While the world remembers Neil Sedaka for his golden voice and signature piano style, his greatest legacy might lie in the hits he handed to other artists. As a cornerstone of the Brill Building, Sedaka and his partner Howard Greenfield were a hit-making factory.
Here are the top 10 tracks that prove Neil Sedaka was the ultimate architect of the pop charts.
1. “Love Will Keep Us Together” – Captain & Tennille (1975)
Perhaps his most famous contribution to another act, this track won the Grammy for Record of the Year. The duo even paid homage to the songwriter by chirping “Sedaka is back” during the song’s outro.
2. “Stupid Cupid” – Connie Francis (1958)
This rock and roll classic catapulted Connie Francis to stardom. Sedaka’s playful melody and Greenfield’s relatable lyrics created the perfect teenage anthem for the late 50s.
3. “Ring Ring” (English Lyrics) – ABBA (1973)
Before they were global icons, ABBA sought out Sedaka and his collaborator Phil Cody to help translate their Swedish Eurovision entry into a global hit. They co-wrote the English lyrics, helping the group break into the international market.
4. “Where the Boys Are” – Connie Francis (1961)
Another powerhouse collaboration with Connie Francis, this ballad became a cinematic theme and a perennial favorite for decades. It remains one of the most emotional compositions of the early 60s.
5. “Solitaire” – The Carpenters (1975)
While Sedaka recorded his own version, Karen Carpenter’s haunting vocals turned this melancholic masterpiece into a Top 20 hit in the US and UK. Even Elvis Presley later recognized its brilliance by recording his own version.
6. “Is This the Way to Amarillo” – Tony Christie (1971)
One of the most infectious melodies in pop history, this track was composed by Sedaka and Howard Greenfield. While Tony Christie made it a global anthem, the song’s timeless appeal was proven decades later when it returned to No. 1 on the UK charts in 2005.
7. “Puppet Man” – The 5th Dimension / Tom Jones (1970)
A soulful, high-energy track that showed Sedaka could write more than just teen-pop. Both The 5th Dimension and Tom Jones delivered powerful versions of this song, proving Sedaka’s versatility during the transition to the 70s sound.
8. “The Hungry Years” – Wayne Newton / Frank Sinatra (1975)
A nostalgic look back at early love, this track became a staple for legendary performers. While Wayne Newton had a hit with it, the ultimate validation came when Frank Sinatra recorded it for his album The Future, cementing Sedaka’s status as a top-tier songwriter.
9. “The Diary” – Little Anthony and the Imperials (1958)
Before becoming a solo star, Sedaka was a relentless hit-maker at the Brill Building. He originally wrote “The Diary” for the legendary doo-wop group Little Anthony and the Imperials. After a disagreement regarding the arrangement, Sedaka recorded it himself as his debut solo hit, though the group’s version remains a fan favorite.
10. “It Hurts to Be in Love” – Gene Pitney (1964)
Originally intended as a follow-up hit for Sedaka himself, a contractual dispute prevented him from releasing his own recording. The song was handed to Gene Pitney, becoming a defining Top 10 hit of the mid-60s and proving that a Sedaka composition could thrive even in the height of the British Invasion.