Bruno Mars stays on top of Billboard's "Hot 100" with 'Locked Out of Heaven'
Bruno Mars appears in a photo posted on his Facebook page on January 25, 2012. (Andreas Laszlo Konrath)
December 23, 2012 ( NEW YORK CITY) -- Atlantic recording artist Bruno Mars is standing tall atop Billboard's "Hot 100" for the second consecutive week as "Locked Out Of Heaven" continues its reign at No. 1.
The single -- which marks the Grammy Award-winner's fourth chart-topper -- is featured on Mars' just-released sophomore album, "UNORTHODOX JUKEBOX," which has made its SoundScan/Billboard 200 debut at No. 2 with sales in excess of 192,000 -- marking the singer/songwriter/producer/musician's highest first week sales debut.
"UNORTHODOX JUKEBOX" has exploded to the top spot on the British album charts, making history as the United Kingdom's fastest selling solo album of 2012. The album's phenomenal success follows the equivalent popularity of Mars' now classic 2010 debut, "DOO-WOPS & HOOLIGANS," which proved the U.K.'s third best-selling album of 2011 and also entered the charts at No. 1.
"Locked Out Of Heaven" is currently sitting at No. 1 on the European Airplay Chart -- making it the most played song on the European continent. The single is also sitting atop Canada's Hot 100 chart. Stateside, "Heaven" marks Mars' fifth single to hit No. 1 on the BDS Pop Songs chart, tying him with Nelly and Justin Timberlake for the most leaders among solo males. "Heaven" is also the 10th single Mars has written, produced, or performed to hit the top 5 on the overall "Hot 100." In addition, the single is Mars' ninth consecutive top 10 hit on the Billboard "Hot 100 Airplay" chart, sealing his already-established status as the male artist with the longest streak of top 10 hits as a performer since his debut.
Along with its overall chart success, "Locked Out Of Heaven" is an undeniable online sensation, spending multiple days at No. 1 on the iTunes Store's "Top Songs" tally. As if that weren't enough, the "Locked Out Of Heaven" companion video clip is also lighting it up at YouTube, drawing more than 43 million streams thus far at Bruno's official channel, www.youtube.com/brunomars.
This Tuesday saw Mars unveiling the next single from "UNORTHODOX JUKEBOX" with a stunning debut performance of "When I Was Your Man" on the season finale of NBC's smash singing competition series, The Voice (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v-8sYPCAf_1o). The track shot to the top 10 on the iTunes Singles Chart within 48 hours of its release, and did so again following Mars' performance on The Voice. "When I Was Your Man" is currently sitting at No. 8 on the iTunes Singles Chart, and an official companion video is currently in production.
"UNORTHODOX JUKEBOX" has exploded to the top spot on the British album charts, making history as the United Kingdom's fastest selling solo album of 2012. The album's phenomenal success follows the equivalent popularity of Mars' now classic 2010 debut, "DOO-WOPS & HOOLIGANS," which proved the U.K.'s third best-selling album of 2011 and also entered the charts at No. 1.
"Locked Out Of Heaven" is currently sitting at No. 1 on the European Airplay Chart -- making it the most played song on the European continent. The single is also sitting atop Canada's Hot 100 chart. Stateside, "Heaven" marks Mars' fifth single to hit No. 1 on the BDS Pop Songs chart, tying him with Nelly and Justin Timberlake for the most leaders among solo males. "Heaven" is also the 10th single Mars has written, produced, or performed to hit the top 5 on the overall "Hot 100." In addition, the single is Mars' ninth consecutive top 10 hit on the Billboard "Hot 100 Airplay" chart, sealing his already-established status as the male artist with the longest streak of top 10 hits as a performer since his debut.
Along with its overall chart success, "Locked Out Of Heaven" is an undeniable online sensation, spending multiple days at No. 1 on the iTunes Store's "Top Songs" tally. As if that weren't enough, the "Locked Out Of Heaven" companion video clip is also lighting it up at YouTube, drawing more than 43 million streams thus far at Bruno's official channel, www.youtube.com/brunomars.
This Tuesday saw Mars unveiling the next single from "UNORTHODOX JUKEBOX" with a stunning debut performance of "When I Was Your Man" on the season finale of NBC's smash singing competition series, The Voice (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v-8sYPCAf_1o). The track shot to the top 10 on the iTunes Singles Chart within 48 hours of its release, and did so again following Mars' performance on The Voice. "When I Was Your Man" is currently sitting at No. 8 on the iTunes Singles Chart, and an official companion video is currently in production.
