Songwriter Spotlight - Justin Tranter: Songwriting, Advocacy, and a Decade of Pop Hits
- Monica Soriano
- Jan 5
- 3 min read
From chart-topping songs to outspoken advocacy, Justin Tranter has reshaped what it means to be a modern songwriter.
Article Contributed by Monica Soriano
The name Justin Tranter holds weight within the music industry due to their involvement in writing some of the biggest hits for over a decade now. Tranter is not only a successful songwriter but also an educator and mentor to future generations of writers. They share knowledge about the music industry consistently, and when asked about their songwriting process, they seem glad to share what details they can. With major hits such as “Cake By The Ocean” by DNCE, “Sorry” by Justin Bieber, and “Good Luck, Babe!” by Chappell Roan, they have created many memorable moments in pop culture through their songwriting.
A Songwriting Journey That Began At 15 Years Old
Tranter has had a fulfilling career as a musician and songwriter, having begun writing songs at the age of 15. They were also involved in musical theater during their high school years and attended Berklee College of Music in Boston later on. From 2006 to 2014, Tranter was the lead singer of the band Semi Precious Weapons and signed a publishing deal to write for others before the group disbanded. Justin Tranter’s first song placement was at the age of 34, and he has been unstoppable in the songwriting world since.
Hit After Hit After Hit
Justin Tranter’s first-penned hit was Fall Out Boy’s “Centuries”, a rather well-known song to this day. Tranter has also contributed their skills to songs such as “Good For You“ by Selena Gomez, “Believer” by Imagine Dragons “Issues” by Julia Michaels. Their credits reach beyond pop music and expand to the world of television with the series Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies and films such as Purple Hearts and Happiest Season. Their ability to write music for different styles is a true talent. It is one thing to write a pop song, which already needs a specific ear and skill level, but it is another thing to write songs that will be used in film or television, which have more requirements and restrictions overall.
Belonging, Advocacy, and Education
Justin’s ability to advocate and educate others about the queer experience in and out of the music industry is a superpower of theirs. Their work in LGBTQIA+ spaces continues to impact newer songwriters in a positive way. Tranter’s own experience with bullying and their queer identity play a big role in the influence they have and the trail of knowledge they leave behind with every new milestone achieved. They have spoken about how songs such as “Centuries” by Fall Out Boy and “Bad at Love” by Halsey have allowed them to express their identity more than other songs due to the nature of the topics they were written about. Tranter is someone who continuously raises their voice on things happening within the music industry or queer community and oftentimes educates people through responding to questions on social media or in person through guest appearances at industry events. One of the topics Tranter strongly advocates for is fair wages for songwriters so that they can have the financial freedom to go all in with their writing.
Justin is continuing to write for massive pop stars, but also shaping the music industry. As the founder of Facet Records and Publishing, they give fair opportunities and education to many writers. Justin Tranter is leaving their mark one song, one session, and one conversation at a time. We can’t wait to see more of their talent continue to reach global audiences through radio, streaming, film, and television!
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