Charlie Puth on redirecting his career

The musical prodigy's fame rose with his spectacularly successful 2015 collaboration with rapper Wiz Khalifa, "See You Again." But in early 2020, Charlie Puth put on the brakes. He talks with "CBS Mornings" co-host Tony Dokoupil about falling in love with music; how a chance encounter with Elton John led to a reappraisal of his career; and about the 31-year-old's third album, "Charlie," which he says feels like his first.
#CharliePuth #charlieputhsongs
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[@burstthroughtheconcrete]

Voicenotes was a STELLAR album. His latest one...some hits and misses. Not as strong. But 100% respect him for scrapping an album and starting fresh when he wasn't feeling it. As an artist, that's what you sometimes need to do.

[@doofusboy7054]

I loved Voicenotes and still do, but I think part of the reason I enjoy Charlie (the new album) so much is because I know there is so much soul and authenticity to it, and it really is now HIS album.

[@colestone14]

He seems like such a free spirit with so much confidence to sit at an media interview with no shoes lol

[@2godless]

Gotta love Elton! He says it like it is and he cares for the young performers.

[@productionemployee8032]

He does???

[@clowntingz313]

Elton hasn’t had a hit in years yet puts out consistent music himself. Ironic and a bit of projection I’d wager.

[@Tropicflamingo]

@@clowntingz313 It's that Elton's been around for 50 years so any song he makes is instantly seen because of how big he is. It's a little harder for younger signers to launch and hold a career.

[@djtunit]

@@DragonNinja4680 to q1

[@dylansmith1833]

Charlie is such an inspiration to many! He has such an amazing talent and will be one of the best artists of my generation!

[@johnosam4681]

He's a true artist, not afraid to scrap a work he's poured a lot of effort to make a better perfect master piece.

[@Ignite1291]

i thought he did not realize his recent album's music wasn't as affective but i m really glad to hear he told it before releasing it. it shows how good as an artist he is

[@zoid3515]

it shows he's a good musician by the fact he made bad music??

[@Ignite1291]

@@zoid3515 i meant he knew that he was making ineffective music, shows the fact he's a great musician. He said that he grew as a person when he realized that he wasn't making music for the chart but for himself, to express his feelings through them. i never said bad, i said ineffective, there's a difference...

[@zoid3515]

@@Ignite1291 well his last album was terrible, just pop trash. A lot of people realized it was bad or ineffective or however you want to say it, are all those people great musicians too?

[@Ignite1291]

@@zoid3515 see last album was not supposed to be something to go on chart, as said by him (if i remember correctly). It was his personal album, he had alot of songs to put in it and he teased them, He chose to add the ones loved the most by his tiktok audience. I think i should've written artist. imo it was really good album and deserved to be on the chart simply because it was just a story put in melodies and the songs were really good, anyone who loves his genre would like it and alot of his fans did. I guess the people who hated were the ones who were expecting it to be like his (before) 2019 songs.

[@chouavang2765]

He grew into his looks for sure

[@BradColemanisHere]

Dude, if you keep the music first you'll never go wrong. Use the gifts and the talent and let the rest happen.

[@brandnaqua]

🙌🙌

[@sydguitar99]

He truly cares about his craft unlike a lot of pop singers today who are obviously disingenuous

[@helena-ff3pi]

exactly. its so refreshing to see

[@ethanromero5289]

This man is humble man! Honest, dedicated, hardworking person who has make his dreams come through. A real genius songwriter of this century. Best wishes to you man.

[@citizen3902]

A true artist and so humble! I envision you going to the top and making yourself and the world just oh so happy.

[@gordonqguillergan1534]

Charlie is a musical genius, and I love him and his music. Voicenotes was my favorite.

[@JustinGone]

Musical genius? Help us alll.

[@RealKingBaldwinIV]

@@JustinGone exactly

[@ph-vf5hx]

He's a genius of middle of the road, fluffy, generic pop. I do tk ow What I am missing about this man's voice. Maybe I'm a......hater? Lol

[@JustinGone]

@@ph-vf5hx you aren’t missing anything. He sounds like he’s struggling to hit those “pitch perfect” notes.

