Joshua Radin

Joshua Radin (born June 14, 1974) is an American singer-songwriter. He has recorded ten studio albums, and his songs have been used in a number of films and TV series. His most successful album, Simple Times, was released in 2008.

Beginnings Joshua Radin was born and raised in Shaker Heights, Ohio, United States, to a Jewish family of Polish, German, Austrian, and Russian background. He studied drawing and painting at Northwestern University, following his college years with stints as an art teacher, screenwriter, and art gallery employee.

Radin turned to music when he moved to New York City, his father bought him a guitar, and he taught himself to play and write music.

In 2004, American actor Zach Braff, a friend of Radin since their days at Northwestern, introduced Radin's first composition, "Winter", to Scrubs show creator Bill Lawrence, who ultimately used several of Radin's songs in various scenes of the television series.

Musical career

According to Radin his musical career started in 2004, and he had learned to play the guitar only two years before that. His first song, "Winter", appeared on his debut album We Were Here.

We Were Here (2006)

Radin has said that much of the album was inspired by a bad break-up. It was released exclusively to iTunes for a month, before attracting attention from major labels. Released on Columbia Records in May 2006, Zach Braff hand-picked one of the tracks to be featured on the soundtrack for The Last Kiss.

Radin played the song "Today" from the album, along with five other songs, for Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi at their August 16, 2008, wedding.

Simple Times (2008) Radin's second album, Simple Times went straight to No. 1 on the iTunes overall chart upon its release. Radin enlisted highly regarded producer Rob Schnapf (Elliott Smith, Beck). The two spent seven weeks recording at L.A.'s legendary Sunset Sound Studio working with a cast of musicians that included guitarist Greg Leisz, bassist Johnny Flaugher, keyboardist Jason Borger, drummer Victor Indrizzo and percussionist Lenny Castro. Among the album's many highlights are "You Got Growin' Up To Do", featuring guest vocalist Patty Griffin, lead single "I'd Rather Be with You" and "Brand New Day". Tracks from the album were featured on TV shows such as Bones, Scrubs, House, Grey's Anatomy, One Tree Hill, Life Unexpected, 90210, Brothers and Sisters, American Idol and Australian hit series Packed to the Rafters among others.

The Rock and The Tide (2010) Radin's third studio album, The Rock and The Tide was released on October 12, 2010, on Mom + Pop Music, his second release with the label. The album reached number five on the iTunes albums chart upon its release. The Rock and The Tide was produced by Martin Terefe (Cat Stevens, Ron Sexmith). A later EP released in 2011 used 6 of the album's tacks recorded in an acoustic session.

Underwater (2012) On September 4, 2012, Radin released his fourth studio album, Underwater. The album was Radin's third release with Mom + Pop Music.

Radin wrote songs with Janet Devlin in the Autumn of 2012 for her debut album.

Wax Wings (2013) Joshua Radin's fifth studio album Wax Wings was released May 7, 2013. Wax Wings, a self-released album, has eleven tracks. Included on the album is the song "Lovely Tonight", which had been previously released on iTunes as a single. The tracks "In Her Eyes" and "Stay" were produced by Matt Noveskey.

Onward and Sideways (2015) Joshua Radin's released a sixth studio album on January 6, 2015. The album consisted of 13 tracks, one of which was a re-release of the Wax Wings track "Beautiful Day" recorded with Sheryl Crow.

The Fall (2017)

Radin released a self-produced album titled The Fall on January 27, 2017, through Cadence Music.

Here, Right Now (2019) Radin's eighth studio album, Here, Right Now, was released on October 4, 2019, through Nettwerk Music Group. It was his first album with Nettwerk. Here, Right Now features a cover of Tom Petty's I Won't Back Down.

The Ghost and The Wall (2021) Joshua Radin's ninth full-length album, The Ghost and The Wall, was released on July 23, 2021. Radin wrote The Ghost and The Wall at his home in Los Angeles in 2020, in isolation during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. The album was produced remotely via email and text messages with Jonathan Wilson, who also played several instruments on the album. The two musicians have never met in person.

ONE DAY, HOME (2025) Radin's tenth studio album, ONE DAY, HOME, was self-released on February 14, 2025.

Personal life Joshua Radin attended Northwestern University, where he met and became friends with Zach Braff.

Radin also wrote the song "In Her Eyes" in celebration of his own sister's wedding.

In addition to his love of music, Radin is an avid traveler.

Philanthropy Radin has been involved with Little Kids Rock, a national nonprofit that provides music education to schools without music programs. Radin visited schools in six cities during his 2011 tour in support of The Rock and the Tide to give guitar lessons on the song "Brand New Day", and brought some of the students on stage at his concerts to perform the song with him. He did so again in 2015 for his song "Beautiful Day".

Radin also supports the North Shore Animal League as a celebrity ambassador, donating 100% of the proceeds from his single, "Here, Right Now", to the New York-based animal rescue organization.

Television and movies Radin's songs have been used on television series such as Designated Survivor, Scrubs, Grey's Anatomy, Brothers and Sisters, American Idol, Cougar Town, One Tree Hill, House, Shameless, among others. Radin also made a cameo appearance in Cougar Towns 4th-season finale. As of September 2010, he had amassed more than 75 film and television placements of his songs.

Discography Studio albums Year Album details Peak position Certifications(sales threshold) US USRock USDigital USHeat USIndie USFolk IRE UK 2006 We Were Here — — — 34 — — — — 2008 Simple Times 34 10 116 — 2 10 48 9 BPI: Silver 2010 The Rock and the Tide 31 9 11 — 5 3 — 59 2012 Underwater 37 11 15 — 3 2 — 60 2013 Wax Wings 73 21 24 — 14 7 — — 2015 Onward and Sideways 49 5 14 — 3 3 — — 2017 The Fall — — — — 17 12 — — 2019 Here, Right Now — — — — — — — —2021 The Ghost and the Wall———————— 2025 ONE DAY HOME — — — — — — — —

Live albums Live from the Village (2016)

EPs First Between 3rd and 4th (2004) Live Session (iTunes Exclusive EP) (2006) Unclear Sky (iTunes Exclusive EP) (2008) Simple Times – Bonus Material (Demos) EP (2009) Songs Under a Streetlight EP (2010) The Rock and the Tide (Acoustic Session) EP (2011) Covers, Vol. 1 EP (2020) though the world will tell me so, vol. 1 (2023) though the world will tell me so, vol. 2 (2023)

Singles Year Single Peak position Album US USDigital AUS CAN IRE UK 2008 "I'd Rather Be with You" 82 39 91 61 47 34 11Simple Times 2010 "Brand New Day" — — — — — — — 2015 "Belong" — — — — — — — Onward and Sideways 2016 "High and Low" — — — — — — — The Fall

Others 2016: "Belong" (with Måns Zelmerlöw)

Compilation appearances His Way, Our Way (Frank Sinatra tribute album)