Can “professor” Charlie Puth pass our qualifying exam?

Switched on Pop

Vox Media Podcast Network

Music Interviews, Music History, Music, Music Commentary

4.6 • 2.7K Ratings

🗓️ 28 October 2025

⏱️ 37 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Charlie Puth breaks down his new single "Changes," a maximalist eighties production hiding a melancholy story about drifting friendships. As he prepares for fatherhood, the singer-songwriter reflects on how relationships evolve from deep conversations to small talk, why he listens to lyrics last, and his belief that music should offer a three-minute escape from life's exhaustion. Between demonstrating vocal techniques, championing forgotten producer Rod Temperton, and turning "You Are My Sunshine" into a minor-key lullaby, Puth makes his case for earning the title "Professor," with one simple lesson: stop overthinking and just feel the music. Songs Discussed Wiz Khalifa feat. Charlie Puth "See You Again"Charlie Puth "Attention"Charlie Puth "Changes"Charlie Puth "Hero"The Weeknd "Blinding Lights"Dua Lipa "Physical"Olivia Newton-John "Physical"Phil Collins "In the Air Tonight"Tears for Fears "Everybody Wants to Rule the World"Heatwave "The Groove Line"Tamia "You Put a Move on My Heart"Heatwave "All You Do Is Dial"Michael Jackson "Thriller"Traditional "You Are My Sunshine" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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1:02.9	Stage on top.
1:07.1	Welcome to Switched on Pop. I'm songwriter Charlie Harding.
1:09.9	Charlie Puth is a melody savant, a wizard on the piano and a master of production, which he studied at Berkeley College of Music, where, full disclosure, I'm an associate professor.
1:19.6	Puth first broke out with songs like 2015's See You Again.
1:23.6	Oh, I'll tell you all about it when I see you again.
	...

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