[@RealKingBaldwinIV]

@@ph-vf5hx nothing but fax

[@TheCondescendingRedditor]

Can we admire how good the interviewer is?

[@bora3.14]

He did right. His recent music was not real and felt like every pop star

[@viper627]

I hated that left and right one and got sick of light switch quick enough personally but his vocal abilities were still quite visible

[@KingoftheJuice18]

I like him. A genuine person...who just happens to be crazy talented.

[@nathaliee773]

I wonder if Elton is that honest with himself? Don’t get me wrong I love Elton as long as Bernie’s writing his lyrics.

[@JustinGone]

Agreed. His last two hits with Dua lipa and Britney felt cheap.

[@bartowskiofficial]

@@JustinGone Just what I've been thinking. It's like he contracted his music out!

[@angijac18]

He’s so talented and Elton’s right, his songs could be wayyyy better for how talented he is! Praying for hin

[@mililaniman]

Charlie Puth is a very talented young man. I enjoy listening to his music.

[@gaurichess]

Great interview! Kudos to the friendly reporter too 😊

[@haloed-hero]

He’s special, a talent like this only comes so often and he seems to be grounded in some way. Lord give him strength to skip the pitfalls of success

[@ACaspi3]

Charlie has been an inspiration to me to want to learn everything I can about music even trying to learn piano! His musical knowledge is unchallengeable! But the fact he can mix humor when sharing his techniques is another level genius!

[@claudiabailey5302]

His music knowledge may be unchallengeable(according to you, where the word genius is used far too often) but he isn't doing anything interesting with it. They are just bog-standard pop tunes that sound like everything else. in the history of pop music, there have been people with less knowledge but far more original

[@deettekearns9092]

Love this! Thanks for the interview!

[@cindythomas5895]

What a remarkable young man

[@NellieKAdaba]

Yes

[@daniellenewby3169]

Bruhhh how did I miss this interview 😭😭😭my parents literally watch this every Sunday.

[@angelaholmes8888]

Love Charlie's music he's such an inspiration

[@aliviablount]

Charlie is a great songwriter. I want to take his masterclass

[@JustinGone]

You should read reviews about it. Seems like a scam.

[@voozoo1606]

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE extend THIS interview!! I love this episode!!🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@JustinGone]

2020: music scraped, none of the music felt real 2022: listen to this tiktock album.

[@launglaunginn4178]

I love you Charlie

[@stacywiley9252]

My favorite songs from Charlie Puth is a duet with Jungkook of BTS Left and Right, See You Again with Wiz khalifa is my ultimate favorite song from Fast and Furious soundtrack.

[@abd12459]

Same

[@jasdn93bsad992]

I can’t unsee how Charlie bends his toes at 3:53 😂

[@DavinaShefet]

His second album was really good, he wrote the songs and he already told us he was "starting over" when he released it so I don't really understand this... The third album sounds more poppy than the second one, the lyrics aren't as well written in my opinion but the tunes are definitely catchy, it sounds like a continuum of the second one though. He also said that "Boy" on his second album is one of the best songs he has ever written... which I agree 100% I just think the dude started super young and he s evolving, no need to make your past work seem bad... Side note, Elton is an amazing songwriter but he doesn't write the lyrics to his songs as he knows it's not his "forte", I think there's no harm in having a little help here and there, the important thing is that the song is the best it can be

[@axelvautier498]

no u can't say that , excluding light switch the song of his new album are just childish tik tok song which lasts 2 min to get on the radio...Im a huge fan of charlie when he do what he like and not why 12 yo girl and his label want , voicenotes is one of if its not the best pop album of the decade he put funky soul jazzy rnb sonority in pop song like stevie wonder was done in the past .So i juste hope that elton jhon come to him a second time to tell him that his music is crappy...

[@DavinaShefet]

@@axelvautier498 dude we re saying the same stuff

[@jillcampbell8019]

🎶 What a special man- a gifted person -in many ways. God bless!!!

[@francinearcieri8439]

Charlie has a smooth voice Elton feels if you cant give it your all dont bother all or nothing mentality without inspiration things get dull

[@julio564]

Voice notes and 9 track mine was very good. New was not it. Felt very corny and tik tok vibes.

