# Patrick Leonard
**Patrick Leonard** (born 1956) is an American songwriter, keyboardist, and record producer best known as Madonna's principal co-writer and producer during the late 1980s, and later as [Leonard Cohen](https://www.edgepedia.org/leonard-cohen)'s co-writer and producer on the final albums released before Cohen's death in 2016.[1](https://patrickleonardmusic.com/home/main/) • [2](https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/patrick-leonard-people-have-asked-can-you-write-a-hit-answer-no-i-mean-obviously-i-can-but-not-because-ive-tried-to/) His Madonna credits include "Live to Tell," "La Isla Bonita," "Like a Prayer," and "Cherish," and he has also worked with [Roger Waters](https://www.edgepedia.org/roger-waters), Elton John, Bryan Ferry, Jewel, and [Bon Jovi](https://www.edgepedia.org/bon-jovi).[3](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/patrick-leonard-mn0000010265) • [4](https://www.musicradar.com/artists/i-hired-all-the-musicians-and-the-engineers-and-pretty-much-made-the-record-songwriter-and-producer-patrick-leonard-discusses-his-role-on-madonnas-like-a-prayer-and-says-that-he-hasnt-listened-to-any-of-her-later-albums)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 1956; sources give Chicago, Illinois (Discogs) and Crystal Falls, Michigan (AllMusic)[5](https://app.gatefold.fm/person/patrick-leonard) • [3](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/patrick-leonard-mn0000010265) |
| Madonna era | Musical director of the Virgin Tour (1985), then co-writer and producer on True Blue (1986), Who's That Girl, Like a Prayer (1989), and I'm Breathless (1990)[4](https://www.musicradar.com/artists/i-hired-all-the-musicians-and-the-engineers-and-pretty-much-made-the-record-songwriter-and-producer-patrick-leonard-discusses-his-role-on-madonnas-like-a-prayer-and-says-that-he-hasnt-listened-to-any-of-her-later-albums) |
| Sales | True Blue: No. 1 in the US and UK, 25 million-plus sold worldwide; Like a Prayer: No. 1 in the US and UK, 15 million-plus sold[2](https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/patrick-leonard-people-have-asked-can-you-write-a-hit-answer-no-i-mean-obviously-i-can-but-not-because-ive-tried-to/) |
| Immaculate Collection | Four co-writes on Madonna's 1990, 17-track, 30 million-selling greatest-hits LP; no one other than Madonna has more credits on it[2](https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/patrick-leonard-people-have-asked-can-you-write-a-hit-answer-no-i-mean-obviously-i-can-but-not-because-ive-tried-to/) |
| Leonard Cohen | Co-writer and producer on Old Ideas (2012), Popular Problems (2014), and You Want It Darker (2016), after roughly seven years of collaboration[2](https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/patrick-leonard-people-have-asked-can-you-write-a-hit-answer-no-i-mean-obviously-i-can-but-not-because-ive-tried-to/) |
| Other production | Co-produced Roger Waters' Amused to Death (1992); produced Elton John, Jewel, Bon Jovi, and Bryan Ferry's Bête Noire[6](https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/patrick-leonard-it-all-comes-down-to-mood/) • [7](https://readdork.com/credits/patrick-leonard) |
| Solo work | Founded the label Unitone Recordings; released the instrumental album Rivers (1997) and the double album It All Comes Down to Mood (2024)[8](https://www.theindieposts.com/spotlight-covers/patrick-leonard-interview) |
## Working with Madonna
Leonard's path to Madonna ran through touring. He auditioned for The Jacksons' Victory Tour as a keyboard player and ended up quasi-musical-directing it because, in his words, no one seemed to be in charge.[2](https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/patrick-leonard-people-have-asked-can-you-write-a-hit-answer-no-i-mean-obviously-i-can-but-not-because-ive-tried-to/) When Madonna was assembling her first tour, the Virgin Tour, her manager asked if he would be its musical director. He initially declined, but changed his mind after meeting her: she told him she had never done this, that he would be in charge, and that she would push back on nothing.[2](https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/patrick-leonard-people-have-asked-can-you-write-a-hit-answer-no-i-mean-obviously-i-can-but-not-because-ive-tried-to/) • [4](https://www.musicradar.com/artists/i-hired-all-the-musicians-and-the-engineers-and-pretty-much-made-the-record-songwriter-and-producer-patrick-leonard-discusses-his-role-on-madonnas-like-a-prayer-and-says-that-he-hasnt-listened-to-any-of-her-later-albums)
