5 Famous Songs That Taylor Swift Wrote for Other Artists

With X albums behind her, Taylor Swift has proven herself to be a prolific songwriter. But sometimes, rather than keep a song for herself, she’s chosen to pass it on to another artist. Given her background in country music, it’s no surprise that some of the songs she’s penned have ended up with country artists—but it’s also no surprise that she’s had a hand in some chart-topping pop hits.

“Better Man” by Little Big Town

Country group Little Big Town released “Better Man” as the lead single from their eighth album, but the song very nearly ended up on Swift’s album Red. After she decided to scrap it, she passed it on to Little Big Town, who she felt was perfect for it. She did eventually release her own version of the track, however, on Red (Taylor’s Version).

“Babe” by Sugarland

Like “Better Man,” Swift intended to include “Babe” on Red but ultimately changed her mind. Instead, she offered it to Sugarland—and she also contributed backing vocals. Also like “Better Man,” Swift ultimately recorded her own version for the re-recorded Red. “We’ve never put someone else’s song on a Sugarland record, but we were immediately interested in ‘Babe’ the first time we heard it,” singer Jennifer Nettles said at the time.

“This Is What You Came For” by Calvin Harris and Rihanna

Calvin Harris and Rihanna teamed up in 2016 on “This Is What You Came For,” which Harris had written with Swift. She was credited under the pseudonym Nils Sjöberg, and she also sang on a demo version of the track. Swift has played the song live twice, including as one of her surprise songs during the Eras tour.

“Renegade” by Big Red Machine

Swift and producer Aaron Dessner, who worked with Swift on Folklore and Evermore, wrote “Renegade” together and immediately felt it suited Dessner’s project Big Red Machine, which also features singer-songwriter Justin Vernon. Dessner praised the song, saying it is, “as good as anything we’ve made together.” Swift also contributed lead vocals to the track.

“You’ll Always Find Your Way Back Home” by Hannah Montana

While Hannah Montana: The Movie was in the works, its producers turned to Swift, then a rising star, to ask permission to use some of her music in the movie. Instead, she wrote a whole new song, “You’ll Always Find Your Way Back Home,” along with Boys Like Girls frontman Martin Johnson. The song was performed by Miley Cyrus, in character as Hannah Montana.