[@jonathandow684]

Great interview haven’t heard of this person before but familiar with his music.

[@Blueeyedsoul1986]

Love Charlie he writes great music 🎵

[@angelaholmes8888]

Yes he does 🙂

[@JustinGone]

🥴🥴🥴

[@fioregiallo]

I'm a new fan but every day I fall in love with him more 🙈 he's so fantastic!

[@Mr.Skylight]

“Elton John would like to meet you” …I get that all the time.

[@bktaino201]

I have a lot of respect for him for doing that

[@thejoaocouto]

Does anyone know what music he’s referring at 2:11? The “not very good” music he had just released?

[@fabbyboy5044]

The music he released in 2019

[@lyndacreeley9536]

So glad he’s coming back❣️

[@normal_gold]

@ 🤘🏻🤘🏻🎤🎤🌹

[@JohnnyMontilla]

Great interview!

[@bora3.14]

All of a sudden everyone is following taylor swift and ed sheeran way of writing songs.

[@rubik3117]

He really needs good publicists ✅

[@Jimins_Minion]

Amazing “first song”. And in collab with a person from a band that is always concerned about telling their own truths. Wonderful Collaboration.

[@JasonRostro]

AmaSING unmatched talent

[@LoveEverything1987]

Thank You, Charlie!

[@ec6933]

I'm 34 and have been able to do this my whole life. But unfortunately didn't come from a musical family and didn't know this was a thing until I was about 30. I also didn't know this about puth. God just one more depressing thing.

[@texxphillips]

I'm always in awe when I see C.P. and hear him. He's a creative genius!

[@louismat319]

Dude has confidence in his art because that it's his element.

[@finbarheaslip3526]

3:52 Charlie being barefoot for an interview is my villain arch and a mood lol

[@noah-ns2qd]

STOPPPP and the curled toes 💀

[@finbarheaslip3526]

@@noah-ns2qd 💀

[@actownsend7288]

Talented dude!!! Very talented on that piano!!

[@robm7449]

Charlie is a amazing Artist and a beautiful person with soul .

[@mae__]

JeyKeeeeyy~ That was a pretty interesting interview.. think that can apply to many circumstances in life outside of a music career

[@normal_gold]

🤘🏻🤘🏻🎤🎤🌹

[@robbyel3958]

Didn't know he was from Rumson. Not bad neighbors to be in the company of - Springsteen and Bon Jovi

[@maxrenederosario5348]

Love Charlie Puth Songs🥰😍❤

[@dani_v92]

Did anyone notice how he puts his left foot? 3:45

[@nathanaschliman1836]

Lol I wondered if anyone else saw that too

[@RaymondHng]

Yeah. So?

[@dalespencer8694]

Its good that Elton was honest. I wonder if anyone has told him, he has lost it live and he should probably stop with the FINAL tours.

[@michaelenglish1992]

When watching him being interviewed, only one word comes to mind: GURRRRRLLLLLLL...

[@irvinemuscle]

He has a low speaking voice and a high singing voice. haha. not sure what the big deal is but he seems sincere.

[@abbiebrown2733]

I love Charlie's music. Charlie is talented 💕

[@normal_gold]

🤘🏻🤘🏻🎤🎤🌹

[@steffisofranic9716]

Well, a genius can't be stopped!

[@patrickhinh]

So talented

[@bens395]

I went to school with her, Selena Gomez was supposed to take on the part, but they replaced her with Mirella Cardoso 🇧🇷

[@iamjvmac]

The interviewer didn't take his shoes off while Charlie is barefoot in his out.

[@terry2588]

Amazing talented Artist.

[@user-cg2el2dz6n]

I saw him in concert a few years ago, and was blown away by him. His voice is unmatched, and his songwriting is amazing

[@Japerhood]

Call him Charlie Truth from now on

[@RaymondHng]

2:06 You can see the piano keys in the reflection on his eyeglasses.

[@nikolairomanoff6969]

But what is wrong with the music industry is that it is all about profit, a true artist I believe does not really care about the numbers or the sales, but at the same time, how can you build a platform if you do not sell out too 💁🏻‍♂️

[@hnc52]

Charlie is as talented as he is good looking...very!

