Some were released decades after they were first written
Music production is an art in itself. A competent producer can turn a good song into a great one, and indeed some music producers manage to create a signature sound they are associated with. Music artists have a lot to gain from working with a good producer that understand their music and is able to take it to another level, so much so that many create long-lasting partnerships.
Music history is filled with great producers whose work is worth revisiting. Click through the gallery to meet some of them.
Max Martin is one of the greatest producers of the 90’s and 2000s. Martin produced some of the greatest pop hits in history, including Taylor Swift's ‘Shake It Off,' Katy Perry's ‘I Kissed a Girl’ and ‘Roar’ and the Weeknd's ‘Blinding Lights,’ to name a few.
The Swedish record producer is the second songwriter with most number-one singles on the charts, only behind Paul McCartney. He wrote tunes such as Britney Spears ‘...Baby One More Time,’ the Backstreet Boys' ‘I Want It That Way,’ and Celine Dion’s ‘That's the Way It Is,’ among many others.
Rick Rubin successfully produced music for artists across different genres. These include Beastie Boys, Slayer, System of a Down, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jay-Z, Metallica, and Johnny Cash, among many others.
Associated with names such as Missy Elliot, Justin Timberlake, Jay-Z, and Beyoncé, Timbaland’s established himself as a top producer in the rap and R&B world.
From Adele’s ‘Hello’ to Sia’s ‘Chandelier,’ among many other hits, Greg Kurstin is one of the top producers of the 21st century. Other artists he worked with include Kelly Clarkson, Pink, Foo Fighters, Paul McCartney, and Miley Cyrus.
After finding success with N.W.A, the rapper became a top record producer. Associated acts include 2pac, Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent, Mary J. Blige, and Eminem.
Also known as the “fifth Beatle,” the English record producer helped shape the sound of the Fab Four. George Martin produced all Beatles albums, except 1970’s ‘Let It Be,’ though he was involved in the process.
Phil Spector is best known for creating a technique he called a “wall of sound,” which involved multiple layers of instruments. The American music producer is associated with acts such as The Ronettes, The Righteous Brothers, Ike & Tina Turner, Leonard Cohen, and the Ramones. Spector produced The Beatles’ last album ‘Let It Be.’
Mark Ronson found success producing artists such as Lily Allen and Bruno Mars, though his most notable contribution to music was Amy Winehouse’s album ‘Back to Black.’
Butch Vig has some of the greatest rock albums of the ‘90s in his resume. We’re talking about ‘Siamese Dream’ by Smashing Pumpkins, and the seminal ‘Nevermind’ by Nirvana. Butch Vig also produced for his own band, Garbage, as well as other big acts, including Green Day and Foo Fighters.
Quincy Jones is one of the most accomplished record producers of all time, across multiple genres. He is best known for producing Michael Jackson’s albums ‘Off the Wall,’ ‘Thriller,’ and ‘Bad.’ Jones worked with many other top acts, including Aretha Franklin and Frank Sinatra, to name a few.
Pharrell Williams, together with Chad Hugo, formed the record production duo known as The Neptunes. They’ve produced songs for the likes of Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Kelis, Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, Nelly, Ludacris, Gwen Stefani, and Snoop Dogg.
Pharrel has also produced several songs on his own, including the hit singles ‘Happy,’ ‘Can I Have It Like That,’ and the controversial (yet hugely successful) ‘Blurred Lines.’
The former member of Roxy Music went on to produce some of the greatest artists of all time. Eno (middle) worked with artists such as U2, Talking Heads, David Bowie, and Coldplay. Highlights include Bowie’s famous Berlin Trilogy (including ‘Heroes’) and several U2 albums.
The founder of Motown Records is responsible for producing dozens of great artists, including The Jackson 5, The Supremes, The Temptations, and Marvin Gaye, among many others.
The co-founder of Chic has collaborated with many artists over the years, and has also produced a lot of great music. Rodgers worked with artists such as Duran Duran, Diana Ross, Madonna, Sister Sledge, David Bowie, and many more.
The Canadian Grammy award-winning producer is the man behind all but one of Drake's albums. Noah “40” Shebib has also worked with artists such as Beyoncé, Lil Wayne, and Alicia Keys.
Teo Macero is one of the most influential jazz producers of all time. He worked with the likes of John Coltrane, Gil Evans, Charles Mingus, Thelonious Monk, and several Miles Davis albums, including the classic ‘Kind of Blue.’
Also known as the “Father of Disco,” Giorgio Moroder produced hits such as Donna Summer’s ‘I Feel Love,’ and later Blondie’s ‘Call Me.’
The Grammy award-winning producer worked on albums by artists such as Aretha Franklin, the Bee Gees, Roberta Flack, Chaka Khan, and Norah Jones, among others.
Before he became a popular rapper, Kanye West was a music producer. He never really stopped producing music, and has done so very successfully. One of his most notable works is Jay-Z’s 2001 album ‘The Blueprint.’
The Buggles and Yes band member has been called "the man who invented the eighties." Acts he produced and co-produced for include Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Seal, Tina Turner, Tom Jones, Paul McCartney, Simple Minds, and Pet Shop Boys.
Steve Albini produced some of the greatest alternative rock albums of the past few decades. These include Pixies' ‘Surfer Rosa,’ PJ Harvey's ‘Rid of Me,’ Nirvana's ‘In Utero,’ and Manic Street Preachers' ‘Journal for Plague Lovers.’
Tricky Stewart and his production partner The-Dream have worked with the likes of Mariah Carey, Katy Perry, and Beyoncé. Some of their greatest hits include Rihanna’s ‘Umbrella’ and Justin Bieber’s ‘Baby.’
Jerry Wexler also has an impressive resume. He worked with artists such as Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Bob Dylan, and Dire Straits. One of his highlights include Dusty Springfield’s single ‘Son of a Preacher Man.’
Stephen Street had a huge impact on British music. He produced music with artists such as The Smiths, and later, Morrisey’s solo work. Street also left his mark in three of Blur’s albums: ‘Modern Life Is Rubbish,’ ‘Parklife’ and ‘The Great Escape.’ He then went on to work with names such as The Cardigans, Pretenders, and Kaiser Chiefs, among others.
The owner of Fame studios in Alabama produced music for the likes of Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, Duane Allman, and Etta James.
Prince was not only an incredible songwriter and performer, but he was also a genius in the recording studio. He was the man behind the mixing desk in classics such as ‘Purple Rain,’ ‘When Doves Cry,’ and ‘Kiss.’
Tony Visconti (left) is best known for his work with T-Rex and David Bowie, but he also worked with the likes of Thin Lizzy, The Moody Blues, and Boomtown Rats, to name a few.
In addition to being a great songwriter and musician, Brian Wilson was also an accomplished producer. He produced most of The Beach Boys albums as well as his solo work.
Sources: (Billboard) (Modern Musicology) (Medium) (Dig!) (Gear4music)
See also: Songwriters with the most no. 1 singles
Legendary producers who changed music forever
Some have produced major hits across different genres
MUSIC Records
Music production is an art in itself. A competent producer can turn a good song into a great one, and indeed some music producers manage to create a signature sound they are associated with. Music artists have a lot to gain from working with a good producer who understands their music and is able to take it to another level, so much so that many create long-lasting partnerships.
Music history is filled with great producers whose work is worth revisiting. Click through the gallery to meet some of them.