How Bruno Mars accidentally channeled the Police to create a global pop smash hit
In short: Bruno Mars aimed for creative freedom on his 2012 album, Unorthodox Jukebox. During a spontaneous studio jam session, he stumbled upon a guitar riff that felt special. Despite critics immediately hearing the influence of the Police, Mars insists the sound emerged organically, resulting in a chart-topping anthem of unbridled passion.
The creation of Locked Out of Heaven began in a greenroom, where Bruno Mars and his songwriting partners, Philip Lawrence and Ari Levine, began jamming. Seeking to move beyond the sound of his debut album, Mars wanted to record whatever he felt, leading to a process that was both collaborative and grueling. The production team, known as the Smeezingtons, worked alongside Mark Ronson, Jeff Bhasker, and Emile Haynie to refine the track. Initially conceived as a cha-cha-style duet, the song evolved through long hours of experimentation with drums and bass to achieve a crisp, syncopated groove.
Musically, the track is a blend of reggae rock and pop rock, heavily influenced by new wave and funk. While many critics noted its striking resemblance to the work of the Police—specifically comparing Mars's vocal delivery to Sting—Mars maintained that he did not set out to mimic any specific artist. He explained that he simply picked up a guitar and began humming a melody, finding himself in what he called Sting-ville. The song's composition relies on a driving rhythm, a soaring chorus, and lyrics exploring the euphoria of a new, intense relationship.
The song's success was immediate and sustained. Debuting at number 34 on the Billboard Hot 100, it climbed to the top spot by December 2012, where it remained for six consecutive weeks. It became the first song to simultaneously lead the Hot 100, Radio Songs, Digital Songs, and On-Demand Songs charts. Its cultural footprint was further cemented by a retro-styled music video directed by Cameron Duddy and Mars, which utilized vintage VHS aesthetics to capture a sense of raw, live energy. Beyond the charts, the song became a staple of Mars's live performances, including his 2014 Super Bowl XLVIII halftime show, and has been covered by artists ranging from Bastille to Leona Lewis.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Locked Out of Heaven
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