The songwriting partnership began informally. During a gap in tour dates, Leonard played her a track he had started, which became "Love Makes the World Go Round" on True Blue; the two also performed it at [Live Aid](https://www.edgepedia.org/live-aid) in Philadelphia, where Leonard played keyboards for Madonna.[2](https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/patrick-leonard-people-have-asked-can-you-write-a-hit-answer-no-i-mean-obviously-i-can-but-not-because-ive-tried-to/) "Live to Tell" began as an instrumental idea from a movie score he was working on; he asked Madonna, as a favor, to write the lyrics, the film people did not hire him, and the song went on True Blue instead, reaching No. 1 in the United States.[2](https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/patrick-leonard-people-have-asked-can-you-write-a-hit-answer-no-i-mean-obviously-i-can-but-not-because-ive-tried-to/) The typical division of labor had Leonard supplying the music and Madonna the lyrics.[9](https://www.muzines.co.uk/articles/patrick-leonard/7473?theme=2)
**The peak albums.** Between 1986 and 1990 Leonard had credits on True Blue, Who's That Girl, Like a Prayer, and [I'm Breathless](https://www.edgepedia.org/im-breathless).[4](https://www.musicradar.com/artists/i-hired-all-the-musicians-and-the-engineers-and-pretty-much-made-the-record-songwriter-and-producer-patrick-leonard-discusses-his-role-on-madonnas-like-a-prayer-and-says-that-he-hasnt-listened-to-any-of-her-later-albums) In September 1988 he and [Stephen Bray](https://www.edgepedia.org/stephen-bray), both True Blue producers, set to work on the album that became Like a Prayer, with Madonna encouraging the pair to bring their distinct musical sensibilities into play.[10](https://www.musicradar.com/artists/when-you-start-like-a-prayer-the-guitar-that-you-hear-before-the-door-slams-thats-prince-how-madonna-transitioned-from-pop-to-the-profound-with-a-vatican-enraging-classic) Leonard described the writing as fast: "We wrote Like a Prayer, Spanish Eyes, Till Death Do Us Part, Dear Jessie, Promise To Try and Cherish in a two week period... Nothing took more than four hours ever."[10](https://www.musicradar.com/artists/when-you-start-like-a-prayer-the-guitar-that-you-hear-before-the-door-slams-thats-prince-how-madonna-transitioned-from-pop-to-the-profound-with-a-vatican-enraging-classic) The title track began with a shimmering Hammond B3 organ chord sequence in [F major](https://www.edgepedia.org/f-major) that Leonard devised; he brought the music and gospel influence, Madonna added the words, and the two came up with the bridge together.[10](https://www.musicradar.com/artists/when-you-start-like-a-prayer-the-guitar-that-you-hear-before-the-door-slams-thats-prince-how-madonna-transitioned-from-pop-to-the-profound-with-a-vatican-enraging-classic)
Leonard later described his role on the album bluntly: "I was there every day and producing, and it was my studio, I hired all the musicians and the engineers, and pretty much made the record."[4](https://www.musicradar.com/artists/i-hired-all-the-musicians-and-the-engineers-and-pretty-much-made-the-record-songwriter-and-producer-patrick-leonard-discusses-his-role-on-madonnas-like-a-prayer-and-says-that-he-hasnt-listened-to-any-of-her-later-albums) He has also said the association has sometimes weighed on him: "It's been a burden, because I've never been in a dance club in my life, but I've written some of the biggest dance songs in history."[4](https://www.musicradar.com/artists/i-hired-all-the-musicians-and-the-engineers-and-pretty-much-made-the-record-songwriter-and-producer-patrick-leonard-discusses-his-role-on-madonnas-like-a-prayer-and-says-that-he-hasnt-listened-to-any-of-her-later-albums)
