Sarah Aarons
Sarah Paige Aarons (born 4 October 1994, previously known as Paige IV and sometimes simply as Sarah) is an Australian songwriter. Originally from Bentleigh, Melbourne, she attended McKinnon Secondary College in McKinnon.[1] Now based in Los Angeles,[2] Aarons is signed to Sony ATV Publishing. She co-wrote "Stay" by Zedd and Alessia Cara[3] and "The Middle" by Zedd, Maren Morris and Grey, which both went to #1 on Mainstream Top 40 and were each certified double platinum in the US. In 2019, Aarons was nominated for Song of the Year at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards for her work on "The Middle".
Sarah Aarons | |
---|---|
Birth name | Sarah Paige Aarons |
Born | Melbourne, Victoria, Australia | 4 October 1994
Genres | |
Occupation(s) | Songwriter |
Labels | Sony ATV Publishing |
In Australia, Aarons had acclaimed success with the breakout song "Keeping Score" by LDRU,[4] "Frozen" by Pon Cho and Cosmo's Midnight's "History," which in turn has become the most played song on Triple J in 2017. She has also received three ARIA Awards for her work with LDRU and has gone double platinum in Australia.
In 2017, Aarons was appointed one of APRA AMCOS Ambassadors[5] and was included in LA Weekly's 20 hottest current songwriters.[6] At the APRA Music Awards of 2018 she won Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year,[7][8] she was also nominated for Country Work of the Year for the track, "House", alongside co-writers Brooke McClymont, Mollie McClymont, Samantha McClymont and Michael Fatkin.[9]
At the 2019 APRA Awards, Aarons won Songwriter of the Year as well as Most Played Australian Work, Rock Work of the Year and Dance Work of the Year.[10]
In 2018, Aarons had her right leg amputated due to severe rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune condition that causes pain and swelling of the joints. The songwriter won Song of the Year at the APRA Music Awards of 2023 for co-writing "Say Nothing" (2022) with fellow Australian (and the song's performer) Flume.
Selected discography
indicates a background vocal contribution.
indicates an un-credited lead vocal contribution.
indicates a credited vocal/featured artist contribution.
Year | Artist | Album | Song | Co-written with |
---|---|---|---|---|
2015 | Smizzy | The Cover | "Problems Aside" (featuring Paige IV) | Martin Brown, Luke Rundle, Timothy Carr, Paul Conrad |
LDRU | Sizzlar | "Keeping Score" (featuring Paige IV) | Drew Carmody | |
2016 | Jai Waetford | Heart Miles | "Living Not Dreaming" | Jai Waetford, Michael Fatkin |
"Worlds" | Jai Waetford, Michael Fatkin | |||
PON CHO | Non-album single | "Lonely Walls" (featuring Paige IV) | Kevin Kerr | |
Emmalyn | "Hungover" | Emmalyn Estrada, Brett McLaughlin, Jordan Palmer | ||
PON CHO | "Frozen" (featuring Paige IV) | Kevin Kerr | ||
Breathe Carolina & IZII | "Echo (Let Go)" | Anthony Egizii, David Musumeci | ||
2017 | Cosmo's Midnight | What Comes Next | "History" | Cosmo Liney, Patrick Liney |
Lost Kings | Non-album single | "Quit You" (featuring Tinashe) | Robert Abisi, Norris Shanholz, Sean Myer | |
Zedd | TBA | "Stay" (with Alessia Cara) | Anton Zaslavski, Anders Froen, Jonnali Parmenius, Linus Wiklund, Alessia Caracciolo | |
Mabel | Bedroom EP | "Bedroom" | Mabel McVey, Thomas Hull | |
