'I write songs for Britney Spears and One Direction and one thing amazes people'

When we listen to a chart-topping hit on the radio, it's easy to overlook the countless hours, cramped studio spaces, and unseen collaborations that bring it to life.

For RuthAnne, one of Ireland's most sought-after songwriters, this behind-the-scenes world often involves working alongside some of the biggest names in music.

From co-writing JoJo's 'Too Little Too Late' at just 17, to crafting hits for Britney Spears, One Direction, Martin Garrix and Bebe Rexha, Niall Horan, Diana Ross, and more, RuthAnne's career has been a masterclass in creative versatility, tenacity, and connection.

"I wrote Too Little Too Late at 17, but it took two years to come out, so I was 19," she says. "And it taught me how massive a song can be globally.

"I hear that song still on the radio in so many different countries. But it definitely showed me that it takes a lot of work. It takes a lot of preparation."

By the time she turned 16, RuthAnne had already penned 600 songs in her bedroom, immersing herself in what she refers to as the "10,000 hours" of practice that would prepare her for the moment opportunity came knocking, reports the Mirror.

She said: "I always talk about how preparation plus opportunity equals success. If I hadn't done those hours at home, I don't know if I would have been ready for that lucky break."

For RuthAnne, songwriting was never about fame - it was about expression.

She said: "I was quite an emotional kid. Music was more my outlet. When I would sing to people, they would kind of react to me, smiling, tiny penitent things. And I was like, what is this? It was the first time I realised I could connect with people through song."

This early revelation set the stage for a career where she would not only create hits for others but also share her own narratives through music.

Despite her initial success, RuthAnne confesses that she never truly feels like she's "made it" in the industry.

She elaborated: "I think because I'm always trying to achieve things. When I'm in the room with John Legend, and he's like, 'What do you think of that?' I'm like, oh, my ears don't mention that quite enough. Those moments are definitely key to the moments of life."

And these moments are often personal and human.

"They are honestly just normal people. They feel the same that we all feel - good days, bad days. It's a work scenario, you're just working with people," she says.

Some of her encounters with celebrities remain etched in her memory.

She said: "John Legend had the piano right in the middle of the studio, it was hot that day. Just me and John, that was lovely."

Diana Ross also left a profound impact: "Meeting Diana was huge. She's such an icon, but she was so down-to-earth. It reminded me why I do this."

And then there was Alicia Keys, who RuthAnne had admired for years. "Getting to meet her was a huge inspiration for me. It was one of the reasons I became an artist and why I wanted to learn the piano."

Another standout moment she remembered was "being with Niall, him jumping up and down the studio hearing what we'd written, or singing with him on stage".

Naturally, the creative process can be equally as exhilarating as the celebrity meetings.

RuthAnne remembers the intricate collaboration behind Britney Spears' Work B**ch.

Ruth explained: "There are times where it's you and the artist, sometimes you're writing to pitch to an artist, and other times, pieces of the song are written all over the world and put together. I call that the Frankenstein moment.

"I wrote to Anthony [Preston], he wrote a song called Fingers to the Sky, and it took over a piece of the song. Then I got a call saying, 'Hey, you know that song you worked on? I've put it up with will.i.am and something is coming out of it.' Finding pieces for pop and dance history is the biggest thing."

Her adaptability has allowed her to move between genres effortlessly.

Ruth explained: "I have a really eclectic musical legacy... I was always obsessed with every genre and just great songs. I always try to write the best song I can. The skills I've learned over the years let me work in any genre, in any category, to make songs sound beautiful."

She's conquered EDM alongside Avicii, tackled pop with One Direction, and delivered powerhouse ballads for Westlife, yet her hunger for success remains undiminished as she dreams of seeing her compositions across countless genres become chart-toppers.

Certain tracks carry deeply personal significance, even when brought to life by other artists.

Ruth explained: "[Like with] Too Little Too Late. So many people say, 'I broke up with my boyfriend and that song helped me through,' and it's still so loved by the world. And The Vow-I constantly get videos of people covering it at weddings..

"I wrote a song about my journey with endometriosis, which is a chronic illness a lot of women have. Seeing people online singing it, or it soundtracking their moments, made me realise how important it is to release those songs. In your vulnerability, you could be helping someone or making someone feel seen and heard."

She's equally determined to challenge a widespread misunderstanding surrounding her profession.

Ruth said: "People think pop songs are the easiest songs to write. They are really not - they're the hardest songs to write. It's important to value the skill of a songwriter. There are lots of ways songs come together, and every artist works differently. Some write everything themselves, some work in a team. It's all about collaboration and skill."

When pressed to choose amongst her greatest achievements, she wavered between her breakthrough moment and a more recent creation: "I'm really proud of Too Little Too Late because it was my first hit and it still resonates.

"And I'm proud of The Vow, because it's connected to people's lives in such a meaningful way. At the end of the day, music has always been my therapy. If my songs can make someone else feel seen, or bring them joy on the dancefloor, then I know I'm doing what I was meant to do."

Rather than taking her foot off the pedal, RuthAnne is broadening her creative scope even further.

Beyond her solo material, she's participated in TikTok's #SummerSkills initiative, mentoring teenagers in the craft of songwriting.

She recently presented a TikTok LIVE composition workshop alongside emerging pop sensation KiD RAiN, crafting an entirely fresh track live before viewers worldwide.

"It's been amazing. I want to help those creators be able to know how to create songs that will make the whole world sing", she enthused.

RuthAnne has a fresh album, The Moment, arriving October 10, plus a publication, entitled It's Not JUST A Song, launching 25th September through Faber.