Desmond Child | The Story Behind Many Songs | Top 2000: The Untold Stories

This is a masterclass songwriting by Desmond Child. He wrote on many songs like 'I Was Made for Lovin' You' by Kiss, Bon Jovi's ' Livin' on a Prayer' and 'You Give Love a Bad Name', Aerosmith's 'Dude (Looks Like a Lady)' and 'Alice Cooper's Poison'. From 2017.

[@scott6828]

I remember seeing this guys name in almost every record I bought as a kid.

[@pocho1664]

Hahaha same here.. Always wondering whos that guy

[@MarkWitucke]

Yeah, right?!

[@clintonmacdougall679]

Haha me too especially with bon jovi

[@fivestring65ify]

Desmond is a story teller. I think that's the best kind of songwriter.

[@AudiophileTubes]

So THAT'S who Desmond Child is, and what he looks like! As a rock fan for decades (i'm 57), i've always seen his name on albums or 45's, but never 'got to know him'. This video fantastically filled in the blanks! He is a legend!

[@Colonel__Ingus69]

Yep in the 80's he was the song doctor.

[@mikearchibald744]

I listened to an interview with GE Smith, the guitarist from SNL and he mentions working in 'Desmond CHild and Rouge', which was a band in the seventies and how Desmond Child went on to be a songwriter. I'd never heard of him, the guy can write a tune, no doubt about that. And frankly, the notoriety seems the least attractive part of being a musician to me, so it looks like he got the right choice when Bill Murray says "if you have the choice between fame and money...take the money". Plus he got to write and get heard a slew of songs. I wonder what happened to the rest of Rouge...

[@AnonymousAccount514]

He appears to be a sweet guy too

[@stevenponte6655]

Funny I was a big bonjovi fan (I was only 12) and my mum bought me the slippery when wet record. I learnt all the lyrics, and read all the sleeve notes and kept seeing this Desmond Child name. I knew he wasn’t in the band cos I had their poster on my wall. I was so intrigued and there was no internet. It was a real mystery for years. I later had a chance to meet Desmond and I told him the story and he got a kick out of it!!

[@francepo]

I think I could listen Desmond talking for a whole week without interrupting!!

[@mantelmann13]

That dude wrote or co-wrote so many great songs. I always read his name credited somewhere on my albums and asked myself who he is. No internet for me back then. ^^

[@mikekaraoke]

He was still in magazines and TV interviews -So very confused here

[@DontSleepOnEm]

Dude's net worth is $200 Million. Songwriting PAYS 🤑 (I'd say writing all these classics probably deserve even MORE)

[@fivestring65ify]

The "Dude" story is the funniest. What's even funnier is that Aerosmith was a big influence on the Crue.

[@nzrdb6]

It takes 4000 KZbin channels before I find pure solid gold

[@thelolguy007]

80 Top 40 songs is some achievement. Unreal 👏.

[@iismyalias]

I feel like this is a condensed course in songwriting. Desmond is a modern day songwriting legend.

[@DJBFAD]

"It takes 4000 songs to make 10 good ones" love that...

[@SmithMrCorona]

10 "good ones" Emphasis on the quotation marks.

[@mikekaraoke]

@@SmithMrCorona But that comment made no sense what he said-As he said 80 of them were top 40 hits and 15 were top 10 hits

[@PaulMappud]

@@glennjohnson2043 : There's no accounting for taste, eh...

[@fourthtunz]

@@glennjohnson2043 I was thinking that when he said that as I love the Beatles but I think Desmond was being modest when he said that as I takes some real talent for him to write that many songs in the top 100. The Beatles are at the top of the heap but I love singing many of Desmonds songs in the cover bands that I play in.

[@RADIO1990]

that mailbox money must be crazy!

[@burntvirtue]

Alice Cooper's Poison is incredibly musically sophisticated.

[@Sam-rz3rd]

I love how he explained a little of his thought process so humbly! One of my all-time favourite songwriters!

[@RealKevM]

As a songwriter I only have awe and respect for this man.

[@DontSleepOnEm]

Same

[@Colonel__Ingus69]

@@4thepast Truth

[@tedlogan5628]

Behold....The Architect of all our favorite Pop Rock songs! Tip of the hat to you , Good Sir

[@jimmydroid7838]

This interview needed to be longer. They didn't talk about the fact that his real name is not Desmond Child. He made a fantastic solo album back in the mid nineties. He's in fact of Cuban descent. Desmond Child is a fascinating cat.

