Marx was born to Dick and Ruth Marx. Marx grew up in a mixed faith household where father was Jewish and his mother was a Christian. His father was a jingle writer for commercials for popular products such as 'Chicken of the Sea', which is where Marx got his start writing at the tender age of five. His father also was talented jazz musician, well-known in the Chicago area.
At the age of 17, Marx created a demo to showcase his talents, which landed in the hands of soul artist Lionel Richie. Richie invited Marx to Hollywood saying, "I can't promise you anything, but you should come to L.A." Marx would eventually appear as a background singer in Richie's songs "You Are" and "Running With The Night" as well as on Richie's follow-up album, which included the smash hit "All Night Long".
*Richard Marx*
Marx's first album, a self-titled work, went multi-platinum, selling nearly 4 million copies. He also earned his first #1 single, "Hold on to the nights", which he told Songfacts.com was inspired by a friend who had the dilemma of having met the love of his life when both the friend and the girl in question were already in relationships. He also had several other top five hits including "Don’t Mean Nothing" (#3), "Should've Known Better" (#3) and "Endless Summer Nights" (#2). He later revealed in an interview on 'VH-1 Classic' that his favorite song that he performed from his first album was "Have Mercy."
*Repeat Offender*
Repeat Offender eventually moved into the #1 spot and gave Marx two more #1 hit singles.
*Rush Street*
Rush Street's "Hazard" (#1), which depicted a man's rejection in a fictional version of Hazard, Nebraska. He released Paid Vacation in 1994, Flesh & Bone in 1997, Days in Avalon in 2000 and My Own Best Enemy in 2004.
Richard Marx also sang with Donna Lewis, best known for her hit "I Love You Always Forever", on the track "At the Beginning" of the Anastasia soundtrack. He has sung background vocals for Madonna in her True Blue album.
He has served as a writer/producer for an extensive list of other recording artists, including Barry Manilow, Barbra Streisand, Keith Urban, 98 Degrees, Kenny Loggins, Emerson Drive, Luther Vandross, Michael Bolton, *NSYNC, Olivia Newton-John, Sarah Brightman, SheDaisy, John Farnham and Vince Gill.
Marx has been married to Cynthia Rhodes, who starred in the 1987 blockbuster Dirty Dancing and is a former lead singer for 80s pop band Animotion, since 1989. The couple has three sons: Brandon, Lucas, and Jesse. Brandon is the eldest followed by Lucas then Jesse.
One of Marx's most recent works is a song titled "Remember When", composed to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Disneyland. Performed by LeAnn Rimes, the song may be heard on the park's official 50th Anniversary album, as well as selected times in the park.
That's My Job
Richard Marx Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I was very young.
I had dreamed my father
Had passed away and gone.
My world revolved around him
I couldnt lay there anymore.
So I made my way down the mirrored hall
And I said "Daddy, I′m so afraid
How will I go on with you gone that way?
Don't wanna cry anymore
So may I stay with you?"
And he said "That′s my job,
That's what I do.
Everything I do is because of you,
To keep you safe with me.
That's my job you see."
Later we barely got along
This teenage boy and he.
Most of the fights it seems
Were over different dreams,
We each held for me.
He wanted knowledge and learning.
I wanted to fly out west.
Said, "I could make it out there
If I just had the fare.
I got half, will you loan me the rest?"
And I said "Daddy, I′m so afraid,
There′s no guarantee in the plans
I've made and if I should fail,
Who will pay my way back home?"
And he said "That′s my job
That's what I do.
Everything I do is because of you
To keep you safe with me.
That′s my job you see."
Every person carves his spot
And fills the hole with light.
And I pray someday I might
Light as bright as he.
Woke up early one bright fall day
To spread the tragic news.
After all my travel, I settled down
Within a mile or two.
I make my living with words and rhyme
And all this tragedy
Should go into my head and out instead
As bits of poetry.
But I say "Daddy, I'm so afraid,
How will I go on with you gone this way?
How can I come up with a song to say
I love you?"
That′s my job, That's what I do
Everything I do is because of you
To keep you safe with me.
That's my job you see.
Everything I do is because of you
To keep you safe with me.
The lyrics of Richard Marx's song "That's My Job" tell a touching story about the deep bond between a father and his child, the sacrifices made to keep them safe, and the impact that relationship has on shaping one's life.
The song begins with the singer waking up from a dream where his father has passed away. As a young child, his world revolved around his father, and he couldn't bear the thought of living without him. Seeking comfort, he goes to his father's room and expresses his fear and vulnerability, asking if he can stay with him. In response, his father reassures him that keeping him safe and protected is his primary responsibility, his job.
