Quincy Jones stands as a monumental figure in music history, his career stretching across seven decades. While celebrated as a musician, composer, arranger, and producer, his songwriting prowess often takes a backseat. This article shines a light on Quincy Jones’ songwriting career, specifically spotlighting his key Quincy Jones Songwriting Partners and the magic they created together.
Born in 1933, Jones’ journey began as a jazz trumpeter. By the 1950s, he was playing with Dizzy Gillespie, honing his compositional and arranging skills, and collaborating with giants like Ray Charles, Count Basie, and Duke Ellington. Even before rock and roll truly exploded, Jones was arranging Big Maybelle’s “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” in 1955, predating Jerry Lee Lewis’s hit version. This early work foreshadowed his diverse and genre-bending songwriting future.
Transitioning into film scoring in the 1960s, Jones composed for iconic movies like In the Heat of the Night (1967) and In Cold Blood. He simultaneously broadened his production work, collaborating with a spectrum of artists from Lesley Gore (“You Don’t Own Me,” “It’s My Party”) to his mentor Dizzy Gillespie (New Wave!). The 1970s saw him produce Aretha Franklin’s Hey Now Hey (The Other Side of the Sky) before a health setback in 1974. His resurgence in 1979, marked by producing Michael Jackson’s Off the Wall, cemented his legendary status.
Image: Quincy Jones and Michael Jackson collaborating in the studio during the creation of the Thriller album, highlighting their iconic partnership.
Establishing Qwest Records in 1980, Jones continued his fruitful partnership with Michael Jackson, producing Thriller (1982) and Bad (1987), as well as the charity anthem “We Are the World” (1985). His impact on the sound of R&B and pop is undeniable and continues into the 21st century.
While his production discography is vast, let’s explore some key songs where Quincy Jones stepped into the role of songwriter, often alongside talented quincy jones songwriting partners.
“The Ray,” Ray Charles (1957) – Songwriting Partner: None (Solo Writer)
Quincy Jones and Ray Charles’s friendship began in their youth and lasted a lifetime. Though their direct collaborations were relatively few, they were impactful. Charles notably sang “In the Heat of the Night,” a Jones-produced song for the film, penned by Alan and Marilyn Bergman. Charles described Jones in his autobiography Q as having a “loving style” and being “genuine.” “The Ray,” from Charles’ album The Great Ray Charles, is a testament to Jones’s jazz roots, showcasing his compositional skill even without Charles’s vocals, offering a pure instrumental jazz piece as a tribute to their bond.
“Rat Race,” Count Basie (1959) – Songwriting Partner: None (Solo Writer)
“Rat Race,” a dynamic instrumental piece, appeared on Count Basie’s 1959 album Basie One More Time. It’s a standout among the ten tracks Jones wrote for this album, demonstrating his ability to craft swinging, big-band jazz compositions. The song has been revisited by other big bands like Gustav Brom Big Band and Taylor Baker, further cementing its place in the big band repertoire and highlighting Jones’s skill as a composer for large ensembles.
“New York City Blues,” Peggy Lee (1962) – Songwriting Partner: Peggy Lee
A unique collaboration with the legendary Peggy Lee, “New York City Blues” is featured on her Christmas album It’s Christmas Time with Peggy Lee. This song, co-written by songwriting partners Jones and Lee, is a nostalgic and heartfelt ode to New York City. Lee’s lyrics express a deep longing for the city, capturing the push and pull of leaving and needing to return to the vibrant metropolis. This collaboration showcases Jones’s versatility in blending jazz sensibilities with pop lyricism, even within a holiday theme.
“Ride On, King Jesus,” Little Richard (1962) – Songwriting Partner: Richard Penniman (Little Richard’s real name)
For Little Richard’s gospel album The King of the Gospel Singers, produced by Jones, the pair collaborated on songwriting. This album revealed Richard’s spiritual side, featuring tracks like “(There Will Be) Peace in the Valley (For Me).” Jones and Richard Penniman became quincy jones songwriting partners for “Ride On, King Jesus” and “Do Lord, Remember Me.” These songs highlight Jones’s ability to adapt his songwriting to different genres and artists, even within the gospel realm, and to connect with the soulful core of Little Richard’s artistry.
“Just Right Tonight,” Aretha Franklin (1973) – Songwriting Partners: Avery Parrish, Buddy Feyne, and Robert Bruce
Aretha Franklin’s album Hey Now Hey (The Other Side of the Sky) was a project steered by both Franklin and Jones as producers. Initially conceived as a jazz album, it evolved into a more soulful direction. For this album, Jones partnered with Avery Parrish, Buddy Feyne, and Robert Bruce to write “Just Right Tonight.” This collaboration underscores Jones’s capacity to work with diverse quincy jones songwriting partners and to contribute to Franklin’s evolving sound, blending jazz roots with soul and R&B influences.
“P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing),” Michael Jackson (1982) – Songwriting Partner: James Ingram
From the monumental Thriller album, “P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)” brought a funkier, soul-pop vibe, though it was somewhat overshadowed by the album’s title track and other mega-hits. Co-written by quincy jones songwriting partner James Ingram and Jones, “P.Y.T.” became a Top 10 hit, reaching No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. It is a testament to their successful songwriting partnership within the context of one of the best-selling albums of all time, showcasing their ability to create catchy, radio-friendly hits.
“Good Life,” Kanye West featuring T-Pain (2007) – Songwriting Partners: Kanye West, Faheem Najm (T-Pain), James Ingram, Aldrin Davis
Decades later, Quincy Jones’s songwriting relevance continued into the 21st century. He contributed to Kanye West’s “Good Life” from the Graduation album. Teaming up with quincy jones songwriting partners Kanye West, T-Pain, James Ingram, and Aldrin Davis, Jones added his touch to this hit single. “Good Life,” produced by West and DJ Toomp, reached No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100. This late-career songwriting credit demonstrates Jones’s enduring influence and his ability to bridge generations and genres, collaborating with contemporary artists like Kanye West.
Quincy Jones’ songwriting legacy is enriched by his collaborations. His work with diverse quincy jones songwriting partners across genres and decades reveals not only his individual talent but also his remarkable ability to connect with other artists and create timeless music. From jazz instrumentals to pop anthems, Jones’s songwriting contributions, often in partnership with others, have left an indelible mark on music history.
