Diane Warren Opens Up About Writing a Song for Her Own Documentary Relentless

After writing songs for more than 100 films, legendary songwriter Diane Warren faced a new and deeply personal challenge: writing a song for her own documentary, Relentless.

Warren said it never crossed her mind to ask another songwriter to take on the task. Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, she explained that because the film tells her life story, the music had to come from her. Still, the process was not easy. After decades of writing songs to support fictional characters and film narratives, Warren had to decide what kind of song could emotionally represent her own experiences.

She found her answer in a simple question: what would she say to her younger self? That idea became the foundation for the song “Dear Me,” which opens with a line written as a message of reassurance to the child she once was.

Warren has spoken openly about a difficult childhood marked by bullying, frequent trouble at school, and feelings of isolation. While she credits her father with being supportive, she says her mother doubted whether songwriting could become a viable career, a concern Warren later came to understand. These experiences shaped the emotional core of “Dear Me,” which she describes as a love letter to a younger version of herself, offering comfort and hope.

Although the song is intensely personal, Warren says its impact has been universal. Fans from different backgrounds have told her that the lyrics resonate with their own experiences, with some saying it made them reflect on their childhood selves.

The song is performed by Kesha, whom Warren personally chose for the track. She said Kesha’s life experiences and vocal ability made her the right fit to convey the song’s vulnerability and strength. Warren compared Kesha’s performance to Lady Gaga’s emotional delivery on “Til It Happens to You,” which Warren co-wrote for the documentary The Hunting Ground.

Warren, who received an honorary Oscar in 2022 and has earned 16 Academy Award nominations along with 16 Grammy nominations, including one for Relentless, considers “Dear Me” one of the strongest songs of her career. She acknowledged that she is often enthusiastic about her work, but said this song has stayed with her long after its release.

Diane Warren: Relentless is currently available to rent or purchase on digital platforms.