Richard Wright Nowels Jr. (born March 16, 1954) is an American songwriter and record producer. He has co-written and co-produced over 90 hit singles with multiple artists,Rick Nowles, Credits, AllMusic
at AllMusic; retrieved July 13, 2021 and albums his songs have appeared on have sold over 250 million copies. In 2020, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Career

In 1985, Stevie Nicks recorded Nowels' song " I Can't Wait" in Los Angeles, giving Nowels his first major songwriting and production credit. He was later asked to co-produce Nicks' album '' Rock a Little'' alongside

Jimmy Iovine James Iovine ( ; born March 11, 1953) is an American entrepreneur, former Music executive, record executive, and media proprietor. He is the co-founder of Interscope Records and became chairman and CEO of Interscope Geffen A&M Records, Interscop ...

. The album was released in 1986 and featured five songs produced by Nowels. "I Can't Wait" peaked at number sixteen for two weeks on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 chart and is one of only four of Nicks' singles to enter the Dance Club Songs chart. In 1987, Nowels produced

Belinda Carlisle Belinda Jo Carlisle ( ; born August 17, 1958) is an American singer and songwriter. She gained fame as the lead vocalist of the Go-Go's, one of the most successful all-female rock bands of all time, and went on to have a prolific career as a sol ...

's album '' Heaven on Earth''. The album also featured four songs written or co-written by Nowels, including " Heaven Is a Place on Earth" and " Circle in the Sand", which went to number one and number seven, respectively, on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 chart. In 1989, Nowels produced Carlisle's third album, '' Runaway Horses''. Nowels wrote six of the ten songs, including " Leave a Light On", which went to number eleven on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 chart and to number four in the UK. Nowels co-wrote the title track from

Celine Dion Céline Marie Claudette Dion (born 30 March 1968) is a Canadian singer. Referred to as the "Honorific nicknames in popular music, Queen of Power Ballads", Dion's powerful, technically skilled vocals and commercially successful works have had ...

's album '' Falling into You'', which won the

Grammy Award for Album of the Year The Grammy Award for Album of the Year is an award presented by the The Recording Academy, National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to "honor artistic achievement, technical proficiency and overall excellence in the r ...

in 1997. Nowels co-wrote and co-produced the hit single " The Game of Love", performed by

Santana Santana may refer to: Transportation * Volkswagen Santana, an automobile * Santana Cycles, manufacturer of tandem bicycles * Santana Motors, a former Spanish automobile manufacturer * Sailboat designs by W. D. Schock Corp ** Santana 20 ** Santan ...

and Michelle Branch, which won ASCAP Song of the Year in 2003. He also co-wrote the global hit single " White Flag" for Dido, which won the 2004

Ivor Novello Award The Ivor Novello Awards, named after the Welsh entertainer Ivor Novello, are awards for songwriting and Musical composition, composing. They have been presented annually in London by the The Ivors Academy, Ivors Academy, formerly called the Britis ...

for International Hit of the Year. In 2013. Nowels collaborated with Adele on the song "Why Do You Love Me?", released as part of the deluxe version of her album '' 25''. Nowels co-wrote and co-produced the hit single " Out of Love" with Alessia Cara from her sophomore album, '' The Pains of Growing''. In collaboration with R&B singer-songwriter Miguel, Nowels co-wrote the hit single " Lost in Your Light" for Dua Lipa's self-titled debut album. Nowels has been a longtime collaborator of Swedish singer-songwriter Lykke Li. He has co-written songs on 3 of her albums—'' Wounded Rhymes'', '' I Never Learn'', and '' So Sad So Sexy''—including the international hit single, " I Follow Rivers". Nowels co-wrote the hit single " Loud Places" from '' In Colour'', the solo debut album of Jamie xx. In 2016, Nowels co-wrote and co-produced the British artist

FKA Twigs Tahliah Debrett Barnett (born 16 January 1988), known professionally as FKA Twigs (stylized as FKA twigs), is an English singer, songwriter, record producer, actor, and dancer. She was a backup dancer for numerous musicians, and made her musica ...

