February 28, 2025 • 22 mins
🎤Grammy Award-winning songwriter Richard Marx joins Emily and Luis on the Lingokids Podcast in this musical adventure to share the secrets of writing a hit song! Richard has written some of the greatest music hits, and now he’s revealing his top songwriting tips just for you! 🎶
But that’s not all—Emily and Luis also try karaoke for the first time and discover the power of vocal cords and throat singing! 🎵 Want to learn how your voice works to hit those high notes? Or curious about what it takes to write a chart-topping hit?
🎙️ Sing along and get ready for a musical, fun, and inspiring adventure! 🎧
✨ Psst, Parents! Richard also has a brand new podcast called “Stories to Tell,” where he chats with some amazing people—we, grown-ups, know them well! 🎙️ Don't miss it!
Episode Transcript
***** Parents, in the Lingokids app, we have plenty of interactive activities, games, songs, and more that blend educational subjects and modern life skills to help get your kids ready for today's changing world! From math to making friends, reading to resilience, collaboration, creativity, and so much more, spark curiosity, imagination, and success with Lingokids! *****
A Lingokids Original podcast produced by Studio Ochenta
Starring Emily Calandrelli as Herself and Parker James Logie as Luis
Guest: Richard Marx
With additional production support from:
Head Writers: Maru Lombardo and Luis López
Production Coordinators: Catalina Hoyos
Editor: Luis López
Theme Song Written by: Fredrika Stahl
Theme Song Composed by: Fredrika Stahl
Music Production: Dimitri Peronno
Theme Song Performed by: The Angel City Youth Chorale directed by Heather Catalena
Recording Engineers: Bill Trousdale at Audiovisions and Jason Schimmel at Bunker Studios
Legal Services: Lisa Nitti, Ludye Nisol, Alix d’Argentré
Special thanks to: Richard Marx and Ivy Lasky
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:03):
I really wanted to become a recording artist. I wanted
to be a star, and every record company rejected me
based upon some songs that became big hits later. There
were definitely nights when I was really down and felt
like this is never going to happen. I'm never going
to really achieve the dream that I really had. I
(00:26):
used to picture myself accepting a Grammy award. I used
to fantasize about it and picture it.
Speaker 2 (00:32):
And he did it.
Speaker 3 (00:34):
Richard Marx has won a Grammy, proving that hard work
makes dreams come true. Meet Richard Marx, the Grammy winning
singer and musician who's made tons of hit songs and
sold more than thirty million albums.
Speaker 2 (00:51):
All over the world.
Speaker 3 (00:52):
Richard also has his own podcast called Stories to Tell,
where he chats with some amazing people that grown ups
will know. They're the creative minds behind the songs, shows
and movies we all love. Together, they share fun stories.
Speaker 2 (01:08):
And plenty of laughs.
Speaker 3 (01:09):
Sounds pretty cool right, Well, today, Richard's here in Growing
Up to share his story with us. Welcome to Growing Up,
the Lingo Kids podcast that encourages kids to dream big
and discover who they want to be today. We're starting
with something a little extra fun. Louise, you ready to
(01:31):
sing along?
Speaker 4 (01:32):
Super duper ready? Emily, A brave night is always ready
for caoke? Did I say it right?
Speaker 2 (01:40):
Pretty close?
Speaker 3 (01:42):
And we'll explain what karaoke is right after we try
it out.
Speaker 2 (01:47):
Okay, here we go, one, two three.
Speaker 4 (01:51):
Sing growing up? Billy all even reach this guy growing up?
Going up? No one those kids to decide Wooby when
we grow up? Whoa, I don't know? Karaoke was so
(02:15):
much fun, Emily, yep.
Speaker 3 (02:17):
I love the Go Forward Labs has its own karaoke room,
so we can take a break here from time to time.
Speaker 2 (02:24):
Have you ever done karaoke before?
Speaker 4 (02:25):
Luis? Nope, but I always wanted to. My mom said
once it's like singing to music, but without the actual
singer singing. And I was like, what's the point of that.
Speaker 3 (02:36):
It's so fun because we get to be these singing stars.
Speaker 4 (02:41):
I was scared I wasn't gonna get it right. Karaoke
is hard when you don't know the song.
Speaker 3 (02:47):
Oh yeah, but that's part of the fun too. Oh look,
another song just popped up on the karaoke screen. It
is Wow and none other. Then right here, waiting.
Speaker 2 (02:59):
Oh wait, I love that song. It became a total
hit forty years ago.
Speaker 4 (03:04):
Can you believe that? Wow, that's a long time ago.
Speaker 2 (03:07):
I know, right, and it's still a hit.
Speaker 4 (03:09):
And who's the singer, Emily?
Speaker 3 (03:11):
This is Richard Marx and he's written so many amazing songs,
not just for himself but for other artists too.
Speaker 2 (03:20):
He's a true music legend.
Speaker 4 (03:23):
Well, he does sound like a great singer. And I
guess you can write great songs. Do you think I
can write songs like him? Emily A great night should
write his own songs, of course.
Speaker 2 (03:34):
Louise, Now what would you like to write songs about my.
