You clicked on this title, didn’t you? Just like a great song title grabs your attention, a blog post title should do the same. And if you’re intrigued by “Max Martin,” you’re in the right place to learn a thing or two about crafting hits.
So, what’s the secret sauce behind Max Martin’s incredible success? Beyond being Swedish and exceptionally talented, it boils down to a relentless work ethic and a profound understanding of songcraft. Having observed Max Martin and those around him, the defining characteristic that sets him apart is an unparalleled willingness to work. Not just work, but to obsessively refine, rewrite, and polish a song until it transcends “good” and becomes a true masterpiece. This means endless tweaking, perfecting every nuance, and even rewriting again and again until it’s undeniably brilliant.
Cat intensely typing on a Macbook, symbolizing hard work and dedication
For those unfamiliar, Max Martin isn’t just any songwriter. He’s the architect of modern pop music, the mastermind behind countless chart-toppers for icons like Taylor Swift, Britney Spears, P!nk, Kelly Clarkson, Katy Perry, and many more. His resume boasts over 21 #1 Billboard Hot 100 hits, surpassing even Paul McCartney’s legendary record. Dive deeper into his staggering achievements here.
And masterpieces are what we all aspire to create, right? Maybe not necessarily a “Moonlight Sonata” or “MacArthur Park,” but a pop gem that resonates with millions and generates millions in revenue. Or perhaps your ambition is to pen the next “MacArthur Park” – either way, the principles remain the same.
Here’s a crucial insight: Max Martin isn’t churning out hundreds of songs annually. Rumor has it he might create around 10 songs a year (this is speculative, based on industry whispers). But these 10 songs are meticulously crafted, each one carrying immense weight. He approaches songwriting like a meticulous sculptor, dedicating himself to the smallest details, pushing for that final 1% of perfection.
It’s also highly likely that Max Martin possesses a keen ability to objectively assess songs, discerning which ideas are worth pursuing and refining. He probably discards “good enough” tracks, viewing them as raw material to sift through in the pursuit of true gold. This discerning approach is key to his consistent hit-making.
Time for a Songwriting Mindset Shift
This brings me to a crucial point, a direct message for all aspiring songwriters, and a critical mindset shift I urge you to embrace.
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Often, when I suggest a rewrite, a different approach, or production enhancement, the feedback is lukewarm, or the suggestion is simply ignored. It’s as if saying, “Thanks, but I’d rather move on to a mediocre session than extract the gold from this gem.” Or perhaps, “My ‘good enough’ song is sufficient.” Sometimes, rewrites are delivered months later, just in time for a mediocre artist to record a mediocre song – a missed opportunity for a superstar song to be matched with a superstar artist.
When I recommend revisions, it’s never arbitrary. It’s because I recognize potential, a spark of gold waiting to be unearthed. Trust that feedback; it means you’re close to something special.
With 25 years in this industry (longer than some of you have been alive!), experience has taught me a few things. When I’m insistent about something, it’s rarely misguided. That might sound arrogant, but it’s rooted in observation and experience.
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The Pre-Chorus Question: How Many Have You Written?
Let me share a story. I interviewed Savan Kotecha (my first signing, and a master songwriter with numerous #1 hits) at SXSW. He recounted how he adopted the “Max Martin mindset” after years of collaboration.
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He described working on a song for Ariana Grande (the specific track isn’t important). The pre-chorus was proving elusive. They struggled to nail it, iterating again and again. Now, the pre-chorus might seem like a minor element, easily overlooked. Wrong! I asked Savan, “How many pre-choruses did you write?” His answer: “We wrote 65 pre-choruses before we found the right one.”
Sixty-five! That’s the “Max Martin Mindset” in action. And that’s a key reason why Max Martin earns an estimated $100 million annually in royalties (and Savan, likely $10 million+), while many songwriters don’t reach those heights.
We live in a culture that often normalizes mediocrity. Look at the constant stream of new music releases vying for attention. The threshold for playlisting and recognition is surprisingly low. These aren’t the songs you should aspire to emulate in terms of quality. Do you think many songwriters, besides Max Martin and a handful of elite hitmakers, are working with that level of dedication to create masterpieces? Probably not. And that’s precisely where your opportunity lies.
