[6] Both are graduates of the University of Michigan[7] and winners of the American Theatre Wing's 2007 Jonathan Larson Grant,[8] which honors achievement by composers, lyricists and librettists.

[9] Both got "background" roles in the school's musical theater production, which inspired them to write Edges, a song cycle about the trials and tribulations of moving into adulthood and the search for meaning.

[7] On May 14, 2006, the duo made their New York City premiere: a benefit concert of original songs titled Become: The Music of Pasek & Paul.

Presented by Jamie McGonnigal,[10] performers included Gavin Creel, Cheyenne Jackson, Celia Keenan-Bolger, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, and Steven Pasquale.

[23] Other early works include If You Give A Pig A Pancake (2010) and Duck For President for Theatreworks USA,[24] and Dr. Williams, written for the Orchard Project's 24 Hour Musicals benefit.

[34] The musical made its West End debut at the Noël Coward Theatre in London on November 19, 2019, following previews in October of the same year.

In 2007 and 2008 Pasek and Paul wrote music for the Disney Channel show Johnny and the Sprites,[12] with songs used in six episodes and for one story in the season's premiere.

[38] They also wrote original songs for an episode of the Hulu show Only Murders in the Building, including "Look for the Light", a duet sung by Meryl Streep and Ashley Park.

[46] The film's track "City of Stars", with their lyrics and composition by Justin Hurwitz, won the 2017 Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song.

"[48] It was then announced in February 2023 that they would reunite with Hurwitz on a stage musical adaptation of the film currently in development, with a book by Ayad Akhtar and Matthew Decker and direction by Bartlett Sher.

In collaboration with Alan Menken, Pasek and Paul wrote the lyrics for two new songs for Disney's 2019 live action film adaptation of Aladdin.

[52] Pasek and Paul also adapted Dear Evan Hansen as a feature film for Universal Pictures and director Stephen Chbosky.

[61][62] They are also collaborating with Pharrell Williams on songs for the semi-autobiographical musical drama Golden, which will reunite them with Steven Levenson for the first time since Dear Evan Hansen.