Problem

Problem's harmony is deliberately minimalist — a single four-chord loop that never deviates, placing all musical interest in the arrangement, vocal performance, and the iconic saxophone riff. The i-VI-III-VII progression in E minor (equivalent to vi-IV-I-V in relative G major) is one of pop's most reliable formulas, but the funk-inflected brass, staccato vocal delivery, and layered production make it feel fresh. The avoidance of a dominant V chord keeps the harmony floating rather than resolving, perfectly mirroring the lyrical theme of unresolved romantic tension.

Following the critical success of her debut album Yours Truly in September 2013, Ariana Grande quickly pivoted to working on her sophomore record. By January 2014, she was in sessions with a new roster of producers including Max Martin and Savan Kotecha. 'Problem' emerged from these sessions as a collaborative effort between Grande, Iggy Azalea, Max Martin, Ilya Salmanzadeh (ILYA), and Savan Kotecha, blending Grande's pop sensibilities with Azalea's rap delivery over a retro-influenced production.

Released in April 2014 as the lead single from My Everything, 'Problem' fused retro brass hooks with contemporary pop production to create one of the defining hits of the mid-2010s. Written and produced by Max Martin, ILYA, and Shellback, the track peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and became the first song to top the UK Singles Chart based on both sales and streaming, selling over 9 million units worldwide.