Mars' performance on The Voice follows a string of high profile appearances heralding "UNORTHODOX JUKEBOX," including visits to NBC's TODAY, Fox's The X-Factor, CBS' Sunday Morning and their annual The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, and the nationally syndicated The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Additionally, Mars' critically acclaimed turn as host and musical guest on NBC's Saturday Night Live -- the episode that marked this season's highest ratings -- will be rebroadcast on Saturday, December 22nd.
As its title suggests, "UNORTHODOX JUKEBOX" once again sees Mars melding a multitude of musical approaches to create his own distinctive sound. Executive produced by The Smeezingtons, the hit-making production team comprised of Mars, Philip Lawrence, and Ari Levine, the collection also features contributions from such top producers as Jeff Bhasker (fun., Kanye West, Jay-Z), Mark Ronson (Amy Winehouse, Lil Wayne, Black Lips) and Diplo (M.I.A, Usher).
"UNORTHODOX JUKEBOX" has quickly earned massive critical acclaim, with Rolling Stone hailing the collection as "a record that makes the competition sound sad and idea-starved by comparison." Entertainment Weekly placed the album atop a recent "Must List," claiming Mars "aims his croon at a range of targets -- reggae, soul, Prince-inspired pop -- and hits the mark every time." Billboard summed it up, declaring that the "boldly ambitious and gloriously irreverent 'UNORTHODOX JUKEBOX' is made for -- and gets better with -- as many repeat plays as you can manage."
Bruno Mars is undoubtedly among contemporary pop's most gifted and compelling artists. And with global sales currently certified at 40x-platinum and over 50 million singles sold worldwide, the 14-time Grammy Award nominee has fully proven himself as a true superstar.
Released in October 2010, "DOO-WOPS & HOOLIGANS" was greeted with both popular success and critical acclaim from all corners of the globe. "The year's finest pop debut," raved Rolling Stone. "Near-flawless...(the album) delivers pleasure without pretension." Fueled by a remarkable string of hit singles, including the multi-platinum ?1 smashes, "Just The Way You Are" and "Grenade," the album instantly confirmed Mars as a major force in modern pop music.
Mars soon racked up a remarkable record of prestigious international awards and nominations, with victories including a "Best Male Pop Vocal Performance" Grammy Award (for "Just The Way You Are"), an American Music Award for "Pop or Rock Music/Favorite Male Artist," a 2012 Brit Award (for "International Male Solo Artist"), two Teen Choice Awards, a 2012 People's Choice Award (for "Favorite Male Artist"), a Soul Train Music Award, two MTV Europe Music Awards, two MTV Music Awards Japan, a BT Digital Music Award, an ECHO Award, and multiple 2011 Billboard Awards including "Top Male Hot 100 Artist of the Year."
As if that weren't enough, Mars received a truly stunning assortment of 2011 and 2012 honors from ASCAP, including the ASCAP Pop Award for "Song of the Year" (for "Just The Way You Are"). In 2011, he was named to the prestigious Time 100, confirming the superstar as one of the most influential people in the world.
As its title suggests, "UNORTHODOX JUKEBOX" once again sees Mars melding a multitude of musical approaches to create his own distinctive sound. Executive produced by The Smeezingtons, the hit-making production team comprised of Mars, Philip Lawrence, and Ari Levine, the collection also features contributions from such top producers as Jeff Bhasker (fun., Kanye West, Jay-Z), Mark Ronson (Amy Winehouse, Lil Wayne, Black Lips) and Diplo (M.I.A, Usher).
"UNORTHODOX JUKEBOX" has quickly earned massive critical acclaim, with Rolling Stone hailing the collection as "a record that makes the competition sound sad and idea-starved by comparison." Entertainment Weekly placed the album atop a recent "Must List," claiming Mars "aims his croon at a range of targets -- reggae, soul, Prince-inspired pop -- and hits the mark every time." Billboard summed it up, declaring that the "boldly ambitious and gloriously irreverent 'UNORTHODOX JUKEBOX' is made for -- and gets better with -- as many repeat plays as you can manage."
Bruno Mars is undoubtedly among contemporary pop's most gifted and compelling artists. And with global sales currently certified at 40x-platinum and over 50 million singles sold worldwide, the 14-time Grammy Award nominee has fully proven himself as a true superstar.
