Gregg Alexander

Songwriting and production (1999–present)

Since the summer of 1999, Alexander has written and produced hit songs for several artists, including Brisebois, Enrique Iglesias, Texas, Geri Halliwell, S Club 7, Melanie C, Rod Stewart, Hanson, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Mónica Naranjo, and Ronan Keating (he co-produced and co-wrote the album Destination).

In 2003, he wrote four songs on Iglesias' album 7, under the pseudonym Alex Ander. In 2004, a new Alexander track, "A Love Like That," was released, uncredited, on the Internet. It was suspected to be a New Radicals outtake, as some of the lyrics appeared in the booklet accompanying Maybe You've Been Brainwashed Too. Also in 2004, Hanson released "Lost Without Each Other," co-written by Alexander, on their album Underneath. "Why Can't We Make Things Work", written by Alexander (and Rick Nowels), was released by Any Dream Will Do winner Lee Mead on his self-titled album in November 2007. In 2010, Boyzone released the single "Love Is a Hurricane," written by Alexander and Brisebois.

Alexander co-wrote and co-produced the music for the musical romance film Begin Again, along with his longtime collaborators Brisebois and Nowels, as well as Nick Lashley. Their song "Lost Stars" was nominated for an Best Original Song at the 2015 Academy Awards. On the soundtrack album, Alexander, Brisebois, Nowels and Lashley are credited under the name Cessyl Orchestra.

On November 4, 2014, Alexander appeared and performed publicly for the first time in 15 years at the Hollywood Music in Media Awards, singing "Lost Stars." Since 2018, Alexander has been involved in writing sessions with Phil Thornalley and his 1970's singer-songwriter inspired music project, Astral Drive. Two songs co-written by Alexander have been released: "Take Back the World" and "This Is the Place". Alexander assisted with production of The Struts' album Everybody Wants and co-wrote two songs: "The Ol' Switcheroo" and "Put Your Money on Me." He also co-wrote and provided backup vocals for Spencer Ludwig's 2016 single, "Right Into U"; and co-wrote (with Lashley and Nowels) the Kaiser Chiefs' 2019 song "The Only Ones".

In January 2024, Sophie Ellis-Bextor's "Murder on the Dancefloor", co-written by Alexander, became a viral hit due to its appearance in the film Saltburn. The resurgence of the song also carried over to social network TikTok, which expanded the song's popularity. It climbed to No. 2 on the UK singles chart, and reached No. 51 on the US Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. This became the biggest hit for Alexander's career since "The Game of Love" in 2003.

Discography

Albums Michigan Rain (1989) Intoxifornication (1992)

Singles "In the Neighborhood" (1989) "Smokin' in Bed" (1992) "The Truth" (1992)

Others "Promise Tomorrow Tonight" (1994, duet with Danielle Brisebois on her album Arrive All over You) "A Love Like That" (2003, digital download)