link ]
  17. ↑ "Tom Odell – Wrong Crowd (2016, Gatefold, 180 gram, Vinyl)". Discogs . June 10, 2016.
  18. ↑ Hit Writer/Producer Rick Nowels Talks About His Great Career, Working With Lana Del Rey, John Legend, Madonna and Santana at Songwriter Universe; by Dale Kawashima; published June 11, 2015; retrieved 2019
  19. ↑ Madonna's ‘Ray Of Light’ Turns 15: Backtracking at Idolator; by Stephen Sears; published March 4, 2013; retrieved 2019
  20. ↑ Hits of the World at Billboard; published December 12, 1998; retrieved 2019
  21. ↑ Madonna: The ‘Ray of Light’ Cover Story, ‘Madonna Chooses Dare’ at SPIN; by Barry Walters; published March 3, 2016; retrieved 2019
  22. ↑ General Categories at Los Angeles Times; published February 25, 1999; retrieved 2019
  23. ↑ Dido Chart History (Pop Songs) at Billboard; retrieved 2019
  24. ↑ Official Singles Chart Top 100 at Official Charts; retrieved 2019
  25. ↑ "The Billboard Britlist". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. March 23, 2002. pp. 46–. ISSN   0006-2510.
  26. ↑ The 500 Greatest Songs Since You Were Born at Blender; published April 1, 2009; retrieved 2019
  27. ↑ Dido Life For Rent Review at BBC Music; published 2003; retrieved 2019
  28. ↑ Rick Nowels, Lana Del Rey Co-Writer, Talks 'Summertime Sadness' And His Catalog Of Hits at Billboard; by Grant Trust; published August 27, 2013; retrieved 2019
  29. ↑ Album review: Lana Del Rey's 'Born to Die' at The L.A. Times Music Blog; by Randall Roberts; published January 27, 2012; retrieved 2019
  30. ↑ Lana Del Rey - 'Born To Die' Beyond the hype, a stunning debut at NME; published February 3, 2012; retrieved 2019
  31. ↑ Lana Del Rey Born To Die Review at BBC Music; by Jamie Gill; published 2012; retrieved 2019
  32. ↑ Lana Del Rey's 'Born to Die' Becomes One of Only Three Albums by Women With 300 Weeks on Billboard 200 Chart at Billboard; by Keith Caulfield; published January 12, 2019; retrieved 2019
  33. ↑ Lana Del Rey Debuts at #10 on Billboard 200 With 'Paradise' EP (Interscope/Polydor) at PR Newswire; published November 21, 2012; retrieved 2019
  34. ↑ Lana Del Rey's Paradise Edition of Debut Features Eight New Songs at MTV News; by Gil Kaufman; published September 25, 2012; retrieved 2019
  35. ↑ JAY-Z CALLS ON BEYONCÉ, ANDRÉ 3000, FERGIE, & LANA DEL REY FOR ‘GREAT GATSBY’ SOUNDTRACK at Rap-Up; retrieved 2019
  36. ↑ Lana Del Rey cuts video for 'Gatsby's' single 'Young and Beautiful' at Los Angeles Times; published 2013; retrieved 2019
  37. ↑ Lana Del Rey Is Already Recording Her New Album at Fuse; by Jeff Benjamin; published December 3, 2014; retrieved 2019
  38. ↑ Lana Del Rey announces new album Honeymoon at Consequence of Sound; by Alex Young; published January 6, 2015; retrieved 2019
  39. ↑ Hear Lana Del Rey's Synth-Driven New Song, ‘High By the Beach’ at Rolling Stone; by Ryan Reed; published August 10, 2015; retrieved 2019
  40. ↑ Lana Del Rey Talks ‘Lust For Life’ In ‘Dazed’ Cover Story: 7 Gorgeous Pics at Idolator/Dazed Magazine; by Mike Wass; published April 18, 2017; retrieved 2019
  41. ↑ Review: Lana Del Rey, Lust for Life at Slant Magazine; by Sam C. Mac; published July 23, 2017; retrieved 2019
  42. ↑ Who's Nominated For Best Pop Vocal Album? | 60th GRAMMY Awards at GRAMMYs; retrieved 2019
  43. ↑ "Maria Vidal Songs ••• Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts". www.musicvf.com. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  44. ↑ "Rick Nowels at GRAMMY Awards". The Recording Academy. January 26, 2014. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020. Retrieved January 26, 2014.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.