Sarah Aarons

Australian songwriter

  • Pop
  • dance
  • rock
Occupation(s)SongwriterLabelsSony ATV Publishing
Musical artist

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".

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
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

References

  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ "For Sarah Aarons, illness was a 'turning point' on the way to a chart-topping song". ABC News. 14 July 2017.
  3. ^ "Meet the 23-year-old Melbourne writer behind the biggest pop song in the US". 19 June 2017.
  4. ^ "The Secrets Behind How Australia's Biggest Pop Tracks Get Made".
  5. ^ "10 quick questions with Ambassador Sarah Aarons".
  6. ^ "The 20 Hottest Songwriters in Pop Music Right Now".
  7. ^ "Full List of Winners". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) | Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS). Retrieved 13 April 2018.
  8. ^ "Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) | Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS). 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  9. ^ "Country Work of the Year". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) | Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS). 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  10. ^ "Sarah Aarons, Amy Shark, Dean Lewis Win Big at 2019 APRA Awards". Billboard.
  11. ^ Brereton, Greta (11 June 2021). "Check out Peking Duk's anthemic new single "Chemicals"". NME. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  12. ^ "APRA AMCOS: 2023 APRA Music Awards". APRA AMCOS (Australasian Performing Right Association and Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society). Retrieved 28 April 2023.
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