[@maxant4285]

He is neither a child nor a cat.

[@jasonvoorhees8545]

He picked Desmond for demon, he thought himself a child of a demon.

[@DrWhom]

He mentions it's John.

[@uba2]

These videos are a real gift, thank you so much for them.

[@Top2000agogo]

Thank you!

[@RastaSaiyaman]

"Dude looks like a lady" basically was the eighties' version of "Lola" by the Kinks.

[@richalderson6069]

Yeah except Steve never "went there" with her......

[@thesuncollective1475]

400 songs to make one hit. I love that. Thank you Des that's probably the best motivator I've ever heard. I've written 100 and feel down but not anymore. Thanks!

[@AnonymousAccount514]

He said 4000

[@Burps___]

A true master class with Desmond Child. So many pearls of wisdom. Thank you sincerely for this interview. #DesmondChild

[@tigranmargaryan8617]

Well, I'd been born and grew up in Soviet Union, an absolutely isolated country, and when I was 10, one day I had Bon Jovi's 'New Jersey', and there were many songs written "composed by ... and Desmond Child", so I was wonder who is that mysterious guy? Where is his picture on the cover? Isn't he the band member? But why and how? So 33 years passed since that day, now I can see him, hear his voice and discover, that so many many songs were written by this genious "mysterious" Desmond Child : ))

[@carlminorsr2634]

Always heard his name but never knew who he was....In the mind of a true song writer 🤯

[@Stewieboy1995]

Very talented man and seems very humble. This guy helped revive so many bands with big hits for them

[@ALLMUTANTER]

Desmond Child is a LEGEND!

[@V3ntilator]

Desmond Child were a common name in 80's on song credits. Great videos on this channel overall. Subbed.

[@Top2000agogo]

V3ntilator Thank you!

[@ElvarMasson]

Am I the only one who's seen Desmond Child's name on loads of albums / cd covers over the last few decades, but never seen his face ???

[@lupcokotevski2907]

One of Demond's songwriting heroes is the New York genius singer/songwriter Laura Nyro, also a huge favourite of Paul Stanley, Alice Cooper, Todd Rundgren. See KZbin discussions of Nyro by the latter two and Elton John.

[@davidadams2395]

Lupco Kotevski Yeah, I can understand their reverence for Nyro. Her songwriting prowess second to none, and I love her recordings best of her songs made famous by other artists.

[@4uTender]

His collaboration with Roxette sprung "You Don't Understand Me", beautiful song! So good one Mr. Child

[@OrestisTrips]

11:35 The most Spinal Tap story ever! How could we know this 32 years ago :)

[@Antonio_Ortiz]

I thought I've heard of every great songwriter and producer, but man this guy is definitely one of the greats.

[@manwhoneversleeps]

gosh these videos are great. Thank you!

[@spinalcrackerbox]

This was incredibly satisfying to watch from a budding songwriter's perspective. My favorite Desmond Child composition at the moment is "Save up all you tears" & I've always loved Aerosmith's Dude ...

[@georgeshaw8925]

Desmond is such a creative writer, love to know what’s in his water.

[@Colonel__Ingus69]

Talented man, I remember he saved Bon Jovi, Areosmith, Joan Jett, Alice Cooper, Cher and many others. At one time he had several songs in the top 20 at once. I put him up there with Lennon and McCartney.

[@paulsven7923]

Thanks for all the music of my youth, you're a genius

[@BG1E]

Degenen die deze video hebben bewerkt en gemonteerd, erg goed gedaan. Ziet er ongelooflijk goed uit.

[@ericksonjacobnavarro7052]

Desmond child...Behind the bon jovi’s best songs.

[@jp3813]

Their best song is often said to be "Wanted Dead or Alive", which didn't involve Desmond. Other hits not involving him include "I'll Be There for You", "Bed of Roses", "Always", "It's My Life", "Blaze of Glory", etc...

[@YouTube.Algorithmic.Nonsense]

Dire Straits wrote Money for Nothing after seeing Vince Neil and Motley Crue on MTV. Who knew Vince was also the inspiration for an Aerosmith song. The real irony is that Desmond Child later wrote music for Vince Neil as a solo artist. Chances are Child helped write probably every song ever written over the past 45 years. I’ve seen him credited everywhere. Saw another interview with him from several years ago and he came off like a real egotistical asshole. Here he’s humble, thoughtful, and deliberate. Brilliant songwriter who deserves to be in the R&R Hall of Fame one day.