LDRU | Sizzlar | "The Calling" | Drew Carmody | |
Jessie Ware | Glasshouse | "Alone" | Jessica Ware, Thomas Hull | |
Galantis | The Aviary | "Tell Me You Love Me" (with Throttle) | Christian Karlsson, Linus Eklow, Jimmy "Svidden" Koitzsch, Henrik Jonback, Robert Bergin, Eddie Jenkins | |
Demi Lovato | Tell Me You Love Me | "Lonely" (featuring Lil Wayne) | Dijon Mcfarlane, Niholas Audino, Lewis Hughes, Te Whiti Warbrick, Dwayne Carter Jr. | |
"Smoke & Mirrors" | Demetria Lovato, Benjamin Abraham | |||
Guy Sebastian | Conscious | "Drink Driving" | Guy Sebastian, Bastian Langebaek | |
Madison Beer | As She Pleases EP | "Say It to My Face" | Dayyon Drinkard, Frederik Ball | |
Camila Cabello | Bright: The Album | "Crown" (with Grey) | Camila Cabello, Kyle Trewartha, Michael Trewartha | |
2018 | Zedd | TBA | "The Middle" (with Maren Morris and Grey) | Anton Zaslavski, Kyle Trewartha, Michael Trewartha, Stefan Johnson, Jordan Johnson, Marcus Lomax |
Whethan | Fifty Shades Freed OST | "High" (with Dua Lipa) | Ethan Snoreck, Dua Lipa, Jonathan Hill | |
Bobi Andonov | Non-album single | "Smoke" | Bobby Andonov, Samuel Watters, Louis Biancaniello, Dylan William | |
SeeB | Nice to Meet You EP | "Drink About" (featuring Dagny) | Simen Eriksrud, Espen Borg, Joakim Haukaas, Alex Hope, Thomas Hull | |
Alina Baraz | The Color of You | "Tainted" | Alina Baraz, Ajay Bhattacharya | |
The Rubens | Lo La Ru | "Never Ever" (featuring Sarah) | Samuel Margin, Elliott Margin | |
Peking Duk | Reprisal EP | "Fire" | Adan Hyde, Reuben Styles, Samuel Littlemore | |
Lykke Li | So Sad So Sexy | "Sex Money Feelings Die" | Li Zachrisson, Ilsey Juber, James Ryan Ho, Dacoury Natche, Thomas Hull | |
Ruel | Ready EP | "Younger" | Ruel van Dijk, Mark Landon, Larry Griffin Jr., JaVohn Griffin | |
Cosmo's Midnight | What Comes Next | "Talk to Me" (featuring Tove Styrke) | Cosmo Liney, Patrick Liney | |
Ruel | Ready EP | "Intro" | Ruel van Dijk, Mark Landon, Larry Griffin Jr. | |
Odette | To a Stranger | "Lights On" | Georgia Sallybanks, Alex Hope | |
Zedd | TBA | "Happy Now" (with Elley Duhé) | Anton Zaslavski, Jonnali Parmenius, Linus Wiklund | |
David Guetta | 7 | "Don't Leave Me Alone" (featuring Anne-Marie) | Pierre Guetta, Jonnali Parmenius, Linus Wiklund | |
Gryffin | Gravity | "Tie Me Down" (with Elley Duhé) | Daniel Griffith, Badrilla Bourelly, Aaron Forbes, Jussi Karvinen, Nathaniel Cyphert | |
Example | Bangers & Ballads | "Headlights" | Elliot Gleave, Andy Sheldrake | |
Noah Cyrus | Good Cry EP | "Mad at You" (with Gallant) | Noah Cyrus, Thomas Hull | |
Nao | Saturn | "Drive and Disconnect" | Neo Jessica Joshua, Daniel Traynor, Ajay Bhattacharya, Jeff Gitelman | |
Khalid | Suncity EP | "Vertigo" | Khalid Robinson, Ryan Vojtesak, Jamil Chammas, Jonathan Hill, Rogét Chahayed | |
MØ | Forever Neverland | "I Want You" | Karen Marie Ørsted, Ajay Bhattacharya | |
Louis the Child | Kids at Play EP | "Breaking News" (featuring Raye) | Frederic Kennett, Robert Hauldren, Rachel Keen | |
Kelsey Lu | Blood | "Due West" | Kelsey Lu, Jeff Kleinman, Michael Uzowuru, Rodaidh McDonald, William Boston | |
2019 | Maren Morris | Girl | "Girl" | Maren Morris, Greg Kurstin |
"Common" (featuring Brandi Carlile) | Maren Morris, Greg Kurstin | |||
Meg Mac | Hope | "Something Tells Me" | Megan McInerney | |
"Head Away" | Megan McInerney | |||
