Songwriter Behind Iconic Hits Dies After Cancer Battle

Billy Steinberg, the celebrated lyricist who helped shape some of the most iconic pop songs of the 1980s and ’90s, has died after a long battle with cancer. He was 75.

Steinberg passed away Monday in California, his attorney confirmed. Over a career that spanned more than four decades, he became one of the most influential songwriters in modern pop — even if his name wasn’t always front and center.

Best known for his longtime partnership with Tom Kelly, Steinberg wrote the lyrics to a remarkable string of chart-topping hits, including Like a Virgin for Madonna, True Colors for Cyndi Lauper, Eternal Flame for The Bangles, and So Emotional for Whitney Houston.

Together, Steinberg and Kelly crafted songs that defined an era of pop music — blending emotional vulnerability with unforgettable hooks.

Steinberg and Kelly met in the early 1980s and quickly discovered a creative rhythm. Steinberg primarily focused on lyrics, while Kelly composed much of the music. The duo’s process often began with a bold title or emotional concept.

“Every hit that Tom and I wrote started with lyrics first,” Steinberg once said in an interview. He would bring in lines and ideas — sometimes deeply personal — and Kelly would build melodies around them.

One of those ideas became “Like a Virgin,” which Steinberg wrote during a difficult period in his own romantic life. The song was initially turned down by several industry executives who questioned its provocative title. But when Madonna recorded it, it became a defining moment in her career — and a No. 1 hit.

In contrast, when Lauper recorded “True Colors,” she departed significantly from the duo’s demo. Steinberg later praised her interpretation, saying she created a version that was uniquely her own.

Beyond their most famous collaborations, Steinberg and Kelly also wrote “Alone” for Heart and “I’ll Stand by You” for The Pretenders — songs that remain staples on radio and streaming playlists decades later.

After Kelly stepped away from songwriting in the mid-1990s, Steinberg continued working with other collaborators. He went on to co-write “Falling Into You” for Celine Dion and later found success with younger artists including JoJo and Demi Lovato.

In 2011, Steinberg and Kelly were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame — a recognition of the enduring impact of their work.

Born and raised in California’s Coachella Valley, Steinberg first found his footing as a singer-songwriter in the band Billy Thermal before transitioning fully into songwriting. Over time, he became known for his ability to turn striking phrases into chart-topping hits.

He once reflected that he enjoyed taking unusual or provocative titles and turning them into something emotionally meaningful — a balance of rebellion and sincerity that defined many of his biggest songs.

In recent years, Steinberg continued to work in music and signed a new publishing deal alongside his son, fellow songwriter Ezra Steinberg, in 2025 — a partnership that marked a new chapter in his long career.

Steinberg is survived by his wife, Trina; his sons, Ezra and Max; his sisters, Barbara and Mary; and his stepchildren, Raul and Carolina.

Though he often worked behind the scenes, Billy Steinberg’s lyrics became the soundtrack to countless lives — and his influence on pop music will endure for generations to come.