cover of episode Pharrell Thinks He Sounds Like Mickey Mouse

Pharrell Thinks He Sounds Like Mickey Mouse

2024/11/29
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Pharrell Williams选择用乐高制作自传电影,是因为乐高能激发想象力,并能以孩子能理解的方式讲述他的故事。他起初不愿意制作自传电影,因为他对自己的故事是否足够有趣以及自己的表演感到不自信。他患有联觉症,能听到颜色,看到声音,这影响了他的音乐创作。歌曲《Milkshake》的灵感来自于他在巴西旅行时感受到的氛围和景象;歌曲《Happy》的创作过程充满挑战,起初并未被电台接受,直到MV发布后才获得成功,这首歌的成功让他体会到了人们内心的痛苦和挣扎。他与其他艺术家合作时,会尝试去理解艺术家的能量、诉求和声音,从而创作出适合他们的音乐,例如与史努比狗狗合作的《Drop It Like It's Hot》。他曾为普林斯创作了一首歌,但普林斯并没有采用这首歌,原因是版权所有权和宗教主题的问题。他多年来对自己的嗓音感到不自信,认为自己的声音听起来像米老鼠,但他最初创作歌曲《Frontin'》是为了炫耀自己的能力,而不是出于对音乐的热爱。他不喜欢巡演,因为他对酒店住宿和长时间在巴士上感到不适。他质疑自己为何能在如此多有天赋的人中脱颖而出,但他认为自己现在的责任是为他人打开机会之门。他将自己成长的社区比作美国,认为两者都充满了未被开发的潜力。他从制作人泰迪·莱利那里学到了录音室礼仪和一些宝贵的音乐制作经验。歌曲《Blurred Lines》的版权纠纷让他反思了音乐创作中对已有作品的借鉴和版权问题,为了更好地理解音乐理论,他攻读了音乐理论硕士学位,目前正在攻读博士学位。在《寻找你的根》节目中了解到自己祖先在奴隶制下的生活经历,这让他深受触动,对自身身份和历史有了更深刻的认识。

Deep Dive

Key Insights

Why did Pharrell choose to tell his story using Lego animation?

Pharrell's earliest memories of playing with toys were with Lego sets, which he found magical for their ability to spark imagination. He wanted his children to understand his story through a medium they could relate to, making Lego the perfect choice.

Why wasn't Pharrell initially interested in doing a biopic?

Pharrell had high standards for storytelling and didn't think his story would be compelling enough. As a performer, he also felt self-conscious about being the subject of a film.

How does Pharrell describe his synesthesia?

Pharrell explains that synesthesia occurs when nerve endings that should have pruned stay connected, sending ghost images and information to different parts of the brain, resulting in hearing colors or seeing sounds.

What was Pharrell's reaction to the success of the song 'Happy'?

Pharrell was overwhelmed by the personal stories people shared about how 'Happy' helped them through difficult times, revealing the widespread pain that many people experience.

How did Pharrell's collaboration with Snoop Dogg on 'Drop It Like It's Hot' change Snoop's public image?

Snoop Dogg credited Pharrell with allowing the public to see the smile in him, suggesting that the song helped shift his image from a hard West Coast rapper to a more approachable figure.

What did Pharrell learn from working in Teddy Riley's studio?

Pharrell learned studio etiquette and the importance of respecting the creative process of others. He also received hard lessons about not interfering with established artists' work.

How did Pharrell's discovery of his ancestral history impact him?

Pharrell felt a profound connection to his ancestors and a newfound sense of grounding and confidence. He realized the importance of knowing one's lineage for a solid sense of identity.

Shownotes Transcript

The animated film Piece By Piece traces Pharrell Williams' early life as a boy growing up in Virginia Beach and follows his trajectory to a Grammy-winning songwriter, performer and producer. He spoke with Tonya Mosley about his synesthesia, the song Prince rejected, and disliking his own voice. Subscribe) to Fresh Air's weekly newsletter and get highlights from the show, gems from the archive, and staff recommendations.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices)NPR Privacy Policy)