When Billy Steinberg died on February 16, 2026, the music world lost one of its great craftsmen.
He wasn’t the face on the poster. He wasn’t the one on stage under the lights. But if you grew up in the 1980s, 90s, or 2000s, you lived inside his songs.
From arena power ballads to fearless pop anthems, Steinberg had a rare gift. He wrote songs that felt personal and massive at the same time. Many of his biggest hits came with longtime partner Tom Kelly, and later with writers like Rick Nowels and Josh Alexander. Across decades, he kept finding new voices and helping them tell their stories.
Here are 25 of the greatest songs he wrote or co wrote, the ones that defined careers, topped charts, and still hold up.
“Like a Virgin” by Madonna (1984)
This was the earthquake. Written after a painful breakup, Steinberg poured real vulnerability into a lyric about feeling renewed. When Madonna recorded it, it became a cultural reset. Six weeks at No. 1. A career defining anthem. A pop line that still gets quoted four decades later.
“True Colors” by Cyndi Lauper (1986)
Tender and direct, this song showed Steinberg’s softer side. It became Lauper’s signature ballad and, over time, an anthem for authenticity and acceptance.
“Eternal Flame” by The Bangles (1989)
Co written with Susanna Hoffs, this is pure pop perfection. Quiet verses. A soaring chorus. One of the most enduring love songs of the late 80s.
“So Emotional” by Whitney Houston (1987)
Big hair, bigger vocals. Steinberg understood how to write for power. This track let Houston explode vocally while keeping the hook razor sharp.
“Alone” by Heart (1987)
Originally recorded by i Ten, but it was Heart’s version that turned it into a No. 1 power ballad classic. That chorus still gives people chills.
“I Drove All Night” by Roy Orbison and Cyndi Lauper (1987 and 1989)
Written as a cinematic rush of longing. Orbison recorded it first. Lauper released it first. Later, Celine Dion took it to another generation.
“I Touch Myself” by Divinyls (1990)
Bold. Direct. Ahead of its time. Steinberg later performed an acoustic version in the documentary Sticky A Self Love Story, reminding people that underneath the shock value was a perfectly structured pop song.
“I’ll Stand by You” by The Pretenders (1994)
A promise set to music. Co written with Chrissie Hynde, it became a wedding staple and a song of comfort in hard times.
“Falling Into You” by Celine Dion (1996)
With Rick Nowels, Steinberg helped Dion craft one of her signature mid 90s hits. Romantic, dramatic, unmistakably adult contemporary in the best way.
“One and One” by Edyta Górniak (1997)
A major European hit that made Górniak the first Polish artist to top the European Radio Top 50 airplay chart. Steinberg’s reach was global.
“All About Us” by t.A.T.u. (2005)
A sharp, modern pop rock comeback that proved Steinberg could write for a new era.
“Too Little Too Late” by JoJo (2006)
Teen heartbreak with real bite. It shot up the Billboard charts and introduced a new generation to his writing.
“Over It” by Katharine McPhee (2007)
A polished, radio ready post breakup anthem.
“Give Your Heart a Break” by Demi Lovato (2012)
One of Lovato’s defining hits. Emotional, urgent, and hook driven.
“Precious Time” by Pat Benatar (1981)
Before the mega hits, Steinberg was already writing album defining material for rock radio.
“Fire and Ice” by Pat Benatar (1981)
He began writing with Tom Kelly around this era. The chemistry was immediate.
“How Do I Make You?” by Linda Ronstadt (1980)
Ronstadt heard his band Billy Thermal and turned this into a Top 10 hit. It opened the door.
“I’m Gonna Follow You” by Pat Benatar (1980)
A hard driving rock cut that showed his early edge.
“Sex as a Weapon” by Pat Benatar (1985)
Confident, provocative, and built for the 80s.
“Look Me in the Heart” by Tina Turner (1989)
A classic late 80s pop rock gem delivered by one of the great voices.
“In Your Room” by The Bangles (1988)
Glossy, romantic, unmistakably radio gold.
“When It All Falls Apart” by The Veronicas (2005)
A punchy pop rock single that showed he could still write for young artists in the 2000s.
“Don’t Hold Your Breath” by Nicole Scherzinger (2011)
A sleek, radio ready empowerment anthem.
“High Maintenance” by Miranda Cosgrove (2011)
Co written with Rivers Cuomo, this track blended pop polish with playful edge.
“My Stupid Heart” by Tini Stoessel (2016)
One of his later works, proof that he never stopped writing.
Steinberg grew up in California, worked in his father’s grape business, studied at Bard College, and built a second passion collecting rare African and ancient beads. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2011 alongside Tom Kelly and received a Golden Palm Star in Palm Springs.
But the real legacy is simpler.
He wrote songs people sing at weddings. Songs they scream in cars. Songs they play after breakups. Songs they hold onto.
As his son Ezra said after his passing, he believed in building things that last.
He did.
And if you turn on the radio long enough, you’ll hear it.