What Songs Has Drake Written By Himself

So, let's talk about Drake. The guy. You know, the one who seems to have a song for every single mood. Feeling a little sad because it's raining? There's a Drake song. Feeling like you're on top of the world after a great day? Yep, Drake's got you. It’s almost like he’s got a direct hotline to our collective emotions. And while we all belt out his hits in the car, on the dance floor, or maybe even in the shower (no judgment!), a little question sometimes pops into our heads: how much of this is just, you know, him?
We’re talking about the actual, honest-to-goodness, pencil-to-paper (or, let’s be real, laptop-to-screen) songwriting. Has Drake ever just sat down, stared out a window, and penned a masterpiece all by himself? It's a thought that feels a bit like trying to find a single needle in a very large, very shiny haystack of beats, collaborators, and ghostwriters. And here’s my little, maybe slightly controversial, but totally honest take: I’m not so sure there are many. Okay, maybe just a handful. And that’s okay!
Think about it. Drake’s career is like a well-oiled machine. It’s a massive production. And like any big Hollywood movie or a Michelin-starred restaurant, there are a lot of talented people behind the scenes making it all happen. There are producers who craft those signature beats that make you instantly nod your head. There are co-writers who are wizards with words, sprinkling in those clever punchlines and relatable narratives. And then there’s Drake, the ultimate curator, the voice, the brand. He’s the captain of the ship, for sure. He’s the one steering it, making the big decisions, and delivering the goods.
But the idea of him, alone, in a dimly lit room, pouring his heart out into a single lyric sheet… it’s a romantic image, isn't it? It’s the stuff of music legend. And while I’m sure he has moments of pure creative genius where ideas just flow out of him like lava, the reality of modern music-making, especially at his level, is a lot more collaborative. It's like asking if a master chef cooks every single ingredient from scratch for every single dish in their restaurant. Probably not! They have teams, specialized cooks, and suppliers. It’s about the final, delicious product.
So, which songs might actually be purely Drake’s brainchild? This is where it gets tricky. It’s not like there’s a secret Drake solo songwriting vault we can peek into. We have to rely on interviews, album liner notes, and a whole lot of educated guessing. And even then, it’s hard to untangle the threads. Sometimes an idea starts with him, and then a co-writer helps polish it. Or maybe a producer gives him a concept, and he runs with it.
![Drake's Most Streamed Songs of All Time [Ranked]](https://simplebeen.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Drake-Most-Streamed-Songs-1-1.png)
I’m going to go out on a limb here. If I had to pick a few, and this is purely my gut feeling, something like “Marvin’s Room” feels like it could have a significant chunk of Drake’s personal touch. That song has a raw vulnerability, a specific narrative that feels very him. The late-night calls, the regret, the ex-girlfriend… it’s a story that feels incredibly personal. But even then, I wouldn’t be shocked if a talented writer helped him articulate those feelings perfectly.
Then there’s “Started From the Bottom”. The anthem of ambition! It’s a powerful message, and the core idea definitely screams Drake. The struggle, the rise, the unapologetic pride. It’s his narrative. But again, the catchy phrasing, the perfect rhythm? You can bet there were hands involved in shaping that into the global hit it became.

And what about something like “Hotline Bling”? The sheer simplicity of the concept, the iconic music video – it’s so distinct. But the lyrics themselves, while memorable, are quite straightforward. It’s a vibe, and Drake is excellent at creating and embodying vibes. But did he sit alone for hours crafting metaphors for his phone calls? I’m leaning towards a team effort to make it that undeniably catchy and slightly melancholic bop.
My totally unofficial, probably wrong, but passionately held belief is that the songs where Drake is credited as the sole or primary songwriter are probably the ones where he truly had a very clear, fully formed idea that he then just needed to get out. Perhaps it’s a spoken word piece that evolved, or a very direct emotional outpouring. But even then, the music industry is built on synergy. It’s a beautiful dance between artists, producers, and writers.

It doesn't make Drake any less of a star, or his music any less impactful. If anything, it makes him an incredible interpreter and curator of talent. He knows what he wants to say, and he has the resources and the team to help him say it in the most effective, earworm-inducing way possible. So, the next time you're jamming to a Drake track, just appreciate the whole ecosystem that brought it to life. And maybe, just maybe, smile at the thought that while the final product is pure OVO magic, the solitary songwriting sessions might be fewer than we imagine.
And honestly, that's a pretty cool way to make music. It's a team sport, and Drake is definitely the MVP, even if he doesn't have to score every single point himself.
