There are a select group of British artists who write their own songs and are able to connect with their audience through their lyrics. Generally, many artists perform songs that have been written by other people, but the artists who do their own songwriting create hits that are iconic. These British songwriters have made a huge impact in the world of music, and they display a range of emotions in their songs and explore a range of themes. Below are 30 British singers who are well-known for writing their own songs. The artist features in a range of musical genres, including rock, pop, folk, and electronic music. Their music is well-received by their listeners.
1. Adele
She has made a huge impact in the world of music and has received many awards. She has achieved a best-selling album of the year title, and her songs are known for having an emotional element which connects well with the listeners. Her songs are mainly ballads and infuse pop and soul. Adele certainly stands out from other British songwriters. She has a style that is unique, and her fans can easily identify when she is singing. Adele writes songs about her personal experiences, and you can feel the emotion in her music. She has international fame and is able to sell out concerts.
2. Ed Sheeran
He is one of the most successful singer-songwriters to come out of Britain. Ed Sheeran has made a huge impact on his generation, and he relies on personal experiences through his songwriting abilities. He speaks about a range of topics in his songs, such as mental health and relationships, which many people can relate to. He has had huge chart success throughout the world, which is a testament to his songwriting skills. He has created a unique style for himself and continues to grow each time he produces an album. He is able to evoke emotions in the listener and portray his story in the best possible way.
3. Sam Smith
Sam Smith brings a soulful sound to their music, and their songwriting abilities shine throughout all of the songs that they do. Sam puts raw emotions into his songs and connects with the listener in a pleasant way. Sam explores a range of human emotions in their songs, which gives the listener something to relate to. They have won many awards and are known for their ballads as well as more uptempo songs. Producing a range of music styles like this shows Sam's ability to create songs that people can enjoy.
4. Laura Marling
Laura Marling was a pioneer in the folk music genre. This British singer-songwriter produces songs that tell the story of her thoughts and perspective. Her lyrics are quite poetic in flow, and this adds a great element to her music. She has a great way of writing songs that connect with the audience, and she writes meaningful lyrics.
5. Arctic Monkeys (Alex Turner)
Alex Turner, the frontman and primary songwriter of Arctic Monkeys, has penned nearly all of the band's hits. This makes him a key element in the band's success over the years. He has written hits such as "I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor", which continues to be played many years after its release. He is able to write songs that people can sing along to and feel good about.
6. Ellie Goulding
Known for her ethereal voice, Ellie Goulding has co-written many of her biggest hits, including "Lights" and "Burn." Her ability to blend electronic music with her songwriting style has made her a very successful British artist.
7. Lily Allen
This singer/songwriter has a unique writing style which infuses comical lyrics along with pop beats and also electronic sounds. The humour that she adds to her lyrics connects with the listener and makes her songs stand out. She is known for writing about her personal experiences, and this draws in many listeners who can either relate to her or just enjoy the storytelling.
8. Florence Welch (Florence + The Machine)
She is the main songwriter for Florence + The Machine, and she has crafted hits such as "Shake It Out" and "Dog Days Are Over." Her soaring vocals are matched by her evocative, poetic lyrics that often deal with themes of love, loss, and self-discovery. The lyrics that Welch writes are powerful and connect easily with the listener. She has a way of portraying emotions and making her songs powerful and enjoyable.
9. George Ezra
George has a unique style and sings with a soulful voice. He is one of the top British songwriters, and he has written many hits, including "Budapest." He continues to write his own music, which makes him a great all-round artist.
10. David Bowie
A true icon in every sense, David Bowie was an incredible performer and a visionary songwriter. Bowie has always been involved in the songwriting of his songs, and he has enjoyed pushing boundaries over the years, bringing something new to the music industry. He is known for classics such as "Space Oddity," "Life on Mars?" and "Heroes".
11. The Weeknd (Abel M. Tesfaye)
He has worked with a range of British producers and artists; although he is not British by birth, he has a close association with British music culture. His songs are skillfully written and evoke a range of feelings in the listener. He has a powerful voice, which makes his songs even more likeable.
12. James Bay
He has written many hits, and his lyrics are always very personal. This is a key ingredient to making excellent songs and it adds a great element to the song. He is one of the leading contemporary singer-songwriters in Britain. He is known for hits such as "Hold Back the River" and "Let It Go."
13. Ben Howard
Ben Howard's folk-inspired sound and poetic lyrics have made him a standout in the British music scene. He is able to capture the audience in his storytelling lyrics and along with his songing voice, he creates great hit songs.
14. Jessie Ware
This British pop songwriter has created many hits which highlight a range of emotions. She has a soulful voice, and she is able to convey emotions in a beautiful way when she sings. With her being part of the songwriting process, it always adds extra feeling to the music when she sings songs that she has written. Jessie has received praise for her writing skills and continues to produce hits.
