Dan Wilson is an American singer, songwriter, producer, and visual artist, best known as the frontman of Semisonic and the writer behind major hits like “Closing Time” (Semisonic), “Someone Like You” (Adele), and “Not Ready to Make Nice” (The Chicks). He has worked with a diverse range of artists, including Taylor Swift, Jon Batiste, Chris Stapleton, Leon Bridges, Celine Dion, and Mitski.
At the 2025 Grammy Awards, Wilson won Best Song Written for Visual Media for It Never Went Away, a song co-written with Jon Batiste for the documentary American Symphony. This adds to his long list of Grammy wins, including Song of the Year for “Not Ready to Make Nice” (2007) and Album of the Year for Adele’s 21 (2012).
In this article, we explore Dan Wilson’s net worth, career, Grammy wins, songwriting success, family, relationships, and lesser-known facts.
Dan Wilson Short Details
| Full Name | Daniel Dodd Wilson |
|---|---|
| Stage Name | Dan Wilson |
| Profession | Singer, Songwriter, Producer, Visual Artist |
| Hometown | St. Louis Park, Minnesota, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Date of Birth | May 20, 1961 |
| Age (as of 2025) | 63 years old |
| Height | 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 m) |
| Weight | 80 kg (176 lbs) |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Hair Color | Grey |
| Zodiac Sign | Taurus |
| Years Active | 1983 – Present |
| Genres | Folk Rock, Country, Alternative Rock |
| Labels | Ballroom Music, Pleasuresonic Recordings |
| Bands | Semisonic, Trip Shakespeare |
| Spouse | Diane Espaldon |
| Children | Two (Corazon “Coco” Wilson, Lily Wilson) |
| Website | danwilsonmusic.com |
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Dan Wilson was born and raised in St. Louis Park, Minnesota. He attended Harvard University, where he majored in Visual and Environmental Studies, focusing on printmaking. During his college years, he played in bands with his brother, Matt Wilson, including Animal Dance and The Love Monsters.
After graduating summa cum laude in 1983, Wilson initially pursued a career in painting and illustration but soon shifted his focus entirely to music.
Rise to Fame and Career Highlights
Trip Shakespeare (1987–1992)
- Wilson joined Trip Shakespeare, a psychedelic rock band founded by his brother, Matt Wilson.
- They released four albums and built a loyal fanbase before disbanding in 1992.
Semisonic and “Closing Time” (1995–2001, 2020–Present)
- After Trip Shakespeare split, Wilson and John Munson formed Semisonic.
- Their 1998 album Feeling Strangely Fine included “Closing Time”, which became a massive radio hit and earned a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Song.
- Other hits included “Singing in My Sleep” and “Secret Smile”, which found international success.
- After releasing All About Chemistry (2001), the band went on hiatus.
- Semisonic reunited in 2020, releasing the EP You’re Not Alone (2020) and Little Bit of Sun (2023).
Dan Wilson’s Songwriting & Production Success
Wilson has written and produced some of the biggest songs in modern music, collaborating with major artists across multiple genres.
Biggest Songs Written by Dan Wilson
| Song | Artist | Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| Closing Time | Semisonic | Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum hit |
| Someone Like You | Adele | Billboard No.1, Grammy-winning album 21 |
| Not Ready to Make Nice | The Chicks | Grammy for Song of the Year |
| White Horse | Chris Stapleton | Grammy & CMA Song of the Year |
| Butterfly | Jon Batiste | Grammy-nominated for Song of the Year |
| Treacherous | Taylor Swift | Grammy-nominated album Red |
| Tee Shirt | Birdy (The Fault in Our Stars) | Featured in blockbuster movie |
| Love Again | Celine Dion | Featured in 2023 movie Love Again |
He has also written for and collaborated with artists like:
- Pink
- Leon Bridges
- Halsey
- Laufey
- Dierks Bentley
- Joy Oladokun
- Weezer
- Phantogram
- Bastille
His songwriting is celebrated for its emotional depth, storytelling, and poetic lyricism.
Dan Wilson’s Net Worth and Earnings
As a highly successful songwriter, producer, and performer, Dan Wilson has accumulated significant wealth through royalties, album sales, concert tours, and music publishing.
As of 2025, Dan Wilson’s estimated net worth is $8 million.
| Net Worth (2025) | $8 million (Estimated) |
|---|---|
| Primary Income Source | Songwriting, Production, Royalties |
| Other Ventures | Visual Art, Touring, Merchandise |
Wilson’s royalties from “Someone Like You” alone have earned him millions, given its global sales and streaming success.
Family and Personal Life
Dan Wilson is married to Diane Espaldon, a former Harvard University student and international affairs expert. They have two daughters:
- Corazon “Coco” Wilson (born 1997) – Born prematurely and has disabilities.
- Lily Wilson (born 2007) – Adopted from the Philippines at age two.
Wilson has often spoken about how fatherhood influenced his music, especially in songs like “Closing Time” (which he wrote before Coco’s birth).
2025 Grammy Win – Best Song Written for Visual Media
At the 2025 Grammy Awards, Dan Wilson and Jon Batiste won Best Song Written for Visual Media for It Never Went Away, featured in the documentary American Symphony.
Wilson’s acceptance speech thanked:
- Jon Batiste for their incredible collaboration
- His wife and daughters for their unwavering support
- His longtime music partners, including Semisonic and The Chicks
This marks his third Grammy win, following:
- Song of the Year for “Not Ready to Make Nice” (2007)
- Album of the Year for 21 (2012) with Adele
Lesser-Known Facts About Dan Wilson
- He studied art at Harvard and originally planned to be a visual artist.
- He illustrated album covers for Trip Shakespeare and his solo albums.
- He co-wrote a song with Taylor Swift that appears on Red (Taylor’s Version).
- He won his first CMA Award in 2024 for White Horse (Chris Stapleton).
- He co-wrote and produced multiple songs for Leon Bridges.
- “Someone Like You” was originally meant to be a demo but was left unchanged.
- He has played with John Legend, Dierks Bentley, and Sara Bareilles.
- He frequently teaches songwriting workshops at Berklee College of Music.
- He enjoys painting and calligraphy in his free time.
- He believes songwriting should be about telling universal stories.
FAQs About Dan Wilson
Q: How old is Dan Wilson in 2025?
A: He is 63 years old, born on May 20, 1961.
Q: What is Dan Wilson’s net worth?
A: His estimated net worth is $8 million.
Q: How many Grammys has Dan Wilson won?
A: He has won three Grammys, including Best Song Written for Visual Media in 2025.
Q: What is Dan Wilson’s most famous song?
A: “Closing Time” (Semisonic) and “Someone Like You” (Adele).
Conclusion
Dan Wilson is a legendary songwriter and producer, shaping some of the most memorable songs in pop, country, and rock music. With multiple Grammy wins, a celebrated catalog of hits, and a growing legacy, he continues to influence music across generations.
