The Writing's on the Wall cover art

  Studio Album · No. 2

The Writing's on the Wall Songwriting Credits by Destiny's Child

1999 Columbia 16 tracks 64 min

Produced by Beyoncé Knowles, Kevin Briggs, Kandi Burruss, Missy Elliott, D'Wayne Wiggins, Terry T, Rodney Jerkins, LaShawn Daniels, Daryl Simmons, Chad Elliott, Jovonn Alexander, Chris Stokes  ·  Engineered by Michael Calderon, LaShawn Daniels, Jimmy Douglass, James Hoover, Joey Swails, Dan Workman, Kevin Davis, Jean Marie Horvat, Jon Gass, Dexter Simmons

Columbia Contemporary R&BHip Hop SoulPop
69%
Authorship
Songwriter

Holds writing credit on 11 of 16 tracks

Authorship Breakdown 11 / 16 documented

Who wrote the songs?

Scored across the 16 tracks with documented writers, by whether Destiny's Child carries a lyricist or composer credit.

69%
11 trackswritten by Destiny's Child 5 tracksoutside writers
Destiny's Child's roles on this album

Share of the 16 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.

Lyricist69%
Composer69%
Producer50%
Performer100%

By the Numbers

16
Tracks
20
Lyricists
15
Producers
2
No.1 Singles
13 million
Worldwide Copies Sold
1999
Released

Awards & Recognition 4

Best R&B Song (2001)
Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals (2001)
Record of the Year (2001, Nominated)
Song of the Year (2001, Nominated)
Data Insight

The group took far more writing control on its second album, with Beyoncé co-writing 11 of the 16 tracks and Kelly Rowland, LeToya Luckett, and LaTavia Roberson contributing across most of the record. Kevin 'She'kspere' Briggs and Kandi Burruss produced and co-wrote the breakout singles 'Bills, Bills, Bills' and 'Bug a Boo,' while Rodney Jerkins produced 'Say My Name' with vocal production from LaShawn Daniels. D'wayne Wiggins, Daryl Simmons, and Missy Elliott rounded out the production roster. The blend of the members' co-writing and a sharp outside production team made it one of the best-selling R&B albums of its era.

The Writing's on the Wall is the second studio album by Destiny's Child, released on July 14, 1999 through Columbia Records by Beyonce Knowles, Kelly Rowland, LeToya Luckett, and LaTavia Roberson. The R&B and pop album featured production from Kevin "She'kspere" Briggs, Rodney Jerkins, Missy Elliott, LaShawn Daniels, Kandi Burruss, D'Wayne Wiggins, and Daryl Simmons. It produced the group's first two number-one Hot 100 hits with "Bills, Bills, Bills" and "Say My Name," along with "Jumpin', Jumpin'" at number three and "Bug a Boo" at number 33. The album debuted at number six with 133,000 first-week units and peaked at number five on the Billboard 200, later earning 8x platinum certification in the United States for eight million units and selling 13 million copies worldwide. Regarded as the group's breakthrough album, it established Destiny's Child among the most successful girl groups and helped define mainstream contemporary R&B at the turn of the millennium.

