Charlie Puth’s Musical Odyssey: Celebrating the Greatest Songs by Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Elton John, and Neil Young
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Charlie Puth, the multi-talented singer-songwriter and producer known for his pop hits and impeccable ear for melody, recently shared his deep admiration for some of music’s most iconic figures in a heartfelt discussion. In an intimate conversation that spanned genres and generations, Puth revealed his favorite songs by Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Elton John, James Taylor, George Michael, and Neil Young. This 800-word article explores Puth’s insights, delving into the emotional resonance and technical brilliance of these timeless tracks while showcasing how these artists have shaped his own musical journey. From cinematic piano parts to hauntingly beautiful lyrics, Puth’s selections offer a window into the profound impact of these legends on his artistry.
Bruce Springsteen’s “Jungleland”: A Cinematic Masterpiece
When asked about the best Bruce Springsteen song ever written, Charlie Puth didn’t hesitate to name “Jungleland,” a sprawling epic from Springsteen’s 1975 album Born to Run. “I still think ‘Jungleland’ is one of the most impressive piano parts,” Puth declared, comparing it to Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” for its emotional depth and complexity. He described how the song “evokes emotion right away,” highlighting the iconic piano introduction by Roy Bittan that sets the tone for Springsteen’s tale of love, loss, and urban struggle. Puth’s reverence for the track was palpable as he admitted, “I will never sing that song because I just won’t ever be able to do it justice.”
“Jungleland” is often celebrated as one of Springsteen’s most ambitious works, a nearly ten-minute narrative that paints a vivid picture of life on the streets with poetic lyrics and a sweeping arrangement. Puth’s focus on the piano part underscores his appreciation for the song’s technical brilliance and its ability to convey raw emotion through instrumentation—a skill he has honed in his own productions. His choice reflects a deep respect for Springsteen’s storytelling prowess and the atmospheric power of his music, qualities that resonate with Puth’s own knack for crafting emotionally charged pop songs.
Billy Joel’s Dual Favorites: Tenderness and Strength
Turning to Billy Joel, Puth couldn’t settle on just one song, instead highlighting two tracks that showcase different facets of Joel’s genius. First, he named “Goodnight My Angel,” a lullaby Joel wrote for his daughter, praising its tender simplicity with lyrics like “Goodnight my angel, time to close your eyes, and save these questions for another day.” Puth’s admiration for the song’s emotional purity reveals his appreciation for Joel’s ability to distill complex feelings into accessible melodies—a hallmark of Puth’s own songwriting.
Equally compelling for Puth was Joel’s “She’s Always a Woman,” which he lauded for its powerful message about the strength of a woman. “I think that’s a really powerful message about the power of a really strong woman too,” he noted, marveling at how Joel effortlessly crafted a song that feels genuine and profound without seeming forced. This duality in Puth’s selections—tenderness in “Goodnight My Angel” and empowerment in “She’s Always a Woman”—mirrors Joel’s versatility as a songwriter, a quality Puth clearly aspires to emulate in his own work. Joel’s influence on Puth is evident in the younger artist’s focus on melody and narrative, elements that define many of Puth’s chart-topping hits.
Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer” and a Personal Tie
When discussing Elton John, Puth acknowledged the universal love for “Tiny Dancer,” calling it “the world’s answer” for John’s greatest song. However, he hinted at a personal tie to another track, though the specific title wasn’t fully elaborated in the conversation excerpt. Puth’s admiration for “Tiny Dancer” focused on its cinematic quality and emotional resonance, particularly in how John and lyricist Bernie Taupin crafted a song that feels like “the end of a movie.” He also praised John’s collaboration with George Michael on a live version of “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me,” describing it as “so British” and deeply moving.
Puth’s connection to Elton John’s music highlights his appreciation for theatricality and emotional storytelling—elements central to his own pop compositions. “Tiny Dancer,” with its evocative lyrics and soaring melody, embodies the kind of timeless songwriting Puth strives for, blending personal sentiment with universal appeal. His nod to the collaboration with George Michael also underscores Puth’s respect for artists who evolve and reinvent their work, a trait he mirrors in his own genre-spanning productions.
