Amy Allen Reveals Her Secret to Co-Writing Pop’s Largest Hits (Unique)

Over the previous a number of years, Amy Allen has undoubtedly turn into a titan of the music trade.

As a prolific songwriter and producer who has a singing profession of her personal, the Maine-born multi-hyphenate is likely one of the trade’s most sought-after collaborators. Whereas her earlier success tales included Selena Gomez’s 2018 observe ″Again to You” and co-writing Halsey’s No. 1 hit ″With out Me” and Harry Types’ No. 1 hit “Adore You,” she’s since turn into much more wildly profitable, working with everybody from Sabrina Carpenter to Tate McRae to Olivia Rodrigo (and the record goes on).

For Allen, her option to pursue music was a stark departure from her unique plans. “I began off desirous to be a nurse as a result of I wished to do one thing that helped folks, and it took me a extremely very long time for my mind to really feel like writing songs was a method that I could possibly be useful to different human beings,” the 33-year-old songwriter tells ipromiseyoumedia.

Now, eight years into her profession, Allen has seen the “ripple impact” hat writing songs has had on different folks. “I get it now,” the two-time Grammy winner says. “Songs can change folks’s lives and songs can get them by means of issues.”

And the response to her work has been simple. On the 2023 Grammy Awards, she received for Album of the Yr for her work on Types’ 2022 album Harry’s Home and final yr, she turned the primary lady to took dwelling the Grammy Award for Songwriter of the Yr (Non-Classical). “My north star is all the time telling a real story as actually as I can,” says Allen.

Now, Allen is up for 4 Grammy Awards subsequent yr: Songwriter of the Yr (Non-Classical), Album of the Yr for her work on Carpenter’s 2025 LP Man’s Finest Pal, and Track of the Yr for ROSÉ & Bruno Mars’ “APT.” and Carpenter’s “Manchild.”

Right here, Allen displays on how working with Types remodeled her songwriting, what she’s discovered from working with Jack Antonoff how she plans to have fun if she wins on the 2026 Grammy Awards.

ipromiseyoumedia: You’re nominated for 4 Grammys this yr. How did you uncover the information?

AMY ALLEN: I used to be driving from Los Angeles to Sedona, Ariz. for a tenting journey, and I knew that the bulletins had been on. I used to be sitting with my boyfriend, he was like, “Do you wish to put it on or do you wish to simply wait till we hear?” And I used to be like, “I often do not wish to put that kind of factor [on] as a result of I get confused.” However I used to be like, “Oh, f— it. Let’s do it.” And so he put it on.

It was the primary class that they referred to as, and it occurred so fast that we each simply checked out one another and I used to be like, “Oh.” Then, I instantly received a cellphone name from Sabrina and ROSÉ, which was so cute. And I used to be so excited for them too, as a result of it is simply been such a enjoyable yr. To be part of songs which have resonated with the world in the best way they’ve this yr…I am so grateful. 

ipromiseyoumedia: How do you intend to have fun in case you win Grammys this yr?

ALLEN: My entire household is coming once more from Maine. All of them got here final yr, and the primary yr that I used to be nominated. So I am very excited for that. To have all of them out right here for a protracted weekend with me is so good as a result of we by no means get to try this. I’ll be with them and possibly simply going for walks on the seashore with them, which was so good to have them right here final yr so we may all simply be a household and be in L.A. within the heat climate versus Maine the place we all the time are collectively the place it is freezing. Simply being with buddies and likewise massively celebrating all of the artists, different songwriters and producers that I received to make these songs with is high of thoughts for me as a result of I am so grateful. Clearly, we all the time hope for the very best.

ipromiseyoumedia: What was your favourite a part of working with Sabrina Carpenter on “Manchild”?

ALLEN: I’ve such a vivid core reminiscence hooked up to every one of many songs on [Man’s Best Friend] at this level as a result of it was simply such a enjoyable, and likewise emotional, trip that we went on with it. It’s such a pleasure to hearken to, and it is this rollercoaster of emotion.

However I actually assume the overarching reminiscence of it’s changing into really finest buddies with Sabrina by means of the method. We spent so many hours occurring lengthy walks, speaking about life and all of the issues that include being in your 20s. Simply traditional life issues that take you without warning. We simply turned actually shut and had a lot high quality time throughout it, and we laughed a lot. I really like how shut I received to get to her by means of that course of and the way good of a buddy that she has been to me by means of the entire thing, which has simply been very nice.

ipromiseyoumedia: I really like that. Do you might have some other untold tales about working with Sabrina on Man’s Finest Pal?

