You’ve definitely heard the voice. It’s that raspy, vibrato-heavy croon that somehow bridges the gap between a Texas dive bar and a massive arena stage. But if you’ve ever found yourself scrolling through credits on Spotify or wondering about the "lyrics guy for that Post Malone guy," you aren't alone. People often assume major pop stars just show up and sing what’s handed to them. With Posty, it’s a whole lot more collaborative—and way more interesting—than just a ghostwriter sitting in a dark room.
Austin Richard Post isn't just a face tattoo enthusiast. He’s a songwriter. However, the "lyrics guy" people often search for is usually a reference to Louis Bell, his long-time secret weapon and primary collaborator.
Bell is the guy. Seriously. If you look at the liner notes for Beerbongs & Bentleys or Hollywood's Bleeding, his name is everywhere. He isn't some ghostwriter hiding in the shadows, though. He’s a vocal producer and songwriter who has essentially helped Post Malone define the sound of a generation.
The Partnership That Changed Everything
It started years ago. Post Malone was a kid who liked guitar and Republic Records saw potential. But when he linked up with Louis Bell and producers like Frank Dukes and Andrew Watt, the magic happened.
Louis Bell doesn't just write lyrics; he sculpts them. He’s gone on record saying that working with Post is like catching lightning in a bottle. They don't sit down with a rhyming dictionary. Instead, they vibe. It sounds cliché, but in the music industry, it’s the difference between a hit and a flop. They usually start with a melody—a "mumble track"—where Posty just hums and makes noises over a beat. Then, they chip away at the phonetics until words form. That’s why the lyrics feel so rhythmic. They were literally built to fit the shape of the sound.
Is there a "Hidden" Writer?
Sometimes people ask about the "lyrics guy" because they think Posty is a fraud. Let's kill that myth right now.
Posty is a writer. Period. But he’s part of a camp. In the modern music industry, "the lyrics guy" is actually a team of heavy hitters. You have Billy Walsh, a guy who has been instrumental in the lyrical direction of some of Post’s biggest tracks. Walsh is known for that gritty, relatable, "I'm rich but I'm sad" aesthetic that Post Malone mastered.
Then there’s the recent shift. If you’re looking for the lyrics guy for his newer stuff—like the country-leaning F-1 Trillion—the names change. You start seeing Nashville royalty. Ashley Gorley, Charlie Handsome, and Ernest entered the chat. These aren't just random guys; they are the architects of modern country music.
💡 You might also like: Greatest Rock and Roll Singers of All Time: Why the Legends Still Own the Mic
Why We Care About Who Writes the Words
It matters because Post Malone’s lyrics are weirdly specific. Think about "Rockstar." Or "Circles."
"Circles" is a masterclass in simplicity. People think complex lyrics are better, but writing something that everyone can sing along to while they’re stuck in traffic is actually much harder. Louis Bell once mentioned that the goal is often to find the most "honest" version of a feeling. If the lyrics feel like something a guy would actually say while leaning against a bar at 2 AM, they keep them. If it sounds too "poetic" or forced, it goes in the trash.
That’s why the "lyrics guy" isn't just one person. It’s a filter.
The Evolution: From Hip-Hop to Nashville
Post Malone is a shapeshifter. He started in the "SoundCloud rap" orbit, moved into full-blown pop, and now he’s basically a country star.
When he moved into the country space, the "lyrics guy" became a group of Nashville veterans. Writing a country song is different from writing a trap hit. In country, the story is king. You can't just have a cool vibe; you need a beginning, middle, and end.
For the album F-1 Trillion, Post worked heavily with Luke Combs and Morgan Wallen. When you see those credits, you realize the "lyrics guy" is actually a collection of the best songwriters in the world. Posty is the glue. He brings the melody and the "Posty-isms"—those little vocal trills and slang—while the collaborators help structure the narrative.
Does He Ever Write Alone?
Honestly? Rarely. Most major artists don't.
