Maps of Music

My Own Best Enemy (2004)

Where the lyrics of My Own Best Enemy take you, and where it was really made.

Sales stayed modest: as of January 2018 the album had sold 56,958 copies in America, yet it marked Richard Marx's return to the microphone.

Key places

Recorded at Capitol Studio B (2004)

Recording site Capitol Studios — Capitol Studio B in Los Angeles is listed among the recording studios for this album. The point uses the building's coordinates. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Recorded at Blackbird, Nashville (2004)

Recording site Nashville — Blackbird in Nashville is listed among the recording studios for this album. Only the city center coordinate is available, so the exact building is not marked. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Recorded at Westlake Studios (2004)

Recording site Westlake Recording Studios — Westlake Studios in Los Angeles is listed among the recording studios for this album. The point uses the building's coordinates. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Album story

Overview

• My Own Best Enemy: seventh studio album by Richard Marx
• Soft rock singer-songwriter Richard Marx
• Released in 2004
• Twelve tracks, including the singles "When You're Gone" and "Ready to Fly"
• Produced by David Cole and Richard Marx

Background

• Marx had spent the early 2000s as a successful songwriter and producer
• His last album in 2000 had a comparatively weak commercial reception
• The album marked a return to the microphone for Marx
• Return to Manhattan Records, the label that released his 1987 debut album

Recording

• Recorded and mixed by David Cole
• Additional engineering by Matt Prock
• Recording credits list Capitol Studio B, Blackbird (Nashville) and Westlake Studios
• Keith Urban played guitars and backing vocals on the second track, "When You're Gone"
• Arif Mardin wrote the string arrangements for the fifth track, "Ready To Fly"
• Strings performed by The Amazing Nashville String Players

Cover

• Cover photo by Paul Elledge
• Other photos by Clay Patrick McBride
• Art direction and design by Beth Middleworth

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · it.wikipedia.org

Tracklist

Sources: musicbrainz.org

Artist

Early life

• Born September 16, 1963 in Chicago, Illinois; American singer-songwriter.
• Only child of former singer Ruth and jazz musician Dick Marx, founder of a jingle company.
• Began his career at age five singing commercial jingles written by his father's company.
• At 17, a tape of his songs reached Lionel Richie, who encouraged him to move to Los Angeles.

Career

• Scored number one hits as a songwriter with "What About Me?" (1984) and "Crazy" (1985).
• Debut album (1987) went triple platinum; "Don't Mean Nothing" reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.
• Repeat Offender (1989) rose to No. 1 on the Billboard album chart and sold over 5 million copies in the US.
• "Right Here Waiting" reached No. 1 in several European countries and gave him his first UK top ten.
• Won a Grammy for Song of the Year for "Dance with My Father" co-written with Luther Vandross (2004).
• Has sold over 30 million albums worldwide and holds 14 Billboard number one singles as performer and songwriter.

Recent activity

• Released Songwriter (2022) and After Hours (2026).
• Became a coach on The Voice Australia in 2025.

Reception

At release

• Billboard album chart: No. 126 in 2004
• Two singles, "When You're Gone" and "Ready to Fly", both reached the Hot Adult Top 40 chart
• "Ready to Fly" reached No. 22 on the adult contemporary chart
• The previous album in 2000 had a comparatively weak commercial reception
• The album marked Marx's return to Manhattan Records, the label behind his 1987 debut

Records

• Billboard album chart peak: No. 126 (2004)
• Hot Adult Top 40: both singles reached the chart
• Adult contemporary chart: "Ready to Fly" peaked at No. 22
• US sales: 56,958 copies as of January 2018, per Nielsen SoundScan

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Trivia

• Keith Urban played guitars on the second track, "When You're Gone"
• The track "Suspicion" is credited to Marx and Waybill
• "Ready To Fly" also reached No. 22 on the adult contemporary chart
• Jessica Andrews sang backing vocals on the fourth track, "Loves Goes On"

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · it.wikipedia.org

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