James Fauntleroy is more than casually familiar with the pop charts; his voice, production, and songwriting have earned him spots on tracks by Rihanna, Jay-Z, Drake, and scores of others. He is also a Grammy recipient for his Justin Timberlake co-write, “Pusher Love Girl,” which won for Best R&B Song of 2014. Yet, even by Fauntleroy’s lofty standards, “Die With a Smile” by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars has struck a deep cultural chord. The international chart-topper harkens back to the era of widescreen ’70s duets and marks a massive career highlight for the prolific Fauntleroy. He shares exclusive thoughts on the songwriting process behind this massive phenomenon.
The Old-Fashioned Way
“The song was created the old-fashioned way, which is in front of the piano.” Fauntleroy is talking about “Die With a Smile,” the inescapable hit he co-wrote with Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars, both household names. While he appreciates the tune’s current ubiquity, it’s hardly Fauntleroy’s first rodeo.
“My first hit was one of the first songs I wrote when I got signed as a writer, ‘No Air’ by Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown. Here we are today, sixteen years later. I have a hit song out right now.” With that lengthy track record, what exactly does he bring to the table in these high-level writing environments?
“My first hit was one of the first songs I wrote when I got signed as a writer. Here we are today, sixteen years later. I have a hit song out right now."
“I’ll call it pure swagger, you know what I mean?” Fauntleroy says, attempting to define his role in the creative process. “Also, I’m a really serious lyricist and melody writer.”
That combination of looseness and sincerity is evident in the musician’s demeanor—bopping in his chair and flashing peace signs one minute, then before breaking into a heartfelt reflection on how a worldwide hit comes into existence. He speaks about his love of chanteuses Brandy and Anita Baker as quickly as Eminem, all influences on the multifaceted artist he’s become.
Team Equals Dream
One thing Fauntleroy makes clear is that he considers songwriting a team effort; he’s deeply reverential about his colleagues. “Obviously, he’s one of the most successful songwriters in history, man,” Fauntleroy says of Mars, with whom he co-wrote seven tracks on 2016’s seminal 24K Magic. “He’s such a purist, and it has such a massive impact and staying power. Just a long, healthy career.”
"There's no divine inspiration moment I'm looking for because that's always occurring."
Fauntleroy also quickly praises Dernst “D’Mile” Emile, who he says “was there from beginning to the end of the process.” He describes Andrew Watt as a “genius producer who’s probably been taking the world by storm since he came out of the womb.”
In fact, the only participant Fauntleroy didn’t know prior to the sessions was Lady Gaga. She both confirmed and surpassed his preconceptions. “I wasn’t surprised that she was amazing,” he says. “But she was the first artist I’ve ever seen write out a chord chart to a song in my life.”
The Creative Work
“There’s no divine inspiration moment I’m looking for because that’s always occurring. We’re always connected to whatever the thing is we draw our creativity from. But also, because it’s a job.”
Yes, music is a calling, but it’s also hard work. He’s both practical and forthright about the purpose of his lifelong pursuit. “Music is so important to all of us because of its place in our lives,” he explains. “What that means to me creatively is that I’m always trying to make songs that are of use. It’s useful when I’m sad and I’m happy, and in all my different feelings.”
