Who was Sweden’s biggest songwriter of 2016?

Who was the most successful pop composer in Sweden last year?

You’re already there, aren’t you. Max Martin, right? He’s surely Sweden’s biggest songwriter every year.

Except this time. In 2016, he missed out on the accolade – by a whisker.

According to stats from Musikforlaggarna (The Swedish Music Publishers Association), Markus “Mack” Sepehrmanesh actually claimed the biggest share of Sweden’s Top 100 most popular songs last year.

Sepehrmanesh is one  of the key songwriters behind Zara Larsson, having contributed to hits Lush Life, Ain’t My Fault and Girls Like (the latter technically by Tinie Tempah ft. Zara Larsson).

“Personally, I [Often] work with female songwriters, but I would love to see more of them, especially female producers.”

Markus “Mack” Sepehrmanesh

That gave him a bigger proportion of the Top 100, says Musikforlaggarna than the immensely talented Mr. Martin, who co-wrote the likes of Justin Timberlake’s Can’t Stop The Feeling and Ariana Grande’s Into You.

Sepehrmanesh is signed to the publishing company of TEN – Zara Larsson’s independent label home in Scandinavia.

He is also the VP of Creative at TEN Music Group, and has previously written for the likes of Tiesto and VV Brown.

Larsson herself made the 2016 Top 10, having co-written Ain’t My Fault and Girls Like.

“Personally, I [often] work with female songwriters, but I would love to see more of them, especially female producers,” said Markus ”Mack” Sepehrmanesh (pictured above at the 2016 Music Musikforlaggarna Prize event with some of his Zara Larsson songwriting collaborators).

“I see more women studying to become music producers so I think we soon will see a more balanced future.”

Interestingly, the entire Top 10 songwriters on Musikforlaggarna’s 2016 list co-write their tunes.

In fact, 91 of the 100 most popular songs in Sweden were co-writes (you can see the full Top 100 below).


Top 10 Swedish songwriters 2016 (based on number of songs and position):
  1. Markus ”Mack” Sepehrmanesh (Publishing Company TEN)
    Songs: Zara Larsson – Lush Life, Zara Larsson – Ain’t My Fault, Tinie Tempah feat. Zara Larsson – Girls Like
  2. Martin ”Max Martin” Sandberg (MXM/Kobalt Music)
    Songs: Justin Timberlake – Can’t Stop the Feeling, Ariana Grande – Into You, Ariana Grande feat. Nicki Minaj – Side To Side
  3. David Landolf och Noel Svahn (Universal Music Publishing)
    Songs: Vigiland – Pong Dance, Norlie & KKV – Din Idiot
  4. Simon Strömstedt (Universal Music Publishing)
    Songs: Vigiland – Pong Dance, Julie Bergan – Arigato
  5. Christian Karlsson (Universal Music Publishing)
    Songs: David Guetta feat. Sia – Bang My Head, Galantis – No Money
  6. Anderz Wrethov (Extensive Music/Kobalt Music)
    Songs: Samir & Viktor – Bada Nakna, Panetoz – Håll Om Mig Hårt
  7. Zara Larsson (Publishing Company TEN)
    Songs: Zara Larsson – Ain’t My Fault, Tinie Tempah feat. Zara Larsson – Girls Like
  8. Jakob Erixon (Lionheart/Universal Music Publishing)
    Songs: Panetoz – Håll Om Mig Hårt, RedOne feat. Enrique Iglesias, R.City, Serayah & Shaggy – Don’t You Need Somebody
  9. Magnus Lidehäll och Vincent Pontare (Universal Music Publishing)
    Songs: Veronica Maggio – Vi Mot Världen, David Guetta feat. Sia – Bang My Head
  10. Ilya Salmanzadeh och Alexander Kronlund (Wolf Cousins/Warner/Chappell Music Scandinavia, MXM/Kobalt Music)
    Songs: Ariana Grande – Into You, Ariana Grande feat. Nicki Minaj – Side To Side