Speaker 4 (03:38):
Awesome night adventures? Like when Luis went to karaoke? He
sang like a umu a kyote.
Speaker 3 (03:54):
Okay, that wasn't a good song, Louise, I'm sure you
can write songs about anything, even karaoke night.
Speaker 2 (04:03):
Maybe you just need tips to write your songs.
Speaker 4 (04:07):
Yeah, but from who?
Speaker 3 (04:08):
From Richard himself? I bet he has some advice for
a karaoke night.
Speaker 4 (04:14):
Just like you, you think so, Emily.
Speaker 2 (04:17):
Yeah, I'm pretty sure. But before we find.
Speaker 3 (04:20):
Out, I'd love to have a a nightly adventure first.
Speaker 4 (04:25):
So, Luisa Knight is always ready for nightly adventures.
Speaker 2 (04:28):
That's what I wanted to hear.
Speaker 3 (04:30):
Now, did you know go Forward Labs has an endless
music library.
Speaker 4 (04:36):
Wow, and what's it like.
Speaker 2 (04:37):
It's a super.
Speaker 3 (04:38):
Cool place, much like a museum, full of shelves and
stands with players to listen to music from all around
the world.
Speaker 4 (04:47):
Sounds like the best school library ever.
Speaker 2 (04:50):
Oh it is.
Speaker 3 (04:51):
We can learn a lot more about what singing is
all about before talking to an actual pro singer.
Speaker 4 (04:57):
And I can never get enough of music. Go wow,
Look at how tall the walls are, Emily, I can't
even see the ceiling. Look at those guitars over those counters.
They must be so old they are, Louise. Everywhere around
(05:18):
you there's a new shelf to explore.
Speaker 2 (05:21):
Here's one four.
Speaker 3 (05:23):
Oh songs about dogs from thirty five different countries. Now
that's specific.
Speaker 4 (05:30):
Maxie will love it. Look at all these musical instruments
on the walls too. Those are flutes and pianos. Huh oh.
I wonder what the first musical instrument ever was.
Speaker 3 (05:43):
That's a good question, Louise. Scientists actually have an answer
for that.
Speaker 4 (05:48):
Oh, let me guess was it drums? I love drums?
Speaker 3 (05:52):
Oh, that's a good guess, Louise, but not quite the one.
The first musical instrument ever was our voice.
Speaker 4 (06:01):
Huh, what do you mean, Emily.
Speaker 3 (06:04):
Scientists know that we humans have been singing since well
since forever.
Speaker 4 (06:09):
No way that means I can just make music even
if I don't have a guitar or a piano or
a drum.
Speaker 2 (06:16):
Exactly, good thinking, Louise.
Speaker 4 (06:19):
But Emily, I can hear my voice like right now,
and I'm not singing right, I'm just talking.
Speaker 2 (06:27):
That's a good point, Louise.
Speaker 3 (06:29):
There is a difference between singing and talking, even though
we use our voices to do both.
Speaker 2 (06:35):
Let's try something. Say la la la la la la
la la la la. Now, do the same, but sing
it la la.
Speaker 4 (06:46):
La la la la la la la la. Oh okay,
So while I sing la, it sounds much longer than
just saying la. That's right.
Speaker 3 (06:58):
Singing is like talking, but with longer words.
Speaker 2 (07:03):
And there's another cool thing about singing.
Speaker 4 (07:06):
What is it, Emily?
Speaker 3 (07:07):
Well, did you know that your throat has some flappy
layers that are like wings, like wings from birds. Yes,
they're called vocal chords. And those chords open, close, and
move in all sorts of ways when air flows in
and out of our bodies. Wow, that's what makes us
(07:30):
speak and sing.
Speaker 4 (07:32):
So right now I'm using my voice because of my
vocal chords exactly.
Speaker 3 (07:38):
And depending on how they move, you can sing really
high like an actual bird, or really low.
Speaker 2 (07:45):
Like a whale.
Speaker 4 (07:47):
So people can sing in lots of different ways.
Speaker 2 (07:49):
That's right.
Speaker 3 (07:50):
Here in the West, we have fun names for singers
depending on how high or low they can sing.
Speaker 4 (07:57):
What are they called, Emily, Let's see we.
Speaker 3 (08:00):
Can find them over here, so we can also listen
to them.
Speaker 2 (08:04):
My night, you're super ready, ah bingo.
Speaker 3 (08:09):
So women tend to speak higher. They're usually called sopranos,
mezo sopranos, or contralto's.
Speaker 4 (08:45):
Water. Wow, they sound so beautiful, But the first was
way higher than the second.
Speaker 3 (08:53):
Goodyear, Louise, and listen to these ones. Now for men,
it's usually different. Ah, here they are since men usually
have lower voices, they can either be tenors, baritones.
Speaker 2 (09:22):
Or basses depending on how low they can sing.
Speaker 4 (09:32):
So people can sing in very very different ways.
Speaker 2 (09:35):
That's right, Louise.
Speaker 4 (09:37):
That's so awesome. But Emily, look at this shelf. It
says very cool. What was that, Emily? It says, throat singing.
Speaker 2 (09:54):
That's right, Louise.
