The Man Behind the Love Songs of Whitney Houston, Ariana Grande, Madonna & More

Why It Matters

His emphasis on emotional authenticity and evolving gender narratives reshapes how pop hits are written, guiding both established and emerging songwriters in a streaming‑centric market.

Key Takeaways

• Teen heartbreak sparked his lifelong habit of writing emotional ballads
• 80s‑90s song bridges created dramatic lifts that artists amplified
• He chooses collaborators who convey genuine pain and storytelling
• Modern love songs now reflect women's independence over rescue narratives
• Humility drives his continued relevance despite working with music legends

Summary

The video features an interview with a veteran songwriter and producer—known for crafting hits for Whitney Houston, Ariana Grande, Madonna and others—who reflects on his origins, creative process, and the changing landscape of love songs.

He recounts how teenage heartbreak drove him to write sad songs, how the “bridge” sections of late‑80s/90s tracks provided dramatic lifts, and how he evaluates potential collaborators by the raw emotion they can convey rather than just their star power.

Memorable anecdotes include spotting Toni Braxton’s pain during an audition, convincing Andre Harrell that Mary J. Blige’s “Not Going to Cry” suited her life story, and the serendipitous recording of D’s “Two Occasions,” which launched his own reputation.

The interview underscores that today’s love songs must mirror women’s greater independence and that humility and a focus on authentic storytelling keep veteran writers relevant amid streaming‑driven pop, offering a blueprint for future hitmakers.

Original Description

The New York Times Magazine polled more than 250 music insiders and gathered six Times critics to choose the 30 Greatest Living American Songwriters. One of the artists who made the list was Babyface, the craftsman behind dozens of hits for performers like Whitney Houston, Mary J. Blige, Madonna, Toni Braxton, Bobby Brown, Aretha Franklin and Ariana Grande. The writer Danyel Smith met with him in Las Vegas to talk about how he wrote dozens of love songs that defined the 1990s.

See the full list of 30 greatest American songwriters here: http://nytimes.com/songwriters

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