‘Songwriting Is Easy!’ Read ‘Espresso’ and ‘Lose Control’ Hitmaker Julian Bunetta’s Awesome Speech About the Art, Craft and Pain of Writing Music for a Living

Julian Bunetta, the prolific producer-songwriter behind chart-topping smashes like Sabrina Carpenter's "Espresso," Teddy Swims' "Lose Control," Gracie Abrams' "That's So True," and One Direction's "Drag Me Down" and "Best Song Ever," has further solidified his standing as an elite force in the industry. His extensive catalog has earned him repeated recognition on Variety's prestigious Hitmakers lists. On Wednesday, the National Music Publishers Association (NMPA) bestowed upon him the Non-Performing Songwriter Icon award during their annual membership gathering at New York's Lincoln Center. The NMPA, a key advocate for music publishers and songwriters, has a track record of highlighting the often-overlooked contributions of behind-the-scenes talent, making this honor particularly fitting for Bunetta, who typically shuns the limelight despite collaborating with global superstars. The award itself, first introduced in 2020, aims to shine a light on the architects of modern pop, a role Bunetta has mastered over two decades.

Staying true to his understated nature, Bunetta—who was raised in a musically inclined household and is managed by his brother—delivered a contemplative speech about the life of a non-performing songwriter. These creators, he noted, may work with A-list artists and win Grammys, but they seldom receive public acclaim. The event offered a rare moment of tribute: Amber Mark performed a soulful rendition of "Lose Control" in his honor, accompanied by guitarists Jaco Caraco and John Ryan, Bunetta's longtime friend, collaborator, and former roommate. Ryan, who gave an emotional induction speech, described Bunetta as a "big brother" figure, emphasizing the deep bonds that often underpin successful songwriting partnerships. This camaraderie reflects a broader industry reality—many hit songs are born from close-knit creative circles, where trust and shared history are as vital as technical skill. According to music industry analyst Dr. Sarah Chen, "The most enduring songwriting teams often function like families, where vulnerability and honesty form the bedrock of innovation." This dynamic is particularly evident in Bunetta's work, where his collaborative approach has yielded a string of multi-platinum records.

Bunetta began his speech with a lighthearted quip: "I'm gonna leave my sunglasses on, because that's what all my favorite producers do," before engaging the audience. He instructed the crowd—comprising songwriters, artists, and top publishing executives—to chant "SONGWRITING IS EASY" whenever he gestured. The irony was not lost on the room, and the audience enthusiastically joined in. The speech, structured as a call-and-response, laid bare the harsh realities behind the craft: "Songwriting is easy. It's only notes and words. It's a skill that can be learned like any other craft. Songwriters know this. The more you write, the better you get—simple as that." After the crowd echoed the refrain, he shifted to the challenges: "Rejection is hard. Watching years of songs go nowhere is hard. Watching songs you think are the best you have ever written get released and do absolutely nothing is hard. Admitting to yourself the song was not good enough is hard. Lying awake at night wondering if your songs will ever be successful is hard." This stark contrast between the simplicity of theory and the brutality of reality resonated deeply with an audience that knows the grind firsthand. Notably, Bunetta's own career trajectory—from early struggles in Nashville to co-writing One Direction's biggest hits—mirrors this narrative of persistence.

Bunetta continued to juxtapose the ease of songwriting with the difficulty of the creative process, touching on perseverance and self-doubt. "Trusting your gut is hard. Telling the truth is hard. Fighting for your idea at the risk of disturbing the peace in the room is hard. Asking people to stay and rewrite something when everyone wants to go home is hard. Getting people back in a room to keep working on something is hard. Finding the time is hard." He then listed the personal and professional pillars that have supported his journey: "Putting all your eggs in one basket is hard. Losing a project is hard. Rejection is hard. Staying the course is hard. Persistence is hard. But if one day you woke up, and you had parents like mine… And if you had a brother and manager like mine… And if you had a writing partner like mine… And if you had a wife like mine… And if you had daughters like mine… And if you had publishing partners like mine… And if you had mentors like mine… And if you had lawyers like mine… And if you had collaborators like mine… If you had a big family like mine… If one day you woke up and had all that, I guarantee you would also say that…" The audience, once again, responded with the refrain: "Songwriting is easy!" This moment underscored a key lesson: success in music is rarely a solo endeavor, and Bunetta's network—including longtime collaborators like Ryan and publishing powerhouse Sony/ATV—has been instrumental in his longevity.

This speech not only celebrated Bunetta's achievements but also highlighted the resilience required in an industry where success often hinges on collaboration and support systems. Industry experts note that such candid reflections are rare in the music business, where the glamour of hit records can overshadow the grueling work behind them. The NMPA's recognition of Bunetta serves as a reminder that while songwriting may be a learnable skill, the path to lasting impact demands an extraordinary blend of talent, tenacity, and a strong community—a lesson that resonates deeply in today's rapidly evolving music landscape. For aspiring songwriters, Bunetta's journey offers a blueprint: embrace the grind, cherish your circle, and never underestimate the power of persistence. As streaming reshapes how hits are made and consumed, his story stands as a testament to the timeless value of human connection in an increasingly digital world.