[@PM-fs2eg]

So so impressive...writing so many great and iconic songs! Wow!

[@johnnypotenza7466]

Real cool doc on the man behind the hits, the one & only Desmond Child! Best from the Up Late with Johnny Potenza show

[@katwelsch9932]

This is a great video! I was a super Holy Roller in the eighties. I am totally 180 degrees in the other direction and now I really love this music. The biographical and techno talk is fun too!

[@danyavilaoficial]

Amazing video !!!

[@janthomassrensen1065]

Amazing and so down to the ground.

[@junkdnareviews2515]

That was so good. Great insight into 80s song writing.

[@TheProphetJoshua]

You can hear the cadence in a Desmond Child chorus coming from a mile away. Once you have a title, it almost writes itself.

[@hollowillusion4732]

Very inspiring video!! Keep up the good work !! Greetings from Norway 🇳🇴

[@mesabog2]

The gang vocals are a dead giveaway for his songs...

[@galenstone9097]

Desmond invented the Mid Eighties to early Nineties.

[@johnnyp5169]

Excellent story behind the seens of Desmond Child. Best from the Up Late with Johnny Potenza show

[@el_nestorvgc]

OMG I was in shock discovering the composser of all these hits. genius

[@yuccatree4298]

We might just be looking at one of the wealthiest people on planet earth

[@stevenrobert3917]

Internet says he's worth 200m. He's doing very well.

[@Top2000agogo]

What's your favorite song (co-)writen by Desmond Child?

[@frontwing67]

"You dont understand me" by Roxette.

[@dirkworld]

Main man- cher

[@thomasfransen6818]

Livin' on a prayer!! :)

[@PeterMayer]

None

[@ddskreamer]

Some Heads Are Gonna Roll by Judas Priest.

[@procekim]

wow Would love to hear more about Desmond.

[@steverdms]

That could be a Songwriting Masters Course.

[@martinodendaal1703]

He co-wrote Roxette's "You Don't Understand Me" also - GREAT song, great lyrics.

[@shananagans5]

He is amazingly talented. Very, very few people can really write songs. Lots of bands or people may hit on one or 2 good songs but that's all they have in them. Then you have just a handful of people that are prolific writers. I am in awe of anyone that can write or play at a high level, but I think the ability to regularly write good songs is the rarer talent.

[@desmondchild7191]

I want to Specially appreciate you for being a big fan. Thanks for your nice comment on my post, it means a lot to me. I want you to send me a direct message via hangouts using my personal email or you can as well add me up on WhatsApp through my mobile number that will be indicated below. Also endeavor to add your name to the text so I can know you are the one texting because I don’t reply unnecessary messages. Hangouts mail: [e-mail] WhatsApp number: ‪‪+1 (458) 216‑4174‬

[@kiekko673]

He produced my friends’ band called “The Rasmus”. The record was called “Black Roses”. There was not a single good track on that album, and the record company paid this guy A HUGE amount of money, plus he got the song writing credits for every song...they made the next record by themselves, and it was like 100 X cheaper and 10 X better...😬

[@MYEVILTWIIN]

Kiekko 67 in the shadows ... now there’s a tune 👍

[@regaltip8A]

A lot of this is contacts. If you have a couple of friends in record companies you get easy access to artists and push your songs onto them and then the record company promotes the fuck out of it. He ain't no fuckin Lennon/McCartney.

[@MelissaThompson432]

I think this guy may be single handedly responsible for me saying you only need to hear one Bon Jovi song because they all sound identical.... He himself said "you have to have chemistry with the artist." He should have known when he didn't have it, and let your friends save their money.

[@westernfilet]

He was there for my teens....

[@Marcel-Marcel]

so without this guy Bon Jovi would probably be stocking shelves at WallMart today

[@mindcontrol67]

Funny or not funny how it took a pro songwriter not even in the band to make them a hit cause they didn't on their own.

[@jp3813]

Hits such as "Wanted Dead or Alive", "I'll Be There for You", "Bed of Roses", "Always", "It's My Life", "Blaze of Glory", etc... didn't involve him.

