Iconic Songwriter Billy Steinberg Dies at 75, Wrote Hits for Madonna & Cyndi Lauper
Billy Steinberg, the Hall of Fame songwriter responsible for penning some of the most enduring anthems in pop music history, has died. He was 75. While you may not have known his face, you have almost certainly cried, danced, or fallen in love to his words. He penned songs for Madonna, The Pretenders, Cyndi Lauper, Céline Dion, The Bangles, and Demi Lovato, among others.
Billy Steinberg Passed Away on February 16
According to confirmation from his attorney, the legendary lyricist passed away on Monday, February 16, 2026, at his home in Brentwood, California, following a battle with cancer. While the industry has lost a songwriting titan, the catalog songwriter Steinberg leaves behind – ranging from Madonna’s “Like a Virgin” to Cyndi Lauper’s “True Colors” – ensures his voice will be heard on the radio forever.
A Legacy Written in Gold
Steinberg’s songwriting career wasn’t just about churning out the hits; it was about capturing the raw, even messy human experience and then polishing it into pop perfection. Per American Songwriter, his family released a touching statement that perfectly encapsulated his gift: “Billy Steinberg’s life was a testament to the enduring power of a well-written song – and to the idea that honesty, when set to music, can outlive us all.”
That honesty was the secret ingredient. Steinberg didn’t just write catchy hooks; he wrote confessionals. He started his career as a performer with the band Billy Thermal, but it was ultimately his pivot to songwriting that supercharged the 1980s music scene.
The Partnership That Ruled the Charts
Steinberg’s most prolific era came alongside his writing partner, Tom Kelly. The creative duo had a dynamic that was nearly unmatched in the industry: Steinberg was the poet, pouring his heart into lyrics, while Kelly was the melodic master, who gave those words the magic.
Their collaboration produced five number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100, a feat most writers only dream of. The most famous of these, “Like a Virgin,” was actually born from Steinberg’s own romantic heartbreak. He wrote the lyrics based on a difficult personal relationship, initially envisioning it as a ballad. It took Kelly’s musical intuition and Madonna’s undeniable charisma to transform it into the provocative, upbeat track that would launch a superstar’s career.
But these two weren’t one-trick ponies. The duo could pivot from the sass of “Like a Virgin” to the devastating vulnerability of “True Colors.” Steinberg often noted that Cyndi Lauper took their gospel-inspired demo and completely reinvented it, creating a hymn for self-acceptance that resonates just as loudly today as it did forty years ago. British musician Phil Collins recorded a beautiful version of “True Colors” in the late 90s as well.
From Power Ballads to Modern Pop
The sheer range of Steinberg’s discography is staggering. If you turned on a radio in the late 80s or early 90s, you were listening to him. He co-wrote Heart’s power ballad “Alone,” The Bangles’ ballad “Eternal Flame,” and Whitney Houston’s high-energy “So Emotional.” He even walked the line of controversy and sensuality with the Divinyls’ massive hit “I Touch Myself,” proving he could write about intimacy with both wit and reverence.
Remarkably, Steinberg didn’t fade away when the grunge era hit. After Kelly retired in the mid-90s, Steinberg continued to write. He evolved, proving his adaptability by working with new generations of pop stars. He penned the 2006 hit “Too Little Too Late” for JoJo and “Give Your Heart a Break” for Demi Lovato, bridging the gap between the MTV generation and the digital age.
Remembering a Songwriting Titan
Steinberg was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2011. It was a long-overdue recognition for a man whose work had become essential to American pop music culture.
Beyond the accolades and the platinum records, Steinberg was a father and a husband. His son, Ezra Steinberg, recently signed a publishing deal alongside his father, ensuring the family’s musical lineage continues. “He believed in building things that last,” Ezra said of his father. “In art, in relationships, and in legacy.”
Today, fans across the world will likely queue up their favorite playlists to honor him. Whether it’s the haunting opening of “I’ll Stand By You” or the driving beat of “I Drove All Night,” Billy Steinberg’s words are still with us. He may be gone, but the flame he lit is undeniably eternal.
