Bruno Mars is one of the most famous American singers from the past decade and has several hit songs. Mars began his career in 2004, but was not signed to a major label until 2009. During this time, Mars wrote songs for several artists and was featured on a few chart topping songs before releasing his first solo single in 2010. Since then, Mars has sold over 200 million singles and 26 million albums worldwide, making Bruno Mars one of the best-selling artists of all time. Additionally, Bruno Mars has released seven number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100 since his career launched in 2010, attaining his first five faster than any male artist since Elvis Presley.
10. “It Will Rain”
Year Released: September 27, 2011
Album: The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Writer(s): Bruno Mars, Philip Lawrence, and Ari Levine
Producer(s): The Smeezingtons
Label: Chop Shop, Elektra, and Atlantic Records
photo source: Wikipedia
“It Will Rain” is the lead single from the soundtrack for the movie The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 and was exclusively released on iTunes on September 27, 2011. Bruno Mars and his team The Smeezingtons had partially worked on the song during Mars’ Doo-Wops & Hooligans Tour. Mars finished “It Will Rain” after watching an early version of Breaking Dawn – Part 1, which inspired him.
“It Will Rain” was commercially successful No. 3 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and No. 5 on the Canadian Hot 100. Over 5 million copies of “It Will Rain” have been sold in the U.S. and it was certified five times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
Did You Know?
Bruno Mars was handpicked by Alexandra Patsavas, music supervisor for the Twilight films and “It Will Rain” was featured in the important wedding scene in The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1.
9. “Mirror”
Year Released: September 13, 2011
Album: The Carter IV Deluxe Edition (from Lil Wayne)
Writer(s): Dwayne Carter, Jr. (Lil Wayne), Peter Hernandez (Bruno Mars), Philip Lawrence, and Ramon Owen
Producer(s): REO (Ramon Owen) of the Soundkillers and The Smeezingtons
Label: Young Money, Cash Money, and Universal Republic
photo source: Wikipedia
“Mirror” was the second bonus track featured on the deluxe edition of Lil Wayne’s The Carter IV album. Bruno Mars helped write “Mirror” and also recorded vocals for the song’s hook. The track was recorded three years before it was finally released on September 13, 2011. “Mirror,” with Mars’ hook already recorded, was shown to several rappers who rejected it before Lil Wayne said that he liked the song and had his verses added.
Did You Know?
Since “Mirror” had been worked on years before, the song was leaked to internet on August 25, 2011, a few weeks before the song’s official release.
8. “Marry You”
Year Released: August 22, 2011
Album: Doo-Wops & Hooligans
Writer(s): Bruno Mars, Philip Lawrence, and Ari Levine
Producer(s): The Smeezingtons
Label: Elektra and Warner Music
photo source: Wikipedia
“Marry You” is another single from Bruno Mars’ debut album Doo-Wops & Hooligans, but the song was only released as a single outside of the United States. Although “Marry You” was not released as a single in the U.S., it did peak at No. 85 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart. In other countries, “Marry You” made it into the top 15 most international charts, reaching No. 10 on the Canadian Hot 100, No. 8 in Australia, the top five in New Zealand, and No.11 in the United Kingdom. Because “Marry You” is about a spontaneous marriage, the song has been widely used as a proposal song and more than 3 million copies of the song have been sold in the U.S.
Did You Know?
Several artists have covered “Marry You,” most notably the cast of the TV series Glee, which outperformed the original song by reaching No. 32 on the Billboard Hot 100.
7. “Lighters”
Year Released: June 14, 2011
Album: Hell: The Sequel (from Bad Meets Evil)
Writer(s): Marshall Mathers (Eminem), Ryan Montgomery, Peter Hernandez (Bruno Mars), Philip Lawrence, Ari Levine, and Roy Battle
Producer(s): Eminem, The Smeezingtons, and Battle Roy
Label: Records and Interscope
photo source: Wikipedia
Following the success of several solo singles, Bruno Mars worked on “Lighters” with Bad Meets Evil, a hip hop duo comprised of Eminem and Royce da 5’9”. “Lighters was part of Bad Meets Evil’s first EP, Hell: The Sequel and released on June 14, 2011. After writing and recording their own verses for the song, Eminem and Royce da 5’9” worked with Mars to add his vocals and make minor adjustments.
“Lighters” was up and down on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart, but eventually peaked at No. 4.
Did You Know?
Since 2012, “Lighters” has sold more than 2.2 million copies, making it a certified double platinum record.
6. “Talking to the Moon”
Year Released: April 12, 2011
Album: It’s Better If You Don’t Understand (EP) and Doo-Wops & Hooligans
Writer(s): Bruno Mars, Philip Lawrence, Ari Levine, Albert Winkler, and Jeff Bhasker
Producer(s): The Smeezingtons and Bhasker Co.
