HIDDEN GEMS: BRUNO MARS
Tracks You May Have Missed from the Hooligan
In the decade-plus Bruno Mars has been in the public eye, the singer has dominated the charts. From being a feature on B.o.B’s Nothing on You to headlining the Super Bowl, Mars has achieved a meteoric rise in pop culture like few during his time, let alone all-time.
As we discussed with a certain “King of Pop,” the 24 Karat Magic king has a fair share of songs that missed that mainstream feeling his other songs have. Here, we shed light on hidden gems from Bruno Mars.
“Talking to the Moon” – Doo-Wops and Hooligans
Imagine it’s Christmas, 2020. Dreams come true for someone wishing on a star. It may be dreams of love, financial success, or unity. Now imagine all this while this song is playing.
In another lifetime, this three-and-a-half-minute song is the launchpad for a young singer’s career. For Bruno’s first album, it yielded singles such as Grenade, Just the way you are, and Marry You. And while many songs have gone unheralded, Talking to the Moon is a song that could’ve quickly earned more recognition than it got.
“Natalie” – Unorthodox Jukebox
Is anyone still looking for Natalie?
Mars’ 2012 album, Unorthodox Jukebox, served as his breakout album. It took him from a feature to the main attraction.
His hit single Locked out of Heaven was continuously played on radio stations; Young Girls was a melodic masterpiece that followed suit. And Treasure was just that: a treasure.
Many songs are just as good as the household hits.
But Natalie. From the beat drop, you can feel the intensity of the song. The acoustics. The verses. All of it spells a classic for an artist on the rise.
“Perm” – 24K Magic
24 Karat Magic is an album that not only cemented Bruno as a pillar of the billboards but an album that still has value four years later.
Capturing the sounds of ’80s/’90s R & B, Mars took after many prominent artists during an era dominated by New Jack Swing.
New Edition, Boyz II Men, and others delivered nine-track masterpieces. Each song was well-produced, but the tune that stood out without any promotion is Perm.
Mars captured a James Brown soul sound with that 2016 single. The song was used in commercials, as background music for live sports broadcasts, and performed at events like the BET Awards and the Apollo Theater.
This now seasoned vet has many hits under his belt that could rival his competition during the past decade. Mars hasn’t released new music in four years, so the question remains when will his catalog be revisited? (Album in 2021, please?)
Regardless, here’s to much more Mars music!