' single, "Good to Love". The same year, Nowels co-wrote five songs for

Tom Odell Thomas Peter Odell (born 24 November 1990) is an English singer-songwriter. He released his debut extended play, ''Songs from Another Love'', in 2012. He won the 2013 BRIT Awards, BRITs Critics' Choice Award in early 2013. Odell's debut studio ...

's third album, '' Wrong Crowd'', along with the hit single, "Magnetized". In 2021, Odell released "Monster", the title track for his fourth album, which was co-written with Nowels.

Madonna

While Nowels was in New York for the Grammy Awards in 1997, he met

Madonna Madonna Louise Ciccone ( ; born August 16, 1958) is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress. Referred to as the "Queen of Pop", she has been recognized for her continual reinvention and versatility in music production, ...

during a shopping expedition at Barneys. She later booked two weeks worth of writing time with Nowels in his Hollywood Hills studio. Together, they wrote " The Power of Good-Bye", " Little Star" and " To Have and Not to Hold", all featured on Madonna's seventh studio album, '' Ray of Light''. ''Ray of Light'' won Best Pop Album at the 1999 Grammy Awards, where Madonna thanked Nowels from the stage during her acceptance speech. The album also won Best Recording Package, Best Dance Recording, and Best Short Form Music Video. In 2014, Nowels and Madonna collaborated again on a song, " Beautiful Scars", from her thirteenth studio album, '' Rebel Heart''.

Dido

Nowels met Dido in 1999 during the recording sessions for her debut album, '' No Angel'', under Cheeky Records, an independent label in London. Nowels co-produced three songs on the album, including " Here with Me", " Hunter" and " All You Want", all which were released as singles to promote the album. "Here with Me" became Dido's debut single as an artist, peaking at number four on the UK Singles Chart. ''No Angel'' went on to sell 15 million copies worldwide. In 2002, Nowels and Dido collaborated again to produce her second album '' Life for Rent''. Nowels wrote five songs featured on the album, including singles " White Flag" and " Sand in My Shoes". The album became the seventh best-selling album of the 2000s in the UK, was nominated for a Grammy, won the award for "Best Single" at the 2004 Brit Awards, won "International Hit of the Year" at the 2004 Ivor Novello Awards, and other accolades. The pair went on to collaborate on Dido's '' Safe Trip Home'' album in 2008, her '' Girl Who Got Away'' album in 2013, and her 2019 album '' Still on My Mind''.

Lana Del Rey

Nowels met Lana Del Rey in the spring of 2011 and has collaborated with her on multiple albums since. In a three-day writing session they composed " Summertime Sadness", " Dark Paradise", "Lucky Ones", and "TV in Black & White". The first three songs were released on Del Rey's 2012 '' Born to Die'' album, peaking at number one in the UK in 2012. The album sold 77,000 copies in the US within the first week and peaked at number two on the ''Billboard'' 200, just behind Adele's album, '' 21''. It received gold certification in 2013 and became the fifth best-selling album of 2012, selling 3.4 million copies. In November 2012, Del Rey released the '' Paradise Edition'' of the ''Born to Die'' album with three new songs written and produced by Nowels and Del Rey—" Body Electric", " American" and "

Cola Cola is a Carbonation, carbonated soft drink flavored with vanilla, cinnamon, citrus essential oil, oils, and other flavorings. Cola became popular worldwide after the American pharmacist John Stith Pemberton invented Coca-Cola, a trademarked br ...

". In 2013, Nowels and Del Rey's song, " Young and Beautiful", was featured in Baz Luhrmann's film, '' The Great Gatsby''. The song was featured throughout the film and incorporated into the score by Craig Armstrong. "Young and Beautiful" was released in April 2013. By June 2013 it rose to number three on the charts and has sold over a million copies since its release. In 2015, Del Rey released her fourth studio album, ''

Honeymoon A honeymoon is a vacation taken by newlyweds after their wedding to celebrate their marriage. Today, honeymoons are often celebrated in destinations considered exotic or romantic. In a similar context, it may also refer to the phase in a couple ...