ALLEN: A number of occasions once we’re looking for the second verse of one thing, we’ll go on a protracted stroll and simply begin speaking. We had been strolling in England and we got here throughout these stunning horses. I’ve this image that I took of her with one in every of these horses that’s such an attractive image. She appears clearly gorgeous and the horse is simply so serene. We had been engaged on “My Man on Willpower.” It was simply a type of moments the place I used to be identical to, “I am actually grateful for my life proper now. I’m with a buddy. I am in such an attractive place on the planet. I am doing what I completely like to do.”

I’ve a really vivid reminiscence of her along with her arms round this horse, simply holding it shut, and it is snuggling into her. In fact, there’s so many moments the place we had been leaping on couches, screaming, having enjoyable and singing wild lyrics.

ipromiseyoumedia: How do you strategy your writing course of? Is it totally different for various artists?

ALLEN: It’s undoubtedly catered to every artist that I work with. After I’m writing alone, I’ve my very own course of, and after I’m writing with an artist, it is fully reliant on how they really feel most comfy writing and what they’re feeling that day. Generally artists will are available they usually simply are like, “I do not know what I wish to say immediately, however I really feel like I wish to write a enjoyable uptempo track.” Then, we simply begin speaking and see what occurs. Different days, an artist will are available and be like, “I’ve this idea that I really like and let’s attempt to write this immediately. It has been actually weighing on me. I wish to attempt to get this track out immediately.” 

So, it’s very depending on their temper. I attempt to simply be a buddy by means of it. Even when it is any individual like ROSÉ, Tate or Sabrina, artists that I’ve a extremely good rapport with that I have been working with for years now, day by day is simply assembly them the place they’re. That is what makes me repeatedly fall in love with my job is that each single day is totally different.

ipromiseyoumedia: What’s been your greatest “pinch-me” second since successful two Grammys your self?

ALLEN: I’ve a “pinch-me” second anytime I’m going to a present the place songs that I’ve co-written are being carried out and [I get] to observe folks in real-time. It is actually cool to listen to it on the radio, however it’s a level eliminated. To really be within the enviornment or the stadium the place your track that you just had been a part of is being carried out [is amazing].

I am so fortunate to work with so many artists which are so phenomenal in each facet. Attending to see folks work together with that in real-time, screaming the songs again to them or crying as a result of it is their favourite one, that’s all the time a “pinch-me” second.

ipromiseyoumedia: You have collaborated with lots of artists over time. Is there a track that you just’re proudest of?

ALLEN: It adjustments on a regular basis. One which has all the time made me really feel actually, deeply grateful is the track “Matilda” that I received to do with Harry a few years in the past as a result of it’s such an emotional track. When folks write to me about songs that I have been part of meaning one thing to them, that one is one which may be very prevalent, and I’ve all the time felt actually linked to that track as a result of it is about household and rising up. That one to me has all the time caught out as one which I am going to all the time actually deeply love. However by way of my favourite one immediately, I am like, “It’s going to be totally different tomorrow.” I really like that I get to work with so many artists throughout so many genres.

ipromiseyoumedia: One of many first occasions you started working within the studio with artists was with Harry Types. How was that transformative on your personal songwriting profession?

ALLEN: Yeah, he was undoubtedly one of many first artists that I received to essentially be within the room with and dig in actual time with and never have it’s one thing that I had written beforehand. The connection that I felt with him instantly, how simple it was to create with him, how impressed I used to be by him, it totally modified the trajectory, I believe, of my profession, as a result of then I noticed like, “Oh, because of this I really like to do that: attending to create with those who encourage me and have it’s the artist that is truly going to be performing the track.” It simply blew the doorways open of what I used to be on the lookout for in my profession. 

ipromiseyoumedia: What have you ever discovered from working with Jack Antonoff?

ALLEN: He’s the whole embodiment to me of any individual that has all the time been deeply in love with music [and] has by no means misplaced it to the trade of all of it or the strain of all of it. That’s one thing that I actually wanted on the time after I met Jack, as a result of it may be simple to fall into this meeting line of how the music trade can really feel typically.

