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Maureen Anne McDonald (born May 13, 1981), better known as Mozella, is an American songwriter and singer. Along with her album releases, Mozella co-wrote Miley Cyrus' 2013 single "Wrecking Ball", which peaked atop the Billboard Hot 100.[1] She has also co-written Charlie Puth's 2015 single "One Call Away", as well as One Direction's "Perfect" that same year.
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Mozella | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Maureen Anne McDonald |
| Born | May 13, 1981 |
| Origin | Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Genres | Pop |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2006–present |
| Website | mozellamusic |
Some of Mozella's other co-writes include the songs, "I Believe", "Strangers", "Every Single Time, and "Don't Throw It Away" for the Jonas Brothers' album Happiness Begins (2019),[2][3] "Drop Top"[4] and "Horses"[5] on Keith Urban's Graffiti U album, Pink’s "Cover Me In Sunshine", Kelly Clarkson's 2017 single "Love So Soft",[6] "One Call Away" by Charlie Puth, "Fool's Gold"[7] and "Perfect" by One Direction, "Bright" by Echosmith, Ellie Goulding's "Don't Panic", "Holding on for Life", and "We Can't Move to This" from Goulding's album Delirium (co-wrote with Goulding and Greg Kurstin), "Feels Like Vegas" with Tinashe,[8] and "Take You High" off Kelly Clarkson's 2015 album, Piece by Piece.[9] Madonna and Mozella co-wrote eleven of the nineteen tracks on the album Rebel Heart, including the single "Living for Love" with Diplo, Ariel Rechtshaid, and Toby Gad.[8]
In the genres of film, television and theater, she co-wrote "A Little Party Never Killed Nobody" with Goonrock and Fergie for Baz Luhrmann's The Great Gatsby. In early 2014 she continued her work with Baz Luhrmann, penning "A Beautiful Surprise" with David Foster for Luhrmann's musical theater adaption of his cult classic film Strictly Ballroom. She also co-wrote "Dancing in the Dark" by Rihanna for the DreamWorks animated movie Home, in 2015.[3]
Mozella's song "Anything is Possible" is used in the 2018 L’Oreal El Vive commercials.[10] Her song "Love Is Endless" was used in the 2015 McDonald's "Archenemies" television campaign.[11] Beginning April 2015, Chase Bank used her song "Can't Get Enough" for their new commercials in the US.[12] Some of the brands that have used Mozella's music in their branding include Chrysler,[13] Verizon, Microsoft, Mercedes-Benz, and JC Penney.[14]
Mozella has released three full-length albums, I Will (Warner/Maverick, 2006), Belle Isle (Universal/Motown, 2009), and The Brian Holland Sessions (Belle Isle Records, 2012), as well as three EPs, Mozella (Warner/Maverick, 2005), The Straits (Universal/Motown, 2009) and The Love (Universal/Motown, 2010).[15]
Mozella was raised in Detroit, Michigan,[16] where she got her start as a performer booking her own gigs in coffee houses at age 15.[17] Early on, she collaborated with artists such as Warren G, and in 2002 was invited to England to write and record with Tim Saul, producer for Portishead. Upon her return to Los Angeles, she signed with Maverick Records to record her first EP and album.[18]