As the singer grows into a teenager, he and his father start to have conflicts. They have different dreams and aspirations, with the father valuing knowledge and learning while the singer desires the freedom to pursue his own path, even if it means leaving home. In another conversation, the singer expresses his fear of failure and being unable to come back home, and his father once again reminds him that it is his job to support and guide him, to ensure that he can always find his way back.
The last verse reveals that the singer has become a songwriter, making a living with words and rhyme. He acknowledges that his father's tragic passing should inspire him to write profound poetry, but instead, all he can channel is his deep love and longing for his father. He expresses his fear of not being able to find the right words to convey his love and pays tribute to his father's pivotal role in his life once again.
With heartfelt lyrics, "That's My Job" explores themes of love, protection, and the enduring impact of a father's presence. It emphasizes the selfless sacrifices made by parents to ensure their children's safety and happiness, and the profound influence those relationships have on shaping one's identity and choices in life.
Line by Line Meaning
I woke up crying late at night
During a vulnerable moment, I found myself in tears, overcome with emotion.
When I was very young
During my early years, when I was still naive and inexperienced.
I had dreamed my father
In my dream, I envisioned my father.
Had passed away and gone
In the dream, my father had departed from this world.
My world revolved around him
My entire existence centered around my father.
I couldn't lay there anymore
I couldn't bear to stay in my bed any longer.
So I made my way down the mirrored hall
I walked through the hallway, where mirrors lined the walls.
And tapped upon his door
I gently knocked on my father's door, seeking solace.
And I said 'Daddy, I'm so afraid
I expressed my fear to my father, seeking reassurance and guidance.
How will I go on with you gone that way?
I was uncertain about how I would continue my life without him.
Don't wanna cry anymore
I yearned to stop shedding tears and find comfort.
So may I stay with you?'
I requested to be by his side, seeking his protection and presence.
And he said 'That's my job, That's what I do
My father assured me that it was his responsibility and duty to care for me.
Everything I do is because of you
All his actions were driven by his love and concern for me.
To keep you safe with me
His primary goal was to ensure my safety and well-being.
Later we barely got along
As time passed, our relationship became strained and distant.
This teenage boy and he
Referring to myself as the teenage boy and my father.
Most of the fights it seems
Many of our conflicts appeared to stem from differing aspirations.
Were over different dreams
Our disagreements were often due to our contrasting visions for my future.
We each held for me
Both of us had specific hopes and ambitions for my life.
He wanted knowledge and learning
My father emphasized the importance of education and acquiring wisdom.
I wanted to fly out west
I yearned for adventure and desired to explore the western part of the country.
Said, 'I could make it out there
I believed I could succeed and thrive in that region.
If I just had the fare
If only I had enough money for the journey.
I got half, will you loan me the rest?'
I had already saved half the required amount and asked my father to lend me the remaining funds.
And I said 'Daddy, I'm so afraid
Once again, I expressed my fear and uncertainty to my father.
There's no guarantee in the plans I've made
I acknowledged the unpredictable nature of my chosen path.
And if I should fail, who will pay my way back home?'
I worried about the possibility of failure and the consequences it would bring.
And he said 'That's my job
My father reiterated that it was his responsibility.
Every person carves his spot
Each individual creates their own unique place in the world.
And fills the hole with light
They fill their existence with brightness and positivity.
And I pray someday I might
I hope that one day I can...
Light as bright as he
...embody the same radiance and goodness as my father.
Woke up early one bright fall day
On a pleasant autumn morning, I awoke early.
To spread the tragic news
The purpose of my early awakening was to deliver devastating news.
After all my travel, I settled down
Having traveled extensively, I finally found a place to call home.
Within a mile or two
In close proximity of the previous location.
I make my living with words and rhyme
I earn a living through the use of language and poetry.
And all this tragedy
Despite experiencing numerous hardships.
Should go into my head and out instead
I aim to transform these tragedies into creative expression.
As bits of poetry
Crafting them into fragments of poetic verses.
But I say 'Daddy, I'm so afraid
Once again, in my vulnerability, I confess my fear to my father.
How will I go on with you gone this way?
I struggle to comprehend how to continue living without him.
How can I come up with a song to say
I grapple with the challenge of finding the right words to express my love for him.
I love you?'
Concluding my plea by simply stating my love for him.
That's my job, That's what I do
Reiterating that it is his duty and commitment to care for me.
Everything I do is because of you
All his actions and efforts are motivated by his love for me.
To keep you safe with me
His priority is to ensure my safety and well-being.
That's my job you see
Summing up his role and purpose in my life.
Everything I do is because of you
Reiterating that his actions are driven by his love for me.
To keep you safe with me
Maintaining his commitment to keeping me protected and secure.
Writer(s): Gary Burr
Contributed by David N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Michele Lee Chenard
on Hold on to the Nights
love this song this is for my bf who i love so much