Songwriters Hall of Fame Honorees Post Malone, Teddy Riley, Gloria Estefan & More Share the Stories Behind Their Songs

The story behind Taylor Swift’s monumental “All Too Well.” The genesis of a song that ironically almost didn’t make it onto Alanis Morissette’s blockbuster album Jagged Little Pill. The songwriter who introduced Michael Jackson to the new jack swing sound.

The Songwriters Hall of Fame will officially induct its newest members at the organization’s 52nd annual Induction and Awards Gala on Thursday, June 15 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York and as is our tradition, Billboard caught up with the hitmakers to get the stories behind the songs.

This year’s honorees are Gloria Estefan; Jeff Lynne, the chief architect of Electric Light Orchestra; Glen Ballard, Alanis Morrisette’s collaborator on Jagged Little Pill; Teddy Riley, credited as the creator of the new jack swing genre; and Taylor Swift collaborator Liz Rose. Sade Adu and Snoop Dogg, who were selected as honorees this year, will be inducted in the future.

The organization will also bestow two special awards at the gala. EGOT designee Tim Rice, who was inducted into the SHOF in 1999, will receive the Johnny Mercer Award, which goes to a writer already inducted into Song Hall who has established a history of outstanding creative works. Rice is the first songwriter primarily known for his work in theater to receive this award since Stephen Sondheim in 1999.

Post Malone will be honored with the Hal David Starlight Award, which was established in 2004 and carries the name of Burt Bacharach’s longtime songwriting partner and SHOF chairman emeritus, for his support of young songwriters. 

The following are excerpts from interviews with some of this year’s honorees, in their own words.