**Later Madonna work.** After a gap around [Erotica](https://www.edgepedia.org/erotica-madonna-album) and [Bedtime Stories](https://www.edgepedia.org/bedtime-stories-madonna-album), Leonard returned for "I'll Remember" (1994) and had a hand in several [Ray of Light](https://www.edgepedia.org/ray-of-light) (1998) tracks, including "Frozen," "Nothing Really Matters," "Sky Fits Heaven," and "The Power of Goodbye."[11](https://the-m-magazine.com/2017/12/31/the-producers-patrick-leonard/) "Frozen" reached No. 1 in the UK and No. 2 in the US.[2](https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/patrick-leonard-people-have-asked-can-you-write-a-hit-answer-no-i-mean-obviously-i-can-but-not-because-ive-tried-to/)
## Leonard Cohen
Leonard's second defining collaboration came through [Adam Cohen](https://www.edgepedia.org/adam-cohen-musician): Patrick produced Adam's record Like a Man, Leonard Cohen heard it, and the two began writing together almost immediately.[2](https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/patrick-leonard-people-have-asked-can-you-write-a-hit-answer-no-i-mean-obviously-i-can-but-not-because-ive-tried-to/) The process was simple and lasted nearly seven years: Cohen gave Leonard the lyric, Leonard went home, wrote the song, and brought it back.[2](https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/patrick-leonard-people-have-asked-can-you-write-a-hit-answer-no-i-mean-obviously-i-can-but-not-because-ive-tried-to/)
The results were Old Ideas (2012) and Popular Problems (2014), on which Leonard acted as writer and producer, and [You Want It Darker](https://www.edgepedia.org/you-want-it-darker) (2016), on which he was co-writer and co-producer with four co-writes.[12](https://primarywave.com/writer/patrick-leonard/pdf/) • [2](https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/patrick-leonard-people-have-asked-can-you-write-a-hit-answer-no-i-mean-obviously-i-can-but-not-because-ive-tried-to/) You Want It Darker went Top 10 in the US and UK and was the last album released before Cohen's death later that year.[2](https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/patrick-leonard-people-have-asked-can-you-write-a-hit-answer-no-i-mean-obviously-i-can-but-not-because-ive-tried-to/) Cohen called Leonard "a magnificent composer," adding, "I don't think there is anybody working today with those kind of skills."[2](https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/patrick-leonard-people-have-asked-can-you-write-a-hit-answer-no-i-mean-obviously-i-can-but-not-because-ive-tried-to/) One song from this period, "Nevermind," became the theme for HBO's True Detective season 2.[8](https://www.theindieposts.com/spotlight-covers/patrick-leonard-interview) On Popular Problems, Cohen persuaded Leonard to abandon his reservations about sampled instruments, at one point swapping a live drummer's part back and forth with a sampled drum part for comparison.[13](https://nolimitsoundproductions.blogspot.com/2015/07/inside-track-leonard-cohen-popular.html)
## Other work and solo projects
Leonard co-produced and largely co-wrote [Bryan Ferry](https://www.edgepedia.org/bryan-ferry)'s Bête Noire, and in 1991 he was in [Twickenham](https://www.edgepedia.org/twickenham) producing Roger Waters' next album, which became the co-produced [Amused to Death](https://www.edgepedia.org/amused-to-death) (1992).[9](https://www.muzines.co.uk/articles/patrick-leonard/7473?theme=2) • [6](https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/patrick-leonard-it-all-comes-down-to-mood/) His production credits also include Elton John (22 tracks), Jewel (13), Bon Jovi (13), Rod Stewart, and Fleetwood Mac.[7](https://readdork.com/credits/patrick-leonard)
**Toy Matinee.** In 1990 Leonard released a self-titled LP with partner Kevin Gilbert under the name Toy Matinee, written and recorded together and received with across-the-board rave reviews.[14](https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Audio/Mix-Magazine/90s/91/Mix-1991-03.pdf)
**Solo records.** Leonard founded his own label, Unitone Recordings, to release his original, new age-inspired music, launching the instrumental album Rivers in 1997.[5](https://app.gatefold.fm/person/patrick-leonard) • [8](https://www.theindieposts.com/spotlight-covers/patrick-leonard-interview) In 2024 he released the double album It All Comes Down to Mood on Ruudy 6 Recordings, a concept set built around "iconic rock legends," mastered by Bob Ludwig and mixed by Kevin Killen.[6](https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/patrick-leonard-it-all-comes-down-to-mood/) He is a three-time Grammy nominee.[6](https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/patrick-leonard-it-all-comes-down-to-mood/) In 2021 he struck a catalog deal with Primary Wave.[2](https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/patrick-leonard-people-have-asked-can-you-write-a-hit-answer-no-i-mean-obviously-i-can-but-not-because-ive-tried-to/)
## Method and outlook
Leonard describes his working method as sitting at the piano, improvising, and trying to find the notion of a song; speed, spontaneity, and directness are its vital ingredients, and he maintains that a focus on technique or theory can hamper the capacity to create good music.