Charlie Puth Joins Switched On Pop at Berklee NYC

Fresh off his Super Bowl performance of the national anthem, Charlie Puth BM ’13 joined Charlie Harding, associate professor and host of Switched On Pop, for a live taping of the podcast at Power Station at Berklee NYC. 

Puth's fourth studio album, Whatever's Clever!, drops on March 27 ahead of his US tour. During the hour-long conversation, he walked through the different arrangements—including Whitney Houston—that inspired his version of the national anthem, and shared some of the ’80s and ’90s influences that show up on the new album. 

The event ended in a Q&A where Puth talked about everything from breaking into the industry to "musical manifestation." Check out the highlights below.

Overcoming Creative Blocks

How do you keep yourself inspired when you feel like you are facing a creative block?

Puth acknowledged that staying inspired is "very hard to do sometimes." His practical advice was to step away from "doom scrolling" on social media. Instead, he recommended a reset through active listening—spending time with high-quality, foundational music (citing John Mayer, Alicia Keys, and the Yellowjackets) to remember why you fell in love with music in the first place.

Authenticity and Breaking Into the Industry

What is the most important piece of advice for a student trying to get their music heard in today’s saturated market?

"Don't pretend to be anybody else," Puth said. He shared his own "failure" story of being signed and dropped at age 19 because he was trying to fit a mold that wasn't his. He emphasized that your "musical thumbprint" is your greatest asset. He also encouraged students to be less precious about their work, suggesting they post unfinished mixes or demos to TikTok to find their audience through transparency rather than perfection.

The Concept of "Musical Manifestation"

You mentioned that you "manifested" the Super Bowl. How does that process actually work for you?

For Puth, manifestation isn't just a thought; it's a creative action. He explained that if he wants something to happen, he "makes a demo of it." He created a specific arrangement of the national anthem long before he was asked to perform it, essentially preparing the art for the opportunity. He noted that this requires immense patience—sometimes years—before the "music manifestation" actually lands.

Balancing Technical Skill with Pop Simplicity

Coming from a rigorous technical background like Berklee, how do you stop yourself from overcomplicating pop songs with too much music theory?

He admitted that while he "failed those theory classes," the knowledge is now "under his fingers." His philosophy is to keep the core message simple: "Just say in one sentence what you're trying to do." He views theory as a tool to add "crunchy" or "gospely" textures (his "Berklee chords") to a simple foundation, rather than using it to prove how much he knows. He cautioned against making music a competition of knowledge.

The Emotional Toll of the Industry

How do you handle the emotional highs and lows of a career that started while you were still a student?

Puth stressed the importance of vulnerability and emotional honesty. He told the students, "It's okay to cry," and explained that being an artist requires a level of emotional openness that can be exhausting. His "manifestation" and "patience" are his ways of navigating the industry's volatility without losing his sense of self.

The full episode of Switched On Pop drops April 7.