📖 Related: Ted Nugent State of Shock: Why This 1979 Album Divides Fans Today
But that doesn't mean he isn't the primary driver. Think of it like a movie director. The director has a scriptwriter, a cinematographer, and an editor. Post Malone is the director. Louis Bell is often the lead scriptwriter. They’ve spent thousands of hours in the studio together. Bell has described their process as almost telepathic. He knows where Post wants to go before Post even hits the mic.
Breaking Down the "Louis Bell" Factor
If you want to understand the lyrics and the sound, you have to understand Bell’s philosophy. He’s a fan of "ear candy."
- Vocal Layering: Bell stacks Post’s voice to make it sound huge.
- Phonetic Consistency: They choose words based on how the vowels sound.
- Relatability: They aim for "universal heartbreak."
This is why the songs stay in your head. It isn't just a catchy beat; it’s a lyrical structure designed to be easy to memorize. If you’ve ever wondered why you know every word to "Sunflower" despite never trying to learn them, thank Louis Bell.
The Controversy of Songwriting Credits
The music industry is messy. Sometimes a "lyrics guy" is just a guy who was in the room and suggested one word. Other times, he wrote the whole chorus.
In Post Malone’s case, the credits are usually quite generous. He lists everyone. This is a sign of a healthy creative environment. When you see 10 names on a song like "Chemical," it doesn't mean 10 people sat in a circle with notebooks. It means the producer, the guy who made the beat, the guy who helped with the bridge, and the artist all get a piece of the pie.
But if you’re looking for the heart of the operation, it’s always going to come back to the core trio: Post, Louis Bell, and Andrew Watt.
Real Insights for Fans and Aspiring Writers
So, what can we learn from the "lyrics guy for that Post Malone guy"?
👉 See also: Mike Judge Presents: Tales from the Tour Bus Explained (Simply)
First, collaboration isn't cheating. It’s a tool. Even the most talented people in the world need a second pair of ears. Post Malone is a guitar-shredding, soulful singer, but he knows that Louis Bell can help him trim the fat and make a song a hit.
Second, the "vibe" is more important than the "vocabulary." Post Malone’s lyrics aren't Shakespearean. They’re conversational. They use words like "kinda" and "sorta." They talk about Bud Light and
expensive cars. It works because it feels authentic to who he is.
Third, the transition to country showed that the "lyrics guy" needs to be adaptable. Post didn't try to bring his LA pop writers to Nashville and force a country sound. He went to Nashville, sat down with the locals, and learned their way of writing.
Actionable Takeaways
If you're a fan trying to track down the specific people behind your favorite tracks, here is how you do it properly:
- Check the "Songview" or ASCAP/BMI Databases: Don't trust random lyrics websites. Look at the actual performance rights organization databases. They list the legal writers.
- Look for the Producers: In modern music, the producer is almost always a co-writer. If you see Louis Bell or Andrew Watt, you know the "sound" is going to be polished and pop-forward.
- Follow the Engineers: Often, the recording engineer is the one who sees the lyrics being born. Louis Bell started as an engineer/producer, which is why he’s so good at capturing Post’s raw energy.
- Watch the "Making Of" Videos: There are several clips of Post and Louis in the studio. You can see the back-and-forth. It’s not a guy handing a paper to a singer; it’s two friends arguing over whether a word sounds "too pop."
Post Malone is a rare bird. He’s a superstar who seems genuinely liked by everyone he works with. That's likely because he treats his "lyrics guys" as partners rather than employees. Whether he’s singing about heartbreak in a Hollywood mansion or drinking a beer in a Tennessee field, the team behind the curtain—led by Louis Bell—is what keeps the machine running.
Stop looking for a single "ghostwriter." Start looking for the creative collective. That’s where the real magic happens.
Next Steps for Music Nerds
To truly understand the lyrical evolution of Post Malone, listen to Stoney and then jump immediately to F-1 Trillion. You’ll hear the difference between a kid finding his voice and a man who has mastered the art of collaboration. Pay attention to the credits. When you see names like Ryan Tedder or Billy Walsh, look up their other work. You’ll start to see the "DNA" of modern pop music and how a small group of talented "lyrics guys" are actually the ones soundtracking our lives.