was talking like, billy taylor was talking to me, that... that's mind blowing. >> reporter: the 22-year-old had just released his breakout album, the "when harry met sally" soundtrack. >> it had to be you... >> this is coming from a guy who harry met sally," used to go into the record store and ask the person, "hey, you... you have the new harry connick, jr. cd," hoping that they would say, "wait a minute," which they never did. >> reporter: since then, he's been writing songs and lyrics to fill more than 30 albums. but his new album is a bit off- tempo... for the singer who is usually 100% in charge. on "that would be me," connick collaborated with two outside producers, letting them call the musical shots. what was it like? >> it was amazing. i mean, i knew it was going to be uncomfortable and it was going to be intimidating. it was going to be frightening and humiliating and all of those things. >> reporter: humiliating? >> oh, yeah. sure, because i... you know, i'm sitting there and somebody else is telling the musicians what to play. >>