Meghan Trainor, born Meghan Elizabeth Trainor on December 22, 1993, in Nantucket, Massachusetts, has become a prominent figure in the music industry as an American singer, songwriter, and producer. Her journey from a musically inclined child to a Grammy-winning artist is a testament to her talent, hard work, and unique approach to pop music.
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Trainor's upbringing on Nantucket Island, surrounded by a musical family, played a crucial role in shaping her career. Her mother is Kelly Anne "Kelli" (Jekanowski) and her father is Gary Trainor, jewelry store owners. She has two brothers: Ryan, who assists with her social media, and Justin, who is involved in film school. Her father was a music teacher and organist at a Methodist church. Her great uncle Bob Lapalm was in a band with Al Anderson of the rock band NRBQ. Her aunt and Trinidadian uncle, Lisa and Burton Toney, are soca music performers and songwriters. Trainor began singing at the age of six, performing in church with her father. By age 11, she had started writing her own songs, initially creating her arrangement of the song "Heart and Soul" (1938). She attributes her early start to being born into a musical family. Her father encouraged her to explore various musical genres. At age 12, Trainor joined Island Fusion, a band that included her aunt, younger brother, and father, where she played piano, guitar, and bongos. By 13, she had written her first original song, "Give Me a Chance".
The family later moved to North Eastham, Massachusetts, where Trainor attended Nauset Regional High School. There, she studied guitar, played trumpet in the jazz band for three years, and was a substitute cheerleader. Her parents actively supported her musical aspirations, taking her to songwriting conventions and venues where production companies sought new talent.
Independent Releases and Songwriting Deal
Between the ages of 15 and 17, Trainor independently released three albums of material she wrote, recorded, and performed herself. Her debut album, Meghan Trainor, was released on December 25, 2009, and received airplay from local radio station WCIB. She also participated in the Summer Performance Program at Berklee College of Music in 2009 and 2010. In 2010, she released "Take Care of Our Soldiers," a charity single supporting American troops abroad. In 2011, she released two acoustic albums, I'll Sing With You and Only 17.
Impressed by Trainor's songwriting ability, former NRBQ member Al Anderson referred her to Carla Wallace at Big Yellow Dog Music, leading to a publishing deal in 2011, at the age of 17. This marked a significant turning point in her career, as she began writing songs for other artists, including Rascal Flatts, Jennifer Lopez, and Disney star Sabrina Carpenter, making her an accomplished platinum-selling songwriter.
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Rise to Fame with "All About That Bass"
In 2014, Trainor signed a record deal with Epic Records and rose to fame with the release of her major-label debut studio album, Title (2015). The album debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 and produced four top 20 singles: "All About That Bass", "Lips Are Movin", "Dear Future Husband", and "Like I'm Gonna Lose You". "All About That Bass," a song co-written with producer Kevin Kadish, became a viral hit and topped charts worldwide, selling 11 million copies. The song's message of body positivity resonated with a wide audience, although it also sparked some debate regarding its feminist message. The song was inspired by Trainor's struggle to accept her appearance and her feelings of insecurity about looking at pictures of herself.
Musical Style and Influences
Trainor's music is prominently influenced by the 1950s and 1960s eras, incorporating elements of doo-wop, R&B, and pop. Her sound is often described as "neo-retro," blending classic styles with modern sensibilities. She credits 1950s music, soca, and Frank Sinatra as major influences, admiring the songwriting and melodies of those eras. She is also inspired by Stevie Wonder and Phil Collins. She plays a variety of musical instruments, including bass, guitar, ukulele, keyboard, trumpet, percussion, and piano.
Her debut EP Title comprises throwback style sound and 1950s doo wop-inspired songs that straddle the line between modern R&B and melodic pop. Her work is reminiscent of the famous Brill building composers, such as Goffin-King, Greenwich-Barry, etc.; comparisons also to that of American singer-songwriters Neil Sedaka, Jenny Lewis, Neko Case, and to 1960s singers such as Connie Francis, Brenda Lee, Betty Everett, Lesley Gore, and Eydie Gormé.
"Title" Album and Subsequent Success
Following the success of "All About That Bass," Trainor released her debut major-label album, Title, in January 2015. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, making her the 13th female artist with a debut number 1 song and album. It featured hit singles like "Lips Are Movin," "Dear Future Husband," and "Like I'm Gonna Lose You," solidifying her position as a pop star.
Vocal Cord Issues and Grammy Win
In July 2015, Trainor faced a setback when she was diagnosed with a vocal cord hemorrhage, leading to the cancellation of her MTrain Tour and subsequent surgery. Despite these challenges, she made a comeback, performing a tribute to Lionel Richie at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards in February 2016 and winning Best New Artist. The following year, the powerhouse singer underwent a second vocal cord operation. Afterward, she said she gave up drinking and changed her eating habits to help ensure good health and career longevity.
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"Thank You" and Continued Musical Journey
Trainor's second major release, Thank You, was released on May 13, 2016, debuting at number 3 on the US Billboard 200. The album was preceded by its lead single "NO", which reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100. The album was influenced by Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, and Bruno Mars, and features a collaboration between herself and R. City. Shortly after "No" was released, Trainor released four promotional singles, "Watch Me Do", "I Love Me", "Better (featuring Yo Gotti), and "Mom" which features her mother, Kelli Trainor. Starting in July 2016, Trainor embarked on The Untouchable Tour, in support of the album, with Hailee Steinfeld and Common Kings as opening acts.
Her third major release, TREAT MYSELF, was released on January 31, 2020, peaking at 25 on US Billboard 200. The lead single "No Excuses", peaked at 46 on Billboard Hot 100. Her fourth major release, A Very Trainor Christmas, was released on October 30, 2020, debuting at number 7 on Billboard Top Holiday Albums. Her fifth major release, Takin' It Back, was released on October 21, 2022, and debuted at number 16 on Billboard Hot 200, the album's lead single "Made You Look" peaked at number 11 on Billboard Hot 100.
Themes and Lyrical Content
Common themes in her lyrics include subjects of modern womanhood, body image, and empowerment. Trainor's lyrics are recognized to contemplate 21st-century womanhood. However, at times, her lyrics have been criticized for being antifeminist.
Personal Life and Image
In July 2016, Trainor began dating actor Daryl Sabara. Meghan Trainor is one of those famous people who still can’t believe she’s famous. Trainor married actor Daryl Sabara on December 22, 2018, at their home in Los Angeles. They welcomed their first child, Riley, in February 2021 and their second child, Barry Bruce Trainor, later.
For better or worse, Trainor’s image has largely been defined by her “curves,” although in truth, it’s less that she’s curvy like the gravity-defying Nicki Minaj or Kim Kardashian West and more that she’s not model-thin like many other stars - and therefore easy for young girls to see themselves in. Still, she’s ambivalent about being a spokesperson for body positivity.
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Recent Developments and Future Aspirations
In recent years, Trainor has continued to evolve both personally and professionally. She has embraced motherhood, which she says has profoundly impacted her perspective and creativity. She has also become more confident in experimenting with her style and expressing herself authentically.
In the 10 years since the release of her chart-topping debut album Title, Meghan has released 6 albums to critical acclaim, completed multiple sold out world tours, written countless hits for herself and other artists, crafted songs for film and tv whilst writing her first book. Now, fresh off the release of Timeless and the biggest tour of her career, Meghan is taking time to look towards the future and celebrate her most confident chapter yet.
Musically, Trainor dreams about longevity and making music that resonates with people on a deep level. Personally, she envisions more time with her family and continued growth as a mother and partner. Creatively, she is open to exploring new avenues, such as children's music, books, and acting.