Adam Schlesinger was a songwriter, composer, and record producer. He won Emmy and Grammy Awards and has been nominated for Oscar, Tony, and Golden Globe Awards. He was also a winner of the ASCAP Pop Music Award. He worked in television, film, and theater, and was also a founding member of the bands Fountains Of Wayne, Ivy, and Tinted Windows. 

His work includes the hit song "Stacy's Mom" (recorded by Fountains Of Wayne, nominated for two Grammys); the title song from Tom Hanks' film That Thing You Do (Oscar nominated for Best Original Song); the Broadway adaptation of John Waters' Cry-Baby (nominated for two Tony awards); original songs for films like Ice Age 4: Continental Drift and Music and Lyrics starring Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore; the opening songs for the 2011 and 2012 Tony Awards, performed by Neil Patrick Harris (including the Emmy-winning "It's Not Just For Gays Anymore"); Jane Lynch's opening number for the 2011 Emmy Awards; and songs for Stephen Colbert's holiday special A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift Of All (which won the Grammy for Best Comedy Album). He  also wrote extensively for children's programs like Sesame Street, Fresh Beat Band, and Big Time Rush. In 2019, Schlesinger won an Emmy for Outstanding Music & Lyrics for the television show "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend" which he shared with collaborators Rachel Bloom and Jack Dolgen.

Schlesinger's songs have been performed by such diverse artists as Katy Perry, Jennifer Lopez, Jonas Brothers, Nicki Minaj, America, Willie Nelson, Toby Keith, Elvis Costello, Snoop Dogg, Brad Paisley, and Oscar The Grouch.