Mozella

Mozella
Birth nameMaureen Anne McDonald
Born (1981-05-13) May 13, 1981 (age 43)
OriginDetroit, Michigan, U.S.
GenresPop
Occupations
  • Songwriter
  • singer
Years active2006–present
Websitemozellamusic.com

Maureen Anne McDonald (born May 13, 1981), better known as Mozella, is an American songwriter and singer. Along with her album releases, Mozella co-wrote Miley Cyrus' 2013 single "Wrecking Ball", which peaked atop the Billboard Hot 100.[1] She has also co-written Charlie Puth's 2015 single "One Call Away", as well as One Direction's "Perfect" that same year.

Some of Mozella's other co-writes include the songs, "I Believe", "Strangers", "Every Single Time, and "Don't Throw It Away" for the Jonas Brothers' album Happiness Begins (2019),[2][3] "Drop Top"[4] and "Horses"[5] on Keith Urban's Graffiti U album, Pink’s "Cover Me In Sunshine", Kelly Clarkson's 2017 single "Love So Soft",[6] "One Call Away" by Charlie Puth, "Fool's Gold"[7] and "Perfect" by One Direction, "Bright" by Echosmith, Ellie Goulding's "Don't Panic", "Holding on for Life", and "We Can't Move to This" from Goulding's album Delirium (co-wrote with Goulding and Greg Kurstin), "Feels Like Vegas" with Tinashe,[8] and "Take You High" off Kelly Clarkson's 2015 album, Piece by Piece.[9] Madonna and Mozella co-wrote eleven of the nineteen tracks on the album Rebel Heart, including the single "Living for Love" with Diplo, Ariel Rechtshaid, and Toby Gad.[8]

In the genres of film, television and theater, she co-wrote "A Little Party Never Killed Nobody" with Goonrock and Fergie for Baz Luhrmann's The Great Gatsby. In early 2014 she continued her work with Baz Luhrmann, penning "A Beautiful Surprise" with David Foster for Luhrmann's musical theater adaption of his cult classic film Strictly Ballroom. She also co-wrote "Dancing in the Dark" by Rihanna for the DreamWorks animated movie Home, in 2015.[3]

Mozella's song "Anything is Possible" is used in the 2018 L’Oreal El Vive commercials.[10] Her song "Love Is Endless" was used in the 2015 McDonald's "Archenemies" television campaign.[11] Beginning April 2015, Chase Bank used her song "Can't Get Enough" for their new commercials in the US.[12] Some of the brands that have used Mozella's music in their branding include Chrysler,[13] Verizon, Microsoft, Mercedes-Benz, and JC Penney.[14]

Mozella has released three full-length albums, I Will (Warner/Maverick, 2006), Belle Isle (Universal/Motown, 2009), and The Brian Holland Sessions (Belle Isle Records, 2012), as well as three EPs, Mozella (Warner/Maverick, 2005), The Straits (Universal/Motown, 2009) and The Love (Universal/Motown, 2010).[15]

  1. ^ Halperin, Shirley (October 8, 2018). "YouTube-Sponsored All-Female Writing Camp Is a Musical Revelation". Variety. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
  2. ^ "Jonas Brothers Happiness Begins". www.allmusic.com. Retrieved 23 September 2019.
  3. ^ a b "Mozella". www.sonyatv.com. Retrieved 23 September 2019.
  4. ^ Diamond, Rick (April 25, 2018). "How an Unknown Newcomer Ended Up on Keith Urban's 'Graffiti U' Album". Taste of Country. Retrieved 11 November 2018.
  5. ^ "Lindsay Ell / Keith Urban Horses". allmusic.com. Retrieved 11 November 2018.
  6. ^ Morrissey, Janet (October 14, 2018). "Need a Song for Your Commercial? Try These Campers". NY Times. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
  7. ^ Garibaldi, Christina (November 20, 2014). "ONE DIRECTION SONGWRITER REVEALS HOW HARRY STYLES MADE 'FOOL'S GOLD' 'AMAZING'". mtv.com. Archived from the original on November 24, 2014. Retrieved 11 November 2018.
  8. ^ a b Kawashima, Dale (April 6, 2016). "Interview with Mozella, Hit Pop Songwriter For Charlie Puth, Miley Cyrus And One Direction". Songwriter Universe. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
  9. ^ Feeney, Nolan (September 12, 2017). "Michelle Obama's 'we go high' speech inspired new Kelly Clarkson song". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
  10. ^ "L'Oréal Paris Elvive: Comeback". tvadvertsongs.com. Retrieved 14 November 2018.
  11. ^ Nudd, Tim (January 5, 2015). "Ad of the Day: McDonald's Refreshes 'I'm Lovin' It' and Suddenly Feels a Lot Like Oreo". Adweek. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
  12. ^ Fusco, Michael. "The Masters Are Here: New Chase Commercials Highlight Superstars". chase.com. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
  13. ^ McCarthy, Michael (June 6, 2014). "CHRYSLER SPOT PITCHES NOT JUST THE 200, BUT THE WORKERS WHO MAKE IT". Ad Age. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
  14. ^ Herstand, Ari (September 2, 2015). "15 Musicians You Didn't Know Got Their Break From TV". Digital Music News. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
  15. ^ Mitchell, Gail (August 7, 2009). "Billboard.biz Q&A: EMI Music Publishing's 'Big' Jon Platt" Archived 2009-09-25 at the Wayback Machine. [1]. Retrieved 08/07/2009.