Warner/Maverick Records
Mozella signed to Madonna’s Maverick Records in July 2003.[19] In 2004, when Maverick was absorbed into Warner Bros. Records Mozella survived the merger. In July 2005, she released her self-titled debut EP on Warner/Maverick Records. Then, in November 2006, she released her full-length debut, I Will,[19] (produced by Jude Cole) on the same imprint.[20] At the time, allmusic.com called Mozella, "One of the best things to come out of pop music this year."[21]
Universal/Motown Records
Upon signing to Universal/Motown Records in July 2008, Mozella recruited multiple producers and writers for her second album, Belle Isle, including Marty James, Jimmy Harry, Tony Kanal, Sunny Levine, and Smidi. The album was released on October 20, 2009,[22] but prior to that The Straits EP came out July 7, 2009 on this label.[8]
The Brian Holland Sessions on Belle Isle Records
On July 24, 2012, Mozella released The Brian Holland Sessions, which she co-wrote with Motown songwriter Brian Holland of the trio Holland-Dozier-Holland, who is known for the hits he wrote for The Four Tops, The Isley Brothers, Marvin Gaye, The Supremes and others.[23] "Brian Holland's soul pours out of him in melody everywhere he goes. He is a conduit," she told Rolling Stone about working with the songwriter on her album.[24]
Mozella performed "You Don't Love Anyone But Yourself" from The Brian Holland Sessions on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on July 26, 2012.[25]
Following her Warner/Maverick debut in 2006, Mozella toured the U.S. with Tyler Hilton, Dave Matthews Band, Lifehouse, Five for Fighting, Daniel Powter, Michelle Branch, and Colbie Caillat.[17][20] As she moved away from creating her own album releases, Mozella stopped touring.[citation needed]
Mozella's songs have been featured in movies, trailers, and television series' including Fringe, The Closer, The City, Castle, The Hills, Bones, One Tree Hill,[26] The Biggest Loser, American Idol, etc.[14] Her song "More of You" was prominently featured in the first episode of Pretty Little Liars and on the soundtrack.[27] She's also had two song syncs in Grey's Anatomy in 2011.[28]
She has written and recorded numerous songs for commercials including "Amazed" for Mercedes-Benz,[29] "Thank You" and "Let's Stop Calling It Love" for Nivea,[14] "Magic" for Verizon's "iDon't" Motorola Droid campaign.[30] "This is Love" and "Glow" were used in the 2011 and 2013 JC Penney holiday TV advertisements. In 2012, Mozella's cover of "Some Like It Hot" (made famous by Marilyn Monroe) was used for the Carl's Jr./Hardee's "Drive-In" ad, that featured model Kate Upton.REF Later, her songs have been sync'd by Special K, REF Nestle, REF Tesco,[31] McDonald's, Verizon, and more.
- Mozella EP (2005)
- I Will (2006)
- The Straits EP (2009)
- Belle Isle (2009)
- The Love EP (2010)
- The Brian Holland Sessions (2012)
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Songs written
| Discography | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Artist | Album | Song | Co-written with |
| A Great Big World | When The Morning Comes (2015) | "Oasis" | Ian Axel, Chad King |
| Jacob Banks | Village (2018) | "Prosecco" | Jeff "Gitty" Gitelman, Stint |
