Charlie Puth is always listening to music even when he doesn’t want to.
“I can identify any sound and it shows up as music in my head.”
In “Done for Me,” it’s a late ’80s synthesizer that takes the lead.
Credit: Harmony Gerber/WireImage
It’s ambient, but danceable, at the same time.
You’ve collaborated with some of the biggest names in music (Wiz Khalifa, Selena Gomez).
ForVoicenotesyou worked with James Taylor, Boyz II Men, and Kehlani.
How did those duets come about?My goal is to not fill my catalogue with duets.
In the beginning it was about making a name for myself because I was literally nobody.
I was really happy to join forces with established artists.
Kehlani really added something to “Done for Me.”
She made it more of a story.
And I’ve always been a fan of Boyz II Men.
On paper they are an R&B group, but they had numerous no.
1 songs and top 10 records that would reach non-R&B fans.
It was easy to collaborate with them because I had grown up listening to them.
In the booth next to him, I got literal chills hearing his voice.
He’s so, so talented and groundbreaking.
He’s always been able to put his life into his music, something that I strive to do.
You performed “Change” at the gun control demonstration March for Our Lives.
Did you write the song in response to the Stoneman Douglas High School tragedy?
“Change” was a song I had written prior to the march.
I see what’s happening in America, with discussions around gun control.
I would watch the news and these brave kids from Parkland and these mindless politicians hiding behind their words.
I called my manager and said, “We have to get this song out.
The world is calling for it.”
That’s the most personal song.
When it comes out, the world will know more about me, which is scary!
Everyone thinks that because I’m famous and successful that nothing can go wrong.
I’m just like everybody else.
It’s about embracing individuality, and it’s showing that I’m not that different from the listener.
The good thing is that it comes in handy when I’m producing a record.
This interview has been edited and condensed.
Tyler, the Creator “OKRA"“Tyler’s always pushing hip-hop.
In this song, the sounds are all over the place but it still feels really special.”
It’s country music plus R&B, which is the best way I can describe it.
The whole album is just a rollercoaster of sonic pleasure especially this song.
[She uses] the chord[s], B major, F sharp minor, E major.
Rich the Kid “Plug Walk"“I love the mix on this damn song.
The way that he cued it is really cool.
[It’s] very simple.”
just like Virtual Insanity' was when it came out.
It still is one of Jamiroquai’s best.”
I miss records that you press play on and you’re just right in it.
There’s no wavy intro, no sustained intro, justbam.
It just starts and that’s what I hope I did onVoicenotes.Bam, here’s the beat.
That [same] sense of urgency is in this record.”
It’s very smooth track."
MNEK “Tongue"“I think it’s a really, really bold and different-sounding record.
And he is an incredible producer/songwriter/artist overall.
I just love that this record sounds like nothing else out right now.”
BlocBoy JB “Rover"“It’s actually a lot more intricate than people take it for.
I think it adds a lot to the record.
