It feels like you’ve written every fun song over the past few years. Most recently, you wrote Britney Spears’ “Ooh La La” for The Smurfs 2 soundtrack. How’d that come about?
I gotta be honest. I was really more of doctor on that song. It was written and then I came in and rewrote the lyric. It was too sexy and it needed to be more “Smurfy.” And more kid-friendly. But it still needed to work for radio, too. So I had to keep it tasteful but still have a little bit of that “Ooh La La,” if you will.
Do you feel like you have a Bonnie “stamp,” or do you change it up?
I think I have a distinctive style with really visual lyrics. I like to paint pictures and tell a story. I think it’s the difference between telling a story and explaining a dream. I go into dream mode, what do I feel, what do I see, what am I wearing… I just try and put people in that moment.
One of your first big hits was Taio Cruz’s “Dynamite.” How did that come together?
I wrote that song with Dr. Luke and Taio Cruz. They basically left me with the track and went to dinner and the melody was there, and I knew I wanted to light it up with something. Something just needs to light up. It felt really explosive. [Sings] “Like a Christmas tree, like it’s New Year’s Eve.” What lights up? Then, “Dynamite” happened. I thought it was the dumbest song I had ever written and thought it was going nowhere. And I actually think it was biggest song I have written so far.
What about Katy Perry’s “Wide Awake?”
Internationally, “Dynamite” was huge and it lasted and lasted. But, I guess “Wide Awake” was big, too. I don’t really look at the numbers. It’s more about what I see people reacting to and how many people know all the words.
Is giving up personal songs difficult?
The one that I have struggled the most with was “Teenage Dream.” Of course, I co- wrote with Katy, but I have had this theme of teenage nostalgia running through my own music since the beginning, like there was a song on my first album called “Confessions of a Teenage Girl,” and then I wrote another song called “Teenage Heart.” So to give up the word “teenager” and knowing that I would never be able to use it again was difficult for me
How was it to work with Christina Aguilera for “Let There Be Love?”
I love the song. Generally with the big pop stuff, the producers make the track that already sounds like a hit. Then, it is my responsibility to find the story within the track. I am a lifelong Christina fan so it just gave me chills to hear her sing words that I wrote. I wish the song had broken a bit more.
How do you link up with artists to write with?
Because I am an artist, I save all my artist development energy for myself. So I tend not to write with newer artists. That said, if someone came along and blew me away then I would totally write with them or for them. But for the most part, ain’t nobody got time for that. So when Katy calls, I write. When Britney calls, I write. I’m a huge American Idol fan and there were some kids last year that didn’t win but made it in the top three and I was sitting at home thinking, “Call me!” I was so blown away and moved, and I would love to work with an artist like that but labels don’t get it. They just go back into obscurity. I am really a fan. Those kids come out and just slay. They are amateurs, but there are a lot of professionals that can’t come out and do what those kids do.
What was it like to write with Ke$ha?
Awesome. I have known her since we were teenagers and she is super ****ing talented. Great singer, huge range, great lyricist, cool style and sense of pop culture, really down-to-earth. Rad chick. I am a huge fan.
Have you ever thought about hoarding songs and not giving them up?
I knew that I had to get to a certain point where I had ammunition. I was always trying to sell myself as an artist like, “Hey, I’m an artist too! I can sing, I can dance, I can write!” But people were interested in my writing and I knew that I had to follow what the universe was providing and sit tight, and I’m not going to say it was easy. I had a lot of jealousy and self-loathing, but it’s just been the perfect storm and I am really grateful and wouldn’t want it any other way. I think it gives me credibility a little bit.
How did you make the transition from starting out as an artist to being a songwriter?
I remember I was writing and demoing songs for myself with a producer and while in the studio, he looked at me and said, “You should be a songwriter,” and I was like, “**** you, I’m an artist! I don’t belong behind the scenes!” I was really mad and think I cried and stormed out. And then I was broke. Really broke. I didn’t have hot water. I didn’t have a cellphone. I was in the trenches and the slums of Hollywood. I met my boyfriend Oliver, and he was in a group called Ima Robot and was working with Josh Abraham, who started Pulse Recordings and signed Oliver. So I spoke up and said I would sing demos and Josh Abraham and Scott Cutler heard my songs and offered me a publishing deal. It was peanuts and I had nothing, and it was the best decision I ever made. They took a chance on me when no one else would.
Anyone you want to open for when you start to tour the record?
Katy Perry, obviously. Ke$ha or Lady Gaga because I think we have the same audience. I would love to write for Gaga, she is a brilliant performer. I would also love to open for Bruno Mars. He is a great performer.
What’s the scariest thing about releasing a record?
I just don’t know if I can survive another failed album. It just about killed me. Like it got real dark, so that is the scariest part.
What are you most excited about?
I am so excited to just share my art finally! I want people to hear it! I have been writing these songs for a while now, and I am excited for people to see what I am up to. I love having the fans interact with me and I love interacting with them right back. I want to make people feel good.
What was it like to write with Ke$ha?
Awesome. I have known her since we were teenagers and she is super ****ing talented. Great singer, huge range, great lyricist, cool style and sense of pop culture, really down-to-earth. Rad chick. I am a huge fan.
Anyone you want to open for when you start to tour the record?
Katy Perry, obviously. Ke$ha or Lady Gaga because I think we have the same audience. I would love to write for Gaga, she is a brilliant performer. I would also love to open for Bruno Mars. He is a great performer.
Then, “Dynamite” happened. I thought it was the dumbest song I had ever written and thought it was going nowhere. And I actually think it was biggest song I have written so far.
Awww I hope she finds success. Her saying that failing again would break her But she has a better chance now than the first time around. She's well known as a Pop music writer and has some BIG hit-makers behind her.
Even if she does fail again, at least she can continue working behind the scenes. Those co-writing royalties will keep coming in at the very least
What was it like to write with Ke$ha?
Awesome. I have known her since we were teenagers and she is super ****ing talented. Great singer, huge range, great lyricist, cool style and sense of pop culture, really down-to-earth. Rad chick. I am a huge fan.
What was it like to write with Ke$ha?
Awesome. I have known her since we were teenagers and she is super ****ing talented. Great singer, huge range, great lyricist, cool style and sense of pop culture, really down-to-earth. Rad chick. I am a huge fan.
What was it like to write with Ke$ha?
Awesome. I have known her since we were teenagers and she is super ****ing talented. Great singer, huge range, great lyricist, cool style and sense of pop culture, really down-to-earth. Rad chick. I am a huge fan.
I want her to succeed so bad.
But she has a better chance now than the first time around. She's well known as a Pop music writer and has some BIG hit-makers behind her.
