4 of the Biggest Songs Produced by Rick Rubin In the 2020s

Over the course of his career, Rick Rubin has proven to be one of the best producers in the music industry. With the first half of the 2020s behind us, Rubin has already produced 16 albums, from alternative rock artists like The Strokes and Red Hot Chili Peppers to pop stars like Kesha to rising country singer-songwriters like Tyler Childers. One of the things that sets Rubin apart as a producer is his willingness to work on seemingly anything. And while he’s been hugely influential in certain genres, he can’t be pinned down to just one.

The Strokes, “Bad Decisions”

Rubin’s first release of the 2020s was The Strokes’ album The New Abnormal, the band’s first album in seven years. The track “Bad Decisions” uses elements of Billy Idol’s hit “Dancing With Myself” and was released as its second single. It was the album’s biggest hit, peaking at No. 5 on the Rock & Alternative Airplay chart and No. 6 on Hot Rock & Alternative Songs. The album itself was also a success, as it earned the band their first Grammy nomination for Best Rock Album. Naturally, they won.

Red Hot Chili Peppers, “Black Summer”

Rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers once again tapped Rubin for their 12th album, Unlimited Love, released in 2022. Rubin had worked as a producer on all but a few of the band’s previous albums. “Black Summer” was the album’s biggest hit. It reached No. 1 on the Rock & Alternative Airplay chart and No. 10 on Hot Rock & Alternative Songs. The track was also notable for being the band’s first in 16 years to feature guitarist John Frusciante. He rejoined the band in 2019.

Imagine Dragons, “Follow You”

As one of the double lead singles from their album Mercury – Act 1, Imagine Dragons released “Follow You,” produced by Joel Little and Rubin. The track was recorded at Rubin’s Shangri-La studio in Malibu. He pushed frontman, Dan Reynolds, to move out of his comfort zone vocally to achieve a more emotional impact, and it paid off. The track hit No. 1 on the Rock & Alternative Airplay chart and No. 7 on Hot Rock & Alternative Songs. Reynolds also acknowledged Rubin’s work overall, calling him “an essential part of this whole record.”

Beabadoobee, “Take A Bite”

With her third album, This Is How Tomorrow Moves, singer-songwriter Beabadoobee achieved her first No. 1 debut in the UK. In the US, the album’s lead single, “Take A Bite,” spent 18 weeks on the Adult Alternative Airplay chart, peaking at No. 2. The single “Beaches” also performed well–it was inspired by the experience of recording at Rubin’s Shangri-La studio and was written there. Beabadoobee also echoed the sentiment of other musicians who have worked with him, saying his influence “benefited the record so much.”

Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Spotify