Animated GIF with text "fuck yes!!!" expressing enthusiasm and opportunity
Consider Dr. Luke, another figure known for his rigorous quality control (and someone who also emerged from the Max Martin orbit – no coincidence there). Or Mutt Lange, a production legend. Even LMFAO, the creators of “Party Rock Anthem” (Redfoo, who might be an underrated genius), reportedly did 100 mixes to perfect that track. I’m not exaggerating. And yes, “Party Rock Anthem” is, in its own right, a pop masterpiece of its genre.
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The point is clear: when you truly “get it right,” you REALLY GET IT RIGHT. You create a timeless song, a perennial earner that generates substantial royalties year after year. Why? Because you committed to a mindset shift, pushing through to that extra 5%, 1%, chipping away until your song reached its full potential. That’s how home runs are made. Sometimes, hits happen spontaneously – those 15-minute songwriting miracles. Fantastic! But when you’re circling a potential hit, it’s tempting to jump to the next writing session, the allure of something new. It’s less appealing to revisit old sessions and wrestle with the intricacies of a near-finished song.
Remember the adage: 1% inspiration, 99% perspiration. That’s the essence of hit songwriting.
And here’s my persistent question: why, in songwriting, don’t we prioritize the songs with the highest potential – the “gold” waiting to be mined?
What I’m advocating for is a shift in perspective. Embrace the excitement of refining and perfecting those potential smashes. Honestly, sometimes the most strategic move is to cancel other writing sessions and laser-focus on that one exceptional song. That’s where your million-dollar hit likely resides, not in spreading yourself thin across multiple projects.
The real money, the enduring success, is in the “gold in them hills” of your almost-finished masterpieces.
Keep Digging for Songwriting Gold
Speaking of gold, let’s delve into a metaphor: gold prospecting. It’s surprisingly analogous to songwriting, and fitting, given my personal experience with gold mining.
Gold prospecting is inherently unemotional. In the field, we’re driven by the pursuit of gold, not ego or attachment to a particular lyric or melody. If I discover a “pocket” showing signs of gold, I’m not going to abandon it thinking, “There’s probably a valuable nugget here, but I’ll try somewhere else.” Absolutely not! I’ll exhaust that pocket until I extract the gold.
Astoundingly, many songwriters are “in the gold” of a potential hit but give up prematurely. Or they might need guidance to see the potential, and instead choose to pursue multiple average co-writes, hoping to stumble upon gold randomly. Often, this stems from a “good enough” mentality, which is particularly detrimental in today’s competitive music landscape.
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The message is simple: you’re on the verge of gold. Keep digging. Consider this brief clip featuring Dave McCracken, my gold mining mentor (the real-life Indiana Jones of North America), and see the songwriting parallels. https://youtu.be/-dRQ6OWO0m4?t=68. Notice his emphasis on “screening,” “material,” and focusing effort where it’s “MOST LIKELY to produce the best result.”
And one more critical point: if you’ve done two, three, even four or five rewrites, production variations, or mix adjustments, and it’s still not quite there, and I (or someone else whose opinion you trust) still feels it’s lacking… is that the moment to quit, to declare “good enough”? Absolutely not.
Here’s a question for honest self-reflection: Are you willing to write 65 pre-choruses, like Savan Kotecha, to ensure your song is legendary? If yes, fantastic. If not, don’t expect the gates of songwriting mega-royalties to swing open easily.
This is demanding work. That’s why top songwriters are compensated accordingly – because only a small percentage are willing to commit to this level of dedication.
So, when you receive a request for a rewrite, remix, or production change from me, an A&R rep, an artist, a co-writer, or anyone else, view it as an exciting opportunity, not a tedious chore. Get excited because you’re likely standing right on top of songwriting gold.
The First 90% Is Just the Beginning
There’s one more vital piece to this puzzle. I want to introduce you to a brilliant short blog post by Seth Godin, a legendary thinker I deeply admire. It’s titled “Hardly Worth The Effort.” The core message is that what separates superstars in any field – what justifies their exponentially higher earnings – is their commitment to pushing beyond the “good enough,” to achieving that final 5%, that last 1% that elevates quality to 100%. That’s the differentiator. Anyone can reach 90%. Why? Because that’s the easy part. The last 5% is where the big rewards lie. Read Seth Godin’s insightful piece here: Seth Godin – “Hardly Worth The Effort.”
That’s the critical distinction between global, consistently successful hitmakers and everyone else.
And it’s a key reason why they enjoy 8-figure royalty incomes, and many others don’t.
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