| Aaron Carpenter | TBD (2019) | "Next" | Aaron Carpenter, Sam Homaee, Jon Wienner |
| Tessanne Chin | Count on My Love (2014) | "Tumbling Down" | Ryan Tedder, Noel Zancanella, Peter Svensson |
| Kelly Clarkson | Piece by Piece (2015) | "Take You High" | Jesse Shatkin |
| Meaning of Life (2017) | "Love So Soft" | Priscilla Renea, Jesse Shatkin | |
| "Don't You Pretend" | Kelly Clarkson, Jesse Shatkin | ||
| "Go High" | Kelly Clarkson, Jesse Shatkin | ||
| Chemistry (2024) | "Down to You" | Kelly Clarkson, Jesse Shatkin | |
| Shontelle | No Gravity (2010) | "Kiss You Up" | Jimmy Harry, Tony Kanal |
| Miley Cyrus | Bangerz (2013) | "Wrecking Ball" | Lukasz Gottwald, Stephan Moccio, Sacha Skarbek, Kiyanu Kim, Henry Walter |
| "FU" (feat. French Montana) | Miley Cyrus, Rami Samir Afuni, Karim Kharbouch | ||
| "Someone Else" | Miley Cyrus, Michael L. Willams II, Pierre Ramon Slaughter, Timothy Thomas, Theron Thomas | ||
| Echosmith | Talking Dreams (2014) | "Bright" | Echosmith, Jeffery David |
| Lonely Generation (2020) | "Everyone Cries" | Echosmith Jeffrey David | |
| Ellipso | — | "Raw" (with Lucky Luke) | Ellipso, Fransisca Hall, Michael Schulz |
| Evie Erie | Pessimist EP (2020) | "Worst Enemy" | Evie Erie, Greg Kurstin |
| Fergie | The Great Gatsby soundtrack (2013) | "A Little Party Never Killed Nobody" | Fergie, Q-Tip, GoonRock |
| Fletcher | The S(ex) Tapes (2020) | "If I Hated You" | Cari Fletcher, James Ryan Ho |
| Ellie Goulding | Delirium (2015) | "Don't Panic" | Ellie Goulding, Greg Kurstin |
| "We Can't Move To This" | N/A | ||
| "Holding On For Life" | Ellie Goulding, Greg Kurstin | ||
| Christina Grimmie | With Love (2013) | "Get Yourself Together" | Rune Westberg, Haley Reinhart |
| Mickey Guyton | Remember Her Name (2021) | "Indigo" | Mickey Guyton, Jimmy Robbins, Laura Veltz |
| Niall Horan | Heartbreak Weather (2020) | "New Angel" | Niall Horan, Amy Allen, Greg Kurstin |
| Benjamin Ingrosso | Identification (2018) | "I’ll Be Fine Somehow" | Benjamin Ingrosso, Axident |
| Dinah Jane | TBD (2020) | "Missed a Spot" | Dinah Jane, Kamila Hansen, Lisa Scinta, JR Rotem |
| Jonas Brothers | Happiness Begins (2019) | "I Believe" | Nick Jonas, Greg Kurstin |
| "Strangers" | Joe Jonas, Nick Jonas, Greg Kurstin | ||
| "Every Single Time" | Joe Jonas, Nick Jonas, Greg Kurstin | ||
| "Don't Throw It Away" | Joe Jonas, Nick Jonas, Greg Kurstin | ||
| Nick Jonas | Spaceman (2021) | "Spaceman" | Nick Jonas, Greg Kurstin |
| "This Is Heaven" | Nick Jonas, Greg Kurstin | ||
| "Don't Give Up on Us" | Nick Jonas, Greg Kurstin | ||
| "Heights" | Nick Jonas, Greg Kurstin | ||
| "2drunk" | Nick Jonas, Greg Kurstin | ||
| "Delicious" | Nick Jonas, Greg Kurstin | ||
| "Sexual" | Nick Jonas, Greg Kurstin | ||
| "Deeper Love" | Nick Jonas, Greg Kurstin, Mick Jones | ||
| "If I Fall" | Nick Jonas, Greg Kurstin | ||
| "Death Do Us Part" | Nick Jonas, Greg Kurstin | ||
| "Nervous" | Nick Jonas, Greg Kurstin | ||
| Mary Lambert | Heart On My Sleeve (2014) | "Secrets" | Mary Lambert, Eric Rosse, Benny Cassette |
| "Heart On My Sleeve" | Mary Lambert, Eric Rosse, Benny Cassette | ||
| "Sum of Our Parts" | Mary Lambert, Eric Rosse, Benny Cassette | ||
