Billy Steinberg (born February 26, 1950 in Fresno; died February 16, 2026 in Brentwood, California) was an American musician and songwriter, best known for his compositions with Tom Kelly and Rick Nowels.

Billy Steinberg began his musical career as the singer of a cover band. He started writing his own songs and formed his own band, which also landed a record deal. While he didn't achieve success on his own, Linda Ronstadt's cover version of his song "How Do I Make You" became a number 10 hit in the US in 1980. Pat Benatar also covered his songs, and when he met musician and songwriter Tom Kelly, the two decided to form a songwriting team.

In the 1980s and early 1990s, the two wrote numerous hits, five of which reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100. "Like a Virgin" brought Madonna international success in 1984 and led to her induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. "True Colors" and "Eternal Flame" were hit multiple times by different artists. In 2011, they were both inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

When Tom Kelly retired from songwriting in the mid-1990s, Steinberg continued working with producer Rick Nowels, among others, and remained successful. For their contributions to Céline Dion's album *Falling into You*, they both received a Grammy Award in 1997.

Songwriting - Number-One Hits with Tom Kelly (USA)

*Like a Virgin* / Madonna
*True Colors* / Cyndi Lauper
*So Emotional* / Whitney Houston
*Eternal Flame* / The Bangles (co-writer: Susanna Hoffs)
*Alone* / Heart
with Rick Nowels (UK, Austria)
*I Turn to You* / Melanie C (co-writer: Melanie Chisholm)

other

- I Touch Myself / Divinyls (mit Tom Kelly, Chrissy Amphlett, Mark McEntee)
- I Drove All Night / Cyndi Lauper (mit Tom Kelly)
- I’ll Stand by You / The Pretenders (mit Tom Kelly und Chrissie Hynde)
- All About Us / t.A.T.u. (als Co-Autor)

Whitney Houston - So Emotional

The Bangles - Eternal Flame

Heart - Alone