Speaker 3 (09:55):
Throat singing is kind of exactly what it sounds like,
using the throat way more than we normally do. It's
used in many cultures around the world, like China, Russia,
South Africa. The Inuit people in Alaska also use it
a lot.
Speaker 4 (10:14):
It sounded so deep.
Speaker 3 (10:16):
Yes, it's about making sounds that copy nature, like water,
wind or animals.
Speaker 2 (10:23):
It sounds so powerful, doesn't it.
Speaker 4 (10:26):
And how do throat singers do that?
Speaker 3 (10:28):
They train a lot to go for those very grumbly
low tones. Actually, all singers around the world practice very
hard to be the best voices they can be, no
matter what type of singing they do.
Speaker 4 (10:42):
Oh, I want to know more about all of it, Emily,
can we go talk to Richard now? I want to
make my song.
Speaker 3 (10:50):
That'll be so exciting, Luis, let's go and ask Richard
what it takes to become a singer and an epics songwriter.
Welcome to our very own talking game show. Today we're
talking to singer and songwriter Richard Marx. He's been doing
(11:10):
hit since the eighties. Louis, you want to start.
Speaker 4 (11:14):
Sure, Emie, Hi, Richard, did you love music when you
were a kid, I just.
Speaker 1 (11:22):
Was obsessed with music. So my father wrote and arranged
music for TV and radio commercials, and my mother sang
on those commercials. So I grew up in a musical house.
My parents loved music. They loved pop music, they loved
jazz music, they loved everything. And I started singing around
the house and my parents when I was really young.
(11:44):
My parents noticed that I could sing in tune. Ever
since I was probably five years old, I wanted to
be a singer, and later on I became obsessed with
being a writer and producer. But it's all started with
just singing. I love to sing.
Speaker 4 (11:57):
I don't mind if I sing in the kitchen or
with my dog mat, but in front of other people,
that's like super scary.
Speaker 3 (12:04):
Yeah, what was that like the first time you did it, Richard?
Speaker 1 (12:09):
It was scary. The first time I think I ever
sang in front of anybody, really a group of people,
was in kindergarten. My teacher asked me because she knew,
I guess somehow she knew that I sang at home,
and so she asked if I would get up in
front of the class. It was about fifty kids or something,
and immediately I kind of panicked.
Speaker 4 (12:30):
I was five. I would panic, what did you do?
Speaker 1 (12:33):
I somehow stood up and got in front of the class,
and the first song that came to mind was this
old song by a group called the Monkeys that they
were really big in when I was a kid, around
the same time as the Beatles. Shortly after I sang
at school, my teacher told my parents that Richard got
up in front of the class and sang this Monkey
(12:54):
song and he was so good, and I think it
just got my father thinking.
Speaker 4 (13:00):
What happened next?
Speaker 1 (13:01):
He was hired to do a job for some product
that was a kid related. They needed a kid to
sing it, and so my dad just said, well, why
don't we see if Richard can do it. So I
went into the studio the first time and had my
little headphones and had to be put on a tall
stool to get up to the microphone, and he taught
(13:23):
me the song. It was very quick, like thirty seconds,
and I had the lyrics and I just memorized it
and I sang it and everybody liked it, and then
then I ended up doing that a lot for about
ten years.
Speaker 3 (13:36):
It sounds like the people around you, and especially your
parents believed in you from the very beginning.
Speaker 4 (13:41):
Yeah, that's so cool.
Speaker 1 (13:43):
There was always this sense from my parents that they
believed that I could do or be anything. And my parents,
I think if I'd said I wanted to be an astronaut,
they would have said, absolutely, you should be an astronaut.
You can be an astronaut. What else do you want?
You know, I could be anything. And I think when
you're growing up, having a feeling like I can do anything,
(14:05):
I could whatever it is, Leo, I believe in me.
I believe I can do it is as important as
having talent or skill at something.
Speaker 4 (14:15):
Oh, I'm writing this down. I believe in me. I
believe that I can't do it.
Speaker 3 (14:21):
That's a very important lesson, Louise. Good catch, Richard. I
guess it hasn't been an easy road as a singer.
I mean, your first album was a total hit, But
was there a time when you didn't feel you could
reach your dreams?
Speaker 1 (14:36):
Of course I wanted to be a star, and so
I had about three years where I was constantly rejected
by every record company multiple times, and it wasn't easy
to hear that stuff.
Speaker 2 (14:49):
Yeah, that can be a downer for sure. So what
helped push you through.
Speaker 1 (14:55):
There were definitely nights when I was really down and
felt like this is never going to happen, And at
the end of the day, I still I believed in
what I was doing, and it was right around. You know,
A couple months after I came to that conclusion that
my songs got heard by the right person.
Speaker 4 (15:14):
And what happened.
Speaker 1 (15:15):
They said, Oh my god, I love your singing, I
love your songs. We want you to make a record
for us. And it just took one person to say yes,
and then I don't know, eight months after i'd met
that guy, I had a number one song.
Speaker 4 (15:29):
Gol Richard, WHOA.
Speaker 2 (15:32):
That's such an inspiring story.
