
Michael Tran/FilmMagic/Getty Images
- Max Martin, a Swedish producer and songwriter, is the mastermind behind numerous mega-hit pop songs.
- He’s won five Grammys for songs including “Since U Been Gone” and “Can’t Stop The Feeling.”
- Taylor Swift worked with Martin on her new album, “The Life of a Showgirl.”
Max Martin was once a mysterious force behind the world’s biggest pop music hits.
Martin, whose real name is Karl Martin Sandberg, has been writing and producing songs since the ’90s, but music fans now recognize his name as a standard part of the pop zeitgeist.
Some of his biggest hits almost wound up in the hands of other stars — TLC was offered “…Baby One More Time” before Britney Spears. But no matter which pop artist ends up taking on the track, Martin’s work has a huge success rate, with a total of five Grammy awards from 25 nominations.
Taylor Swift enlisted the help of Martin and Karl “Shellback” Schuster for her latest album, “The Life of a Showgirl.” They previously collaborated on her mega-hits such as “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” “Shake It Off,” “Blank Space,” and “Delicate.”
Keep reading for a look at the biggest pop songs written, cowritten, and produced by Max Martin.
“Tearin’ Up My Heart” — *NSYNC

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“Tearin’ Up My Heart” was written by Max Martin and Kristian Lundin. Lundin produced the track.
“It’s Gonna Be Me” — *NSYNC

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“It’s Gonna Be Me” was written by Max Martin, Andreas Carlsson, and Rami Yacoub, and produced by Yacoub.
“I Want It That Way” — Backstreet Boys

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“I Want It That Way” was written by Max Martin and Andreas Carlsson. Martin and Kristian Lundin produced the track, which was nominated for song and record of the year at the 42nd Grammy Awards.
“Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)” — Backstreet Boys

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Max Martin and Denniz Pop wrote and produced the song.
“…Baby One More Time” — Britney Spears

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Max Martin was the sole writer of “…Baby One More Time.” He produced the song with Rami Yacoub.
“Oops!… I Did It Again” — Britney Spears

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Both Max Martin and Rami Yacoub wrote and produced “Oops… I Did It Again.”
“That’s the Way It Is” — Celine Dion

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“That’s the Way It Is” was written by Max Martin, Andreas Carlsson, and Kristian Lundin. Martin and Lundin produced the song.
“Since U Been Gone” — Kelly Clarkson

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“Since U Been Gone” was written by Max Martin (credited as Martin Sandberg) and Łukasz Gottwald.
The track won best female pop vocal performance, and Clarkson’s album, “Breakaway,” won best pop vocal album.
“I Kissed A Girl” — Katy Perry

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“I Kissed A Girl” was written by Cathy Dennis, Max Martin, Łukasz Gottwald, and Katy Perry. Dr. Luke produced the song.
“Teenage Dream” — Katy Perry

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“Teenage Dream” was written by Benny Blanco (credited as Benjamin Levin), Bonnie McKee, Max Martin, Łukasz Gottwald, and Katy Perry. Dr. Luke and Blanco produced the track.
Perry’s album “Teenage Dream” was nominated for album of the year.
“So What” — P!nk

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Max Martin, P!nk, and Shellback wrote “So What.” Martin also produced the track.
“We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” — Taylor Swift

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Max Martin, Shellback, and Taylor Swift wrote “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together.” The song was produced by Shellback and Martin and Grammy-nominated for record of the year.
“Shake It Off” — Taylor Swift

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“Shake It Off” was written by Max Martin, Shellback, and Taylor Swift. Shellback and Martin produced the song.
Martin was one of the main collaborators on Swift’s “1989” album that won Grammy awards for best pop vocal album and album of the year.
“Problem” — Ariana Grande ft. Iggy Azalea

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“Problem” was written by Ariana Grande, ILYA, Max Martin, Savan Kotecha, and Iggy Azalea. Martin, ILYA, and Shellback produced the song.
“Can’t Feel My Face” — The Weeknd

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“Can’t Feel My Face” was written by Max Martin, Savan Kotecha, The Weeknd (credited as Abel Tesfaye), Ali Payami, and Peter Svensson. Payami and Martin produced the song, which was nominated for record of the year at the 58th Grammy Awards.
“Can’t Stop The Feeling” — Justin Timberlake

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Max Martin, Justin Timberlake, and Shellback wrote and produced “Can’t Stop The Feeling.” The song won a Grammy for best song written for visual media.
“DJ Got Us Fallin’ In Love” (feat. Pitbull) — Usher

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Max Martin, Savan Kotecha, Armando Perez, and Shellback wrote “DJ Got Us Fallin’ In Love.” It was produced by Martin and Shellback.
“It’s My Life” — Bon Jovi

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Max Martin, Jon Bon Jovi, and Richie Sambora wrote “It’s My Life.” It was produced by Bon Jovi, Sambora, and Luke Ebbin.
“Dynamite” — Taio Cruz

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Benny Blanco (credited as Benjamin Levin), Max Martin, Łukasz Gottwald, Bonnie McKee, and Taio Cruz wrote “Dynamite.” It was produced by Gottwald and Blanco.
“Beauty And A Beat” — Justin Bieber and Nicki Minaj

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“Beauty And A Beat” was written by Max Martin, Savan Kotecha, Anton Zaslavski, and Onika Maraj. It was produced by Max Martin, Zedd, and Kuk Harrell.
“Hands To Myself'” — Selena Gomez

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“Hands To Myself” was written by Julia Michaels, Justin Tranter, Max Martin, Mattias Larsson, Robin Fredriksson, and Selena Gomez. Mattman & Robin produced the track.
“What The Hell” — Avril Lavigne

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“What The Hell” was written by Max Martin, Avril Lavigne, and Shellback. Martin and Shellback also produced the song.
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