Top 10 Songs You Didn't Know Were Written by Avril Lavigne

Miranda Cosgrove
Miranda Cosgrove is primarily known for her roles on shows like “Drake & Josh” and “iCarly.” But the Nickelodeon star also made a name for herself in the tween music industry. “Dancing Crazy,” the lead single from her 2011 EP “High Maintenance,” is a carefree dance song that celebrates being young and having fun. Avril’s fingerprints are all over this track, from its devil-may-care attitude to Cosgrove’s singing style and vocal inflections. It even has a similar chord progression as Lavigne’s hit “What the Hell.” It goes to show just how distinct her sonic identity truly is.

Mod Sun feat. Avril Lavigne
While Mod Sun is no stranger to genre hopping, he cut his teeth in the hardcore and pop punk music scenes. He spent time playing with bands like Scary Kids Scaring Kids and Four Letter Lie before spending some time making hip hop music. When Mod Sun returned to pop punk in 2021, he did so with the album “Internet Killed the Rockstar.” Its third single “Flames” was written with Lavigne before the two got romantically involved. Chock full of fiery imagery, the song tells the story of a maddening love affair between people who just aren’t good for each other. But the spark between them is too good to deny. And when their voices join together at the end, it’s incendiary.

All Time Low feat. Avril Lavigne
All Time Low have been mainstays in the pop punk scene since 2003. Best known for songs like “Weightless” and “Dear Maria, Count Me In,” the band collaborated with Avril Lavigne in 2023 on what became the single “Fake As Hell.” This bitter screed against fake love and wasted time is a powerful addition to their catalog. According to Gaskgarth, the collaboration was “a dream realized.” And we’re sure pop punk fans agree. The love may have been “fake as hell,” but the emotions behind this song are as real as they come.

Avril Lavigne feat. Nicki Minaj
Featuring a marching band backing track reminiscent of Gwen Stefani’s “Hollaback Girl”, Lavigne crafted an anthem bucking preconceived notions based on outdated stereotypes. She doesn’t often feature guest rappers on her singles. But it’s always a delight when she does. Just like her collaboration with Lil Mama on a remix of her hit track “Girlfriend” from “The Best Damn Thing,” Nicki Minaj perfectly matches Lavigne’s brash energy. The line “I’m no stupid Barbie doll” perfectly lays the groundwork for “the Barbie” herself, where she reinforces the song’s message with her signature wit and fire. The ‘dumb blonde’ stereotype has existed for centuries. But don’t think something like that could ever stop Avril Lavigne.

PUFFY
Avril Lavigne has always presented herself as one of the guys. And that tomboy energy comes through full-force on this track from PUFFY. Also known as Puffy AmiYumi, Western audiences probably know the Japanese duo for Cartoon Network theme songs like the one for “Teen Titans.” Die hard fans know them for their unique brand of pop-leaning rock music. Between that and Lavigne’s huge presence in Japan, this collaboration almost makes too much sense. Co-written with Butch Walker, the lyrics to “I Don’t Wanna” are committed to defiant individuality and independence. They don’t care if you don’t like their dirty hair or unconventional style. They love the way they are, even if they don't match someone else’s idea of perfection.

Leona Lewis
Leona Lewis’s debut album “Spirit” made her a household name with tracks like “Bleeding Love” and “Better in Time.” The sixth single off the album, “I Will Be” is a devotional ballad. The lyrics are about someone making things right to the person they love and did wrong. This time, she’s going to be everything she should have been in the first place. And Lewis carries it with her trademark belting vocals and soaring range. Reminiscent of tracks like “When You’re Gone,” this song showcases the more confessional and vulnerable side of Lavigne’s songwriting.

Miranda Cosgrove
“Dancing Crazy” wasn’t the only contribution Lavigne made to Cosgrove’s music career. Co-written with Chantal Kreviazuk, this guitar-heavy track was originally intended for Lavigne’s sophomore record “Under My Skin.” And you can definitely tell it shares DNA with songs like “Freak Out” and “Fall to Pieces.” While it didn’t make the cut for that album, it became a cut on Cosgrove’s debut record “Sparks Fly.” The lyrics tell the story of being fixated on someone and trying to be who they might want. It’s a complete shift from the blushing romance of the lead single “Kissin’ U.” And it shows the depths of Cosgrove’s emotional range. Cosgrove delivers the feelings of frustrated infatuation with authenticity and youthful angst.

Avril Lavigne feat. Yungblud
Sometimes, you just have to admit you’re not okay. And neither Lavigne nor Yungblud is shy about admitting so on this track from the deluxe edition of her 2022 album. “Love Sux” marked a return to her skate punk roots by working with Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker. The album is best known for its lead singles “Bite Me” and “Love It When You Hate Me.” But the bonus track “I’m a Mess” featuring Yungblud tells a compelling story of lingering codependence following a painful breakup. There’s a sincere desperation both artists bring to their performances that feels like it comes straight from the gut. They may not be good for each other. But they sure do sound great together.

Rihanna
Cheers to the freakin’ weekend, indeed. Rihanna’s “Loud” album produced some of her biggest and best hits to date, including “Only Girl (In the World)” and “What’s My Name?” It’s no wonder Rihanna was the “it” girl of the early 2010s. Lavigne is one of ten co-writers on the album’s seventh single, “Cheers (Drink to That),” but her influence still comes through loud and clear. Beyond her lyrical contributions, the track includes a vocal sample from Lavigne’s 2002 hit “I’m With You.” This club banger celebrates the end of a long week by feeling cool, looking fly and doing whatever you want. We’ll certainly drink to that.

Kelly Clarkson
Easily one of Clarkson’s most iconic tracks, “Breakaway” was initially intended for Lavigne’s 2002 debut album “Let Go.” While it didn’t make the cut there, it was passed on to Clarkson and used to promote “The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement.” Originally meant to keep fans engaged while waiting for the follow-up to her debut album “Thankful,” the song became so popular it became the lead single and name of Clarkson’s sophomore album. “Breakaway” is a deeply sincere ballad about a small-town girl with dreams of making it in the big city. It’s basically the story of both Lavigne and Clarkson’s careers.

What’s your favorite Avril Lavigne song? Did it make it onto this list? Let us know in the comments below.