Janet Jackson, Marshall Mathers (Eminem), Sheryl Crow, and more are among the nominees for induction into the 2025 Songwriters Hall of Fame (SHOF). Inductees will honored during the 2025 Induction & Awards Gala ceremony in New York City.
Each year, the SHOF honors songwriters in the Non-Peforming and Performing categories, who have produced a catalog of “notable songs qualify for induction 20 years after their first significant commercial release of a song.”
This year’s Non-Performing Songwriters nominees include Walter Afanasieff, Steve Barri and P.F. Sloan, Mike Chapman, Sonny Curtis, Tom Douglas, Franne Golde, Ashley Gorley, Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins, Dennis Lambert and Brian Potter, Tony Macaulay, Roger Nichols, Dan Penn and Spooner Oldham, and Narada Michael Walden.
Along with Jackson, Crow, and Eminem, additional nominees in the Performing Songwriters category include George Alan O’Dowd (Boy George), Steve Winwood, George Clinton, The Beach Boys‘ Mike Love, Dr. Dre, Easy E, Ice Cube, MC Ren and DJ Yella of N.W.A., Bryan Adams, David Gates, and the Doobie Brothers‘ Michael McDonald, Patrick Simmons, and Tom Johnston.
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In June 2024, R.E.M., Timbaland, Hillary Lindsey, Dean Pitchford, Steely Dan’s Donald Fagen, and the late band member Walter Becker, were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. A Hal David Starlight Award was also given to SZA, while Diane Warren was honored with the Johnny Mercer Award.
Following a performance of their 1987 hit “It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)” by Jason Isbell, and their induction speech, R.E.M. performed a stripped-back version of their 1991 hit “Losing My Religion,” marking the first time the original four members—Michael Stipe, drummer Bill Berry, bassist Mike Mills, and guitarist Peter Buck—have performed together since their Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction in 2007.
“Writing songs and having a catalog of work that we’re all proud of that is out there for the rest of the world for all time is hands-down the most important aspect of what we did,” said Stipe during their acceptance speech. “Second to that is that we managed to do so all those decades and remain friends. And not just friends—dear friends.”
[RELATED: R.E.M. Performs for First Time in 17 Years at the 2024 Songwriters Hall of Fame]
Stipe continued, “We are four people that very early on decided that we would own our masters and we would split our royalties and songwriting credits equally. All for one and one for all. And so we set out to do our work accordingly. It turned out good, sometimes great. And what ride it has been.”
On October 15, 2024, the 2016 Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee Nile Rodgers was reelected to serve a third term as chairman of the SHOF. “Serving as the Chair of The Songwriters Hall of Fame has been one of the highest points of my career. To be re-elected, to serve another term makes me prouder than I could have ever imagined,” said Rodgers in a statement.
Rodgers’ 50-plus year career spans founding the disco-funk group Chic and producing and writing for Sister Sledge (“We Are Family”), Madonna (Like a Virgin and its title track), “Upside Down” and “I’m Coming Out” for Diana Ross, David Bowie‘s Let’s Dance, Duran Duran‘s “The Reflex” and “Notorious,” and dozens of other artists.
“This distinguished organization is one of the most brilliantly responsible groups I’ve ever had the pleasure to just sit amongst,” added Rodgers. “Songwriters are the pillar of the music industry, and we recognize and celebrate these great creators. For this honor, I’m beyond elated.”
Photo: Courtesy of the Songwriters Hall of Fame
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