Rewind: Desmond Child and David Foster on Writing the Hits, Owning the Catalog, and What Comes After the Charts

Two of the most influential hitmakers of the last half-century sit down with Kyle Meredith for a wide-ranging conversation about what it means to write songs that outlive their moment. Desmond Child talks about finally stepping center stage with his first live release, Desmond Child Live, revisiting decades of world-dominating songs, and how writing his autobiography, Livin On A Prayer: Big Songs Big Life, pushed him to reflect on legacy, mentorship, and the emotional weight songs like “Livin’ on a Prayer” still carry. Alongside him, David Foster digs into his own retrospective project, breaking down the theatrical instincts behind his biggest productions, the famous studio moments with Whitney Houston and Celine Dion, and how he’s shifted his creative focus toward Broadway and long-form storytelling, including the Betty Boop musical. Together, the two songwriters reflect on adapting to changing eras, choosing when to step back from chasing radio, and why the stories behind the songs may ultimately matter as much as the hits themselves.

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