Music

Playlist: Songs you might not know were written by Bruno Mars

Bruno Mars isn’t just the international performing superstar we’ve come to know and love. He’s also a well established songwriter. So we’ve pulled together a selection of tracks he has a credit for, some of which may come as a bit of a surprise.

Brandy – Long Distance
Bruno Mars has turned his hand to many heartfelt ballads. Back in 2008 he co-wrote this tale of separation by American songstress, Brandy.

Brandy - Long Distance *With Lyrics*

K’NAAN ft. Adam Levine – Bang Bang
You can really hear the Bruno Mars funk influence on this co-write. Featuring Maroon 5’s Adam Levine, K’NAAN’s 2008 release Bang Bang is a total earworm.

K'NAAN - Bang Bang ft. Adam Levine

Cobra Starship – Hot Mess
With former punk vocalist Gabe Saporta moving into the world of dance-pop, Bruno Mars was brought in to lend his vibrant skills to the writing team behind Hot Mess.

Cobra Starship: Hot Mess [OFFICIAL VIDEO]

Flo Rida ft. Ke$ha – