Jack Antonoff has become one of the most prolific and acclaimed producers in pop music today, known for crafting chart-topping hits for artists like Taylor Swift, Lorde, and Lana Del Rey. In a new interview, Antonoff credits Swift for first recognizing his potential as a producer and giving him the opportunity to flourish.
Speaking on the Time Person of the Week podcast on Thursday, Antonoff discussed his extensive collaboration with Swift over the past decade. He traces their partnership back to Swift taking a chance on his production skills for her 2014 blockbuster album 1989, starting with their work together on the track “Out of the Woods.”
As Antonoff explains, “She’s the first person who recognized me as a producer. A lot of people are afraid to sign off on something that isn’t done by a proven person. I had written lots of songs and produced them, but they would always sort of go somewhere else.”
He continues, “So the label or whoever could say, oh, we had this person produce it. And, you know, I put my heart and soul into that song and she said, ‘I love it.’”
Swift and Antonoff first teamed up in 2013 for the Golden Globe-nominated song “Sweeter Than Fiction” from the film One Chance. But their full collaboration bloomed on 1989, which spawned megahits like “Shake It Off” and “Blank Space” and won the Grammy for Album of the Year.
In the years since, Swift and Antonoff have evolved into one of pop’s most powerful and consistent artistic partnerships. They have worked together on a string of Billboard 200-topping records, including Reputation, Lover, Folklore, Evermore, Fearless (Taylor’s Version), Red (Taylor’s Version), Midnights, and most recently, Speak Now (Taylor’s Version).
The creative synergy between Swift and Antonoff as writer-producer has reshaped the sound of modern pop. Antonoff’s dynamic production and knack for layered melodies blend perfectly with Swift’s unmatched songwriting talents. Their mutual trust allows them to take artistic risks and create sonic worlds unique to each album.
This chemistry has resulted in both commercial smash hits and critical acclaim. Last year, the Antonoff-produced track “Anti-Hero” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and went on to set a record as Swift’s longest-running chart-topper at 8 weeks.
Reflecting on crafting “Anti-Hero” with Swift, Antonoff says, “I remember, we were at my apartment in New York. And sometimes she gets this look in her eye where she’s like, ‘Oh, I’m going in.’ You know, she goes in in many different ways and is just the greatest writer and vocalist ever.”
Clearly, Swift and Antonoff had a special one with “Anti-Hero,” which anchored Swift’s Midnights album. Their ability to consistently create pop magic together is why they remain one of music’s most potent partnerships.
But beyond working extensively with Swift, Antonoff has also emerged as a sought-after producer for many other top artists. His work with pop visionaries like Lorde, Lana Del Rey, St. Vincent, and Clairo has expanded his sound across different musical landscapes.
Lorde’s Melodrama and Del Rey’s Norman F—ing Rockwell, both intimate piano-driven albums that Antonoff produced, earned Grammy nominations for Album of the Year. His discography also includes projects with The Chicks, Florence + the Machine, Diana Ross and many more.
Antonoff has won 8 Grammy Awards so far, including Producer of the Year (Non-Classical) in both 2021 and 2022. At just 38 years old, he has stamped himself as a singular talent shaping the sound of contemporary pop.
But Antonoff’s own musical journey began long before linking up with Swift as part of the indie rock band Fun. Alongside bandmates Nate Ruess and Andrew Dost, Fun. broke through in 2012 with their anthemic hits “We Are Young” and “Some Nights” off their album of the same name.
That sophomore record powered the previously obscure group to mainstream success. Some Nights reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200 album chart and won Fun. the Grammy for Best New Artist in 2013.
During this period, Antonoff also began establishing himself as a producer assisting on tracks for Sara Bareilles, Sia, and Tegan and Sara. His knack for writing big, catchy hooks paired with emotional vulnerability suited pop’s expanding sonic landscape post-2010.
So when the chance to work with Swift on 1989 came along, Antonoff’s talents were the perfect fit to help solidify her transition from country to pop. Their partnership has only strengthened since that career-defining record.
Antonoff still records and performs solo material under the Bleachers moniker as well. Bleachers’ debut album Strange Desire reached No. 11 on the Billboard 200 in 2014 led by the infectious single “I Wanna Get Better.” Through Bleachers, Antonoff has carved out a distinct synth-driven soundstacks layered vocals and propulsive drums.
But there is no project more career-defining for Antonoff than his collaboration with childhood hero Taylor Swift. Their journey has mirrored each other’s rise from promising young tunesmiths to veteran hitmakers reshaping pop music.
Swift’s belief in Antonoff’s gifts lit the spark, but he put in the work to become her most trusted collaborator. There is a seamless trust and creative kinship between them that translates into worldwide chart dominance and critical acclaim.
Now among pop’s elite producers, Antonoff has remained loyal to the artists who first believed in him like Swift. In turn, they fuel his creativity to reach new heights. That cycle has propelled Antonoff near the peak of pop music in 2022.
At only 38 years old, Antonoff’s most legendary productions surely still lie ahead. And wherever his sound evolves, Antonoff will likely still be pushing boundaries alongsideSwift and other bold artistic partners.
Thanks to Swift’s early faith in his talent, Antonoff has developed into a versatile producer with his fingerprints everywhere in the pop landscape. He never hesitates to credit Swift’s role in unlocking his full potential.
Their enduring creative marriage will surely yield more iconic pop moments together for years to come. For now, Swift can rest assured knowing her bet on Antonoff forever changed the course of his career—and pop music broadly—for the better.