[@jp3813]

@@mindcontrol67 Their first top 40 hit was "Runaway" before working w/ Desmond. The latter's only hit before working w/ Bon Jovi was "I Was Made for Lovin' You", co-written by Paul Stanley of Kiss. The melody for the chorus of "You Give Love a Bad Name" was originally used in "If You Were a Woman and I Was a Man" by Bonnie Tyler, and it flopped. It was then given new melodies & lyrics by Jon Bon Jovi & Richie Sambora, and it became the first #1 hit in the Billboard Hot 100 for all three songwriters. Together, they composed three number ones in the US. Separately, Desmond & Draco Rosa topped the charts w/ "Livin' la Vida Loca", Jon & Richie w/ "I'll Be There for You", and Jon alone w/ "Blaze of Glory".

[@r0dpm]

Great talent!

[@mickmcdonagh]

That was utterly fascinating

[@sweetpeachbellini8245]

I loved Desmond Child and Rouge!! Especially the song "The Night Was Not". Good to see him after so long 😊 P.S. Playing rock made it possible for Bon Jovi to go all countrified, which sucks for those who loved that sound.

[@desmondchild7191]

I want to Specially appreciate you for being a big fan. Thanks for your nice comment on my post, it means a lot to me. I want you to send me a direct message via hangouts using my personal email or you can as well add me up on WhatsApp through my mobile number that will be indicated below. Also endeavor to add your name to the text so I can know you are the one texting because I don’t reply unnecessary messages. Hangouts mail: [e-mail] WhatsApp number: ‪‪+1 (458) 216‑4174‬

[@nazarenkodenys]

Interesting. Thanks for sharing

[@bvg83]

Wow this so great, love every story, Latin talent in the house💐

[@tangobassel]

Wonderful channel.. much appreciation for the stories

[@Top2000agogo]

Thank you, spread the word!

[@desmondchild7191]

I want to Specially appreciate you for being a big fan. Thanks for your nice comment on my post, it means a lot to me. I want you to send me a direct message via hangouts using my personal email or you can as well add me up on WhatsApp through my mobile number that will be indicated below. Also endeavor to add your name to the text so I can know you are the one texting because I don’t reply unnecessary messages. Hangouts mail: [e-mail] WhatsApp number: ‪‪+1 (458) 216‑4174‬

[@yesimthatlisa]

One of my most favorite Desmond Child & Rouge songs is The Night was Not.

[@desmondchild7191]

I want to Specially appreciate you for being a big fan. Thanks for your nice comment on my post, it means a lot to me. I want you to send me a direct message via hangouts using my personal email or you can as well add me up on WhatsApp through my mobile number that will be indicated below. Also endeavor to add your name to the text so I can know you are the one texting because I don’t reply unnecessary messages. Hangouts mail: [e-mail] WhatsApp number: ‪‪+1 (458) 216‑4174‬

[@soulballet]

Really lovely guy to work with

[@Riazor1370]

When heavy metal dudes need a cheesy pop rock hits, they see Desmond child. But once he collaborated with Steve Vai I dig with it.

[@ArchieDuke.]

Full credit to Desmond Child, a really great song writer BUT I was always disappointed when some of my heroes like Kiss and Aerosmith had to resort to using outside writers. Cher and Ricky Martin I get, as they are not song writers but Kiss?

[@greekfreak1980]

Kiss have used outside songwriters,they have used ''ghost''- guitarists in the studio,when Ace Frehley was too drunk to play,they have used pre-recorded tracks,for ''live''-shows,have heavily ''doctored'',''live-records'',you name it. It's nothing new in the music business.

[@9983sp]

Different people can bring fresh ideas to the table.

[@fivestring65ify]

They are fake artists anyway. It could only improve them.

[@GeeVanderplas]

This was a time when you had to release an album a year, or even two if it didn't catch on. No matter how talented, you're gonna run out of ideas at some point running at that pace and getting some fresh people in to spice up the songs ain't a bad thing.

[@xoxxobob61]

@@GeeVanderplas Yes that is the real issue with record labels who demand a certain amount of albums per their contract. Not every artist is like the Beatles who churned hit after hit.

[@allstar930]

I'm so glad I clicked on this video.

[@scottperez5706]

ONE OF MY FAVORITE SONGWRITER S 😁

[@buckodonnghaile4309]

Late 70s was an odd but fun time for music with so many different bands jumping on the disco bandwagon. The Grateful Dead even threw in a few disco flavored tracks on a few albums.

[@originalindiechick7999]

Incredible! I can’t believe I never knew this.