15. Tom Odell
Tom Odell is well-known for producing ballads that pair well with the piano. He writes lyrics in a confessional manner and has written hits such as "Another Love" and "Real Love." He uses unfiltered expression in his songwriting, which allows him to connect with the audience.
16. The Kooks (Luke Pritchard)
As The Kooks's lead singer and primary songwriter, Luke Pritchard has penned the band's biggest hits, including "Naïve" and "She Moves in Her Way." The Kooks are known as a British indie rock band, and their music is uptempo and still widely played today. The melodies in the songs are very memorable and are easy for people to sing along with.
17. Paloma Faith
Paloma Faith is known for her bold and theatrical style, but she's also a talented songwriter. She has written or co-written many songs, such as "Picking Up the Pieces. Her songs blend jazz, pop, and soul, and this makes her a truly remarkable British singer-songwriter.
18. Sade Adu (Sade)
Sade Adu, the lead singer and primary songwriter of the band Sade, has written many of the band's timeless hits, including "Smooth Operator" and "By Your Side." Sade's voice is very recognisable, and she is a treasured British artist. Her music captures the essence of soul and jazz.
19. John Newman
John Newman's soulful voice and dynamic songwriting have earned him recognition with hits like "Love Me Again" and "Cheating." Newman has written or co-written nearly all of his tracks, infusing them with his style and experiences.
20. Richard Ashcroft (The Verve)
As the frontman and primary songwriter for The Verve, Richard Ashcroft wrote some of the band's most memorable songs, including the iconic "Bitter Sweet Symphony." Ashcroft's introspective and poetic lyrics helped define the sound of 90s British rock.
21. Noel Gallagher (Oasis)
He is the principal songwriter for Oasis and wrote the majority of their songs. His songwriting skills have always been highlighted in the band's music and deeply resonate with the listeners. The lyrics are straightforward, which makes Oasis one of the most influential indie bands in the 1990s. He wrong songs such as "Wonderwall" and "Don't Look Back in Anger."
22. Amy Winehouse
Amy Winehouse is a British icon. She is known throughout the world for her songwriting abilities. She speaks of personal struggles in her songs, which deeply resonates with the listener. She has had many award-winning albums due to her raw and powerful lyrics. Her vocal talent helps to transport these lyrics into the masterpieces that they are.
23. Mark Ronson (with Amy Winehouse)
While Mark Ronson is best known as a producer, he has also co-written some of the biggest hits of the 21st century, particularly with Amy Winehouse on "Back to Black." He is a worldwide influential figure in the music scene and works with a variety of artists.
24. Florence Welch (Florence + The Machine)
Florence is a well-accomplished songwriter and has written many hits which she also sings. Her songs connect with the listener and are still played by her fans and others who enjoy some of her greatest hits. She blends rock, soul, and pop together to create songs that people can easily sing along to. She is a loved British singer-songwriter, and her songs are great for motivation or for playing at a social gathering, as she attracts a varied audience.
25. KT Tunstall
She is a fantastic British songwriter. She has written many hits and has gained a huge following over the years. Her songs are catchy, and the lyrics capture the attention of the audience.
26. Mumford & Sons (Marcus Mumford)
Marcus is the main songwriter for Mumford & Sons. Marcus Mumford has written most of the band's hits, including "Little Lion Man" and "The Cave." His lyrics have a poetic feel and have a heartfelt meaning. His lyrics have helped to build the success of the band.
27. Gary Barlow (Take That)
Gary Barlow is the lead singer and the primary songwriter of Take That. He wrote many of the band's hits, including "Back for Good" and "Rule the World," as well as his solo hits like "Forever Love." He is one of Britians most successful songwriters who have gained global success. He contineus to write songs after many decades.
28. Zayn Malik
Zayn has crafted a fantastic solo career for himself since leaving the band One Direction. He showcases his songwriting abilities through his solo albums and has his own musical style. His songs have an uplifting tempo, and the lyric shine through.
29. James Morrison
James has gained a large fanbase over the years due to his songwriting skills and ability to convey emotion when he sings his own lyrics. He has a soulful voice, which makes him very easy to listen to and appealing to a wide audience. He mixes soul, pop, and folk together to create songs such as 'You Give Me Something."
30. Little Mix (Jade Thirlwall, Perrie Edwards, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Jesy Nelson)
As one of the world's best-selling girl groups, Little Mix has written or co-written many songs, including "Black Magic" and "Shout Out to My Ex." The members of Little Mix are heavily involved in the writing process. This helps with their success and shows how dedicated they are to producing great music.
These British artists above have all gained great success due to their powerful and relatable lyrics. Sometimes, these artists collaborate with others, although their individual talents shine through their music.
