Studio Album · No. 11

Hard Candy Songwriting Credits by Madonna

2008 Warner Bros. Records 12 tracks 56 min

Produced by Madonna, The Neptunes, Timbaland, Justin Timberlake, Danja  ·  Engineered by Mark "Spike" Stent, Demacio Castellon, Andrew Coleman

Warner Bros. Records Dance-PopHip HopElectropopR&B
Complete Artist
100%
Authorship

Holds writing credit on 12 of 12 tracks

Authorship Breakdown 12 / 12 documented

Who wrote the songs?

Scored across the 12 tracks with documented writers, by whether Madonna carries a lyricist or composer credit.

100%
12 trackswritten by Madonna 0 tracksoutside writers
Madonna's roles on this album

Share of the 12 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.

Lyricist100%
Composer100%
Producer58%
Performer100%

By the Numbers

12
Tracks
8
Lyricists
6
Producers
4 million
Worldwide Copies Sold
2008
Released
Data Insight

Hard Candy moved Madonna into urban pop and dance, and she co-wrote every track with a roster of American hitmakers: Pharrell Williams of The Neptunes, Timbaland, Justin Timberlake, and Nate 'Danja' Hills. The writing is collaborative throughout, with these producers shaping the R&B and hip-hop flavored sound. It is one of her most producer-driven albums, even as she keeps a co-writing credit on each song.

Hard Candy, released in April 2008, represented a hard pivot toward contemporary urban pop production. Working with Timbaland, Pharrell Williams, Justin Timberlake, and Nate 'Danja' Hills, Madonna co-wrote all 12 tracks. '4 Minutes,' co-written with Timbaland, Justin Timberlake, and Danja, reached number one in 21 countries. The album debuted at number one in 37 countries, making it her most internationally successful debut to that point.

Track Listing & Credits 12 tracks

Written by the artist Written by outside writers
#TitleLyricist(s)Composer(s)Producer(s)Performers
1
Candy Shop
Pharrell WilliamsMadonna Pharrell WilliamsMadonna The NeptunesMadonna Madonna (Vocals)
2
4 Minutes #3
MadonnaTimbalandJustin TimberlakeDanja MadonnaTimothy MosleyJustin TimberlakeNate Hills TimbalandJustin TimberlakeDanja Madonna (Vocals)Justin Timberlake (Featured Vocals)Timbaland (Featured Vocals, Drums)Danja (Keyboards)DJ Demo (Scratches)
3
Give It 2 Me #57
Pharrell WilliamsMadonna Pharrell WilliamsMadonna The NeptunesMadonna Madonna (Vocals)
4
Heartbeat
Pharrell WilliamsMadonna Pharrell WilliamsMadonna The NeptunesMadonna Madonna (Vocals)
5
Miles Away
MadonnaTimbalandJustin TimberlakeDanja MadonnaTimothy MosleyJustin TimberlakeNate Hills TimbalandJustin TimberlakeDanja Madonna (Vocals)Justin Timberlake (Backing Vocals, Guitar)Dan Warner (Guitar)Hannon Lane (Additional Keyboards)
6
She's Not Me
Pharrell WilliamsMadonna Pharrell WilliamsMadonna The NeptunesMadonna Madonna (Vocals)Wendy Melvoin (Guitar)
7
Incredible
Pharrell WilliamsMadonna Pharrell WilliamsMadonna The NeptunesMadonna Madonna (Vocals)
8
Beat Goes On
Pharrell WilliamsMadonnaKanye West Pharrell WilliamsMadonnaKanye West The NeptunesMadonna Madonna (Vocals)Kanye West (Featured Vocals)
9
Dance 2night
MadonnaTimbalandJustin TimberlakeHannon Lane MadonnaTimothy MosleyJustin TimberlakeHannon Lane TimbalandJustin TimberlakeHannon Lane Madonna (Vocals)Justin Timberlake (Backing Vocals)Timbaland (Drums)Dan Warner (Guitar)Darryl Pearson (Bass, Guitar)Hannon Lane (Keyboards)
10
Spanish Lesson
Pharrell WilliamsMadonna Pharrell WilliamsMadonna The NeptunesMadonna Madonna (Vocals)Monte Pittman (Guitar)
11
Devil Wouldn't Recognize You
MadonnaTimbalandJustin TimberlakeDanjaJoe Henry MadonnaTimothy MosleyJustin TimberlakeNate HillsJoe Henry TimbalandJustin TimberlakeDanja Madonna (Vocals)Justin Timberlake (Backing Vocals)Timbaland (Drums)Danja (Keyboards)DJ Demo (Scratches)Hannon Lane (Additional Keyboards)
12
Voices
MadonnaTimbalandJustin TimberlakeDanjaHannon Lane MadonnaTimothy MosleyJustin TimberlakeNate HillsHannon Lane TimbalandJustin TimberlakeDanjaHannon Lane Madonna (Vocals)Justin Timberlake (Backing Vocals)Danja (Instruments)Stevie Blacke (Strings)Dan Warner (Guitar)Hannon Lane (Additional Keyboards)

Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 17 contributors

M
Madonna
Writer · Producer · Vocals
On this album12 written
PW
Pharrell Williams
Writer
On this album7 written
JT
Justin Timberlake
Writer · Producer · Vocals
On this album5 written
T
Timbaland
Writer · Producer · Vocals
On this album5 written
TM
Timothy Mosley
Writer
On this album5 written
D
Danja
Writer · Producer · Keyboards
On this album4 written
NH
Nate Hills
Writer
On this album4 written
HL
Hannon Lane
Writer · Producer · Additional Keyboards
On this album2 written
JH
Joe Henry
Writer
On this album1 written
KW
Kanye West
Writer · Vocals
On this album1 written
TN
The Neptunes
Producer
On this album7 produced
DW
Dan Warner
Guitar
On this albumGuest

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Frequently Asked Questions Hard Candy

When did Madonna release Hard Candy?
Madonna released Hard Candy on April 29, 2008 through Warner Bros. Records. It was her final studio album for Warner and leaned into American urban pop and dance.
Did Madonna write Hard Candy herself?
Madonna co-wrote every track on Hard Candy with her collaborators, including Pharrell Williams, Timbaland, Justin Timberlake, and Nate 'Danja' Hills. The album is heavily producer-driven, though Madonna holds a writing credit on each song.
Who wrote 4 Minutes by Madonna?
'4 Minutes' was co-written by Madonna, Justin Timberlake, Timbaland, and Nate 'Danja' Hills. The single, which features Timberlake and Timbaland, reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100.
Who produced Hard Candy by Madonna?
Hard Candy was produced by The Neptunes, Timbaland, Justin Timberlake, and Nate 'Danja' Hills, with Madonna co-producing the seven Neptunes tracks. Their involvement gave the album its hip-hop and R&B influenced sound.
Who is featured on 4 Minutes by Madonna?
'4 Minutes' features Justin Timberlake and Timbaland, both of whom also co-wrote and produced the song. It became the album's biggest hit single.
How many copies did Hard Candy by Madonna sell?
Hard Candy has sold around 4 million copies worldwide. It is certified Gold by the RIAA in the United States.

Sources

Wikipedia: Hard Candy (Madonna album) MusicBrainz: Hard Candy (release group) Cover Art Archive: Hard Candy Discogs: Madonna - Hard Candy (master) Discogs: Madonna - Hard Candy (2008 US CD, Warner Bros. 421372-2) MusicBrainz: Hard Candy (2008 US release) Cover Art Archive: Hard Candy by Madonna