After making one of the biggest hits and the anthem of 2015 with Wiz Khalifa, and simultaneously Marvin Gaye-ing and getting it on with Meghan Trainor, singer, songwriter, arranger and producer, Charlie Puth is back with another anthem. I know that it's a bit late to spazz about "One Call Away". My friend actually told me that this song is "so last year". Those were her exact words. However, I firmly believe that it is never too late to start liking something - especially a song or an artist.
When I first heard the name Charlie Puth in that famous "See You Again" song, I was like, "WHO?!" I bet I wasn't the only one. I admit, I totally dig his voice in that heart-wrenching song. I heard "Marvin Gaye" on the radio and it really got me going on. I immediately Googled who the singer was, and surprise, surprise, it was the amazingly talented Charlie Puth again. I was totally obsessed with that song. I remember playing it about ten times a day AND listening to almost ALL the covers on YouTube. I didn't find one that was "better than the original" though. The harmony of Charlie Puth and Meghan Trainor's angelic and sweet voices were heavenly. Soon after, I came across "One Call Away" while browsing YouTube. This time, it wasn't just the incredible vocals that got my attention, the melody, the rhythm and the lyrics really got to me. It was pretty infectious and catchy.
Charlie Puth has proven that he could capture the hearts of his fans on his own with the song "One Call Away". He didn't need a featured artist to make another chart-topper. I don't usually spazz about a singer's voice, but Charlie Puth really has the voice of an angel. It was the kind of voice that would soothe and relax you, regardless of the beat, melody, much more the meaning, of the song.
I did a little digging and it turns out we have to thank one of his friends for this wonderful "long distance relationship anthem". In an interview with MTV news, he mentioned, "My friend was talking to me about his long distance relationship and how it breaks his heart that he can't see his girlfriend every day, so I wanted to make an anthem for everyone in a long distance relationship or just someone they haven't seen in awhile is just one call away." Isn't that the sweetest thing ever? Charlie Puth clearly has overflowing empathy and emotions, which he could ingeniously channel through songwriting.
Superman has indeed got nothing on this guy.
The "gospel-infused pop song" might have been the official anthem for lovers in LDR, however, I'm pretty sure anyone could relate to it at some point in their lives. I was able to connect to the song in a different way. With my hectic schedule at work, and the fact that I moved back to my hometown, which was far from the city where I grew up in, I couldn't keep in touch with my best friends from high school and college. Facebook is the only thing keeping us updated with each other's lives. It's a sad reality. Listening to this song made me think about them and how they were just one call away whenever I have problems. We might be miles away, but we're still friends. We could still be there for each other, albeit in a much more modern and digital way.
I didn't know that Charlie Puth grew up singing in church. That's probably why his songs all have that "calming" effect - the one you feel when you listen to gospel songs. According to his interview for Billboard magazine, "I have perfect pitch. I'd go to church every Sunday and hear the same songs. When the church organist didn't show up, I played the whole mass from memory, and they all praised me for it, and I realized, 'I know how to play piano, and I can probably write songs.'" Talk about a musical genius!
This mid-tempo pop soul song is definitely LSS worthy for me. I haven't listened to Charlie Puth's "Nine Track Mind" album yet, but I'm looking forward to hearing similar songs - songs that would relax your mind and bring some sort of "healing" for your soul. Charlie Puth is indeed someone who could make music for the mind, heart and soul. I salute him for that.
Credits: songfacts, MTV.com, wikipedia
