Billy Steinberg, the songwriter behind some of pop music’s most enduring hits, has died. News of his passing prompted renewed attention on the string of No. 1 singles he crafted with longtime collaborator Tom Kelly, a partnership that helped define the sound of 1980s radio.
Steinberg and Kelly wrote several songs that reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100, including Madonna’s Like a Virgin, which became a cultural touchstone after its release in 1984. The pair also penned True Colors for Cyndi Lauper, a ballad that showcased a different side of mainstream pop and later climbed to No. 1.
Their catalog extended beyond those titles. Eternal Flame by the Bangles and So Emotional by Whitney Houston also topped the chart, underscoring the duo’s ability to write across styles while staying firmly within the pop mainstream.
Billboard has noted that Steinberg and Kelly’s work consistently resonated with wide audiences, producing multiple chart leaders during a competitive era for radio hits. Their songs remain staples on playlists decades later, reflecting a songwriting partnership that left a lasting mark on American pop music.