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Maine Songwriter Amy Allen Has Her First No. 1 Hit

Maine native Amy Allen has her first No. 1 hit as a songwriter.

The Los Angeles songwriter tells the Portland Press Herald she's "through-the-roof excited'' that a song she co-wrote, "Without Me'' by Halsey, reached No. 1 on Billboard's Hot 100 pop music chart this week.

Allen grew up in Windham and graduated from Waynflete School in Portland. She attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, where she took a songwriting class taught by former "American Idol'' judge Kara DioGuardi. In Boston, she formed a band that got her songs noticed.

The past year was good to Allen.

She co-wrote the "Back to You'' by Selena Gomez and "When You're Ready'' on Shawn Mendes' self-titled album. The latter album is nominated for a Grammy in the pop vocal album category.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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