John Legend | Non-album single | "Preach" | John Stephens, Greg Kurstin | |
Khalid | Free Spirit | "Paradise" | Khalid Robinson, Jonathan Hill, Dacoury Natche | |
"Outta My Head" (with John Mayer) | Khalid Robinson, John Mayer, Jamil Chammas, Jonathan Hill | |||
"Free Spirit" | Khalid Robinson, Ryan Vojtesak, Jamil Chammas, Justin Scott Lucas | |||
"Bluffin'" | Khalid Robinson, Ryan Vojtesak, Jamil Chammas | |||
Miquela | Non-album single | "Right Back" | Miquela Sousak, Ethan Snoreck, Jordan Palmer | |
Ruel | Free Time | "Real Thing (Ruel song)" | Ruel van Dijk, Mark Landon | |
"Painkiller" | Ruel van Dijk, Mark Landon | |||
Jonas Brothers | Happiness Begins | "Happy When I'm Sad" | Nicholas Jonas, Joel Little | |
Mabel | High Expectations | "FML" | Mabel McVey, Kelly Kiara, Marlon McVey-Roudette, Warren Felder | |
Hilltop Hoods | The Great Expanse | "Exit Sign" (featuring Illy & Ecca Vandal) | Matthew Lambert, Daniel Smith, Alasdair Murray, Andrew Burford, Barry Francis | |
Foster the People | Pick U Up EP | "Imagination" | Mark Foster, Oliver Goldstein, Josh Abraham, Austin Tirado | |
"Pick U Up" | Mark Foster, Joel Little | |||
Kaskade | Non-album single | "With You" (with Meghan Trainor) | Ryan Raddon, Finn Bjarnson, Richard Beynon, Thomas Shaw, Samuel Gerongco, Robert Gerongco | |
Ingrid Michaelson | Stranger Songs | "Pretty" | Ingrid Michaelson, Alexandra Robotham | |
Gallant | Sweet Insomnia | "Crimes" | Christopher Gallant, Ajay Bhattacharya, Benjamin Abraham | |
"Celine" | Christopher Gallant, Ben Ash | |||
Cashmere Cat | Princess Catgirl | "Without You" | Magnus August Hoiberg, Benjamin Levin, Kevin Esmenda, Julia Michaels, Justin Tranter, Mattias Larsson, Robin Fredriksson, Oscar Holter | |
Bea Miller | Non-album single | "Never Gonna Like You" (featuring Snakehips) | Oliver Dickinson, James David, Joe Janiak | |
2020 | Halsey | Manic | "I Hate Everybody" | Ashley Frangipane, Noonie Bao, Peder Losnegård, Benjamin Levin, Magnus August Høiberg, Nathan Perez, Finneas O'Connell |
Hermitude | Non-album single | "Too High" | Angus Stuart, Luke Dubber | |
SZA and Justin Timberlake | TROLLS: World Tour (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) | "The Other Side" | Ludwig Göransson, Max Martin, Justin Timberlake, SZA | |
Justin Timberlake, Anna Kendrick, Kelly Clarkson, Mary J Blige, Anderson .Paak, and Kenan Thompson | "Just Sing" | Ludwig Göransson, Max Martin, Justin Timberlake | ||
Gracie Abrams | Minor | "21" | Gracie Abrams, Joel Little | |
"I Miss You I'm Sorry" | Gracie Abrams | |||
Childish Gambino | 3.15.20 | "Time" (featuring Ariana Grande) |
Donald Glover, Dacoury Natche, Ludwig Göransson, Ariana Grande, Chukwudi Hodge | |
Guy Sebastian | T.R.U.T.H. | "I'm Your Man" | Anthony Egizii, David Musumeci, David Ryan Harris | |
Whethan and Grouplove | Fantasy | "Upside Down" | Ethan Snoreck, Hannah Hooper, Chris Zucconi, Tim Randolph | |
Tracee Ellis Ross | The High Note (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) | "Love Myself" | Greg Kurstin | |
Kelvin Harrison Jr. | "Track 8" | Lennon Stella, Ajay Bhattacharyya | ||
Tracee Ellis Ross and Kelvin Harrison Jr. | "Like I Do" | — | ||
The Chicks | Gaslighter | "For Her" | Emily Strayer, Martie Maguire, Natalie Maines, Ariel Rechtshaid | |
Wafia | Good Things | "Hurricane" | Wafia Al-Rikabi, Jamil Chammas | |