Speaker 3 (15:34):
We do have to share our skills with the world
so they can notice them.
Speaker 1 (15:39):
The most important thing is how you think. If you
think negatively, you will have negative results, and if you
think very positively, you're going to have positive results. I
used to picture myself accepting a Grammy award and I
never stopped doing that, and I really think that that's
a big part of why I became successful.
Speaker 2 (16:00):
That's awesome. It takes a lot of imagination to.
Speaker 4 (16:04):
Achieve your dreams.
Speaker 2 (16:06):
I have a question Emily Okay, go ahead, Louise Richard.
Speaker 4 (16:09):
Do you ever get an idea for a song while
maybe doing something like eating a sandwich or brushing your
teeth in the morning.
Speaker 1 (16:17):
I have had ideas, not just for songs, but for
songs that became hit songs doing any number of those
things in the shower. A lot of times I've written
songs in the shower. I've written songs driving in my car.
When I want to be inspired, especially for lyrics for words,
I go hiking or I take a long walk outside.
(16:41):
I have to be outdoors.
Speaker 4 (16:42):
Now that's cool because I had an idea for a
song and I want to write it. Is it okay
if I write about getting pizza and singing karaoke? Yes?
Speaker 1 (16:53):
I think it's really important if you're especially when you're
a kid, to write about whatever you want to write about,
whatever you're thinking about or feeling, and be free to
make every mistake. You're not going to have a choice
but to write really bad songs to begin with. We
all write really, really bad songs until we start writing
(17:13):
better songs. And then if you're lucky, you get to
write good songs, and if you're really lucky, you get
to write great songs.
Speaker 3 (17:19):
You'll always get better at things. Oh that's another important lesson.
Besides that, I wonder what's your favorite part about singing, Richard?
Speaker 4 (17:30):
Yeah? Is it being famous.
Speaker 1 (17:32):
This is going to sound corny, but it's really true.
It's making people happy. And it doesn't matter if it's
twenty thousand people at a you know, outdoor venue somewhere,
or if it's a small group of people in this room,
in my living room. I've had people come and say,
you know, we got married to that song. And I've
had so many people say, we played that song at
(17:55):
my grandfather's memorial. You know, thank you for writing that song.
Speaker 3 (18:00):
Thank you so much for this wonderful interview, Richard. What
did you take from all of this, Louise.
Speaker 4 (18:05):
Well, Emily, I learned that being a singer means you
gotta believe in yourself and show you're singing to people.
And if you want to make a song, you might
start off with not so good songs, but you'll get
really good later. You just have to do them.
Speaker 2 (18:19):
That's it, Louise.
Speaker 3 (18:20):
But we're still not done here. We have a game
show to play.
Speaker 2 (18:25):
You and Richard.
Speaker 3 (18:26):
Okay, Louise, what game show are we playing? Today today,
we're playing this or that. It's very simple, Richard. I'll
give you two options. You have to choose only one
and tell us why. But Emily, you're gonna have to
take the lead.
Speaker 2 (18:42):
Oh and why is that?
Speaker 4 (18:43):
Because I have an epic song to write. I'll be
right back. Good luck, Louise.
Speaker 2 (18:48):
We'll be waiting for your song. Okay, here we go, Richard.
Number one piano or guitar.
Speaker 1 (19:02):
Piano, because it's like the whole orchestra's on the piano,
like really low base notes, high tinkling notes up here
that almost could be like violins. You can play it
beautifully soft, or you can play it like rock and
roll and more aggressively. There's just so much versatility with
(19:24):
the piano.
Speaker 2 (19:27):
Singing solo or singing with other people.
Speaker 1 (19:32):
Oh, singing with other people, because there's something about when
you lock into great harmonies that gives me goosebumps. And
when we really lock in and you know you're breathing
in the same way and you just you're phrasing the
exact same way, it's pretty amazing.
Speaker 2 (19:54):
Performing live or recording in a.
Speaker 1 (19:58):
Studio also really tricky for me. It's the studio, believe
it or not. I'll tell you why. When I'm in
the studio, I'm creating music, and when I'm on stage,
i'm recreating music. When I'm in the studio, I'm hearing
my ideas in my head come to life for the
first time. And there's nothing in my job that is
(20:22):
more thrilling to me than that.
Speaker 3 (20:26):
Okay, Now, the most important question of the game show
ice cream after a concert or pizza after a concert.
Speaker 1 (20:36):
Pizza always doesn't need an explanation.
Speaker 2 (20:41):
Thanks so much for playing with us today, Richard. Please
give a big round of applau to Richard Marx, singer
and hit maker.
Speaker 4 (20:50):
My song's ready, Emily, I finished it.
Speaker 2 (20:53):
Oh that was fast, Luise. You want to sing it now?
Speaker 4 (20:56):
Yes, Emily, I'm ready music. Oh. This song is called
Karaoke Night with a k There once was a night
with a shiny sword. Sir Louis the loud who never
got bored with a voice so loud and the mic
turned up, he sang through karaoke time Lo la la
la la la la la la la la la la
(21:19):
la la la la la la la la la la la.