| "Monochromatic" | Mary Lambert | ||
| "Wounded Animal" | Mary Lambert, Eric Rosse | ||
| "So Far Away" | Mary Lambert, Eric Rosse, Benny Cassette | ||
| Madonna | Rebel Heart (2015) | "Living for Love" | Madonna, Thomas Wesley Pentz, Toby Gad, Ariel Rechtshaid |
| "Unapologetic Bitch" | Madonna, Thomas Wesley Pentz, Toby Gad, Ariel Rechtshaid | ||
| "Illuminati" | Madonna, Toby Gad, Larry Griffin, Jr., Mike Dean | ||
| "Bitch I'm Madonna" (feat. Nicki Minaj) | Madonna, Thomas Wesley Pentz, Toby Gad, Ariel Rechtshaid | ||
| "Hold Tight" | Madonna, Thomas Wesley Pentz, Toby Gad, Uzoechi Emenike | ||
| "Joan of Arc" | Madonna, Toby Gad, Larry Griffin Jr. | ||
| "Iconic" (feat. Chance the Rapper and Mike Tyson) | Madonna, Toby Gad, Larry Griffin Jr., Chancellor Bennett, Dacoury Natche, Michael Tucker | ||
| "Body Shop" | Madonna, Toby Gad, Larry Griffin Jr., Dacoury Natche, Michael Tucker | ||
| Rebel Heart - Deluxe Edition (2015) | "Best Night" | Madonna, Thomas Wesley Pentz, Toby Gad, Ariel Rechtshaid | |
| "Veni Vidi Vici" (feat. Nas) | Madonna, Thomas Wesley Pentz, Toby Gad, Ariel Rechtshaid | ||
| "S.E.X." | Madonna, Toby Gad, Larry Griffin Jr., | ||
| Lea Michele | Places (2017) | "Anything's Possible" | Tim Myers |
| One Direction | Four (2014) | "Fool's Gold" | Jamie Scott, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Liam Payne |
| Made in the A.M. (2015) | "Perfect" | J Kash, John Ryan, Julian Bunetta, Jesse Shatkin, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson | |
| Rachel Platten | Wildfire (2016) | "Speechless" | Rachel Platten, Nolan Lambroza |
| Pink | Trustfall (2023) | "Long Way to Go" (feat. The Lumineers) | Alecia Moore, John Suddth, Jesse Shatkin, Wesley Schultz, Jeremiah Fraites |
| Charlie Puth | Nine Track Mind (2015) | "One Call Away" | Charlie Puth, DJ Frank E, Shy Carter, Breyon Isaac, Matthew Prime |
| Haley Reinhart | Listen Up! (2012) | "Oh My!" (feat. B.o.B) | Haley Reinhart, Rob Kleiner, Bobby Ray Simmons, Jr. |
| "Undone" | Haley Reinhart, Rune Westberg | ||
| Rihanna | Home soundtrack (2015) | "Dancing In The Dark" | Mikkel Storleer Eriksen, Tor Erik Hermansen, Ester Dean |
| Robin Schulz | Uncovered (2017) | "OK" (feat. James Blunt) | Robin Schulz, Steve Mac, James Blunt |
| Shontelle | No Gravity (2010) | "Kiss You Up" | Jimmy Harry, Tony Kanal |
| Shura | Nothing's Real (2016) | "What's It Gonna Be?" | Aleksndra Yakunina-Denton, Greg Kurstin, Joel Pott |
| "Tongue Tied" | Aleksndra Yakunina-Denton, Greg Kurstin | ||
| Lennon Stella | Love, Me EP (2018) | "Fortress" | Lennon Stella, Greg Kurstin |
| Lindsey Stirling | Artemis (2019) | "The Upside" (feat. Elle King) | Lindsey Stirling, Taylor Bird, Peter Hanna, Maize Jane Olinger |
| Martina Stoessel | Tini (2016) | "Still Standing" / "Sigo adelante" | Lindy Robbins, Jason Evigan |
| Tinashe | Aquarius (2014) | "Feels Like Vegas" | Tinashe, Mikkel Storleer Eriksen, Tor Erik Hermansen, Jeffrey Johnson Jr. |
| Tove Styrke | Sway (2018) | "Sway" | Tove Styrke, Joe Janiak |
| Keith Urban | Graffiti U (2018) | "Drop Top" (feat. Kassi Ashton) | Jimmy Robbins, Josh Osborne |
| "Horses" (feat. Lindsay Ell) | Matt Rad, Jamie Scott | ||
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