Billboard On The Record How the Music Industry’s Biggest Hits Are Written w/ Amy Allen
20 snips
Oct 9, 2025 
Amy Allen, a Grammy-winning pop songwriter, shares her journey from nursing school to crafting hits for artists like Selena Gomez and Harry Styles. She discusses the evolution of songwriting in the TikTok era, the decline of pitch records, and how social media allows artists to express their personality. Amy emphasizes emotional honesty in storytelling, the challenges of songwriting as a livelihood, and the collaborative relationships that shape great music. With insights on what makes a star, she reflects on artistry and creativity in modern pop.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Push For Per Diems To Support Writers
- Support per diems for songwriters to cover basics like lunch and transportation.
- Normalize per diems to help new writers sustain a living while they build careers.
Session Volume Doesn't Guarantee Income
- Many writers work long months with no released songs, meaning little to no income despite heavy session loads.
- Streaming and modern royalty structures make sustaining a songwriting career especially difficult.
Learn Production To Stay Valuable
- Learn production skills to widen your utility and income as a songwriter.
- Producing keeps you engaged and deepens your understanding of how songs are realized.
