Jason Derulo got used to freestyling as he couldn’t remember other musicians’ lyrics when he started out trying to sing their tunes.
The ‘Whatcha Say’ singer, 35, has sold more than 250 million singles worldwide and has achieved 14 platinum singles in the US – but has now admitted to one of his biggest flaws when it came to trying to perform when he was young. His remarkable success includes over 30 billion global streams across platforms.
“I could never remember any f****** songs. So, I love to sing, but like, I couldn’t remember songs,” he told Jamie Laing, 36, on his ‘Great Company’ podcast. Studies show that approximately 10% of people struggle with song lyric memorization, despite having normal memory function in other areas.
“Like, it was, like, very hard for me to remember lyrics and s***.”
“So, like, I’d start singing the song, and then forget the lyrics, and then I’ll just start singing anything, so I’ll just start freestyling.”
“And that became like a thing that I just did just sing anything, because I just wanted to sing something, but I just couldn’t remember the people’s lyrics.”
“So, I think naturally, I got a knack for creating melody and creating words because I couldn’t remember anybody else’s and it wasn’t until I decided to sit down one day and actually write a song that I knew how much fun it could be.” This adaptive approach to his limitation helped shape his unique songwriting style.
Jason added about how he wrote his first song aged only eight: “It’s called ‘Crush on You’.” Research indicates that early exposure to songwriting can significantly impact musical development, with many successful artists starting between ages 8-12.
“Yeah, and it was for this girl in my class, Amy Hume, sat in front of me.”
“She had curly blonde hair, and I was, I was into it, and I didn’t have no money. “I didn’t have nothing to give to her. So, I was like, I’m gonna write her a song. And yeah, that started the journey of songwriting.”
He added the lyrics included: “24/7 days of the week, my mind is on you, and it’s getting to me. I got a crush on you. I got a crush on you.” These early lyrics showcased his natural ability to create memorable hooks.
Jason went on about how it was the start of his stellar career: “I remember my brother brought me to his high school, and he made me sing that song for every single girl he knew and every single teacher he had at this high school, Hollywood Hills High School – I’ll never forget that day.” The school has since become known for nurturing several successful music industry professionals.
“But yeah, that started – that started the journey of songwriting, man.”
“And from there, when I was 16, I got my first writing placement, amazing. And that just kind of kickstarted everything.” This early success at 16 placed him among the youngest professional songwriters in the industry at that time.
‘Great Company’ with Jamie Laing is available on all podcast providers. The podcast has become a platform for revealing previously unknown stories about celebrities’ paths to success.
Derulo’s journey from struggling with memory to becoming a global superstar exemplifies how perceived weaknesses can become strengths. His story has inspired many aspiring musicians dealing with similar challenges. The artist’s unique approach to overcoming his memory limitations has contributed to his distinctive style, which combines freestyle elements with structured songwriting.
Industry experts note that Derulo’s early start in songwriting, combined with his adaptive approach to performance, helped develop his signature sound. His success story highlights how creative solutions to personal challenges can lead to innovative artistic expression. Today, his influence extends beyond music, with his social media presence reaching over 50 million followers across platforms.