George Michael’s Reinvention and James Taylor’s Haunting Beauty
Puth’s admiration for George Michael centered on the artist’s ability to shed a “cheesy” pop image after the success of Wham!’s “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go.” He drew a parallel to his own career, noting how he too sought to escape the “cheese” of early hits. Puth highlighted Michael’s “Careless Whisper,” a self-produced track from the same era, marveling at how Michael created such a sophisticated sound using drum machines without modern tools like Pro Tools. This technical prowess and reinvention resonate with Puth, who has similarly navigated the balance between pop accessibility and artistic depth in his career.
For James Taylor, Puth chose “Long Ago and Far Away” from the album Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon, calling it “hauntingly beautiful.” He sang snippets of the song, giving himself chills with lines like “But things are not the same it seems, in such tender dreams.” Puth’s emotional reaction to the track, enhanced by Joni Mitchell’s background vocals, underscores his appreciation for Taylor’s introspective lyricism and delicate arrangements—qualities that contrast with Puth’s often upbeat pop style but reveal his depth as a listener and artist.
Neil Young’s Raw Emotion in “Ohio” and “Old Man”
Finally, Puth expressed awe for Neil Young, recounting the story of how Young wrote “Ohio” in just 20 minutes after witnessing the Kent State shootings in 1970. “He goes into the woods and in 20 minutes walks out with that song,” Puth marveled, highlighting the raw power of Young’s response to tragedy. He also performed parts of “Old Man,” noting the simplicity of its two-chord structure and its profound emotional impact with lyrics like “Look at my life, I’m a lot like you were.” Puth’s rendition on guitar captured the song’s introspective melancholy, reflecting his admiration for Young’s ability to convey deep sentiment with minimal complexity.
Puth’s connection to Young’s music speaks to his respect for authenticity and immediacy in songwriting. “Ohio” represents a visceral reaction to real-world events, while “Old Man” offers a personal meditation on aging and legacy—themes that Puth, as a younger artist, finds inspiring. His ability to play and analyze these songs on the spot demonstrates his musical versatility and deep engagement with the craft, bridging generational divides through shared emotional truths.
Reflecting on the 70s: A Decade of Musical Thoughtfulness
Throughout the conversation, Puth reflected on the 1970s as a transformative era in music, a time when “everyone was going through something.” He described a particular chord progression as the “musical equivalent of putting your fingers on your chin and rubbing it and thinking, ‘Where am I going to be in the 80s?’” This observation captures the introspective nature of the decade’s music, from Springsteen’s urban epics to Young’s raw folk-rock. Puth’s nostalgia for an era he didn’t live through reveals his scholarly approach to music history, drawing inspiration from the emotional and cultural currents that shaped these artists’ works.
A Tapestry of Influences
Charlie Puth’s discussion of his favorite songs by Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Elton John, George Michael, James Taylor, and Neil Young paints a rich tapestry of musical influences that inform his own artistry. From the cinematic sweep of “Jungleland” to the tender intimacy of “Goodnight My Angel,” the theatricality of “Tiny Dancer” to the raw immediacy of “Ohio,” Puth’s selections highlight the diversity of styles and emotions that have shaped his career. His deep respect for technical brilliance, emotional storytelling, and artistic reinvention shines through in every comment and performance.
As a modern pop artist, Puth stands on the shoulders of these giants, blending their lessons into his own music while paying homage to their enduring legacies. His ability to dissect and celebrate these songs—whether through singing, playing, or simply reflecting—demonstrates a profound connection to the craft of songwriting. For fans of Puth and these legendary artists alike, this conversation is a reminder of music’s power to transcend time, evoke emotion, and inspire across generations. Through his thoughtful curation of these classics, Charlie Puth not only honors his heroes but also cements his place in the ongoing story of popular music.
