Max Martin

“When pop culture can influence things in any way, when a song becomes something bigger than just a song, that's the greatest thing to me.”

“There was a phase when I and people around me listened to Prince a lot. A lot. We took Prince fandom to the extreme.”

“I just believe in collaboration. I mean, I've written songs on my own, you know, but I think if the artist has something to bring to the table - someone like Pink, for instance - where they have something to say, it makes your job easier and more special.”

“Life is so much easier without the attention.”

“I thought it was so cool that all you knew about Prince was about his artistry and music.”

“My tastes have always been pretty cheesy. I like Def Leppard. At the same time, my tastes might be pretty universal. I don't know.”

“The producer should decide what kind of music is being made, what it's going to sound like - all of it: the why, when, and how.”

“If the artist isn't having a great day or finds it all boring, my role becomes that of a coach. Getting the very best out of the artist. Helping them perform at their very best when it's game time. One way to get them there is to bring them out of their comfort zones.”

“A great pop song should be felt when you hear it.”

“I believe you have to start with yourself, think about your bad habits and prejudices, not only in your profession but generally in life. Why do I assume that a doctor is a man? Something is indoctrinated from very early on.”

“If nobody recognizes you, if nobody cares, it's easier to avoid getting carried away. That's way harder if you're a famous artist.”

“It's one thing to speak about it and another to actually do something about it.”

“Sometimes you have to think about letting people move on.”

“You can hear songs that are technically great, songs that tick all the boxes. But for a song to be felt, you need something else.”

“I don't think most people who listen to music are that interested in all the work that goes into making it. It's the artist you like.”

“There are so many traps, so many ways of getting screwed in this business.”

“When I was young, people didn't even really know what a producer was.”

“As songwriters, we are lucky to have ASCAP on our side, offering support and fighting for our rights.”

“I try to make the songs as good as I can - the way I like it, you know? And I guess my taste sometimes happens to be what other people, particularly radio programmers, like too.”

“If you've got a verse with a lot of rhythm, you want to pair it with something that doesn't.”