Sweden’s Top 100 popular songs of 2016
  1. Alan Walker – Faded
    Walker, Borgen, Froen, Greve (Sony/ATV, Warner/Chappell)
  2. Sia Feat. Sean Paul – Cheap Thrills
    Furler, Kurstin (Sony/ATV)
  3. Drake Feat. Wizkid & Kyla – One Dance
    Graham, Jefferies, Reid, Balogun, Shebib, Smith, Reid, Johnson (Sony/ATV, Kobalt, Sentric, Manus)
  4. Justin Timberlake – Can’t Stop The Feeling!
    Shellback, Max Martin, Timberlake (Universal Music Publishing, Kobalt)
  5. Mike Perry Feat. Shy Martin – The Ocean
    Persson, Shy Martin, Islam (Kobalt, Publishing Company Ten)
  6. The Chainsmokers Feat. Daya – Don’t Let Me Down
    Taggart, Schwartz, Friedman (Sony/ATV, Kobalt, Scandinavian Songs)
  7. Mike Posner – I Took A Pill In Ibiza
    Posner (Sony/ATV)
  8. Jonas Blue Feat. Dakota – Fast Car
    Chapman (Kobalt)
  9. Coldplay – Hymn For The Weekend (Seeb Remix)
    Martin, Berryman, Buckland, Champion, Eriksen, Hermansen, Tovar, Yard, Zant (Universal Music Publishing, Sony/ATV, Reach Global)
  10. Justin Bieber – Love Yourself
    Sheeran, Levin, Bieber (Sony/ATV, Universal Music Publishing)
  11. Frans – If I Were Sorry
    Andersson, Söderberg Fogelström, Jeppsson Wall, Saxell (Sony/ATV, Sifty Songs, Cineast Music)
  12. Major Lazer Feat. Justin Bieber & Mø – Cold Water
    Sheeran, Scott, Levin, Pentz, Allen, Meckspeper, Bieber, Orsted (Universal Music Publishing, Sony/ATV, Kobalt, Songs Music)
  13. Major Lazer Feat. Nyla & Fuse Odg – Light It Up
    Pentz, Meckseper, Thorbourne, Fender, Abiona, Swift, Malcolm (Sony/ATV, Kobalt, Universal Music Publishing, Songs Music, Manus)
  14. Cheat Codes & Kris Kross Amsterdam – Sex
    Azor, Dahl, Bearclvw, Frankel, Annema, Huisman, Huisman, Pederson, Elifritz (Warner/Chappell, Sony/ATV, BMG, Manus)
  15. Dj Snake Feat. Justin Bieber – Let Me Love You
    Bieber, Tamposi, Lee, Grigahcine, Bell, Wotman, Rosen, Cedeno, Mendez, Perez, Marsden (Kobalt, Universal Music Publishing, Edition Björlund, Songs Music)
  16. The Chainsmokers Feat. Halsey – Closer
    Taggart, Frank, Kennett, Frangipane, Slade, King (Sony/ATV, Warner/Chappell, Universal Music Publishing)
  17. Laleh – Bara Få Va Mig Själv
    Pourkarim, Nobel, Thörn, Yonan (Kobalt, Loveworks, Manus)
  18. Calvin Harris Feat. Rihanna – This Is What You Came For
    Wiles, Swift (Sony/ATV)
  19. Rihanna Feat. Drake – Work
    Fenty, Samuels, Moir, Graham, Stephenson, Brathwaite, Ritter Allen, Thomas (Sony/ATV, Warner/Chappell, Edition Björlund, Universal Music Publishing)
  20. Shawn Mendes – Treat You Better
    Mendes, Geiger, Friedman (Universal Music Publishing, Scandinavian Songs, BMG)
  21. Twenty One Pilots – Stressed Out
    Joseph (Warner/Chappell)
  22. G-Eazy & Bebe Rexha – Me, Myself & I
    Christie, Gillum, Rexha, Barnes, Kelleher, Kohn, Leary, Andersson (Universal Music Publishing, BMG, Sony/ATV, Stereoscope, Warner/Chappell)
  23. Vigiland – Pong Dance
    Strömstedt, Remmered Persson, Petersson, Simonen, Landolf (Universal Music Publishing)
  24. Justin Bieber – Sorry