''. The entire album was co-written by Del Rey and Nowels with the exception of the cover, " Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood". Del Rey and Nowels' singles include " High by the Beach", as well as " Music to Watch Boys To". ''Honeymoon'' debuted at number two on the ''Billboard'' 200 and reached number one in Australia, Greece, Ireland, and number two in the UK. In 2017, Del Rey released her fifth studio album, '' Lust for Life''. Del Rey and Nowels co-wrote 14 of the songs for the album including the 3 singles, " Love", " Lust for Life" (featuring

the Weeknd Abel Makkonen Tesfaye (; born February 16, 1990), known professionally as the Weeknd, is a Canadian singer-songwriter, record producer, and actor. He is best known for adding Pop music, pop, electronic music, electronic and hip-hop stylings ...

), and " White Mustang". The album was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album. It debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200, as well as the UK Albums Chart.

Dua Lipa

Nowels co-wrote " Lost in Your Light", recorded by Dua Lipa featuring Miguel, which was released on 21 April 2017 as the sixth single from the former's self-titled debut studio album.

Discography

Notable works

* " Out of Love" by Alessia Cara * " Hunt You Down" by

Kesha Kesha Rose Sebert (born March 1, 1987), formerly stylized as Ke$ha, is an American singer and songwriter. Her first major success came in 2009 when she was featured on rapper Flo Rida's number-one single, "Right Round". Kesha's music and ima ...

* " Lost in Your Light" by Dua Lipa * " To Be Human" by Sia * " Wrong Crowd" by

* " Magnetized" by Tom Odell * " Loud Places" by Jamie xx * " Silver Line" by Lykke Li * " In God's Hands" by

Nelly Furtado Nelly Kim Furtado ( , ; born December 2, 1978) is a Canadian singer and songwriter. She has sold over 45 million records, including 35 million in album sales worldwide, making her one of the most successful Canadian artists. Critics have noted ...

* " Bubblegum Bitch" by Marina and the Diamonds * " The World as I See It" by

Jason Mraz Jason Thomas Mraz ( ; born June 23, 1977) is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. He rose to prominence with the release of his debut studio album, ''Waiting for My Rocket to Come'' (2002), which spawned the single "The Remedy (I Won't Wo ...

* " I Follow Rivers" by Lykke Li * " Cry Baby" by CeeLo Green * " Fallin' for You" by Colbie Caillat * "

Green Light Green Light, green light, green-light or greenlight may refer to: * Green-colored light, part of the visible spectrum * Greenlight, formal approval of a project to move forward Arts, entertainment, and media Films and television * Green Light ( ...

" by

John Legend John Roger Stephens (born December 28, 1978), known professionally as John Legend, is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. He began his musical career working behind the scenes for other artists, playing piano on Lauryn Hill's " Every ...

* " White Flag" by Dido * " Sand in My Shoes" by Dido * " Everybody Finds Out" by

Fleetwood Mac Fleetwood Mac are a British-American Rock music, rock band formed in London in 1967 by the singer and guitarist Peter Green (musician), Peter Green. Green named the band by combining the surnames of the drummer, Mick Fleetwood, and the bassis ...

* " The Game of Love" by

* " Here with Me" by Dido * " Hunter" by Dido * " Northern Star" by Melanie C * " I Turn to You" by Melanie C * " The Power of Good-Bye" by

* " To Have and Not to Hold" by Madonna * " Little Star" by Madonna * " You Get What You Give" by New Radicals * " Thinking of You (I Drive Myself Crazy)" by

NSYNC NSYNC ( ; also stylized as *NSYNC or N Sync) was an American vocal group and pop boy band formed by Chris Kirkpatrick in Orlando, Florida, in 1995 and launched in Germany by BMG Ariola Munich. The group consists of Kirkpatrick, JC Chasez, ...