[@AdrianMendoza23]

I remember these songs. I would be hearing the songs in the periphery.

[@PracticalPerry]

In this video Charlie Puth is said to be 31yo. Wow, he looks like he's about 22yo. Charlie Puth is boyish looking.

[@KaninManeepairoj]

It’s true. I disliked his first album, thinking it’s definitely marketable but lacked real soul of his. His music now is amazing and unique

[@david3199]

Shout out to no shoes

[@swimmerbruno]

He is the best 💚

[@cesnav7593]

I’m glad Elton told him. Charlie is a massive talent, but his music up to that point was not great, and the “hits” the reporter mentioned, were not hits at all.

[@love-ip7sz]

I've been waiting so long to see Charlie release his full potential. Hopefully he will. Always wanted to like him

[@love-ip7sz]

But I will argue the see you again song was a massive hit

[@StacyFrancis94]

His music is so nostalgic and pre pandemic times. Ugh... ❤ My heart is hurting.

[@joer8273]

His guest spot on Howard Stern’s show is really terrific. Anyone who enjoyed this should watch. Howard’s music setup is top notch, but I really love seeing Charlie’s range and depth of musical knowledge on there. Check it out!

[@Zoew_june]

1:38 “felt reAeAeEallll” Oh, the irony.

[@VoteBlue4Peace-LoveInUSAagain]

❤️ this guy so much!

[@grahamcrackers7]

I think Charlie is a talented artist, performer, musician, and good person.. but literally of his music is just something that was never my style or my taste. Maybe he can start fresh in a new direction that seems more genuine to him

[@jedfo64]

Love this young man to pieces I’ve enjoyed a song here and there but this new album is his best IMHO

[@normal_gold]

@ 🤘🏻🤘🏻🎤🎤🌹

[@tennishurts]

as a generation we're so lucky to live in the same era with a musician like charlie puth

[@JustinGone]

Why? He makes maroon 5 pop music.

[@tennishurts]

@@JustinGone 1. charlie puth is a talented musical genius and everyone even his antis and people who don't like him or his music, agree with that. 2. maroon's music is so good and you actually sound nonsense 3. if you don't like charlie's or maroon's music doesn't mean they're bad and doesn't mean everyone should think like that. that's just your opinion. grow up maybe?

[@JustinGone]

@@tennishurts you lost me at maroon 5 is actually good. Thanks for your think piece of a response.

[@tennishurts]

@@JustinGone never wanted to save you but you're welcome

[@ifuloikano]

i ❤ you Charlie! Please stay awesome!

[@teleopinions1367]

The good thing is that he had the financial means to take a break for a few years and find his truth again. Most people don't have that luxury. Most people don't even have the time to think, they just run from one job to the next trying to make ends meet.

[@Grahamvlogs802vt]

what a story and elton john making him re-think everything

[@nolviasmith630]

Elton John is always at a restaurant talking to some young singer. How does no one see this?

[@Anewday1979]

I love and immensely admire Charlie!!! I hope to work with him someday. It’s number 1 on my bucket list.

[@normal_gold]

🤘🏻🤘🏻🎤🎤🌹

[@-_elijah_-]

These comments gassing him up not knowing how he was acting on Tiktok a few months ago 💀

[@nickvanhoutte2263]

I love him and his music!

[@zot5596]

It's amazing way, Charlie! You really cool guy, love u❤

[@jenniferhalf1650]

It just gets to a point where alot of artist's songs sound the same....However he is such a talented young man!!!!

[@normal_gold]

🤘🏻🤘🏻🎤🎤🌹

[@lancedeschenes4046]

Minor talent, majorly overexposed.

[@halflip876]

What’s the song at 3:16?

[@EM-eb1lf]

This dude is goofy but super hot at the same time.

[@angel7085]

Love love Charlie Puth 😍 i hope he do a collab with Taylor swift 😍

[@autofocus4556]

New new album is a bit too narrow. It’s all about exes.

[@sann5146]

4:11 "god's house" 😂