The show was done. The crowd yeng more, but Louise
soomed up to the Peza Store, which easy dreams and
a song in his heart, Louise became a karaoke knight.
La la la la la la la la la la
la la la la la la la la la la
(21:40):
la la la la la. Thank you everyone.
Speaker 2 (21:46):
That was really funny, Louise, good job.
Speaker 4 (21:49):
Thanks Emily. Now come we get some actual pizza. Singing
about it made me hungry.
Speaker 3 (21:57):
Thanks for tagging along on this episode of Owing Up
All about singers.
Speaker 2 (22:02):
Remember a little listener, dream big, and always stay curious. Luise,
are you ready for more adventure?
Speaker 4 (22:09):
Wait? There's more?
Speaker 3 (22:11):
Yep, there's loads more to explore on the world's number
one kids learning app, Lingo Kids. It has tons of videos,
games and podcasts just like this one, and every single
one is fun and educational. Download the Lingo Kids app
today for free.
I really wanted to become a recording artist. I wanted
to be a star, and every record company rejected me
based upon some songs that became big hits later. There
were definitely nights when I was really down and felt
like this is never going to happen. I'm never going
to really achieve the dream that I really had. I
(00:26):
used to picture myself accepting a Grammy award. I used
to fantasize about it and picture it.
Speaker 2 (00:32):
And he did it.
Speaker 3 (00:34):
Richard Marx has won a Grammy, proving that hard work
makes dreams come true. Meet Richard Marx, the Grammy winning
singer and musician who's made tons of hit songs and
sold more than thirty million albums.
Speaker 2 (00:51):
All over the world.
Speaker 3 (00:52):
Richard also has his own podcast called Stories to Tell,
where he chats with some amazing people that grown ups
will know. They're the creative minds behind the songs, shows
and movies we all love. Together, they share fun stories.
Speaker 2 (01:08):
And plenty of laughs.
Speaker 3 (01:09):
Sounds pretty cool right, Well, today, Richard's here in Growing
Up to share his story with us. Welcome to Growing Up,
the Lingo Kids podcast that encourages kids to dream big
and discover who they want to be today. We're starting
with something a little extra fun. Louise, you ready to
(01:31):
sing along?
Speaker 4 (01:32):
Super duper ready? Emily, A brave night is always ready
for caoke? Did I say it right?
Speaker 2 (01:40):
Pretty close?
Speaker 3 (01:42):
And we'll explain what karaoke is right after we try
it out.
Speaker 2 (01:47):
Okay, here we go, one, two three.
Speaker 4 (01:51):
Sing growing up? Billy all even reach this guy growing up?
Going up? No one those kids to decide Wooby when
we grow up? Whoa, I don't know? Karaoke was so
(02:15):
much fun, Emily, yep.
Speaker 3 (02:17):
I love the Go Forward Labs has its own karaoke room,
so we can take a break here from time to time.
Speaker 2 (02:24):
Have you ever done karaoke before?
Speaker 4 (02:25):
Luis? Nope, but I always wanted to. My mom said
once it's like singing to music, but without the actual
singer singing. And I was like, what's the point of that.
Speaker 3 (02:36):
It's so fun because we get to be these singing stars.
Speaker 4 (02:41):
I was scared I wasn't gonna get it right. Karaoke
is hard when you don't know the song.
Speaker 3 (02:47):
Oh yeah, but that's part of the fun too. Oh look,
another song just popped up on the karaoke screen. It
is Wow and none other. Then right here, waiting.
Speaker 2 (02:59):
Oh wait, I love that song. It became a total
hit forty years ago.
Speaker 4 (03:04):
Can you believe that? Wow, that's a long time ago.
Speaker 2 (03:07):
I know, right, and it's still a hit.
Speaker 4 (03:09):
And who's the singer, Emily?
Speaker 3 (03:11):
This is Richard Marx and he's written so many amazing songs,
not just for himself but for other artists too.
Speaker 2 (03:20):
He's a true music legend.
Speaker 4 (03:23):
Well, he does sound like a great singer. And I
guess you can write great songs. Do you think I
can write songs like him? Emily A great night should
write his own songs, of course.
Speaker 2 (03:34):
Louise, Now what would you like to write songs about my.
Speaker 4 (03:38):
Awesome night adventures? Like when Luis went to karaoke? He
sang like a umu a kyote.
Speaker 3 (03:54):
Okay, that wasn't a good song, Louise, I'm sure you
can write songs about anything, even karaoke night.
Speaker 2 (04:03):
Maybe you just need tips to write your songs.
Speaker 4 (04:07):
Yeah, but from who?
Speaker 3 (04:08):
From Richard himself? I bet he has some advice for
a karaoke night.
Speaker 4 (04:14):
Just like you, you think so, Emily.
Speaker 2 (04:17):
Yeah, I'm pretty sure. But before we find.
Speaker 3 (04:20):
Out, I'd love to have a a nightly adventure first.
Speaker 4 (04:25):
So, Luisa Knight is always ready for nightly adventures.
Speaker 2 (04:28):
That's what I wanted to hear.
Speaker 3 (04:30):
Now, did you know go Forward Labs has an endless
music library.
