The artists who perform hit songs are common knowledge to even the most casual music fan. In some cases, the same artists who dominate the airwaves are also responsible for penning the songs we know and love. However in many instances, the world’s most popular music is made possible by songwriters who often go unnoticed by the fans of their music - until now.
The Songtrust Top Songwriters Chart
This is the first chart to recognize top songwriters in the US. Using data from Billboard Radio Songs and Digital Songs charts (full methodology here), we’re showcasing the immense talents of 2011′s Top Songwriters. And as you’ll see below, many of today’s top songwriters display remarkable versatility, composing songs in many genres for many different artists.
Congratulations to Swedish songwriter Martin Sandberg – better known as Max Martin – on topping our chart for 2011 with his contributions to smash hits by Britney Spears, P!nk and Katy Perry.
Top 20 Songwriters of 2011
1. Martin Karl Sandberg (Max Martin) – 83.9 pts
Hold It Against Me, Till The World Ends (Britney Spears); F**king Perfect, Raise Your Glass (Pink); E.T., Last Friday Night (Katy Perry); A Loser Like Me (Glee)
2. Lukasz Gottwald (Dr Luke) - 71.6 pts
We R Who We R, Blow (Ke$ha); Hold It Against Me, Till The World Ends (Britney Spears); E.T., Last Friday Night (Katy Perry); Good Feelin’ (Flo Rida)
3. Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson (Katy Perry) – 65.2 pts
Firework, E.T., Last Friday Night, The One That Got Away (Katy Perry)
4. Ester Dean (Esther Dean) – 61.5 pts
What’s My Name, S and M (Rihanna); Firework (Katy Perry); I Love You This Big (Scotty McCreery); Super Bass (Nicki Minaj)
5. Peter Gene Hernandez (Bruno Mars) – 60.9 pts
Just The Way You Are, Grenade (Bruno Mars); Lighters (Bad Meets Evil); Rocketeer (Far East Movement); F**k You (Cee Lo Green); How To Love (Lil Wayne)
6. Philip Martin Lawrence (Phil Lawrence) – 59.2 pts
Just The Way You Are, Grenade (Bruno Mars); Lighters (Bad Meets Evil); Rocketeer (Far East Movement); F**k You (Cee Lo Green); How To Love (Lil Wayne)
7. Mikkel Storleer Eriksen (Stargate) – 56.8 pts
What’s My Name?, Only Girl, S and M (Rihanna); Firework (Katy Perry); Black and Yellow, Roll Up (Wiz Khalifa)
7. Tor Erik Hermansen (Stargate) – 56.8 pts
What’s My Name?, Only Girl, S and M (Rihanna); Firework (Katy Perry); Black and Yellow, Roll Up (Wiz Khalifa)
9. Ari Levine - 56.3 pts
Just The Way You Are, Grenade, The Lazy Song, It Will Rain (Bruno Mars); F**k You (Cee Lo Green); Lighters (Bad Meets Evil)
10. Johan Karl Schuster (Shellback) – 49.1 pts
Raise Your Glass (Katy Perry); DJ Got Us Fallin’ In Love (Usher); What The Hell (Avril Lavigne); F**king Perfect (Pink); Moves Like Jagger (Maroon 5)
11. Benjamin Joseph Levin (Benny Blanco) – 48.9 pts
We R Who We R, Blow (Ke$ha); Dynamite (Taio Cruz); No Sleep (Wiz Khalifa); Moves Like Jagger (Maroon 5); Stereo Hearts (Gym Class Heroes)
12. Adele Laurie Blue Adkins (Adele) - 48.5 pts
Rolling In The Deep, Someone Like You (Adele); Rumor Has It/Someone Like You (Glee Cast)
13. David Jamahl Listenbee (GoonRock) – 44.2 pts
Party Rock Anthem, Sexy and I Know It (LMFAO)
13. Stefan Kendal Gordy (Redfoo) – 44.2 pts
Party Rock Anthem, Sexy and I Know It (LMFAO)
15. Armando Christian Perez (Pitbull) – 42.4 pts
Give Me Everything, On The Floor, Hey Baby (Pitbull); DJ Got Us Fallin’ In Love (Usher); Hey Baby (T-Pain)
16. Sandy Julien Wilhelm (Sandy Vee) – 44.2 pts
Only Girl, S and M (Rihanna); Firework (Katy Perry); Hey Baby (Pitbull); Where Them Girls At (David Guetta)
17. Adam Levine – 38.0 pts
Moves Like Jagger (Maroon 5); Stereo Hearts (Gym Class Heroes)
17. Ammar Malik - 38.0 pts
Moves Like Jagger (Maroon 5); Stereo Hearts (Gym Class Heroes)
19. Joshua Emanuel Coleman (Ammo) - 33.3 pts
We R Who We R (Ke$ha); E.T. (Katy Perry)
20. Peter Schroeder - 32.7 pts
Party Rock Anthem (LMFAO)
The Top 20 Songwriters of 2011 was compiled by Jon Ostrow for music publishing rights management provider Songtrust.
