Eg White
The British songwriter who co-wrote "Chasing Pavements" and "Take It All" for Adele, earning three Ivor Novello Awards across decades of diverse musical collaborations.
Francis Anthony "Eg" White is a British musician, songwriter, and producer whose career spans from his early days in the cowpunk band Yip Yip Coyote to becoming a key collaborator for Adele. In 2008, he worked with Adele on three tracks that appeared on her debut album, *19*, including the second single "Chasing Pavements." His partnership deepened in 2010 when he reprised his role with her to write "Take It All," a track featured on her number one album *21*. White's ability to craft hits is evidenced by his multiple UK number ones and Ivor Novello Awards, including wins in 2004, 2009, and 2024. His work with Adele represents a significant chapter in a career that also includes producing for Kinky Machine and writing for acts like Will Young.
- Role
- Songwriter, Producer
- Key Collaborations
- 19 (2008), 21 (2010)
- Notable Songs
- Chasing Pavements, Take It All
- Affiliation
- Adele's Core Creative Team
- Status
- Active
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Eg White's collaboration with Adele began in 2008, a pivotal year where he contributed to three tracks on her first album, *19*. Among these was "Chasing Pavements," which served as the album's second single. This early work laid the groundwork for an ongoing creative relationship that extended into 2010. During this period, White and Adele co-wrote "Take It All," a song that appeared on her subsequent number one album, *21*. This track showcased their ability to blend personal narrative with commercial appeal, contributing to the massive success of the era. White's involvement was not limited to these specific songs; his presence in the studio helped shape the sonic identity of Adele's early career. While he worked with many other artists like Duffy, James Morrison, and Joss Stone, his work with Adele stands out for its direct impact on her rise to global stardom during the release of *19* and *21*.
In Their Own Story
In 2008, Eg White entered a new phase of his career by working closely with Adele. He contributed to three tracks that landed on her debut album, *19*. One of these was "Chasing Pavements," which became the second single from the record and helped propel the album's success. Two years later, in 2010, White returned to the studio with Adele. Together they wrote "Take It All," a song that found its home on her number one album *21*. This collaboration highlighted White's versatility, moving from his earlier solo projects like *Turn Me On, I'm a Rocket Man* and his time in Brother Beyond to crafting hits for one of the world's biggest stars. His ability to adapt and create resonant music was further recognized when he won his second Ivor Novello Award in 2009 for 'Songwriter of the Year', just as his work with Adele was reaching new heights.
Reader's Guide
Eg White's contribution to Adele's discography is defined by specific, documented collaborations on her first two major albums. In 2008, he co-wrote and produced three tracks for *19*, most notably the hit single "Chasing Pavements." This partnership continued into 2010 with the creation of "Take It All" for the album *21*. Fans seeking to understand White's influence should look at these specific songs as primary examples of his songwriting style during Adele's breakthrough years. His role was that of a co-writer and producer, helping to translate Adele's personal experiences into structured compositions. Unlike his earlier work with Alice Temple or his solo releases under the name Eg, his work with Adele focused on refined pop-soul arrangements. The success of these collaborations is measured by the chart performance of the albums and singles, both of which reached number one in the UK.
Did You Know?
- Eg White won his third Ivor Novello Award in 2024 for the song 'Black Swan' by Victoria Canal, a win he shared with Jonny Lattimer and Victoria Canal.
- In 1997, White turned to songwriting by providing instrumentation for Suggs' solo album *The Three Pyramids Club* before his career as a songwriter truly took off in 1999.
- White started his own record label imprint, Spilt Milk Records, in 2009, making Lauren Pritchard its first signing.
- He left the band Brother Beyond just prior to their chart successes because they became involved with the songwriting team of Stock, Aitken and Waterman.
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