Speaker 4 (04:36):
Wow, and what's it like.
Speaker 2 (04:37):
It's a super.
Speaker 3 (04:38):
Cool place, much like a museum, full of shelves and
stands with players to listen to music from all around
the world.
Speaker 4 (04:47):
Sounds like the best school library ever.
Speaker 2 (04:50):
Oh it is.
Speaker 3 (04:51):
We can learn a lot more about what singing is
all about before talking to an actual pro singer.
Speaker 4 (04:57):
And I can never get enough of music. Go wow,
Look at how tall the walls are, Emily, I can't
even see the ceiling. Look at those guitars over those counters.
They must be so old they are, Louise. Everywhere around
(05:18):
you there's a new shelf to explore.
Speaker 2 (05:21):
Here's one four.
Speaker 3 (05:23):
Oh songs about dogs from thirty five different countries. Now
that's specific.
Speaker 4 (05:30):
Maxie will love it. Look at all these musical instruments
on the walls too. Those are flutes and pianos. Huh oh.
I wonder what the first musical instrument ever was.
Speaker 3 (05:43):
That's a good question, Louise. Scientists actually have an answer
for that.
Speaker 4 (05:48):
Oh, let me guess was it drums? I love drums?
Speaker 3 (05:52):
Oh, that's a good guess, Louise, but not quite the one.
The first musical instrument ever was our voice.
Speaker 4 (06:01):
Huh, what do you mean, Emily.
Speaker 3 (06:04):
Scientists know that we humans have been singing since well
since forever.
Speaker 4 (06:09):
No way that means I can just make music even
if I don't have a guitar or a piano or
a drum.
Speaker 2 (06:16):
Exactly, good thinking, Louise.
Speaker 4 (06:19):
But Emily, I can hear my voice like right now,
and I'm not singing right, I'm just talking.
Speaker 2 (06:27):
That's a good point, Louise.
Speaker 3 (06:29):
There is a difference between singing and talking, even though
we use our voices to do both.
Speaker 2 (06:35):
Let's try something. Say la la la la la la
la la la la. Now, do the same, but sing
it la la.
Speaker 4 (06:46):
La la la la la la la la. Oh okay,
So while I sing la, it sounds much longer than
just saying la. That's right.
Speaker 3 (06:58):
Singing is like talking, but with longer words.
Speaker 2 (07:03):
And there's another cool thing about singing.
Speaker 4 (07:06):
What is it, Emily?
Speaker 3 (07:07):
Well, did you know that your throat has some flappy
layers that are like wings, like wings from birds. Yes,
they're called vocal chords. And those chords open, close, and
move in all sorts of ways when air flows in
and out of our bodies. Wow, that's what makes us
(07:30):
speak and sing.
Speaker 4 (07:32):
So right now I'm using my voice because of my
vocal chords exactly.
Speaker 3 (07:38):
And depending on how they move, you can sing really
high like an actual bird, or really low.
Speaker 2 (07:45):
Like a whale.
Speaker 4 (07:47):
So people can sing in lots of different ways.
Speaker 2 (07:49):
That's right.
Speaker 3 (07:50):
Here in the West, we have fun names for singers
depending on how high or low they can sing.
Speaker 4 (07:57):
What are they called, Emily, Let's see we.
Speaker 3 (08:00):
Can find them over here, so we can also listen
to them.
Speaker 2 (08:04):
My night, you're super ready, ah bingo.
Speaker 3 (08:09):
So women tend to speak higher. They're usually called sopranos,
mezo sopranos, or contralto's.
Speaker 4 (08:45):
Water. Wow, they sound so beautiful, But the first was
way higher than the second.
Speaker 3 (08:53):
Goodyear, Louise, and listen to these ones. Now for men,
it's usually different. Ah, here they are since men usually
have lower voices, they can either be tenors, baritones.
Speaker 2 (09:22):
Or basses depending on how low they can sing.
Speaker 4 (09:32):
So people can sing in very very different ways.
Speaker 2 (09:35):
That's right, Louise.
Speaker 4 (09:37):
That's so awesome. But Emily, look at this shelf. It
says very cool. What was that, Emily? It says, throat singing.
Speaker 2 (09:54):
That's right, Louise.
Speaker 3 (09:55):
Throat singing is kind of exactly what it sounds like,
using the throat way more than we normally do. It's
used in many cultures around the world, like China, Russia,
South Africa. The Inuit people in Alaska also use it
a lot.
Speaker 4 (10:14):
It sounded so deep.
Speaker 3 (10:16):
Yes, it's about making sounds that copy nature, like water,
wind or animals.
Speaker 2 (10:23):
It sounds so powerful, doesn't it.
Speaker 4 (10:26):
And how do throat singers do that?
Speaker 3 (10:28):
They train a lot to go for those very grumbly
low tones. Actually, all singers around the world practice very
hard to be the best voices they can be, no
matter what type of singing they do.
Speaker 4 (10:42):
Oh, I want to know more about all of it, Emily,
can we go talk to Richard now? I want to
make my song.
Speaker 3 (10:50):
That'll be so exciting, Luis, let's go and ask Richard
what it takes to become a singer and an epics songwriter.