Track Listing & Credits 16 tracks

Written by the artist Written by outside writers
#TitleLyricist(s)Composer(s)Producer(s)Performers
1
Intro (The Writing's on the Wall)
Beyoncé KnowlesKelly RowlandLeToya LuckettLaTavia Roberson Beyoncé KnowlesKelly RowlandLeToya LuckettLaTavia Roberson Beyoncé Knowles Beyoncé Knowles (Lead Vocals)Kelly Rowland (Lead Vocals)LeToya Luckett (Vocals)LaTavia Roberson (Vocals)
2
So Good
Beyoncé KnowlesKelly RowlandLeToya LuckettLaTavia RobersonKandi BurrussKevin Briggs Beyoncé KnowlesKelly RowlandLeToya LuckettLaTavia RobersonKandi BurrussKevin Briggs Kevin BriggsKandi Burruss Beyoncé Knowles (Lead Vocals)Kelly Rowland (Lead Vocals)LeToya Luckett (Vocals)LaTavia Roberson (Vocals)
3
Bills, Bills, Bills #1
Beyoncé KnowlesKelly RowlandLeToya LuckettKandi BurrussKevin Briggs Beyoncé KnowlesKelly RowlandLeToya LuckettKandi BurrussKevin Briggs Kevin BriggsBeyoncé Knowles Beyoncé Knowles (Lead Vocals)Kelly Rowland (Lead Vocals)LeToya Luckett (Vocals)LaTavia Roberson (Vocals)
4
Confessions
Melissa Arnette ElliottDonald HolmesGerard Thomas Melissa Arnette ElliottDonald HolmesGerard Thomas Missy Elliott Missy Elliott
5
Bug a Boo #33
Beyoncé KnowlesKelly RowlandLeToya LuckettLaTavia RobersonKandi BurrussKevin Briggs Beyoncé KnowlesKelly RowlandLeToya LuckettLaTavia RobersonKandi BurrussKevin Briggs Kevin BriggsKandi Burruss Beyoncé Knowles (Lead Vocals)Kelly Rowland (Lead Vocals)LeToya Luckett (Vocals)LaTavia Roberson (Vocals)
6
Temptation
Beyoncé KnowlesKelly RowlandLeToya LuckettLaTavia RobersonD'Wayne Wiggins Beyoncé KnowlesKelly RowlandLeToya LuckettLaTavia RobersonD'Wayne WigginsCarl WheelerAnthony Ray D'Wayne WigginsTerry T Beyoncé Knowles (Lead Vocals)Kelly Rowland (Lead Vocals)LeToya Luckett (Vocals)LaTavia Roberson (Vocals)
7
Now That She's Gone
Ken FambroDonnie Boynton Ken FambroDonnie BoyntonTara GeterLatrelle SimmonsAleese Simmons Ken FambroDonnie Boynton Beyoncé Knowles (Lead Vocals)Kelly Rowland (Lead Vocals)LeToya Luckett (Vocals)LaTavia Roberson (Vocals)
8
Where'd You Go
Beyoncé KnowlesKelly RowlandLeToya LuckettLaTavia RobersonChris Stokes Beyoncé KnowlesKelly RowlandLeToya LuckettLaTavia RobersonChris StokesMarques HoustonKelton KesseeTony Scott Beyoncé KnowlesChris Stokes Beyoncé Knowles (Lead Vocals)Kelly Rowland (Lead Vocals)LeToya Luckett (Vocals)LaTavia Roberson (Vocals)
9
Hey Ladies
Beyoncé KnowlesKelly RowlandLeToya LuckettLaTavia RobersonKandi BurrussKevin Briggs Beyoncé KnowlesKelly RowlandLeToya LuckettLaTavia RobersonKandi BurrussKevin Briggs Kevin BriggsKandi BurrussBeyoncé Knowles Beyoncé Knowles (Lead Vocals)Kelly Rowland (Lead Vocals)LeToya Luckett (Vocals)LaTavia Roberson (Vocals)
10
If You Leave
Chad ElliottOshea Hunter Chad ElliottOshea HunterRobert HuggarTyvette Turman Chad ElliottOshea Hunter Next
11
Jumpin', Jumpin' #3
Beyoncé KnowlesChad Elliott Beyoncé KnowlesChad ElliottRufus Moore Chad ElliottBeyoncé KnowlesJovonn Alexander Beyoncé Knowles (Lead Vocals)Kelly Rowland (Lead Vocals)LeToya Luckett (Vocals)LaTavia Roberson (Vocals)
12
Say My Name #1
Beyoncé KnowlesKelly RowlandLeToya LuckettLaTavia RobersonRodney JerkinsFred Jerkins IIILaShawn Daniels Beyoncé KnowlesKelly RowlandLeToya LuckettLaTavia RobersonRodney JerkinsFred Jerkins IIILaShawn Daniels Rodney JerkinsLaShawn Daniels Beyoncé Knowles (Lead Vocals)Kelly Rowland (Lead Vocals)LeToya Luckett (Vocals)LaTavia Roberson (Vocals)
13
She Can't Love You
Beyoncé KnowlesKelly RowlandLeToya LuckettLaTavia RobersonKandi BurrussKevin Briggs Beyoncé KnowlesKelly RowlandLeToya LuckettLaTavia RobersonKandi BurrussKevin Briggs Kevin BriggsKandi BurrussBeyoncé Knowles Beyoncé Knowles (Lead Vocals)Kelly Rowland (Lead Vocals)LeToya Luckett (Vocals)LaTavia Roberson (Vocals)
14
Stay
Daryl Simmons Daryl Simmons Daryl Simmons Beyoncé Knowles (Lead Vocals)Kelly Rowland (Lead Vocals)LeToya Luckett (Vocals)LaTavia Roberson (Vocals)
15
Sweet Sixteen
Beyoncé KnowlesKelly RowlandD'Wayne Wiggins Beyoncé KnowlesKelly RowlandD'Wayne WigginsJody Watley D'Wayne WigginsBeyoncé Knowles Beyoncé Knowles (Lead Vocals)Kelly Rowland (Lead Vocals)LeToya Luckett (Vocals)LaTavia Roberson (Vocals)
16
Outro (Amazing Grace)
John Newton John Newton Beyoncé Knowles Beyoncé Knowles (Lead Vocals)Kelly Rowland (Lead Vocals)LeToya Luckett (Vocals)LaTavia Roberson (Vocals)

Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 36 contributors

BK
Beyoncé Knowles
Writer · Producer · Vocals
On this album11 written
KR
Kelly Rowland
Writer · Vocals
On this album10 written
LL
LeToya Luckett
Writer · Vocals
On this album9 written
LR
LaTavia Roberson
Writer · Vocals
On this album8 written
KB
Kevin Briggs
Writer · Producer
On this album5 written
KB
Kandi Burruss
Writer · Producer
On this album5 written
CE
Chad Elliott
Writer · Producer
On this album2 written
DW
D'Wayne Wiggins
Writer · Producer
On this album2 written
CS
Chris Stokes
Writer · Producer
On this album1 written
DS
Daryl Simmons
Writer · Producer
On this album1 written
DB
Donnie Boynton
Writer · Producer
On this album1 written
KF
Ken Fambro
Writer · Producer
On this album1 written

More from Destiny's Child

1998 15%
Destiny's Child
Columbia
13 tracksProd. D'Wayne Wiggins
2001 93%
Survivor
Columbia
15 tracksProd. Beyoncé Knowles
2004 100%
Destiny Fulfilled
Columbia
11 tracksProd. Beyoncé Knowles

Frequently Asked Questions The Writing's on the Wall

Did Destiny's Child write The Writing's on the Wall?
Yes, to a large extent. Beyoncé co-wrote 11 of the 16 tracks, and Kelly Rowland, LeToya Luckett, and LaTavia Roberson co-wrote across most of the album. They worked alongside outside writers and producers such as Kevin 'She'kspere' Briggs, Kandi Burruss, and Rodney Jerkins.
Who produced Say My Name by Destiny's Child?
'Say My Name' was produced by Rodney Jerkins, with vocal production by LaShawn Daniels. It was co-written by the four group members along with Rodney Jerkins, Fred Jerkins III, and LaShawn Daniels.
Did Say My Name win a Grammy?
Yes. 'Say My Name' won two Grammy Awards in 2001, for Best R&B Song and Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. It was also nominated for Record of the Year and Song of the Year.
Who produced Bills, Bills, Bills by Destiny's Child?
'Bills, Bills, Bills' was produced by Kevin 'She'kspere' Briggs, who also co-wrote it with Kandi Burruss and the group members. The song reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
How many singles from The Writing's on the Wall hit number 1?
Two singles reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100: 'Bills, Bills, Bills' and 'Say My Name.' 'Jumpin', Jumpin'' peaked at number 3 and 'Bug a Boo' at number 33.
How many copies did The Writing's on the Wall sell?
The album sold over 13 million copies worldwide. In the United States it was certified 8x Platinum by the RIAA, making it one of the best-selling R&B albums of its time.
When was The Writing's on the Wall released?
The Writing's on the Wall is the second studio album by Destiny's Child, released in 1999 on Columbia Records. It produced the hit singles 'Bills, Bills, Bills,' 'Say My Name,' and 'Jumpin', Jumpin'.'

Sources

Wikipedia: The Writing's on the Wall Wikipedia: Say My Name Wikipedia: Bills, Bills, Bills MusicBrainz release group Cover Art Archive front cover Cover Art Archive: The Writing's on the Wall by Destiny's Child