Released in October 2010, "DOO-WOPS & HOOLIGANS" was greeted with both popular success and critical acclaim from all corners of the globe. "The year's finest pop debut," raved Rolling Stone. "Near-flawless...(the album) delivers pleasure without pretension." Fueled by a remarkable string of hit singles, including the multi-platinum ?1 smashes, "Just The Way You Are" and "Grenade," the album instantly confirmed Mars as a major force in modern pop music.
Mars soon racked up a remarkable record of prestigious international awards and nominations, with victories including a "Best Male Pop Vocal Performance" Grammy Award (for "Just The Way You Are"), an American Music Award for "Pop or Rock Music/Favorite Male Artist," a 2012 Brit Award (for "International Male Solo Artist"), two Teen Choice Awards, a 2012 People's Choice Award (for "Favorite Male Artist"), a Soul Train Music Award, two MTV Europe Music Awards, two MTV Music Awards Japan, a BT Digital Music Award, an ECHO Award, and multiple 2011 Billboard Awards including "Top Male Hot 100 Artist of the Year."
As if that weren't enough, Mars received a truly stunning assortment of 2011 and 2012 honors from ASCAP, including the ASCAP Pop Award for "Song of the Year" (for "Just The Way You Are"). In 2011, he was named to the prestigious Time 100, confirming the superstar as one of the most influential people in the world.
Nothing ‘Unorthodox’ Here, but Bruno Mars
Shows His Pop Chops
Shows His Pop Chops
Bruno Mars shows flashes of great pop music artistry on his sophomore album but borrows heavily from the past. (EPA Photo/Andrew Gombert)
At the MTV Video Music Awards ceremony in 2011, Mars performed the song “Valerie” as a tribute to the recently deceased Amy Winehouse, who made the song written by the Zutons one of her biggest hits.
Backed by a big band, Mars gave an impressive rendition in a throwback style to the early rock ’n’ rollers of the 1950s, showing off his talent and popular music savvy.
Listeners are treated to a similarly impressive performance in his second studio album, “Unorthodox Jukebox,” released earlier this month.
A follow-up to the massively successful 2010 debut “Doo-Wops & Hooligans,” the latest offering from Mars is sure to maintain his place in the popular music stratosphere.
Mars has talent and he is looking after it. Apart from penning his own songs, he also writes for others, produces as part of the production team known as the Smeezingtons, and — as the VMA performance showed — is a genuine and natural entertainer, in contrast to the packaged and produced “stars” that emerge from too many TV talent shows.
“Unorthodox Jukebox” shows Mars as an artist with the ability to span genres and produce memorable, if somewhat formulaic, pop songs.
The title of the album appears to be half true and half false. It’s true that Mars has the ability to be something of a one-man “jukebox” with the variety of songs that he can deliver, but “unorthodox” is really a false description.
Listening to the album, you may find yourself thinking, “This is a time warp and I have been transported back to the early 1980s,” or “This sounds a bit like ...” followed by any number of band names.
A clear case in point is the track “Locked Out of Heaven,” which will surely have Sting, Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland thinking that a long-lost Police song had been uncovered and recorded by Mars.
Similarly, the reggae beat and styling of the song “Show Me” would have those who can recall it thinking of the British band Musical Youth — all of this is circa 1982, not 2012.
A sorrowful ballad brings back memories of George Michael, again a recording artist of ’80s vintage. And then Mars takes us further back through the decades — “Treasure” has something of a ’70s Motown feel, while “If I Knew” brings back pop stylings of the ’50s and ’60s.
Mars shows considerable acumen in trawling through the history of late 20th century pop music styles and developments. And is there anything wrong with that? Well, no. The songs sound good, the musicianship is sound and Mars’s vocals are consistently solid. But there’s nothing here that could be called “unorthodox,” as the album title would have us believe.
Perhaps the most unorthodox feature of the album is its lyrical content. Mars uses distinctly adult language in expressing himself. Expletives crop up in unexpected, odd and wholly unnecessary places. Perhaps this alone marks the album as a product of the 2010s.
Another odd feature is the return of Mars’s apparent interest in apes. In “The Lazy Song” video hit from the previous album, Mars is accompanied by dancers wearing chimpanzee masks. The cover of “Jukebox” also features an ape, and one track, “Gorilla” has a lyrical reference to the love life of these primates. All a bit odd — or is that “unorthodox”?
Setting minor quibbles aside, Mars has produced a very commercial, but thoroughly enjoyable, second album that shows his pop sense.
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