ABCCharlie Puth’s upcoming album Voicenotes features guest appearances by two very different artists: Boyz II Men and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer James Taylor. While Charlie says he’s always been a fan of Boyz II Men, James is the guy Charlie says is “the reason I do what I do.” Which is why he was surprised that the music legend seemed to be intimidated at the prospect of collaborating.
“What was interesting is that James seemed to be more shy than me,” Charlie tells EW. “I was walking in about to record with the guy [who’s] the reason that I do what I do. When I saw that he was anxious to get started and worried if he’d be able to deliver, I assured him he would.”
“In the booth next to him, I got literal chills hearing his voice,” he adds. “He’s so, so talented and groundbreaking. He’s always been able to put his life into his music, something that I strive to do.”
As previously reported, the song that Charlie and James collaborate on is “Change,” which Charlie performed at the March for Our Lives. Charlie says he wrote the song prior to the march, and prior to the Parkland high school shooting. But as he tells EW, “I would watch the news and these brave kids from Parkland and these mindless politicians hiding behind their words…I called my manager and said, ‘We have to get this song out. The world is calling for it.’”
Voicenotes, Charlie’s sophomore album, arrives this Friday, May 11. His summer tour kicks off July 11 in Toronto.
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