Narada Michael Walden Part 2: Inside the Studio with Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, and More #83
The “Go With Elmo” podcast, hosted by Elmo Lovano, is a hotspot for deep musical conversations with some of the biggest players behind the scenes. In Episode 83, Elmo sits down for part two of a legendary conversation with Narada Michael Walden—a prolific drummer, super-producer, and an architect of pop and R&B’s most iconic records.
Narada’s career is staggering. He’s produced and worked with a pantheon of music legends including Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, George Michael, James Brown, Diana Ross, Elton John, and Gladys Knight. In this episode, Narada takes listeners inside the sessions that shaped Whitney Houston’s debut and sophomore albums, uncovers his process for iconic smashes like “How Will I Know” and “I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” and offers spiritual and technical wisdom that’s influenced countless artists and producers.
Below, you’ll find a summary of the episode and a breakdown of its most fascinating stories and takeaways.
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About the Guest: Narada Michael Walden
Narada Michael Walden’s journey began as a virtuoso drummer, performing with fusion giants like Mahavishnu Orchestra, and evolved into an unparalleled producing career. Credited with helping to define the sound of the 1980s, he’s been at the helm of chart-topping records for multiple legends, collecting Grammy Awards and leaving his fingerprint across the industry. Narada’s approach is a blend of technical mastery, soulful presence, lightning-fast execution, and an emphasis on love, spirit, and coaching.
Capturing Magic Fast: The Producer’s Role
Narada opens the episode by revealing his core philosophy: great records are made quickly, fueled by energy and inspiration. He likens the creative spirit in the studio to a fleeting presence—if you take too long, the magic can “walk out of the room.” This ethos shaped classic recordings with Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, and many others. For Narada, a producer’s job is about guiding the session with both love and urgency, knowing when a take has the soul that will last forever.
He credits lessons from Quincy Jones: capture the spirit, move fast, and trust the first few takes. “Those first four tracks are the record,” Narada insists, echoing the belief that repeated takes may dull the emotional impact.
Producing Whitney Houston: Stories Behind the Classics
A central theme of this episode is Narada’s pivotal role in Whitney Houston’s rise. He recounts how Jerry Griffith—the A&R executive who discovered Whitney—pulled Narada into her orbit while he was still producing Aretha Franklin. Initially resistant, Narada was swayed when he learned about Whitney’s lineage and potential. Griffith sent him the hook for “How Will I Know” (there were no verses yet), and Narada wrote new verses and quickly assembled a band—including Randy Jackson on Moog bass—to build out the track.
The process was fast-paced: Narada flew the finished track to New York, confirming Whitney could sing the high notes and putting her in front of the mic. He describes being bowled over by the sheer power of Whitney’s voice, likening her presence to Muhammad Ali’s. Sissy Houston, Whitney’s mother, contributed harmonies—Narada highlights how the blend between Whitney and Sissy’s voices created an unmistakable, powerful sound.
I Wanna Dance With Somebody: Building a New Sound
Narada shares the backstory of producing “I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” which became one of Whitney’s most iconic hits. Clive Davis played Narada a handful of songs, including “I Wanna Dance With Somebody.” Narada’s approach was to “make it black,” by combining dance-floor elements with the pop hook—a fusion of Motown, club, and the freshest technology. Collaborators like Randy Jackson, Corrado Rustici, Walter Afanasieff, and Preston Glass brought unique elements to the table, from nasty Moog bass to European synths.
He even describes bringing in unique percussion touches—like a character named “Magilla Gorilla” who improvised on the record. Whitney’s intuition and vocal prowess were the final ingredients, and Narada recalls how rapidly the sessions progressed: multiple hits were tracked, comped, and finished in just a few hours.
Mariah Carey, The Discovery of a New Star
The episode also dives into Narada’s first impressions of Mariah Carey, before she was a household name. Tommy Mottola, then-president of Sony, sent Narada a modest cassette and a tiny photograph. Upon meeting Mariah, Narada noted her shyness and sensitivity, quickly realizing the immense talent beneath. Together, they crafted songs like “I Don’t Wanna Cry,” with Mariah’s vocal range earning special admiration. Narada underscores the rare fifth-octave range, which only Mariah, Shanice Wilson, and Lisa Fisher—among those he’s worked with—have mastered.
Assembling a Legendary Team
Narada’s ability to surround himself with talented collaborators is a thread throughout the episode. He broke down how he found and kept gifted musicians and engineers in his team for decades—Randy Jackson’s studio savvy, Corrado Rustici’s European flavor, Walter Afanasieff’s programming genius, and Dave Frazier’s technical prowess. Each member brought a unique perspective, technical skill, and creative spark, allowing Narada’s productions to remain competitive and cutting-edge during the machine-driven ‘80s era.
Spirituality, Legacy, and Inspiration
Beyond technical talk, Narada’s spirituality and gratitude are woven throughout the conversation. He emphasizes recording as an act that will “live forever,” and that even legends need coaching and love to do their best work. He shares stories of lighting candles in the studio, starting sessions with prayer, and always seeking to uplift artists—relaxing them so they can deliver eternal performances.
Narada is candid about coping with loss—reflecting on the lives and impacts of friends like Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Prince, and others who’ve passed. “Their work here is done,” he says, choosing to focus on the lasting genius they left behind and the value of “putting that stank on it” while we’re still here.
Quickfire Round: Working With Vocal Olympians
Elmo throws a quickfire round, giving Narada words to describe the vocal greats he’s worked with:
- Aretha Franklin: “Genius”
- Whitney Houston: “Fire”
- George Michael: “Perfectionist, soul”
- James Brown: “The pioneer, inventor”
- Mariah Carey: “Fifth octave range, perfectionist”
- Diana Ross: “The Supreme”
- Elton John: “Composer, singer extraordinaire”
- Gladys Knight: “The genius of all geniuses”
Each one, a testament to Narada’s rare perspective on the making of timeless music.
Continuing the Legacy
The episode closes with Narada discussing his ongoing work with new artists and his openness to future collaborations. He expresses pride for his recent music and reiterates his mission: to inspire, uplift, and keep love and music at the center of everything he does.
Final Thoughts
This episode of “Go With Elmo” is a masterclass for any aspiring musician or producer. From candid stories about fast-paced sessions to insights on spiritual and emotional connection in music, Narada Michael Walden shows why he’s one of the most important figures in modern pop and R&B. If you’re a fan of Whitney, Mariah, or just passionate storytelling about legendary records, this episode is a must-listen.
Be sure to tune in—and remember the producer’s mantra: channel the magic, move fast, and always lead with love.
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