[@dustcircle]

Desmond is one of the best. Other collaborator/songwriters on this par: John Hiatt, Phil Vassar, Babyface, Prince, Ke$ha. Songs done by others but written by these songwriters are epic, even if you don't appreciate the original songwritten versions.

[@ruthlessreid9172]

I remember seeing his name on kiss records as a kid thought what a great name. He is the Max Martin of rock.

[@desmondchild7191]

I want to Specially appreciate you for being a big fan. Thanks for your nice comment on my post, it means a lot to me. I want you to send me a direct message via hangouts using my personal email or you can as well add me up on WhatsApp through my mobile number that will be indicated below. Also endeavor to add your name to the text so I can know you are the one texting because I don’t reply unnecessary messages. Hangouts mail: [e-mail] WhatsApp number: ‪‪+1 (458) 216‑4174‬

[@ClannCholmain]

I live in what was the old Kingdom of Desmond. Greetings from Ireland 🇮🇪

[@cosmicbaggy]

Desmond child and rouge - my love is insane 😍

[@bearclawgirl6866]

He’s got to be super rich, as songwriters make the big bucks.

[@johnnier.o.d4746]

exactly right ........

[@MYEVILTWIIN]

Only if you hold on to the publishing

[@jamesrudd8705]

Not anymore in this shitty age of digital downloads and streaming. You'd be amazed at how bad it is now.

[@cehayes74]

michelle e Him & The Late Rod Temperton 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽 !!!!

[@eduardotirado839]

Amazing career...

[@jeevahnknight797]

This one needs to be longer!

[@jaybenton7716]

He only HELPED to write a lot of these songs. Take "Dude Looks Like a Lady" for example. Tyler came up with the idea and the lyric base and Perry came up with the riff. So exactly how much DID Desmond do on that record? Same with "Livin' on a Prayer" by Bon Jovi. They already had the song but didn't like it and brought Child in to help fix it. He's more like a producer than a song writer in that respect.

[@RolandDeschain1]

'Trash' is one of my favourite records ever.

[@Alfredo78666]

Viva la revolución!

[@carloslopez-er2yj]

I was introduced to Desmond Child by Aerosmith

[@desmondchild7191]

I want to Specially appreciate you for being a big fan. Thanks for your nice comment on my post, it means a lot to me. I want you to send me a direct message via hangouts using my personal email or you can as well add me up on WhatsApp through my mobile number that will be indicated below. Also endeavor to add your name to the text so I can know you are the one texting because I don’t reply unnecessary messages. Hangouts mail: [e-mail] WhatsApp number: ‪‪+1 (458) 216‑4174‬

[@thestubbingfamily9399]

Genius!

[@Theantifury]

The man’s a god damn genius!!!🥰🥰

[@desmondchild7191]

I want to Specially appreciate you for being a big fan. Thanks for your nice comment on my post, it means a lot to me. I want you to send me a direct message via hangouts using my personal email or you can as well add me up on WhatsApp through my mobile number that will be indicated below. Also endeavor to add your name to the text so I can know you are the one texting because I don’t reply unnecessary messages. Hangouts mail: [e-mail] WhatsApp number: ‪‪+1 (458) 216‑4174‬

[@marysini1391]

Grandissimo Desmond

[@flashback1123]

LOVED IT! All those MEGA ROCK CLASSICS written by a super nice gay gay.

[@jasfan8247]

" Don't bore us, get to the chorus! " Brilliant songwriter. Nice he mentions that " I was made" is pure Motown Supremes. And he took "Bat out of hell" to the heavenly side!

[@ciaran6309]

That was Jim steinman

[@jasfan8247]

@@ciaran6309 Bat 2006 part 3

[@dalemcmillen5065]

Wow, so humble...right

[@SkywalkerSamadhi]

“It takes 4000 songs to make 10 good ones.” Well, I wouldn’t go that far.

[@MikeUIibarri]

The Legend.

[@krisscanlon4051]

Legendary writer

[@GreenManalishiUSA]

Dude knows how to write a hit song. A master of his craft.

[@motnik]

Today the title would be "Dude Looks Like A Walrus"

[@rogerpattube]

I always heard it as “Do the lucky lady!”

[@bradenrodriguez5183]

I don't know why but 1:06 reminds me of something from Spinal Tap.... I laughed so hard! :)

[@dannyassink7393]

Bon jovi ❤️

[@hypersonicmonkeybrains3418]

wow

[@thelolguy007]

What stories. What a career 👏👏👌