From the writer himself...
Who better to tell you about the songs on "Flesh and Bone" but Richard
himself? His comments are in quotes below, following my own.
From the writer himself...
Who better to tell you about the songs on "Flesh and Bone" but Richard
himself? His comments are in quotes below, following my own.
Fool's Game
This song begins with a gorgeous string intro--conducted by Richard's father--and then changes into a mixture of guitars and synths with sultry vocals (can you tell I kind of like it?). This song was the first song RM fans got a taste of before the release of the album--a clip of it was on the Richard Marx hotline months before.
"Sad songs are hard to write when you're as happy as I am. But I remember being heartbroken and I can put myself in the shoes of the bachelor in this song. He thinks his life's great. Then a girl gets into his soul. If he loves her in return, it'll be the end of his perfect existence. If he lets her go, he'll never get over it. He's at a crossroads."
You Never Take Me Dancing
This song has a funky beat and style. It is very different from Richard's past work--and at the same time still shows some of his trademark style. It includes an intense guitar solo by Bruce Gaitsch.
"My tribute to Earth, Wind, and Fire. The song's about the fact that men just don't understand what women really need. And that when we try to give a woman what we think she needs, it's never enough. A song that walks a fine line between feminist and chauvinist."
Touch of Heaven
Definitely one of the steamiest songs on the album, this one was destined for radio success.... if Capitol had just released it. With the vocal acrobatics on this song, it is a favorite of many Marx fans (including me). Because of fan reaction to the song, "Touch of Heaven" was included on the Greatest Hits CD.
"The most '90s track on the album, this was co-produced with Randy Jackson, who's played bass on my records for a few years now. An interesting R&B melody, one Luther Vandross might do."
What's the Story
This is a sad but true commentary on show business and success today. It is sort of a '90s "Don't Mean Nothing" in that respect. The bass line is very catchy.
"A rare song for me in that I wrote the lyrics before the music. It's about how uncontroversial I am. My mother keeps asking, 'I'm not knocking your success but why aren't you in People magazine more often?' I tell her, 'What's to say, mom? That I'm not in rehab and I'm not a cross-dresser? That I'm happily married, have three kids, and love my life?'"
Can't Lie to My Heart
This song gives the album its name..... in the lyrics are the words, "I'm your flesh and you're my bone." A subtle yet complex piece of work (another of my favorites), it goes through many changes. It features background vocals by Richard's friend Luther Vandross.
"A guy who knows getting into a particular relationship isn't a great idea but he just can't help it. I'm proud of the musical journey this song takes too--that's Luther on the harmonies. It's also a song that I can just grab a guitar and play and it still communicates."
Until I Find You Again
The single from this album, this song sounds a lot like Richard's trademark ballads. But he puts a new spin on this one with the strong female background vocals, string/harp/chime sounds, and powerful climax. There are two versions of the CD single for this song.
"I took a break while mastering--the album was done--and went into the next room, which had a piano. I was noodling with a melody and a guy came in and said, 'That's gorgeous!' I played it for other people and everyone fell over backwards. David Foster said, 'You have to record that.' The lyric is about how I'd feel if I couldn't be with Cynthia. It's a testament to the great love of your life."
My Confession
This song has a very dreamy-sounding beginning. Many fans believe this song would've been a good single as well because of the great lyrics and modern, sophisticated sound. Another favorite of mine.
"I was thinking of the movie The Graduate. About an underdog vying for the love of a woman he thinks he can't have. Most men go through that at some point. There's always someone else who's more handsome and more successful."
Eternity
With a vibe that makes many Marx fans think of "Hazard," this mysterious song tells the story of another man who lived by a river. Richard mentioned in an Internet chat that he especially liked this song because he relates to the character in it.
"A guy born in a little town in the South, by a river named Eternity. From humble beginnings, he decides to make something of his life but in the process obliterates everything in his path, including where he came from. But success isn't what he thought it'd be. He goes back home and a woman there is the only person that understands. She's his link to being sane."
What's Wrong With That
This song is a spirited reminder of Richard's past work made new, complete with a horn section. Joining Richard on the songwriting and vocals is his good friend Fee Waybill. This song can be found with rearranged vocals on Fee's latest solo CD as well.
"I wrote this 10 years ago with Fee Waybill (of the Tubes). He wrote the lyric and it's very autobiographical. He was dating a girl half his age and it was always an issue in their relationship. Finally, he got to the point of saying, 'So what? What's wrong with a little self delusion?' They were together for eight years--then broke up."
The Image
This is a catchy song describing the life of someone who finds himself constantly in the spotlight, whose image doesn't necessarily fit the true 'him.' The Hammond used throughout the song adds a spark to it, as well as the harmonica. This song was also co-written by Fee Waybill and features a cool horn arrangement by Richard's father.
"You can tell I love R&B from this song. Another piece of music I wrote a long time ago, with Fee again writing the lyric. It's about someone who's very successful saying to a girl, 'Don't believe everything you read about me.'"
Breathless
If "Touch of Heaven" wasn't the kind of steamy song you wanted, maybe this one is--it's a very slow one. It features a fitting sax solo and whispery vocals. Randy Jackson, who co-produced "Touch of Heaven," also left his touch on this one by playing the bass.
"I wrote this in 1985 for James Ingram. He recorded a great version but it was never released. I'd always wanted to do it myself but didn't think it was right for me. But it fits what I'm doing now."
Miracle
This is a happy song guiding us toward the belief in the magic and joys of the season. This song has the rock sound we've come to expect from Richard with some piano thrown in to give it the Christmas feel. This song would have fit right in on the "Superstars of Christmas 1995" CD Richard performed "You'll Never Be Alone" for.
"The joy of Christmas. When you grow up and Santa isn't Santa anymore, it's not the same. But coming back to Chicago and reliving the wonder of Christmas through my kids, you realize there's magic involved. This is the last song, a kind of Motown Christmas tune, because I wanted to leave the album on an 'up' note, positive and happy."
Thanks to Kathy for the quotes! : )