Welcome to our very own talking game show. Today we're
talking to singer and songwriter Richard Marx. He's been doing
(11:10):
hit since the eighties. Louis, you want to start.
Speaker 4 (11:14):
Sure, Emie, Hi, Richard, did you love music when you
were a kid, I just.
Speaker 1 (11:22):
Was obsessed with music. So my father wrote and arranged
music for TV and radio commercials, and my mother sang
on those commercials. So I grew up in a musical house.
My parents loved music. They loved pop music, they loved
jazz music, they loved everything. And I started singing around
the house and my parents when I was really young.
(11:44):
My parents noticed that I could sing in tune. Ever
since I was probably five years old, I wanted to
be a singer, and later on I became obsessed with
being a writer and producer. But it's all started with
just singing. I love to sing.
Speaker 4 (11:57):
I don't mind if I sing in the kitchen or
with my dog mat, but in front of other people,
that's like super scary.
Speaker 3 (12:04):
Yeah, what was that like the first time you did it, Richard?
Speaker 1 (12:09):
It was scary. The first time I think I ever
sang in front of anybody, really a group of people,
was in kindergarten. My teacher asked me because she knew,
I guess somehow she knew that I sang at home,
and so she asked if I would get up in
front of the class. It was about fifty kids or something,
and immediately I kind of panicked.
Speaker 4 (12:30):
I was five. I would panic, what did you do?
Speaker 1 (12:33):
I somehow stood up and got in front of the class,
and the first song that came to mind was this
old song by a group called the Monkeys that they
were really big in when I was a kid, around
the same time as the Beatles. Shortly after I sang
at school, my teacher told my parents that Richard got
up in front of the class and sang this Monkey
(12:54):
song and he was so good, and I think it
just got my father thinking.
Speaker 4 (13:00):
What happened next?
Speaker 1 (13:01):
He was hired to do a job for some product
that was a kid related. They needed a kid to
sing it, and so my dad just said, well, why
don't we see if Richard can do it. So I
went into the studio the first time and had my
little headphones and had to be put on a tall
stool to get up to the microphone, and he taught
(13:23):
me the song. It was very quick, like thirty seconds,
and I had the lyrics and I just memorized it
and I sang it and everybody liked it, and then
then I ended up doing that a lot for about
ten years.
Speaker 3 (13:36):
It sounds like the people around you, and especially your
parents believed in you from the very beginning.
Speaker 4 (13:41):
Yeah, that's so cool.
Speaker 1 (13:43):
There was always this sense from my parents that they
believed that I could do or be anything. And my parents,
I think if I'd said I wanted to be an astronaut,
they would have said, absolutely, you should be an astronaut.
You can be an astronaut. What else do you want?
You know, I could be anything. And I think when
you're growing up, having a feeling like I can do anything,
(14:05):
I could whatever it is, Leo, I believe in me.
I believe I can do it is as important as
having talent or skill at something.
Speaker 4 (14:15):
Oh, I'm writing this down. I believe in me. I
believe that I can't do it.
Speaker 3 (14:21):
That's a very important lesson, Louise. Good catch, Richard. I
guess it hasn't been an easy road as a singer.
I mean, your first album was a total hit, But
was there a time when you didn't feel you could
reach your dreams?
Speaker 1 (14:36):
Of course I wanted to be a star, and so
I had about three years where I was constantly rejected
by every record company multiple times, and it wasn't easy
to hear that stuff.
Speaker 2 (14:49):
Yeah, that can be a downer for sure. So what
helped push you through.
Speaker 1 (14:55):
There were definitely nights when I was really down and
felt like this is never going to happen, And at
the end of the day, I still I believed in
what I was doing, and it was right around. You know,
A couple months after I came to that conclusion that
my songs got heard by the right person.
Speaker 4 (15:14):
And what happened.
Speaker 1 (15:15):
They said, Oh my god, I love your singing, I
love your songs. We want you to make a record
for us. And it just took one person to say yes,
and then I don't know, eight months after i'd met
that guy, I had a number one song.
Speaker 4 (15:29):
Gol Richard, WHOA.
Speaker 2 (15:32):
That's such an inspiring story.
Speaker 3 (15:34):
We do have to share our skills with the world
so they can notice them.
Speaker 1 (15:39):
The most important thing is how you think. If you
think negatively, you will have negative results, and if you
think very positively, you're going to have positive results. I
used to picture myself accepting a Grammy award and I
never stopped doing that, and I really think that that's
a big part of why I became successful.
Speaker 2 (16:00):
That's awesome. It takes a lot of imagination to.
Speaker 4 (16:04):
Achieve your dreams.
Speaker 2 (16:06):
I have a question Emily Okay, go ahead, Louise Richard.
Speaker 4 (16:09):
Do you ever get an idea for a song while
maybe doing something like eating a sandwich or brushing your
teeth in the morning.
Speaker 1 (16:17):
I have had ideas, not just for songs, but for
songs that became hit songs doing any number of those
things in the shower. A lot of times I've written
songs in the shower. I've written songs driving in my car.
When I want to be inspired, especially for lyrics for words,
I go hiking or I take a long walk outside.
