BY: Alexis Eichelberger

You know his songs, but you might not know his name. Since the late 1990’s, some of the biggest pop hits to top the charts and dominate radio play have come from the mind of Max Martin.

The 49-year-old songwriting phenomenon has written or co-written 23 tracks that topped the Billboard Hot 100. He’s collaborated with mega stars like Adele, Selena Gomez, Christina Aguilera, Shakira, Jennifer Lopez and Celine Dion, to name just a few.

Here are our eight favorite smash hits from the mind of Max Martin:

The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights”

Earlier this month, the Weeknd released his explorative fourth album After Hours. The album’s second single, “Blinding Lights,” is an 80’s techno-pop dream that reached number 1 on the Hot 100. Martin is credited as a co-writer, producer and instrumentalist on the track.

Taylor Swift’s “Blank Space”

Taylor Swift is undoubtedly one of the greatest songwriters of a generation. When two great songwriters think alike, we get songs like “Blank Space.” Swift’s satire of the criticisms that often swirl around her is another number 1 single that Martin contributed to as writer and producer.

Britney Spears’ “Oops… I Did It Again”

The lead single and title track of Britney Spears’ second studio album is one of her most iconic hits. In 2001, “Oops…I Did It Again” reached number 9 on the Billboard chart and earned a Grammy nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. Martin is credited for songwriting, producing and mixing on the track.

Lady Gaga’s “Stupid Love”

“Stupid Love” was the lead single off of Lady Gaga’s 2020 album Chromatica. The single was an instant hit, topping the charts in dozens of countries around the world and earning a Diamond certification in Brazil.

Katy Perry’s “Teenage Dream”

The second single from Katy Perry’s third album of the same name is a retro pop delight. It reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2010, and set the tone for Perry to continue her rise to stardom. Martin collaborated on “Teenage Dream” as a writer, producer and instrumentalist.

Ariana Grande’s “God Is a Woman”

Ariana Grande’s most iconic anthem of female empowerment dropped in 2018 prior to the release of her Grammy-winning fourth album Sweetener. “God Is a Woman” was nominated for Best Pop Solo Performance at the 61st Grammys and is certified platinum in six countries. Martin is credited as a co-writer.

Usher’s “DJ Got Us Fallin’ In Love”

One of Usher’s most successful singles has Martin listed as songwriter and producer. “DJ Got Us Fallin’ In Love” reached the top ten in more than 15 countries and peaked at number 4 on the U.S. chart. The danceable blend of techno-pop and R&B also features Pitbull, who adds his signature hit of Latin flair during his rap verse.

Justin Bieber’s “Beauty and a Beat”

“Beauty and a Beat” was a 2012 hit for Justin Bieber and featured artist Nicki Minaj. A decade later, and the song is still a viral smash — the song has been used in over 600,000 TikToks, and the now-iconic waterpark music video has over a billion views.