Whenever you meet any individual like Jack, you are identical to, “Oh, this particular person is the very best of the very best at what they do.” He’s sort of like a toddler and curious, the best way that he strikes by means of the studio. It is like he is all the time there for the primary time figuring one thing new out and having fun with the trip of it. It brings me again to the primary time I fell in love with music and began enjoying guitar. I really feel like I am seeing any individual that is simply falling in love with it again and again for the primary time. That is what I really like about him.

ipromiseyoumedia: You are working with so many artists throughout the pop style. How would you outline the sound of pop proper now?

ALLEN: I really feel like pop music is so thrilling as a result of there aren’t any boundaries by way of what persons are making and what’s “pop hit.” For me, that second was made so clear with [Sabrina Carpenter’s] “Please Please Please.” That has key adjustments and it is sort of nation to go on to pop radio, however there have been so many issues about that tore the partitions down on what folks had been pondering pop music was at the moment. A number of artists are actually pushing the boundaries proper now, which makes pop music such an thrilling place.

ipromiseyoumedia: Is there a key to writing a success?

ALLEN: No, I do not assume so. For my part, the songs that I am all the time proudest of that I have been part of are actually true tales that really feel trustworthy and susceptible, and meaning they’ll nonetheless be enjoyable too. It is arduous to get one thing that’s catchy, that’s trustworthy, that the manufacturing is thrilling. None of these issues must be a components. Even in case you simply have a look at what the hits of this yr have been, they have been so totally different. It may come from anyplace, which I believe is thrilling.

ipromiseyoumedia: Who’s the artist you have been most starstruck to work with?

ALLEN: Actually, Justin Timberlake. He was the primary artist I’ve labored with that I went into the room with the place I used to be like, “You’re my childhood.” I might not be the identical if it weren’t for *NSYNC and his solo venture. He modified the face of pop music so many occasions over, and to be within the room with any individual that had that a lot affect on what all of us listened to was wild to me. 

And final week, I started working with Mick Fleetwood. He is been my favourite drummer since I used to be little. Fleetwood Mac has all the time actually been my favourite band, after which the Rolling Stones. However Mick, specifically, his model of drumming, attending to go in with him, how sensible he’s and the way actual, all the way down to earth, humble and trustworthy he’s, I am going to keep in mind that eternally. It felt very profound in my profession at that second to get to take a seat with any individual who’s been one in every of my favorites eternally.

ipromiseyoumedia: You have labored with Tate on a number of songs and she or he earned a Grammy nomination for “Simply Preserve Watching,” which you co-wrote. What’s it been like for you seeing this observe and her others turn into so large?

ALLEN: Tate’s like a sister to me, as nicely, so I would like her to win so badly. I simply assume she is exceptionally gifted by way of songwriting, singing and dancing. Attending to see one thing like “Grasping” or so lots of the different songs I have been part of with Tate do nicely, it is thrilling as a result of it is cool to get to see one thing I have been part of do nicely. But it surely’s largely thrilling as a result of I am like, “That is my f—ing buddy.” I really like that lady. To see her take the reins of her profession, run with it and make it precisely how she needs it sonically, songwriting-wise, aesthetically and the dancing, it is so cool.

ipromiseyoumedia: Olivia Dean is actually having a second, too, and earned a Finest New Artist Grammy. What was it like co-writing “So Simple (To Fall in Love)” along with her?

ALLEN: That was the primary day that she, John Ryan and I all had been within the studio collectively, and that track was so enjoyable and simple to make, actually. She’s so inspiring, her voice is wonderful [and] she’s an exceptional songwriter. I watched so many movies of her performing reside as a result of I truly have not seen her carry out reside [in-person] but, and she or he’s simply effortlessly cool to me and actual. Additionally, [she’s] one other actually arduous employee that’s such a humble, nice human being. I am going to eternally love that track as a result of her, John and I simply had such a pleasant time that day writing it.

ipromiseyoumedia: Who do you dream of collaborating with sooner or later? 

ALLEN: So many. In all probability Carole King. I’ve all the time beloved her, and Dolly [Parton], in fact. I used to be doing one in every of Zane Lowe’s reveals the opposite day and I used to be DJing and enjoying songs that had had a profound affect on my love of music and songwriting, generally. I performed “Will You Nonetheless Love Me Tomorrow” So I used to be wanting up little bits and I discovered that she wrote that when she was 17.

ipromiseyoumedia: I do know you met Paul McCartney at an Oasis live performance this yr. Have there been any conversations about getting within the studio collectively?

ALLEN: No, in my goals. Many, many occasions over in my goals, however by no means in actuality.