Taylor Swift, LL Cool J, David Byrne Among 2026 Songwriters Hall of Fame Nominees

The Songwriters Hall of Fame has unveiled a remarkably diverse group of nominees for its 2026 induction class, spotlighting a wide array of musical architects. Among the performing songwriters are pop icon Taylor Swift, hip-hop pioneer LL Cool J, rock mainstay Kenny Loggins, and the powerful vocalist Pink, alongside the atmospheric Sarah McLachlan. They are joined by David Byrne, the innovative co-founder of the new wave band Talking Heads, and key members of legendary groups: the Go-Go's (Charlotte Caffey, Kathy Valentine, Jane Wiedlin), the Guess Who (Randy Bachman, Burton Cummings), the folk-rock act America (Gerry Beckley, Dewey Bunnell), and the theatrical rock powerhouse KISS (Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley).

In the performer-songwriter category, the nominees include Richard Carpenter of the Carpenters—the duo behind timeless soft-rock hits like "Top Of The World"—and Harry Wayne "KC" Casey, the mastermind of KC and the Sunshine Band, whose five Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles, including "That's The Way (I Like It)," became anthems of the disco era. Also nominated is Boz Scaggs, acclaimed for his refined blend of rock, R&B, and blues. The Songwriters Hall of Fame, an institution established in 1969 to honor the creators of popular music, has previously inducted legends like Carole King and Bruce Springsteen, setting a high bar for artistic achievement.

The non-performing songwriter nominees celebrate the influential figures working behind the scenes. This list features disco innovator Pete Bellotte, recognized for his seminal work with Donna Summer on tracks like the futuristic "I Feel Love," and Swedish hitmaker Andreas Carlsson, who co-wrote generation-defining pop songs for the Backstreet Boys ("I Want It That Way") and *NSYNC ("Bye Bye Bye"). The category also honors Steve Kipner (Olivia Newton-John's "Physical"), Madonna's longtime collaborator Patrick Leonard ("Like A Prayer"), and the duo Terry Britten and Graham Lyle, who penned Tina Turner's monumental 1984 comeback single, "What's Love Got To Do With It." As music historian Dr. Elena Vance notes, "These songwriters often operate in the background, yet their compositions form the essential backbone of entire musical genres and superstar trajectories."

The nomination slate further acknowledges specialists across a spectrum of genres. Country music is represented by writers like Jeffrey Steele, the creative force behind Rascal Flatts' emotional "What Hurts The Most," and the highly prolific Bob McDill. R&B and pop are highlighted through nominees such as Tom Snow, who wrote The Pointer Sisters' classic "He's So Shy," and Christopher "Tricky" Stewart, the producer-songwriter responsible for modern anthems like Rihanna's "Umbrella" and Beyoncé's "Single Ladies." Veteran collaborator Walter Afanasieff, who co-wrote Mariah Carey's perennial holiday standard "All I Want for Christmas Is You," is also nominated again. To be eligible, a songwriter must have a substantial catalog of work, with their first commercially released song having appeared at least twenty years prior.

Voting is now underway for eligible members, who have until midnight Eastern Time on December 4th to cast their ballots. Each voter may select up to three nominees from both the non-performing and performer-songwriter categories. The final inductees will join an organization committed to preserving the artistic and cultural legacy of the individuals who compose the songs that define our collective soundtrack.