(16:41):
I have to be outdoors.
Speaker 4 (16:42):
Now that's cool because I had an idea for a
song and I want to write it. Is it okay
if I write about getting pizza and singing karaoke? Yes?
Speaker 1 (16:53):
I think it's really important if you're especially when you're
a kid, to write about whatever you want to write about,
whatever you're thinking about or feeling, and be free to
make every mistake. You're not going to have a choice
but to write really bad songs to begin with. We
all write really, really bad songs until we start writing
(17:13):
better songs. And then if you're lucky, you get to
write good songs, and if you're really lucky, you get
to write great songs.
Speaker 3 (17:19):
You'll always get better at things. Oh that's another important lesson.
Besides that, I wonder what's your favorite part about singing, Richard?
Speaker 4 (17:30):
Yeah? Is it being famous.
Speaker 1 (17:32):
This is going to sound corny, but it's really true.
It's making people happy. And it doesn't matter if it's
twenty thousand people at a you know, outdoor venue somewhere,
or if it's a small group of people in this room,
in my living room. I've had people come and say,
you know, we got married to that song. And I've
had so many people say, we played that song at
(17:55):
my grandfather's memorial. You know, thank you for writing that song.
Speaker 3 (18:00):
Thank you so much for this wonderful interview, Richard. What
did you take from all of this, Louise.
Speaker 4 (18:05):
Well, Emily, I learned that being a singer means you
gotta believe in yourself and show you're singing to people.
And if you want to make a song, you might
start off with not so good songs, but you'll get
really good later. You just have to do them.
Speaker 2 (18:19):
That's it, Louise.
Speaker 3 (18:20):
But we're still not done here. We have a game
show to play.
Speaker 2 (18:25):
You and Richard.
Speaker 3 (18:26):
Okay, Louise, what game show are we playing? Today today,
we're playing this or that. It's very simple, Richard. I'll
give you two options. You have to choose only one
and tell us why. But Emily, you're gonna have to
take the lead.
Speaker 2 (18:42):
Oh and why is that?
Speaker 4 (18:43):
Because I have an epic song to write. I'll be
right back. Good luck, Louise.
Speaker 2 (18:48):
We'll be waiting for your song. Okay, here we go, Richard.
Number one piano or guitar.
Speaker 1 (19:02):
Piano, because it's like the whole orchestra's on the piano,
like really low base notes, high tinkling notes up here
that almost could be like violins. You can play it
beautifully soft, or you can play it like rock and
roll and more aggressively. There's just so much versatility with
(19:24):
the piano.
Speaker 2 (19:27):
Singing solo or singing with other people.
Speaker 1 (19:32):
Oh, singing with other people, because there's something about when
you lock into great harmonies that gives me goosebumps. And
when we really lock in and you know you're breathing
in the same way and you just you're phrasing the
exact same way, it's pretty amazing.
Speaker 2 (19:54):
Performing live or recording in a.
Speaker 1 (19:58):
Studio also really tricky for me. It's the studio, believe
it or not. I'll tell you why. When I'm in
the studio, I'm creating music, and when I'm on stage,
i'm recreating music. When I'm in the studio, I'm hearing
my ideas in my head come to life for the
first time. And there's nothing in my job that is
(20:22):
more thrilling to me than that.
Speaker 3 (20:26):
Okay, Now, the most important question of the game show
ice cream after a concert or pizza after a concert.
Speaker 1 (20:36):
Pizza always doesn't need an explanation.
Speaker 2 (20:41):
Thanks so much for playing with us today, Richard. Please
give a big round of applau to Richard Marx, singer
and hit maker.
Speaker 4 (20:50):
My song's ready, Emily, I finished it.
Speaker 2 (20:53):
Oh that was fast, Luise. You want to sing it now?
Speaker 4 (20:56):
Yes, Emily, I'm ready music. Oh. This song is called
Karaoke Night with a k There once was a night
with a shiny sword. Sir Louis the loud who never
got bored with a voice so loud and the mic
turned up, he sang through karaoke time Lo la la
la la la la la la la la la la
(21:19):
la la la la la la la la la la la.
The show was done. The crowd yeng more, but Louise
soomed up to the Peza Store, which easy dreams and
a song in his heart, Louise became a karaoke knight.
La la la la la la la la la la
la la la la la la la la la la
(21:40):
la la la la la. Thank you everyone.
Speaker 2 (21:46):
That was really funny, Louise, good job.
Speaker 4 (21:49):
Thanks Emily. Now come we get some actual pizza. Singing
about it made me hungry.
Speaker 3 (21:57):
Thanks for tagging along on this episode of Owing Up
All about singers.
Speaker 2 (22:02):
Remember a little listener, dream big, and always stay curious. Luise,
are you ready for more adventure?
Speaker 4 (22:09):
Wait? There's more?
Speaker 3 (22:11):
Yep, there's loads more to explore on the world's number
one kids learning app, Lingo Kids. It has tons of videos,
games and podcasts just like this one, and every single
one is fun and educational. Download the Lingo Kids app
today for free.
Host
Emily Calandrelli
Popular Podcasts
Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com