Michael Jackson

The authorship data tells a more nuanced story than the legend. Jackson wrote several of his most iconic songs outright — Billie Jean, Beat It, Bad, Smooth Criminal, Black or White — giving him genuine composer credentials. But the full picture reveals a deep reliance on outside writers: Rod Temperton penned 'Rock with You,' 'Off the Wall,' and 'Thriller' itself; Siedah Garrett wrote 'Man in the Mirror'; and Quincy Jones collaborators supplied key album tracks across the Epic era. Jackson's self-authorship rate sits roughly in the 55–65% range — far above a pure performer, but well short of a complete artist like Prince who controlled nearly every note.