    Moore, Tranter, Michaels, Bieber, Tucker (Warner/Chappell, Kobalt, Universal Music Publishing, Scandinavian Songs)
  25. Flo Rida – My House
    Carlsson, Golan, Hammond, Dillard, Borrero (Kobalt, Warner/Chappell, Kassner, Manus)
  26. Lukas Graham – 7 Years
    Forchhammer, Jensen, Forrest, Pilegaard, Brown, Labrel  (Warner/Chappell)
  27. Galantis – No Money
    Bullimore, Gale, Jonback, Karlsson, Koitzsch, Eklöw (Warner/Chappell, Scandinavian Songs, Sony/ATV, Kobalt)
  28. David Guetta Feat. Zara Larsson – This One’s For You
    Guetta, Van de Wall, Tuinfort, Dean, Troelsen (BMG, Peermusic, Sony/ATV, Universal Music Publishing)
  29. Joel Adams – Please Don’t Go
    Goncalves (Tunecore Publishing)
  30. Zayn – Pillowtalk
    Malik, Hannides, Hannides, Malundama, Garrett (Sony/ATV, Kobalt, BMG)
  31. Jonas Blue Feat. Jp Cooper – Perfect Strangers
    Robin, Smith, Cooper (Universal Music Publishing, Sony/ATV)
  32. Fifth Harmony Feat. Ty Dolla $ign – Work From Home
    Koehlke, Coleman, Demorest, Lee, Izquierdo, Griffin (Kobalt, BMG, Warner/Chappell, Sony/ATV, Manus)
  33. Adele – Hello
    Adkins, Kurstin (Sony/ATV, Universal Music Publishing)
  34. Desiigner – Panda
    Selby, Khan (Sony/ATV, Songs Music)
  35. Håkan Hellström – Din Tid Kommer
    Hellström, Olsson (Manus)
  36. Gnash Feat. Olivia O’Brien – I Hate U, I Love U
    Nash, O’brien (Sony/ATV)
  37. Miriam Bryant – Black Car
    Bryant, Rådström, Hartman (Stereoscope)
  38. Kygo Feat. Maty Noyes – Stay
    Gørvell-Dahll, Larsen, Noyes (Sony/ATV, BMG, Kobalt)
  39. Samir & Viktor – Bada Nakna
    Kempe, Kreuger, Wrethov (Universal Music Publishing, Warner/Chappell, Kobalt)
  40. Peg Parnevik – Ain’t No Saint
    Parnevik, Lewander, Glenmark Breman (The Kennel)
  41. Norlie & Kkv – Din Idiot
    Bornebusch Alverus, Landolf, Simonen, Fahlberg, Vadenhag, Badr, Berglöf (Universal Music Publishing, Sony/ATV, Manus)
  42. Zara Larsson – Lush Life
    Conta Hulten, Sepehrmanesh, Södahl, Abrahamsson, Walcher, Bauss (Publishing Company Ten, Kobalt, Because Editions)
  43. The Chainsmokers Feat. Rozes – Roses
    Taggart, Mancel (Sony/ATV, Songs Music)
  44. Marcus & Martinus Feat. Katastrofe – Elektrisk
    Fjeld, Waerdahl, Kristiansen (Obel As, Manus)
  45. The Weeknd Feat. Daft Punk – Starboy
    Tesfaye, Homem Christo, Bangalter, Walter, McKinney, Quenneville (Kobalt, Universal Music Publishing, Because Editions, Songs Music, Mykai Music)
  46. Kungs Vs Cookin’ On 3 Burners – This Girl
    Ferguson, Khatchoyan, Mason (Universal Music Publishing, Origin Music)
  47. Drake Feat. Rihanna – Too Good
    Graham, Bidaye, Jefferies, Chin-Quee, Martin, Fenty, Sutherland, Hershey, Lam (Sony/ATV, Warner/Chappell, Manus)
  48. Ruth B. – Lost Boy
    Berhe (Sony/ATV)
  49. Twenty One Pilots – Heathens
    Joseph (Warner/Chappell)
  50. Dnce – Cake By The Ocean
    Larsson, Fredriksson, Jonas, Tranter (Warner/Chappell, Universal Music Publishing, BMG, Sony/ATV)
  51. Kygo Feat. Kodaline – Raging
    Gørvell-Dahll, Williams, Fuhrmann, Bay, Garrigan (Kobalt, Sony/ATV, DMP Scandinavia, Songs Music, Manus)
