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.
Touch of Heaven
Richard Marx Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh, like a raging fire.
I fall blissfully,
Every time you say just one little word.
You know it makes me crazy.
You ask way too much,
Oh, when you say that I can look but do not touch.
I have never wanted any other girl,
I surrender to what I can't control.
Drunk with desire, I've opened up my soul
[Chorus]
You know I would go around the world,
I'd take you anywhere,
Oh, baby anywhere,
For a touch of heaven.
Tell me what you want, I'll give you anything,
Oh, baby everything,
For a touch of heaven
I have dreamed of this,
Your body next to mine.
Drowning in every kiss.
How I've longed to find my one and only girl.
And I found her in you, baby.
All I ever wanted is everything that you are.
Don't leave me longing,
Be tender with my heart.
[Chorus]
Everyone says you've been leading me on.
Too late for warnings, I 'm already gone.
Ooh, I surrender to what I can't control.
Drunk with desire,
I'm giving you my soul.
[Chorus]
Richard Marx's song Touch of Heaven speaks about the singer's intense feelings for a woman. The opening lyrics, "Your eyes burn through me, Oh, like a raging fire. I fall blissfully, Every time you say just one little word," showcases how the woman's gaze affects him deeply, and her slightest utterance fills him with joy. The singer confesses that he has never desired anyone else like he wants her. He also feels completely powerless about his feelings towards her, and he surrenders to what he can't control. He is intoxicated by his passion for her and has opened up his soul.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the intensity of his emotions. The singer is willing to go anywhere and do anything for a touch of heaven, to be close to her, and make her happy. He longs for her tender touch and is willing to give everything for her love. He dreams of experiencing the fullness of a relationship with her, and he doesn't want to be left yearning for more.
In the final verse, the singer acknowledges that others have warned him about the woman's intentions, but it's too late, and he has already fallen for her, even if it means risking his heart and soul. The song highlights the singer's vulnerability and how he is willing to risk it all for love's pleasure.
Line by Line Meaning
Your eyes burn through me,
I'm completely entranced by your gaze.
Oh, like a raging fire.
Your eyes have an intense, fiery quality.
I fall blissfully,
I'm overwhelmed with happiness.
Every time you say just one little word.
Even the smallest attention from you affects me greatly.
You know it makes me crazy.
You know how much your actions affect me.
You ask way too much,
You request things that are difficult for me to handle.
Oh, when you say that I can look but do not touch.
You set boundaries for our relationship that are hard for me to follow.
I have never wanted any other girl,
My feelings for you are unique and unmatched.
The way I want you, baby.
I have an intense desire for you that is incomparable to anything else.
I surrender to what I can't control.
I recognize that my feelings for you are beyond my control.
Drunk with desire, I've opened up my soul
My passion for you has led me to reveal the most vulnerable parts of myself.
You know I would go around the world,
I'd do anything to be with you.
I'd take you anywhere,
I want to share experiences with you no matter where we go.
Oh, baby anywhere,
There's nowhere I wouldn't go with you.
Tell me what you want, I'll give you anything,
I'll do anything to make you happy.
Oh, baby everything,
I'm willing to give you everything I have to offer.
For a touch of heaven.
Just being with you feels like I'm experiencing something divine.
I have dreamed of this,
I've had this moment in my dreams.
Your body next to mine.
Being close to you physically is all I want.
Drowning in every kiss.
Even just kissing you feels so intense and overwhelming.
How I've longed to find my one and only girl.
You're the person I've been searching for my entire life.
And I found her in you, baby.
You're the one I've been searching for.
All I ever wanted is everything that you are.
You're all I've ever wanted in a partner.
Don't leave me longing,
I don't want to feel like I'm missing something.
Be tender with my heart.
Please be gentle and kind with my emotions.
Everyone says you've been leading me on.
People are telling me that you're not being honest with me.
Too late for warnings, I 'm already gone.
I've already moved on and have taken that risk.
Ooh, I surrender to what I can't control.
I know that my attraction to you is beyond my control.
Drunk with desire,
I'm overwhelmed with love and passion.
I'm giving you my soul.
I'm sharing the deepest parts of myself with you.
[Chorus]
The chorus is a repetition of the singer's desire to be with the person they love.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RICHARD MARX
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Michele Lee Chenard
on Hold on to the Nights
love this song this is for my bf who i love so much