Meet The Aussie Who Produced Justin Bieber's Global #1 Song

You'd be hard-pressed to find anyone who hasn't heard Justin Bieber's global chart-topping track Love Yourself, but what many don't know is that the vocals for the song were recorded by Aussie vocal producer Simon Cohen in Melbourne last year. 

Based at Sydney's Studio 301, Cohen got the call-up after he worked with the Canadian pop star on some songs a few years back which were intended for his last record, Journals, though they were never released.

Speaking exclusively to theMusic, Cohen revealed he was contacted by Bieber's camp in September while the singer was in the country on a promo tour via an email which read, "There’s another song we need to do, are you available, can you be in Melbourne today?"

The 21-year-old has made a comeback of sorts with his latest album, Purpose, after being involved in several run-ins with the law in recent years, which includes charges of vandalism and reckless driving, as well as a DUI, however Cohen explained that though there are rumours that Bieber isn't the easiest to work with, it couldn't be further from the truth.

"I hate to be the one to dispel the rumour, he’s actually a lovely guy," Cohen said.

"When you’re in the studio, he’s probably got one of the best work ethics of anyone I've ever been in the studio with. He’s always the one being like, ‘I’m going in now, I’m going to do another bit, I’m going to try again’. On a personal level, he always treats you like a professional. First time he meets anyone, he looks them in the eye, he shakes their hand, introduces himself, right down to the studio runners and everything. It’s actually kinda nice, quite refreshing."

Since the release of Love Yourself, the track, co-written by UK singer Ed Sheeran, has not only received critical and commercial success, but it also peaked at #1 in a number of countries including the UK, Australia, Ireland, Sweden, Ireland, Denmark, New Zealand and the US, where it has sold 1.1 million copies alone.

Cohen, who has worked with international and local stars including Will.i.am, Boyz II Men's Wanya Morris, KRS-ONE, Jessica Mauboy and Asta, said that while he was initially surprised with how much the song connected with fans, he personally thought it would be a hit. 

"So I got sent Ed’s demo version of it pretty much before I jumped on the plane to fly down to Melbourne," he said.

"I'm a fan of his writing, it’s a great song and I guess with all that kind of stuff, you like to hope that everyone else hears what you hear in it," adding that when Bieber played some of the never-before-heard songs from the album off his mobile phone for the producers, "All the guys and I in the studio were looking at each other like, "This is amazing'".

Surprisingly, Cohen revealed that he has had no contact with Bieber or his camp since working on the song together, saying,  "I should send them a congratulations box of chocolates."

"I have a few artists like that on the resume, but to have one with a song that did so incredibly well feels incredibly fulfilling," Cohen said. 

"The overwhelming fan response has been amazing. To be a part of the biggest song in the world right now is pretty surreal and very humbling. Overall its been an incredible experience and I can’t wait to see what happens next."