* " Falling into You" by

* " Body and Soul" by Anita Baker * " Live Your Life Be Free" by

* " Do You Feel Like I Feel?" by Belinda Carlisle * " Leave a Light On" by Belinda Carlisle * " La Luna" by Belinda Carlisle * " Rooms on Fire" by

Stevie Nicks Stephanie Lynn Nicks (born May 26, 1948) is an American singer-songwriter, known for her work with the band Fleetwood Mac and as a solo artist. After starting her career as a duo with her then-boyfriend Lindsey Buckingham, releasing the album ...

* " Long Way to Go" by Stevie Nicks * " Heaven Is a Place on Earth" by Belinda Carlisle * " Circle in the Sand" by Belinda Carlisle * " Runaway Horses" by Belinda Carlisle * " (We Want) The Same Thing" by Belinda Carlisle * " In Too Deep" by Belinda Carlisle * " I Can't Wait" by Stevie Nicks * " Take You Home" by Dido * " Summertime Sadness" by Lana Del Rey * " High by the Beach" by Lana Del Rey * " West Coast" by Lana Del Rey * " Young and Beautiful" by Lana Del Rey * "

Heroin Heroin, also known as diacetylmorphine and diamorphine among other names, is a morphinan opioid substance synthesized from the Opium, dried latex of the Papaver somniferum, opium poppy; it is mainly used as a recreational drug for its eupho ...

" by Lana Del Rey * "

Art Deco Art Deco, short for the French (), is a style of visual arts, architecture, and product design that first Art Deco in Paris, appeared in Paris in the 1910s just before World War I and flourished in the United States and Europe during the 1920 ...

" by Lana Del Rey * " Standing Still" by Jewel * " This Way" by Jewel

Personal life

Nowels married singer-songwriter, Maria Vidal, in 1990. Vidal attended

New York University New York University (NYU) is a private university, private research university in New York City, New York, United States. Chartered in 1831 by the New York State Legislature, NYU was founded in 1832 by Albert Gallatin as a Nondenominational ...

and wrote the dance song, " Body Rock", which charted on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The couple have a son, Tommy, born in 1993. Nowels is a supporter of '' TreePeople Los Angeles'', '' The Sierra Club'', and the ''Natural Resource Defense Council (NRDC)''.

Awards and nominations

, - , 2014 , "Young and Beautiful" by Lana Del Rey , Satellite Award for Best Original Song , , Co-writer , - , 2004 , ''White Flag'' , Ivor Novello Award for International Hit of the Year , , Co-writer

ASCAP Pop Music Awards

, - , 2014 , "The Game of Love" by Santana ft. Michelle Branch , Song of the Year , , Co-writer

Grammy Awards

!Ref. , - ,

2013 2013 was the first year since 1987 to contain four unique digits (a span of 26 years). 2013 was designated as: *International Year of Water Cooperation *International Year of Quinoa Events January * January 5 – 2013 Craig, Alask ...

, " Young and Beautiful" , Best Song Written for Visual Media , , rowspan="4" style="text-align:center;" , , - ,

2003 2003 was designated by the United Nations as the International Year of Fresh water, Freshwater. In 2003, a Multi-National Force – Iraq, United States-led coalition 2003 invasion of Iraq, invaded Iraq, starting the Iraq War. Demographic ...

, " Love One Another" , Best Dance Recording , , - ,

1997 Events January * January 1 – The Emergency Alert System is introduced in the United States. * January 11 – Turkey threatens Cyprus on account of a deal to buy Russian S-300 missiles, prompting the Cypriot Missile Crisis. * January 1 ...

, '' Falling into You'' , Album of the Year , , - ,

1994 The year 1994 was designated as the " International Year of the Family" and the "International Year of Sport and the Olympic Ideal" by the United Nations. In the Line Islands and Phoenix Islands of Kiribati, 1994 had only 364 days, omitti ...

, " Body and Soul" , Best R&B Song , , -

References

External links

* * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Nowels, Rick Living people Record producers from California Songwriters from California American record producers Writers from Palo Alto, California Ivor Novello Award winners Grammy Award winners 1960 births