Songwriters with the Most No.1 Singles in the US

In this article, we take a look at the most decorated songwriters i.e. the architects of popular music who have helped shape and define the sound of generations.

Sadly, in recent years, it’s become common to see five or more names credited on songs with barely a handful of lines. So, for this list, we’ve tried to filter out those simply tagging along and focused on true songwriters with the most number one singles in the United States.

These are the people who have contributed significantly to the lyrics or composition of a Billboard Hot 100 chart-topper, whether as a solo writer or co-writer.

10. Michael Jackson – 7 No.1s

The King of Pop wasn’t just an S-tier performer, he was also a seriously underrated songwriter. Jackson penned many of his biggest hits himself, including “Beat It”, “Billie Jean”, and “The Way You Make Me Feel”.

It’s easy to overlook his writing credits given his stage presence, but MJ had full creative control over much of his catalog, especially during his peak 1980s run. With seven No.1 singles in the US, written or co-written by him, he’s one of the few pop icons who also had the pen to back the voice.

9. Lionel Richie – 8 No.1s

A brilliant singer, but arguably an even better songwriter. Richie is behind his own biggest hits as well as songs for other legends like Kenny Rogers and Diana Ross. Whether with the Commodores or solo, his writing brought us “Hello”, “All Night Long”, “Endless Love”, “Three Times a Lady”, and more.

Few songwriters have crossed genres so smoothly, from soul, R&B, and country, to pop. From heartfelt ballads to feel-good anthems, Lionel’s catalog is filled with timeless songs that still sound fresh decades later.

8. Diane Warren – 9 No.1s

One of the most prolific songwriters in music history is Diane Warren who has written hits across five decades, from the ’80s to 2020s. With 33 Top 10 singles and nine No.1s on the Billboard Hot 100, she’s worked with artists as varied as Taylor Swift, Aerosmith, and Toni Braxton.

Her No.1s include “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now”, “Un-Break My Heart”, and “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing”. Known for big emotional ballads, Warren writes songs that become massive because they hit just the right nerve with listeners.

7. Holland-Dozier-Holland – 13 but also 14 No.1s

Holland–Dozier–Holland, the powerhouse trio of Lamont Dozier and brothers Brian and Eddie Holland are Motown royalty. Together, they’re behind 10 of The Supremes’ 12 No.1 singles, and a long list of other hits for artists like The Four Tops and Martha & The Vandellas.

The heading says “13 but also 14” because Lamont Dozier earned an extra chart-topper as co-writer of Phil Collins’ hit “Two Hearts”. So technically, their collective total is 13 (with one being a double No.1 for two artists – the Supremes and Kim Wilde), but Dozier as a separate writer has one more.

6. Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis – 16 No.1s

As a songwriting and production team, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis helped define the sound of ’80s and ’90s R&B. They’re best known for writing nine of Janet Jackson’s 10 No.1 singles in the US, including “Miss You Much” and “Love Will Never Do (Without You)”.

But their impact goes beyond Janet as they’ve also penned hits for George Michael, Mariah Carey, Boyz II Men, and Human League (“Human”). With 16 chart-toppers, their names became synonymous with hit records for nearly two decades.

5. Barry Gibb – 16 No.1s

Barry Gibb may be known for his falsetto and stage presence with the Bee Gees, but he’s also one of the most successful songwriters ever. He wrote or co-wrote not just the group’s biggest hits, but also penned chart-toppers for his younger brother Andy Gibb, as well as Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, Barbra Streisand, and Diana Ross.

His songwriting is packed with lush melodies and strong emotional pull. Tracks like “Night Fever”, “Stayin’ Alive”, and “Islands in the Stream” helped him tie with Jam & Lewis at 16 No.1s.

4. Mariah Carey – 18 No.1s

Mariah Carey isn’t just a powerhouse vocalist, she’s one of the most successful singer-songwriters of all time. She’s credited as a writer or co-writer on 18 of her 19 No.1 songs on the Billboard Hot 100, a feat that earned her a spot in the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

From “Vision of Love” to “We Belong Together”, Mariah helped craft her own legacy. Her blend of R&B, pop, and hip-hop, paired with deeply personal lyrics, made her songs resonate with generations of fans and gave her unmatched chart dominance in the 1990s and 2000s.

Related: Female Artists with the most No.1 Singles in the US

3. John Lennon – 25 No.1s

John Lennon co-wrote 23 No.1 singles with Paul McCartney, a songwriting partnership that is arguably not just the most successful one but the best as well. Songs like “Help!”, “All You Need Is Love”, and “Come Together” defined an era and inspired countless musicians after.

In addition to his Beatles legacy, Lennon also scored two solo number ones –“Whatever Gets You Thru the Night” and “(Just Like) Starting Over”. His raw, introspective, and controversial writing made him more than just a popstar.

2. Max Martin – 27 No.1s

If you love pop music from the late 1990s to today, chances are you’ve been singing Max Martin’s lyrics without even knowing it. The Swedish songwriter-producer has been behind Britney Spears’ “…Baby One More Time”, Backstreet Boys “I Want It That Way”, Katy Perry’s “I Kissed a Girl”, and the Maroon 5 hit “One More Night”.

More recently, he’s crafted hits like “Blinding Lights” and “Can’t Feel My Face” for The Weeknd, and “Shake It Off” and “Blank Space” for Taylor Swift. With 27 No.1s, Martin has perfected the formula for radio-friendly success. It wouldn’t be a surprise if he eventually takes the No.1 spot on this list.

1. Paul McCartney – 32 No.1s

No one has more Billboard Hot 100 No.1 songwriting credits than Paul McCartney. As half of the Lennon–McCartney duo, he co-wrote 23 of them, but his solo career added nine more, including six with Wings and three as duets.

Whether it’s “Hey Jude”, “Let It Be”, or “Silly Love Songs”, McCartney’s melodic instincts and lyrical charm made his music both commercially and emotionally resonant. Over six decades later, his songs are still being covered, streamed, and sung by new generations.

Honorable Mentions

There are plenty of other legendary (singer)songwriters who just missed the Top 10 but still left a major mark on the charts. For this article, we’re only listing those with five or more Billboard Hot 100 No.1s to their name.

George Michael and Stevie Wonder each have seven No.1 songwriting credits, matching Michael Jackson’s total, while Prince follows closely with six. All three were not only world-class performers but also the creative force behind most of their own hits.