Richard Marx

Today, Richard Marx might be best known for his Twitter wit and comebacks. He has been recognized and featured on several prominent podcasts over the last few years, but not to sound too hipster – I was there and listening to Richard Marx during his initial climb to fame.

The Backstory of Richard Marx and Me

Ugly Chairs in the Living Room

Much like many of my early 90s favorites, immune memories trace back to my father and his musical preferences. Richard Marx was one of his absolute favorites. Unfortunately, I have no idea what struck his fancy with Richard Marx. His genre of choice was mostly classic rock, but soft rock started to creep up in his playlist.

Afternoons on the weekend and evenings during the weekday, my father would sit in our ‘middle room’ and just listen to his CD player. Sometimes he would have some headphones on, but most of the time he would let the music play throughout the house. This happened at both homes I

Richard Marx CDs were played weekly. I have some of the most vivid memories of walking into the room and seeing my dad just listening – sitting in a flower print recliner. Yes, we had acquired some of the gaudiest looking chairs I have ever seen.

We didn’t have a ton of money so a new chair was a new chair. I can only imagine if the price was right, the chair was right. We never had matching furniture. This particular chair I remember was mostly white, with pink and red roses and flowers scattered across the fabric. We would have a crocheted blanket draped across the top.

Ugly Flower Chair from Sears — This looks pretty darn close to the ugly chair I remember.

This was one of many chairs my father would rock back and forth while listening to Richard Marx. I could only imagine the play count per chair.

Richard Marx Now vs. Richard Marx Rank In 2007

I actually remember this choice being semi-controversial in my mind in 2007. As I went through the folders of artists, I kept coming back to Marx and asking myself where he should rank. I’ve heard all of his songs throughout my childhood. Besides Weird Al, Marx might actually have the most songs that I subconsciously knew and could sing. Could a 20-something make in 2007 admit he loved a ballad singer?

Well, obviously I could. I knew that Marx was known for his ballads, but had plenty of uptempo hits. Since 07, he released several new albums and this would have to be factored in.

I was generally shocked to see Richard Marx jump ranks over some of my personal favorites. His recent albums didn’t catapult his rank, but his true hits were under-appreciated in the past.

Check out where they rank on my current list.

Richard Marx Metrics

By The Numbers

Qualified Songs: 130
Greatest Hits: 9
Four Star: 47
Three Star: 71
Two Star: 2
One Star: 0

Score

430.77%

Richard Marx had some big hits on his early albums. They were hits in the public’s eyes and more importantly hits in my eyes. He managed to produce listenable songs thereafter. He avoided putting bad songs on his albums and always avoided my dreaded “noise tracks”.

A Deep Dive Into the Current Score

Marx can truthfully put together a greatest hits album with his 5-star songs. He could put out 5 albums with songs I think are worth listening to. Better yet, you could play most of his music and I wouldn’t have to get up and skip tracks (my basis for 2-star songs). He might not be The Beatles, but his hits helped propel him over some big names in the Hall of Fame.

Richard Marx Podcasts for Reference

Listen on Apple Podcasts

Published 08/13/2019

Inside of You with Michael Rosenbaum

Richard Marx sits down and talks with a friend. Michael is an actor that does a pretty darn good job navigating an organic conversation with Richard Marx. Richard tells a few great stories about Lionel Richie and how his career kickstarted. Richard also takes out the guitar and plays a few songs – that sounds fantastic for being done on the whim.

Listen on Apple Podcasts

Published 07/16/2012