Sacha Skarbek (born 29 May 1972) is a British songwriter and producer. He is known for co-writing songs including "You're Beautiful" and "Goodbye My Lover" by James Blunt and "Wrecking Ball" by Miley Cyrus. His songwriting and production credits also include work with artists including Adele, Lana Del Rey, Jason Mraz, Tears for Fears, Duffy and James Bay.
Skarbek co-wrote six songs on James Blunt's debut album Back to Bedlam (2004), including the singles "You're Beautiful", "Goodbye My Lover", and "Wisemen". In 2008, he co-wrote "Cold Shoulder" for Adele's debut album 19. He later co-wrote "Wrecking Ball", released by Miley Cyrus on the 2013 album Bangerz.As well as co writing It Happened Quiet by AURORA in her 2018 album Infections of a Different Kind (Step 1)
In addition to songwriting, Skarbek has worked as a producer and composer for film and television projects.
Career Early career Sacha Skarbek is a classically trained musician, taught by pianist Ronald Smith. He received music scholarships to Northbourne Park and The King's School, Canterbury. After graduating from Oxford Brookes University with a degree in music, Skarbek was musical director and keyboard player for Neneh Cherry, Beverley Knight, Alisha's Attic and Jon Bon Jovi.
Songwriting and production Skarbek played a key role in the development of James Blunt with whom he wrote the worldwide No. 1 hit "You're Beautiful". Skarbek co-wrote six songs on the multi-platinum selling debut album "Back to Bedlam", including follow up singles "Goodbye My Lover" and "Wisemen". In 2008, Skarbek wrote "Cold Shoulder" with Adele. The song was released as a single from Adele's multi-platinum selling debut album "19". Over the years Skarbek wrote several songs on globally chart topping albums, including Jason Mraz's multi-platinum selling album "We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things" as well as Lana Del Rey's best-selling album "Born to Die". Skarbek co-wrote Miley Cyrus' "Wrecking Ball" with Mozella and Stephan Moccio which was later produced by Dr. Luke and Cirkut. The song topped the Billboard Hot 100 and was awarded multi-platinum around the world.
In 2012, Skarbek set up his own production company, White Rope Music, which focuses on artist development.
Film music Skarbek scored and supervised the music for the documentary film For No Good Reason, starring Johnny Depp. He also scored and collaborated with James Walsh on the soundtrack music for a film of Chuck Palahniuk's Lullaby.
Personal life Skarbek was raised in an area of London. He is the son of psychotherapist Andrzej Skarbek and journalist and writer Marjorie Wallace, who was made Commander of the Order of the British Empire for founding the mental health charity SANE. His brother, Stefan Skarbek, is also a songwriter and music producer.
Discography Discography Year Artist Album Song Credit2023QuarryObject"Kind Of Hoping"Writer2022Tears For FearsThe Tipping Point"Please Be Happy"Writer-Piano"Long, Long, Long Time"Vocal Production"The Tipping Point"Producer"End Of Night"Producer"Stay"Producer"My Demons"Writer-Producer"Shame"Writer-Producer"Secret Location"Writer-ProducerAlec Benjamin"Paper Crown" (single)"Paper Crown"Writer-ProducerJames BayLeap"Silent Love"Writer-ProducerRoachfordOnce In A Lifetime"Better"Writer-Producer2021Ilse DeLange"I Will Help You" (single)"I Will Help You"WriterImelda May11 Past the Hour"Diamonds"Writer 2020Melanie CMelanie C"End of Everything"WriterJason MrazLook for the Good"Gratitude"WriterZig MentalityThe Sesh (EP)"Sesh On"Writer-Producer"If You Ever"Writer-Producer"Stoned Love"Writer-Producer"Who Do You Work For"Writer-Producer"Pretty Girls On Bikes"Writer-ProducerTenille TownesThe Lemonade Stand"Find You"Writer2019James BayOh My Messy Mind (EP)"Break My Heart Right"Writer-ProducerLoïc Nottet"29" (single)"29"Writer2018AuroraInfections of a Different Kind (Step 1)"It Happened Quiet"WriterAlec BenjaminNarrated for You"1994"Producer"Water Fountain"Producerdubé"Stoned Love" (single)"Stoned Love"Producer"Who Do You Work For" (single)"Who Do You Work For"ProducerMillie Turner"The Shadow" (single)"The Shadow"Writer"Night Running" (single)"Night Running"WriterNoah KahanHurt Somebody (EP)"Passenger"WriterLoïc NottetSillygomania"On Fire"Writer2017Tears For FearsRule the World: The Greatest Hits"Stay"Producer"I Love You But I'm Lost"ProducerMighty OaksDreamers"The Great Unknown"Writerdubé"Pretty Girls on Bikes" (single)"Pretty