  52. Alan Walker – Sing Me To Sleep
    Froen, Borgen, Bertelsen, La Verdi, Walker, Greve, Solheim (Warner/Chappell, Sony/ATV, Obel As, Manus)
  53. Redone Feat Enrique Iglesias/R.City/Serayah/Shaggy – Don’t You Need Somebody
    Khayat, Douglas, Burrell, Russell, Iglesias, Fennell, Khayat, Bouamer, Garton, Tinyisland (Sony/ATV, Capitol, Warner/Chappell, Kobalt, Scandinavian Songs, Ole (Scandinavia))
  54. Julie Bergan – Arigato
    Martinsson, Strömstedt, Haukaas, Bergan (Universal Music Publishing, Warner/Chappell, Stairs Music)
  55. Justin Bieber – What Do You Mean?
    Levy, Bieber, Pooh (Warner/Chappell, Universal Music Publishing, BMG)
  56. Fais Feat. Afrojack – Hey
    Van De Wall, Ben Said (BMG, GL Music)
  57. Otto Knows (Feat. Lindsey Stirling & Alex Aris) – Dying For You
    Jettman, Ryberg (Universal Music Publishing, Manus)
  58. James Arthur – Say You Won’t Let Go
    Arthur, Ormandy, Solomon (Sony/ATV, Kobalt)
  59. Calum Scott – Dancing On My Own
    Carlsson, Berger (Universal Music Publishing)
  60. Shawn Mendes – Stitches
    Geiger, Parker, Kyriakides (BMG)
  61. Charlie Puth Feat. Tyga – One Call Away
    Franks, Isaac, McDonald, Carter, Charlie Puth, Prime (Warner/Chappell, Sony/ATV, BMG)
  62. Zara Larsson – Ain’t My Fault Larsson, Mack, Emenike (Publishing Company Ten, Warner/Chappell)
  63. Miriam Bryant – Allt Jag Behöver
    Scocco (Kobalt)
  64. Imany – Don’t Be So Shy (Filatov & Karas Remix)
    Goldman, Mladjao (Universal Music Publishing, Edition Björlund)
  65. Miriam Bryant – Ett Sista Glas
    Trad., Forssell, Björlin (Manus)
  66. Sia Feat. Kendrick Lamar – The Greatest
    Kurstin, Furler, Kendrick Lamar (Sony/ATV, Warner/Chappell)
  67. Tinie Tempah Feat. Zara Larsson – Girls Like
    Larsson, Mack, Bennett, Butler, Okogwo, Jankel, Bediako Rogues, Bennett (Sony/ATV, Publishing Company Ten, Universal Music Publishing, Manus)
  68. Martin Garrix & Bebe Rexha – In The Name Of Love
    Garritsen, Cunningham, Juber, Radosevich, Philibin, Rexha, Nahar (Scandinvian Songs, Sony/ATV, Universal Music Publishing, BMG)
  69. Madden Feat. 6Am – Golden Light
    Njølstad, Raugland, Garmark (Warner/Chappell)
  70. Frenship & Emily Warren – Capsize
    Hoffman, Sunderland, Hite, Schwartz (Kobalt)
  71. Adele – When We Were Young
    Adkins, Jesso (Universal Music Publishing)
  72. Tungevaag, Raaban & Charlie Who? – Russian Roulette
    Söderlund, Tungevåg, Elovsson, Kärrman, Kilenius, Frisk, Laitila, Olsson, Tjernberg (Mars Music, Sony/ATV, Universal Music Publishing)
  73. Charlie Puth Feat. Selena Gomez – We Don’t Talk Anymore
    Hindlin, Charlie Puth, Gomez (Warner/Chappell, Kobalt, Universal Music Publishing)
  74. Lukas Graham – Mama Said
    Charnin, Strouse, Forchhammer, Forrest, Jensen, Brown, Pilegaard (Warner/Chappell)
  75. Martin Jensen – All I Wanna Do
    Dissing, Bjørnskov, Jensen, Hjerl-Hansen (Sony/ATV, Warner/Chappell, No Cigars Aps)
  76. Timeflies – Once In A While
    Resnick, Shapiro (Sony/ATV)
