Staying Inspired After Writing 22 Top 40 Hits with Sam Hollander

With 22 US Top 40 hits to his name, Sam Hollander is one of the most talented and diverse writers and producers in the game. He has had multi-platinum success writing and producing for major artists such as One Direction, Katy Perry, Fitz and the Tantrums, Train, Daughtry, The Fray, Carole King, Panic! At The Disco, Weezer, and Gym Class Heroes, among others, and has had his work featured in iconic films and television shows. In 2008 Rolling Stone honored him with the Hot List Producer of the Year award. In 2012, Sam produced the Emmy-nominated "Voice in a Dream" for NBC's Steven Spielberg-helmed series SMASH. This past fall, NBC tapped Hollander to write a Thursday Night Football theme based on his hit with Pentatonix, "Sing." Most recently, Hollander co-wrote Fitz and the Tantrum's smash single "HandClap," along with 4 songs on the new Grammy-nominated Panic at the Disco album, which was one of the top 5 selling albums of 2016. He is also a writer on Rebelution's 2016 Grammy-nominated album 'Falling Into Place.' Additionally, other recent releases include singles with Weezer, James TW, Olly Murs and more.

Pre-order 21-Hit Wonder: Flopping My Way to the Top of the Charts:

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05:17 Welcome

07:50 The life of a professional songwriter and collaborator

10:28 How the songwriting process has evolved

15:02 Understanding where your creative strengths are

23:08 The power of phonetics and melodic math 

24:33 Advice for aspiring songwriters

29:50 The power of compliments and intellectual curiosity

33:47 The balance between the art and the craft

37:07 Do you know when you finish a song if it's good or not?

39:20 How recording and writing sessions work

47:18 Why Sam sold his entire catalog to Hipgnosis

52:32 Where you're getting paid and where you're not

58:54 Story behind Sam's forthcoming book '21 Hit Wonder'

1:05:17 Age Sam was when he had his first hit song and working with legendary artists

1:08:23 Final question

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Connect with Sam Hollander:

Website: https://www.samhollandersongs.com

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Edited and mixed by Maxton Hunter

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

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