Label: Elektra, Atlantic Records, and Warner Music Brasil
photo source: Flickr via Laura
“Talking to the Moon” was recorded as part of Bruno Mars’ debut extended play (EP), It’s Better If You Don’t Understand, which was released on May 11, 2010. However, “Talking to the Moon” was not released as a single until the next year and the song is also part of Mars’ full album Doo-Wops & Hooligans.
For whatever reason, “Talking to the Moon” was not released as a single in the U.S., but only in Brazil. “Talking to the Moon” appeared on the soundtrack of the Brazilian telenovela Insensato Coração (Irrational Heart), which led to the song’s success in the country.
Did You Know?
“Talking to the Moon” was so popular in Brazil that the song reached No. 1 on two Brazilian charts – Billboard Brasil Hot Pop & Popular and the Brasil Hot 100 Airplay for several weeks.
5. “The Lazy Song”
Year Released: February 15, 2011
Album: Doo-Wops & Hooligans
Writer(s): Bruno Mars, Philip Lawrence, Ari Levine, and K’naan
Producer(s): The Smeezingtons
Label: Elektra and Atlantic Records
photo source: Wikipedia
“The Lazy Song” was the third single released from Bruno Mars’ debut album Doo-Wops & Hooligans. Like his previous singles, “The Lazy Song” did well and spent a total of 27 weeks on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and peaked at No. 4. “The Lazy Song” also peaked at No. 3 on Billboard’s Pop Songs chart and at No. 2 on the Adult Top 40 chart. Within a few months of being released, “The Lazy Song” sold one million copies and since 2012 has sold over 3,262,000 digital copies in the United States.
Did You Know?
“The Lazy Song” became Bruno Mars’ fifth consecutive million-selling single as a solo and featured artist combined in May 2011.
4. “Grenade”
Year Released: September 28, 2010
Album: Doo-Wops & Hooligans
Writer(s): Bruno Mars, Philip Lawrence, Ari Levine, Brody Brown, Claude Kelly, and Andrew Wyatt
Producer(s): The Smeezingtons
Label: Elektra
photo source: Wikipedia
Bruno Mars followed up the success of his first hit single, “Just the Way You Are” with another chart topper, “Grenade.” Mars’ second single from Doo-Wops & Hooligans peaked at No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart as well as the charts of several other countries, including Canada, the UK, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, Ireland, Germany, Denmark, and many others. “Grenade” was also a hit with critics, who said it was one of the best tracks on Doo-Wops & Hooligans.
Did You Know?
Since “Grenade” was developed from a different song by record producer Benny Blanco, it was only rearranged and re-recorded by Bruno Mars and his team two days before Doo-Wops & Hooligans was released.
3. “Just the Way You Are”
Year Released: July 20, 2010
Album: Doo-Wops & Hooligans
Writer(s): Bruno Mars, Philip Lawrence, Ari Levine, Khalil Walton, and Khari Cain
Producer(s): The Smeezingtons and Needlz
Label: Elektra and Atlantic Records
photo source: Wikipedia
After working on and being featured on two hit songs with other artists, Bruno Mars finally released his first solo single, “Just the Way You Are,” on July 20, 2010. “Just the Way You Are” was the first single from Mars’ debut album, Doo-Wops & Hooligans. Although “Just the Way You Are” received mixed reviews from critics, the song went on to be No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom charts. Additionally, “Just the Way You Are” was the best selling digital single of 2011, selling more than 12.5 million copies, making it one of the best-selling singles of all time.
Did You Know?
“Just the Way You Are” is such a popular song that it has been covered by many different artists and even inspired Meghan Trainor’s debut single “All About That Bass.”
2. “Billionaire”
Year Released: March 9, 2010
Album: Lazarus (Travie McCoy)
Writer(s): Travis McCoy, Bruno Mars, Philip Lawrence, and Ari Levine
Producer(s): The Smeezingtons
Label: Fueled by Ramen
photo source: Wikipedia
“Billionaire” was the second song that Bruno Mars heavily collaborated on and also featured his vocals. In fact, Mars is credited with initially coming up with the lyrical concept for “Billionaire.” However, Travis McCoy reworked the song to be more relatable/sensitive because the American recession was in full swing when Mars started developing “Billionaire.”
In the United States, “Billionaire” debuted at number 92 on the Billboard Hot 100 and eventually peaked at No. 4 on the chart.
Did You Know?
The melody of “Billionaire” is based on some of the melodies that Bruno Mars and frequent collaborator Ari Levine of The Smeezingtons hummed during various writing sessions.
1. “Nothin’ On You”
Year Released: December 15, 2009
Album: B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray
Writer(s): Bobby Simmons, Jr.; Bruno Mars; Philip Lawrence; and Ari Levine
Producer(s): The Smeezingtons
Label: Rebel Rock, Grand Hustle, and Atlantic
photo source: Wikipedia
Did You Know?
“Nothin’ On You” went through several changes before the final version was released, including originally having verses by rapper Lupe Fiasco instead of B.o.B. Due to label interference the song was given to B.o.B. over Lupe Fiasco, but an unmixed version of the song with Fiasco’s verses and Mars’ vocals later leaked.