[2](https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/patrick-leonard-people-have-asked-can-you-write-a-hit-answer-no-i-mean-obviously-i-can-but-not-because-ive-tried-to/) • [9](https://www.muzines.co.uk/articles/patrick-leonard/7473?theme=2) He says he has never set out to write a hit: "these things weren't designed to be hits, they were designed to be good."[2](https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/patrick-leonard-people-have-asked-can-you-write-a-hit-answer-no-i-mean-obviously-i-can-but-not-because-ive-tried-to/)
In a 2026 interview with The Telegraph he made an unusual admission for a working producer: "I've never heard one of her records, ever... I haven't listened to anybody's records... I haven't listened to any new music in almost 30 years."[4](https://www.musicradar.com/artists/i-hired-all-the-musicians-and-the-engineers-and-pretty-much-made-the-record-songwriter-and-producer-patrick-leonard-discusses-his-role-on-madonnas-like-a-prayer-and-says-that-he-hasnt-listened-to-any-of-her-later-albums) He remains confident in the sound of his peak work, saying of Like a Prayer: "if you have a really good stereo, and you sit in front of those speakers and you put Like a Prayer on – try to find something better. Good luck!"[4](https://www.musicradar.com/artists/i-hired-all-the-musicians-and-the-engineers-and-pretty-much-made-the-record-songwriter-and-producer-patrick-leonard-discusses-his-role-on-madonnas-like-a-prayer-and-says-that-he-hasnt-listened-to-any-of-her-later-albums)
## References
1. [Patrick Leonard, official website](https://patrickleonardmusic.com/home/main/)
2. [Dave Roberts (February 3, 2022). 'People have asked, Can you write a hit? Answer: no.' Music Business Worldwide](https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/patrick-leonard-people-have-asked-can-you-write-a-hit-answer-no-i-mean-obviously-i-can-but-not-because-ive-tried-to/)
3. [Patrick Leonard Biography, AllMusic](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/patrick-leonard-mn0000010265)
4. [Ben Rogerson (April 30, 2026). 'I hired all the musicians and the engineers, and pretty much made the record.' MusicRadar](https://www.musicradar.com/artists/i-hired-all-the-musicians-and-the-engineers-and-pretty-much-made-the-record-songwriter-and-producer-patrick-leonard-discusses-his-role-on-madonnas-like-a-prayer-and-says-that-he-hasnt-listened-to-any-of-her-later-albums)
5. [Patrick Leonard, Gatefold](https://app.gatefold.fm/person/patrick-leonard)
6. [Greg Cahill. Patrick Leonard: It All Comes Down to Mood, The Absolute Sound](https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/patrick-leonard-it-all-comes-down-to-mood/)
7. [Patrick Leonard Credits, Dork](https://readdork.com/credits/patrick-leonard)
8. [Patrick Leonard Interview, The Indie Post Magazine](https://www.theindieposts.com/spotlight-covers/patrick-leonard-interview)
9. [Paul Tingen (August 1991). Patrick Leonard, Sound On Sound](https://www.muzines.co.uk/articles/patrick-leonard/7473?theme=2)
10. ['When you start Like a Prayer, the guitar that you hear before the door slams, that's Prince.' MusicRadar](https://www.musicradar.com/artists/when-you-start-like-a-prayer-the-guitar-that-you-hear-before-the-door-slams-thats-prince-how-madonna-transitioned-from-pop-to-the-profound-with-a-vatican-enraging-classic)
11. [Patrick Leonard, The Producers, The M Magazine (2017)](https://the-m-magazine.com/2017/12/31/the-producers-patrick-leonard/)
12. [Patrick Leonard, Primary Wave writer page](https://primarywave.com/writer/patrick-leonard/pdf/)
13. [Inside Track: Leonard Cohen, Popular Problems, No Limit Sound Productions](https://nolimitsoundproductions.blogspot.com/2015/07/inside-track-leonard-cohen-popular.html)
14. [Music & Recording Notes, Mix Magazine, March 1991](https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Audio/Mix-Magazine/90s/91/Mix-1991-03.pdf)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Music › Musicians and ensembles › Individual musical biographies › Songwriters and record producers › Record producers › Contemporary producers*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 12, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license