Billy Steinberg, Prolific Songwriter of ‘Like a Virgin’ and ‘True Colors,’ Dies at 75
Billy Steinberg, the Grammy-winning lyricist behind some of the most iconic songs of the 1980s and 90s, including Madonna’s “Like a Virgin,” Whitney Houston’s “So Emotional,” and Cyndi Lauper’s “True Colors,” has died at the age of 75.
Steinberg passed away on Monday, February 16, 2026, after a battle with cancer, according to his longtime songwriting partner, Tom Kelly. The duo’s collaborative perform defined a generation of pop music, earning them a place in the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2011.
A Partnership Forged in Collaboration
Steinberg and Kelly’s partnership began in 1981, introduced by producer Keith Olsen. Kelly recalled their complementary strengths: “Billy was way stronger lyrically and I’m much stronger musically. So rather than me struggling to finish a lyric and rather than him writing a simplistic rock and roll song, we started working together.” Their creative process was described as a “chemical reaction,” with ideas flowing effortlessly between them.
Kelly described Steinberg’s lyrical process, noting he “would sit with a legal pad and his little fountain pen and just stare at that page and I’d watch his brain grinding. He just was great with words and catch phrases. He just was born to do it. He just had a gift.”
A String of Chart-Topping Hits
Beyond their work with Madonna, Houston, and Lauper, Steinberg and Kelly penned hits for a diverse range of artists, including Pretenders (“I’ll Stand by You”), The Bangles (“In Your Room”), Cyndi Lauper (“I Drove All Night”), and The Divinyls (“I Touch Myself”). Their songs were also recorded by Taylor Dayne, Tina Turner, Pat Benatar, Bette Midler, Cheap Trick, and Belinda Carlisle, among others.
The duo initially signed to Epic Records as I-10, releasing their album Taking a Cold Appear in 1983. Although the album didn’t achieve massive commercial success, it laid the groundwork for their future songwriting triumphs.
The Making of “Like a Virgin”
Their breakthrough came with “Like a Virgin,” inspired by Steinberg’s experience falling in love after a difficult breakup. The song faced initial resistance due to the provocative title, but Warner Brothers Records executive Michael Ostin recognized its potential for Madonna. Released in 1984, “Like a Virgin” became Madonna’s signature song, spending six weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and launching her to superstardom. The pair went on to score four more No. 1 songs over the next five years.
Kelly recounted the song’s creation, explaining how a frustrated attempt at a ballad led to a playful Motown-inspired bassline and falsetto vocals. “We both looked at each other wide eyed, and Billy’s going, ‘That’s a hit,’ and I’m going, ‘It is. You’re right!’”
Behind Other Iconic Songs
“True Colors,” originally written with more abstract lyrics, was refined with Kelly’s help to become a universal anthem of love, and acceptance. George Martin, the legendary producer of The Beatles, even offered suggestions for the song, initially envisioning it as a gospel-style ballad for Kenny Rogers before Cyndi Lauper embraced it.
“Alone,” originally recorded by I-10 in the early 1980s, found its ultimate success with Heart in 1987. Producer Ron Nevison recognized the song’s potential and helped refine the demo.
“So Emotional,” originally conceived as a funky, Prince-inspired track, was slowed down and smoothed out for Whitney Houston, becoming another chart-topping hit.
“Eternal Flame,” co-written with Susanna Hoffs of The Bangles, drew inspiration from The Beatles and was further elevated by producer Davitt Sigerson’s addition of cellos and other instrumentation.
A Lasting Legacy
Tom Kelly reflected on his friendship with Steinberg, sharing that he had a “great visit” with him just days before his death. Steinberg’s dedication to songwriting and his collaborative spirit will be deeply missed. His songs continue to resonate with audiences today, solidifying his place as one of the most influential songwriters of his generation.