Joji | Nectar | "Daylight" (with Diplo) |
George Miller, Greg Kurstin, Thomas Pentz, Maximilian Jaeger | |
Ruel | Bright Lights, Red Eyes | "As Long As You Care" | Ruel Vincent van Dijk, Mark Landon | |
"Courage" | Ruel Vincent van Dijk, Mark Landon | |||
"Distance" | Ruel Vincent van Dijk, Mark Landon | |||
"Say It Over" (featuring Cautious Clay) |
Ruel Vincent van Dijk, Mark Landon, Joshua Karpeh, Hans Galvez | |||
"Up To Something" | Ruel Vincent van Dijk, Mark Landon, Simon Hessmann | |||
Eliza & The Delusionals | TBA | "Sentimental" | Eliza Klatt, Ashley Martin, Kurt Skuse, Ruby Lee, John Hill | |
2021 | The Rubens | 0202 | "State of My Mind" | Elliott Margin, Izaac Margin, Samuel Margin |
Zara Larsson | Poster Girl | "Need Someone" | Noonie Bao, Mattias Larsson, Robin Fredriksson | |
Ingrid Michaelson and Zayn | TBA | "Begin Again" | Ingrid Michaelson, Zayn Malik | |
Holly Humberstone | The Walls Are Way Too Thin | "Haunted House" | Holly Humberstone, Rob Milton | |
Miguel | Art Dealer Chic 4 | "Thinking Out Loud" | Miguel Pimentel, JaVohn Griffin, Justus West | |
Peking Duk | "Chemicals"[11] | Reuben Styles, Adam Hyde | ||
Tate McRae and Khalid | TBA | "Working" | Tate McRae, Khalid Robinson, Joel Little | |
Noah Kahan | I Was / I Am | "Fear of Water" | Noah Kahan, Joel Little | |
Dillon Francis | Happy Machine | "In Case I Fall Asleep" (featuring Gracey) | Dillon Francis, Grace Barker, Jeremy Malvin, Philip von Boch Scully | |
Demi Lovato | Non-album single | "Unforgettable (Tommy's Song)" | Demi Lovato, Andrew "Pop" Wansel, Warren "Oak" Felder | |
Kito | Blossom | "Skin & Bones" (featuring Winona Oak) | Maaike Kito Lebbing | |
Gracie Abrams | This Is What it Feels Like | "Better" | Gracie Abrams, Joel Little | |
"For Real This Time" | Gracie Abrams, Joel Little | |||
"Wishful Thinking" | Gracie Abrams, Joel Little | |||
Justin Timberlake, Anna Kendrick, Anderson .Paak, Anthony Ramos, and Ester Dean | Trolls: Holiday in Harmony | "Together Now" | Justin Timberlake, Joseph Shirley | |
2022 | Stephanie Poetri | TBA | "Picture Myself" | — |
Flume | Palaces | "Say Nothing" (featuring May-a) |
Harley Streten | |
Maren Morris | Humble Quest | "Detour" | ||
Wallows | Tell Me That It's Over | "At The End of the Day" | ||
The Head and the Heart | Every Shade of Blue | "Pardigm" | ||
Sigrid | How To Let Go | "Grow" | ||
Eliza & the Delusionals | Now and Then | "Give You Everything" | ||
Lykke Li | Eyeye | "Happy Hurts" | ||
"5D" | ||||
Halsey | TBA | "So Good" | ||
5 Seconds of Summer | 5SOS5 | "Bleach" | ||
"Moodswings" | ||||
Reneé Rapp | Everything to Everyone | "Everything to Everyone" | Reneé Rapp, Cirkut | |
2023 | Budjerah | TBA | "Therapy" | |
Miley Cyrus | Endless Summer Vacation | "Jaded" | Miley Cyrus, Greg Kurstin | |
Flume | Arrived Anxious, Left Bored | "Sky Sky" | ||
Portugal. The Man | Chris Black Changed My Life | "Thunderdome [W.T.A.]" (featuring Black Thought and Natalia Lafourcade) | ||
Mura Masa | N/A | "Drugs" | ||
Teezo Touchdown | How Do You Sleep At Night | "You Thought (featuring Janelle Monáe)" |
Awards and nominations
Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
2016 | APRA Music Awards of 2016 | Best Music for an Advertisement | Rio 2016 Olympics | Nominated |
