20 Classic Songs You Didn't Know Were Written By Black Songwriters

These songwriters penned some unforgettable music that you know and love.

February is Black History Month, and to celebrate, here are some classic songs that you may not have known were written by these talented Black songwriters.

1. "It Takes Two," performed by Marvin Gaye and Kim Weston, was written by Sylvia Moy and William "Mickey" Stevenson.

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Marvin Gaye/YouTube / Via youtube.com

2. "Great Balls of Fire," performed by Jerry Lee Lewis, was written by Otis Blackwell and Jack Hammer.

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JerryLeeLewisTV/YouTube / Via youtube.com

3. "Manic Monday," performed by the Bangles, was written by Prince.

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TheBanglesMusic/Youtube / Via youtube.com

4. "I'm Every Woman," originally performed by Chaka Khan, was written by Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson.

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RHINO/YouTube / Via youtube.com

5. "Human," performed by The Human League, was written by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.

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The Human League/ YouTube / Via youtube.com

6. "(You Got It) The Right Stuff," performed by New Kids on the Block, was written by Maurice Starr.

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New Kids on the Block/YouTube / Via youtube.com

7. "Hollaback Girl," performed and co-written by Gwen Stefani, was co-written by Pharrell Williams.

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Gwen Stefani/YouTube / Via youtube.com

8. "Where Are You Christmas?," performed by Faith Hill, was co-written by Mariah Carey.

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Faith Hill/YouTube / Via youtube.com

9. "High Hopes," performed by Panic! at the Disco, was co-written by Tayla Parx.

Left: Panic! At The Disco/Youtube, right: Photo by Tommaso Boddi / Getty Images for Warner Music / Via youtube.com

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Panic! At The Disco/Youtube / Via youtube.com

10. "The Lion Sleeps Tonight," performed by the Tokens, was written and originally recorded by Solomon Linda.

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tokenvideos/YouTube / Via youtube.com

11. "Take a Bow," performed by Rihanna, was co-written by Ne-Yo.

Left: Rihanna/YouTube, right: Photo by Gareth Cattermole / Getty Images / Via youtube.com

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Rihanna/YouTube / Via youtube.com

12. "Firework," performed by Katy Perry, was co-written by Ester Dean.

Left: Katy Perry/YouTube, right: Photo by: Tommy Garcia/E! Entertainment / NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images / Via youtube.com

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Katy Perry/YouTube / Via youtube.com

13. "One in a Million," performed by Aaliyah, was co-written by Missy Elliott and Timbaland.

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Blackground Records 2.0/YouTube / Via youtube.com

14. "When the Levee Breaks," performed by Led Zeppelin, was co-written by Memphis Minnie.

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Led Zeppelin/YouTube / Via youtube.com

15. "Why Do Fools Fall in Love" was performed by Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers, and co-written by Lymon and band members Jimmy Merchant and Herman Santiago.

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WMG/YouTube / Via youtube.com

16. "Nothing Compares 2 U," performed by Sinéad O'Connor, was also written by Prince.

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Sinéad O'Connor/YouTube / Via youtube.com

17. "We Are the World," performed by supergroup U.S.A. for Africa, was written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie.

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USAforAfricaVEVO/YouTube / Via youtube.com

18. "Play," performed by Jennifer Lopez, was co-written by Christina Milian and Cory Rooney.

Left: Jennifer Lopez/YouTube, middle: Photo by Paul Archuleta / Getty Images, right: Photo by Mindy Small / FilmMagic / Getty Images / Via youtube.com

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Jennifer Lopez/YouTube / Via youtube.com

19. "Fascination" performed and co-written by David Bowie, was co-written by Luther Vandross.

Left: David Bowie/YouTube, right: Photo By Raymond Boyd / Getty Images / Via youtube.com

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David Bowie/YouTube / Via youtube.com

20. "Where Do Broken Hearts Go," performed by Whitney Houston, was co-written by Chuck Jackson.

Left: Whitney Houston/YouTube, right: Photo by Gilles Petard/Redferns / Getty Images / Via youtube.com

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Whitney Houston/YouTube / Via youtube.com

Make sure to head right here for more of BuzzFeed's Black History Month coverage.

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