Richard Marx used to think Christmas records were for "old people".

The American singer had a string of hits in the late 80s and 90s, including Right Here Waiting, Now and Forever and Endless Summer Nights.

Richard who has written songs for stars such as Keith Urban, N Sync and Luther Vandross - released his festive album The Christmas EP at the beginning of this month.

Richard felt like it was the right time to showcase the holiday record.

"I just didn't want to go there yet," he explained in an interview with USA Today.

"I would go, 'Oh, my God, I can't do a Christmas record. That's for old people.'"

Richard is proud of his Christmas record.

However, he says his wife will not appreciate it as her holiday gift.

"I really gingerly broached it. I said, 'So, there's like really no point ' And she just looked at me and goes, 'Are you kidding? Of course you have to do something new.' I was like, 'Oh, sheesh!'" he laughed.

Richard is also busy writing songs for a new studio album that he hopes to release next year. The Grammy-winning star says the record is going to be different to his past work.

"I don't think it's going to be like anything I've ever done," he said.

"It's not really acoustic because it's going to be fully produced, but there's nothing that sounds poppy to me.