2017 | APRA Music Awards of 2017 | Dance Work of the Year | "Keeping Score" | Nominated |
2018 | 61st Annual Grammy Awards | Song of the Year | "The Middle" | Nominated |
APRA Music Awards of 2018 | Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year | Herself | Won | |
Country Work of the Year | "House" | Nominated | ||
2019 | Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition | Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition | "The Middle" | 2nd |
APRA Music Awards of 2019 | Dance Work of the Year | "The Middle" | Won | |
"Tell Me You Love Me" | Nominated | |||
Most Played Australian Work | "The Middle" | Won | ||
Rock Work of the Year | "Never Ever" | Won | ||
Songwriter of the Year | Herself | Won | ||
2019 iHeartRadio Music Awards | Songwriter of the Year | Nominated | ||
53rd Annual Country Music Association Awards | Song of the Year | "Girl" | Nominated | |
J Awards of 2019 | You Done Good Award | Herself | Nominated | |
2020 | APRA Music Awards of 2020 | Most Performed Country Work | "Girl" | Nominated |
Most Performed Urban Work | "Exit Sign" | Nominated | ||
Overseas Recognition: Los Angeles | Herself | Nominated | ||
Songwriter of the Year: Los Angeles | Won | |||
2023 | APRA Music Awards of 2023[12] | Song of the Year | "Say Nothing" | Won |
Most Performed Dance/Electronic Work | Nominated | |||
2024 | APRA Music Awards of 2024[13][14] | Song of the Year | "Therapy" (Sarah Aarons, Ajay Bhattacharyya) | Nominated |
Most Performed Australian Work | Nominated | |||
Most Performed Pop Work | Nominated | |||
References
- Moran, Robert (9 February 2019). "The unknown Aussie muso who's up for the Grammys' top prize". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
- "For Sarah Aarons, illness was a 'turning point' on the way to a chart-topping song". ABC News. 14 July 2017.
- "Meet the 23-year-old Melbourne writer behind the biggest pop song in the US". 19 June 2017.
- "The Secrets Behind How Australia's Biggest Pop Tracks Get Made".
- "10 quick questions with Ambassador Sarah Aarons".
- "The 20 Hottest Songwriters in Pop Music Right Now".
- "Full List of Winners". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) | Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS). Retrieved 13 April 2018.
- "Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) | Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS). 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
- "Country Work of the Year". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) | Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS). 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
- "Sarah Aarons, Amy Shark, Dean Lewis Win Big at 2019 APRA Awards". Billboard.
- Brereton, Greta (11 June 2021). "Check out Peking Duk's anthemic new single "Chemicals"". NME. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
- "APRA AMCOS: 2023 APRA Music Awards". APRA AMCOS (Australasian Performing Right Association and Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society). Retrieved 28 April 2023.
- "G Flip, Genesis Owusu, RVG & More Shortlisted For 2024 APRA Song Of The Year". The Music. 22 February 2024. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
- "2024 APRA Music Awards nominees announced: Paul Kelly, Troye Sivan, Tex Perkins, and more". Mumbrella. 4 April 2024. Retrieved 10 April 2024.