Switched on Pop Can “professor” Charlie Puth pass our qualifying exam?
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Oct 28, 2025 Charlie Puth, the talented singer-songwriter known for hits like "See You Again," dives into the depths of his new single "Changes." He explores how relationships evolve, using a maximalist 80s production to reflect drifting friendships. Puth gives insight into his creative process, explaining why melody often comes before lyrics. He also champions forgotten producer Rod Temperton and shares fun musical techniques like turning "You Are My Sunshine" into a minor-key lullaby, ultimately reminding listeners to focus on feeling the music, not overthinking it.
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Lyrics Come After Melody
- Charlie Puth says he rarely listens to lyrics on first listen and focuses on melody and production first.
- He believes songs reveal deeper meaning over repeated listens rather than immediately.
Sound Between Eras
- Puth frames Changes as a late‑80s/early‑90s transition sound rather than a pure 1980s pastiche.
- He aimed for a record that feels like it could land in 2026 by using that transitional sonic vocabulary.
Clarity Came With Late‑80s Tech
- Puth contrasts production clarity between mid‑80s and late‑80s records, noting technological shifts widened mixes.
- He used that clarity to fit more instruments and create a 1989→2026 hybrid sound on Changes.