It’s sure been a while, since I’ve heard the name Richard Marx pass by. Once, he was a background singer for Madonna (on “White Heat” from her True Blue album) and struggling rock singer-songwriter, who went on to break through with the ballad “Right Here Waiting”.
More recent, last I’d heard, he covered a Katy Perry’s “The One Who Got Away”, which even caught Katy’s attention. She shared it on her social media, causing a short revival in his career.
His career has been impressive anyway. Just yesterday, he celebrated a throwback to the release of his debut album, exactly 29 years ago. He’s written a great catalog of beautiful songs since and has been able to work with a lot of great people, including the late Luther Vandross. The combination of rock, pop and soul has always given away where he got his inspiration from.
His soulful, raspy voice has the strength to carry up-tempo and powerful rock (or power pop) songs, but still, his ballads seem to be his greatest strength. “Right Here Waiting”, “Angelia” and “Hazard” are just a few of his hits, as well as his duet, “At The Beginning”, with Donna Lewis (for the Anastacia movie).
Just a few weeks ago, he released another one. It’s called “Last Thing I Wanted” and it’s everything you want to hear from him. It’s easy going with smooth vocals and sensitivity. You could close your eyes and just dream away with it, so it’s definitely a good track to play at the end of a long day when you need some winding down.
But even though his career will be celebrating its 30 anniversary next year, Richard is not winding down at all, himself. He has been touring these past few months, with a Greatest Hits tour, which ends in August. And currently, he’s in Europe to play some rock festivals.
Lyrically, the song is about something unexpected becoming the thing you want more than anything. Hey, we've all been there.