Girls on Bikes"Writer-Producer"Alien" (single)"Alien"Writer-ProducerAlbert GoldOxygen (EP)"Oxygen"Writer-Producer2016Nause"Dynamite" (single)"Dynamite (ft. Pretty Sister)"WriterGavin JamesBitter Pill"Bitter Pill"Writer"Till The Sun Comes Up"WriterJessie WareMe Before You"Till The End"WriterGraham CandyPlan A"Heart of Gold"WriterNetsky3"Forget What You Look Like"Producer-WriterAll SaintsRed Flag"Who Hurt Who"WriterAlec Benjamin"End of the Summer" (single)"End of the Summer"Producer2015Gabrielle AplinLight Up the Dark"Shallow Love"Writer"Together"WriterAlle FarbenGet High (EP)"Get High"Producer-WriterDuffyLegend"Whole Lot of Love"Writer2014Alec Benjamin"Paper Crown" (single)"Paper Crown"Producer-Writer2013Miley CyrusBangerz"Wrecking Ball"WriterDarinExit"Surrender"WriterBackstreet BoysIn a World Like This"Madeleine"WriterKarise Eden"Thread of Silence" (single)"Thread of Silence"Writer2012Lana Del ReyBorn To Die"Without You"WriterEngelbert Humperdinck"Love Will Set You Free" (single)"Love Will Set You Free"Producer-WriterLisa Marie PresleyStorm & Grace"You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet"Writer"Close to the Edge"Writer"So Long"Writer"Un-break"WriterIlse DeLangeEye of the Hurricane"Hurricane"Writer"Time Will Have To Wait"Writer"Fold This World"Writer2011Christina PerriThe Ocean Way Sessions"Daydream"WriterIlse DeLangeNext to Me"Almost"Writer"Carousel"Writer"Untouchable"WriterGreyson ChanceHold On 'til the Night"Little London Girl"WriterMilowNorth and South"Never Gonna Stop"WriterJason MrazLove Is A Four Letter Word"Frank D. Fixer"Writer"In Your Hands"WriterCharlotte OCFor Kenny"The Rose"Producer-Writer"Shout It Out"Producer-Writer"Take Me Away"Producer-Writer"Treasure Island"Producer-Writer"Shine On"Producer-Writer"Head Rush"Producer-Writer"Closer"Producer-Writer"Anybody Else"Producer-Writer2010TrainSave Me, San Francisco"The Finish Line"WriterJames WalshLive at the Top of the World (EP)"Live at the Top of the World"Producer – WriterThe Boy who Trapped the SunDreaming Like a Fool"Sunken City"WriterGin WigmoreHoly Smoke"I Do"Writer2009Joss StoneColour Me Free!"Stalemate"ProducerBen's BrotherBattling Giants"Questions & Answers"Producer-WriterTyrone WellsRemain"Before It Started"WriterBen's Brother feat. Anastacia"Stalemate" (single)"Stalemate"ProducerJason MrazLife Is Good (EP)"San Disco Reggaefornia"Writer"Up"WriterDawn KinnardAmazon Tribe"Loves Is My New Drug"Writer2008Ilse DeLangeIncredible"Broken Girl"Producer-Writer"Miracle"Producer-Writer"The Other Side"Producer-Writer"So Incredible"ProducerAmie MirielloI Came Around"Hey"Producer-Writer"Beauty of Goodbye"Producer-WriterJason MrazWe Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things"Love for a Child"Writer"Only Human"Writer"If It Kills Me"WriterAdele19"Cold Shoulder"WriterDuffyRockferry"Save It For Your Prayers"Producer-Writer2007Ben's BrotherBeta Male Fairytales"Beauty Queen"Writer2006James BluntChasing Time: The Bedlam Sessions"Out of My Mind"Writer"Sugar Coated"Writer2004James BluntBack to Bedlam"You're Beautiful"Writer"Wisemen"Writer"Goodbye My LoverWriter"Billy"Writer"Cry"Writer"No Bravery"WriterCherieCherie"I'm Ready"Writer2002L5Retiens-Moi"Reste Encore"Writer2000Samantha MumbaGotta Tell You"Body II Body"Producer-WriterAmanda GhostGhost Stories"Idol"Producer-Writer"Glory Girl"Writer"The Wrong Man"Producer-Writer"Cellophane"Writer"Blind Man"Writer"Empty"Writer"Numb"Writer1998Beverley KnightProdigal Sista"Good Morning World"Writer
Albums and EPs Year Artist Album/EP Credit2015Kelvin JonesStop the MomentProducer-WriterPeter AristoneGold (EP)Producer-Writer2013Alec BenjaminAmerica (EP)Producer-WriterShannon WardropMedicineProducer2012James WalshLullabyProducer-Writer2010Charlotte ChurchBack to ScratchProducer-Writer2009WaylonWicked WaysProducer-Writer2008Tristan PrettymanHello... xProducer-WriterDouble O ZeroWe Are Not A BandProducer
Awards and nominations
| 2005 | "I'm Ready" | BMI Award
| 2006 | "You're Beautiful" | Ivor Novello Award for International Hit of the Year
| 2006 | "You're Beautiful" | Ivor Novello Award for Most Performed Work
| 2007 | "You're Beautiful" | BMI Award
| 2007 | "Goodbye My Lover" | BMI Award
| 2007 | "You're Beautiful" | Grammy Award for Song of the Year
| 2014 | "Wrecking Ball" | BMI Award
| 2014 | "Wrecking Ball" | SOCAN Award for No. 1 Song
| 2016 | "Bitter Pill" | Choice Music Prize for Irish Song of the Year
References
External links
Interview, HitQuarters Jul 2009