Max Martin’s 20 #1 Singles, From “…Baby One More Time” To “Bad Blood”: Revisited, Reviewed & Ranked
10. “Raise Your Glass” Artist: Pink Year: 2010 Stay At #1: 1 week Max Martin’s Involvement: Co-wrote, co-produced
In December 2010, Pink’s “Raise Your Glass” became Pink’s third song to top the Hot 100, and, with its thumping melody and so-bad-it’s-good lyrics, it made for one hell-raising pop-rock anthem at that. The track also received a cover on the second season of Glee by Darren Criss’ character Blaine Anderson and the Warblers.
Arguably Blaine’s finest era, every nitty, gritty, dirty, little freak (and maybe even Pink herself) immediately rejoiced. — RACHEL SONIS
9. “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” Artist: Taylor Swift Year: 2012 Stay At #1: 3 weeks Max Martin’s Involvement: Co-wrote, co-produced
#sorrynotsorry, but there is no indie record cooler than the cheerfully cutthroat “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together.” No matter how seriously you take Taylor Swift’s titular threat, rarely has a song so masterfully skewered the way we’re all at the mercy of our egos as well as our hearts.This, my dears, is what pop perfection sounds like: effortless, everybody-in-the-stadium-scream-along exuberance. Anyone who is immune to this song’s irresistible rise and fall—“Weeee-EEEE!”—hasn’t truly opened themselves up to that magical, musical catharsis only the purest pop provides. Like, ever. — JONATHAN RIGGS
8. “Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)” Artist: Katy Perry Year: 2011 Stay At #1: 2 weeks Max Martin’s Involvement: Co-wrote, co-produced
The fifth chart-topper from Katy Perry’s Teenage Dream album was initially dismissed by many critics, embarrassingly enough, as a Kesha rip-off. And while the chaotic party anthem wouldn’t sound out of place on the former K$’s Animal LP, producers Max Martin and Dr. Luke were canny enough to tailor the sound to Katy’s bubblier personality and teenage target market.
“Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)” was and will always be a ridiculously enjoyable pop song, but perhaps its biggest impact is changing the way music is marketed. Katy’s team used every trick in the book to nab another number one — from a star-studded blockbuster video to a remix featuring Missy Elliott. Love it or hate it, the tactic was soon embraced by every act with a sizable fan base. (See: Taylor Swift’s “Bad Blood” for one very obvious example.) — MIKE WASS
7. “My Life Would Suck Without You” Artist: Kelly Clarkson Year: 2009 Stay At #1: 2 weeks Max Martin’s Involvement: Co-wrote, co-produced
It’s almost inconceivable that Kelly Clarkson’s “Since U Been Gone,” the song that brought Max Martin back to the forefront of pop in 2004 and launched the high-profile producing/writing career of Dr. Luke, didn’t reach #1. (It was held in the runner-up spot by — believe it or not — 50 Cent’s “Candy Shop.”) Instead, the triumvirate of Kelly, Max and Luke would have to wait nearly half a decade for the similar-sounding “My Life Would Suck Without You,” a song that gave Clarkson herself a much-need comeback at the time.
There’s no denying the ability this track has to put a smile on even the sourest of faces, a characteristic that makes up the bulk of its charm. Sure, “My Life Would Suck Without You” was derivative of territory the three forces involved here had already covered in years prior, but we all appreciated the feel-good jolt it provided — especially at the height of the recession, when this arrived — regardless. — ROBBIE DAW
6. “Shake It Off” Artist: Taylor Swift Year: 2014 Stay At #1: 4 weeks Max Martin’s Involvement: Co-wrote, co-produced
Mark my words: dissertations will be written about “Shake It Off” as the one of the ultimate 21st century pop songs. Much like Taylor Swift and Max Martin themselves, it is a marvel of musical alchemy whose deceptively straightforward-as-a-selfie appeal belies unparalleled songcraft and star power. It is the Da Vinci Code; it is the alpha and omega; it is the ultimate. sick. beat.
There is no cure. There is no escape. Players gonna play; haters gonna hate; Taylor’s gonna Tay. Amen. — JONATHAN RIGGS
