Making his own ‘24k Magic’
Bruno Mars has an uncanny appeal, one that he’s cleverly crafted
Even before Bruno Mars tickets went on sale almost a year ago, my mother was calling dibs as my date to his Tuesday show at the Toyota Center. “Joey!!!” she wrote on Facebook. The trio of exclamation points implies that: A) She’s very, very serious, or B) I say yes to whatever she might be asking. Maybe both. She previously accompanied me to see Mars in 2013 at RodeoHouston and at Toyota Center. And I think she’s still miffed she couldn’t accompany me to his club-size gig earlier this year during Super Bowl week. Even though she’s called dibs, Mom has some competition for this show, mostly from my 6-year-old son, who sings along to Mars tracks, like “Treasure” and “Uptown Funk” and “That’s What I Like,” in the car. He’s recently realized that papa often gets to hear his favorite singers in person and that I often have an extra ticket. And, of course, there are friends asking for that spare seat. So many friends in their 20s, 30s and 40s who have casually asked who’s accompanying me to the show. This happens to me throughout the year for various concerts, but with Mars, the requests are coming from all directions. And, really, this points to the widespread appeal of Mars, a rare artist in today’s fragmented music world who has fans across the demographics — from young children to hipster cools to grandmas asking for tickets from their sons.
It’s a curious appeal in contemporary times consigned to the niche, so let’s break down just what makes Mars so lovable:
He’s an old-school entertainer
Take a look at the other guys currently racking up hits on the Billboard Hot 100: Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith, various One Direction members.
Each has appeal in his own right, to be sure. But none have mastered the multifaceted magic of Mars. He’s a rarity in contemporary music — a true all-around entertainer in the vein of James Brown or Michael Jackson. It helped him earn a leading eight nominations for the upcoming American Music Awards.
Mars can soar on a ballad, twist and turn through a dance track and move like nobody’s business. He plays big every single time he’s onstage, inviting the crowd into his party and stepping alongside his band.
“This is what we came to do. We came to get you all movin’. We came to get you all shakin’. We came to get you all dancin’,” Mars told RodeoHouston in 2013. “Put those camera phones down and move.”
And people do.
He appeals to pretty much everyone
Mars is polished enough for mainstream crowds, yet quirky enough for hipsters. And he plays the alluring juxtaposition of being nice, but a little naughty, too.
Musically, his songs have huge pop hooks but also incorporate R&B and hip-hop elements. In fact, every single from his most recent record “24K Magic” has earned heavy play on Top 40 and R&B radio stations. Mars’ charisma and youth give the album urgency. But it’s mostly a smooth, soulful party record that draws from the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s all at once on tracks like “Chunky” and “Perm.” In other words, he pulls influences from across generations.
His songs are on repeat
Think back on your week. Yes, Mars’ recent single “That’s What I Like” is still on an endless loop. But how many times do you still hear “Locked Out of Heaven” or “Treasure” or “Uptown Funk”? The answer is a lot. A whole lot. Mars’ catalog is everywhere, from weddings and grocery stores to sporting events and pre-concert warmups.
He makes the kind of songs that are easy to remember and impossible to shake. It’s pop music at its most powerful. And it’s why he’s a natural choice for stadium-size events like RodeoHouston and the Super Bowl halftime show.
He’s an inspiration for aspiring superstars
If Beyoncé is the blueprint for future women in pop, Mars is the go-to for guys. So many of his songs, from “Just the Way You Are” to “When I Was Your Man,” are staples on TV singing shows.
A quick Google search brought his name up countless times alongside “The Voice,” “American Idol” and “The X Factor.” In fact, Mars would have been a much better choice, rather than Katy Perry or Luke Bryan, for the rebooted “Idol” judges panel.
But who has time for TV when you’re laying down a pop legacy?
Staying power?
Pop music has a history of burning out high-flying stars, then replacing them with younger stars still burning with that youthful glow.
So is Mars destined for the used album rack or is his star going to continue burning toward supernova status? Well, his first single was released nine years ago, and his wattage has only increased since then.
Part of the reason he’s been able to sustain at such a high level for so long is that, like Beyoncé, his career has mostly been about the music. And when he’s done with an album cycle, he basically goes into hibernation. It saves him from overexposure and leaves fans wanting more.
So the next time he’s ready to pounce, expect it to be even bigger and better.