  77. Enrique Iglesias Feat. Wisin – Duele El Corazón
    Iglesias, Hasibur Rahman, Primera Mussett,Schwarck Silverio Ramon Lozada, Ingunza, Morera Luna, Sladana (Kobalt, Warner/Chappell, Sony/ATV, Manus)
  78. Saraha – Kizunguzungu
    Larsson, Wrethov, Labaf (Kobalt, Manus)
  79. Matoma & Becky Hill – False Alarm
    Newman, Hill, Hansen, Dioguardi, Wallevik, Davidsen, Lagergren (Kobalt, BMG, Manus)
  80. Starley – Call On Me (Ryan Riback Remix)
    Wadams, Hope (Kobalt, Manus)
  81. Seeb Feat. Neev – Breathe
    Neves, Amaral Carvalho, Eriksrud, Berg, Opsahl, Huse (Mr Radar Music, Universal Music Publishing, Manus)
  82. Sabina Ddumba – Not Too Young
    Culver, Ddumba, Lewis, Ruth, Sibanda (Kobalt, Universal Music Publishing, Warner/Chappell)
  83. Bacall & Malo – Africa
    Porcaro, Paich (Sony/ATV, Kobalt)
  84. Veronica Maggio – Vi Mot Världen
    Maggio, Al Fakir, Pontare, Lidehäll (Universal Music Publishing)
  85. Panetoz – Håll Om Mig Hårt
    Erixson, Jansson, Solem Kjellholm, Baheru, Badjie, Badjie (Capitol, Manus)
  86. Ed Sheeran – Photograph
    Sheeran, McDaid (Sony/ATV, Kobalt)
  87. Kent – Egoist
    Berg (Sony/ATV)
  88. Wiktoria – Save Me
    Dyson, Siverstedt, Wallin (Universal Music Publishing, PRMD Songs)
  89. Cheat Codes & Dante Klein – Let Me Hold You (Turn Me On)
    Lyttle, Hennings, Primus, Keith, Scandrick, Parker, Jones, Sills (Sony/ATV, Manus)
  90. David Guetta Feat. Sia – Bang My Head
    Lidehäll, Pontare, Karlsson, Furler, Guetta,Tuinfort, Rotteveel, van Wattum (Universal Music Publishing, Sony/ATV, BMG, Peermusic)
  91. Robin Schulz Feat. Francesco Yates – Sugar
    Bautista, Perez, Bryant, Schulz, Yates (Universal Music Publishing, Sony/ATV)
  92. Alessia Cara – Scars To Your Beautiful
    Caracciolo, Felder, Wansel, Tillman (Universal Music Publishing, Sony/ATV)
  93. Kiiara – Gold
    Snow, Saulters, Vine (Warner/Chappell, Sony/ATV, Songtrust Slalom)
  94. Lil Wayne, Wiz Khalifa & Imagine Dragons – Sucker For Pain (with Logic, Ty Dolla $ign & X Ambassadors)
    Mosser, Harris, Grant, Carter, Griffin, Hall, Thomaz, Sermon, Reynolds, McKee, Platzman (Universal Music Publishing, Warner/Chappell, Sony/ATV, Bluewater, Songs Music)
  95. Ariana Grande Feat. Nicki Minaj – Side To Side
    Ilya, Kotecha, Maraj, Kronlund, Max Martin, Grande (Kobalt, Warner/Chappell, Universal Music Publishing)
  96. Ariana Grande – Into You
    Ilya, Max Martin, Kotecha, Kronlund, Grande (Kobalt, Warner/Chappell, Universal Music Publishing)
  97. Junge Junge (Feat. Kyle Pearce) – Run Run Run
    Grolle, Noack, Pearce (Sony/ATV, Roba Music)
  98. Robin Bengtsson – Constellation Prize
    Ljunggren, Wikström, Hole, Eriksson (Capitol, DMP Scandinavia)
  99. Rihanna – Needed Me
    Hazzard, Mcfarlane, Feeney, Fenty, Hinshaw, Hughes, Audino, Derrus Rachel, Rohaim, Warbrick (Scandinavian Songs, Sony/ATV, Universal Music Publishing, Warner/Chappell, BMG, Songs Music)
  100. Disturbed – The Sound Of Silence
    Simon (Universal Music Publishing)

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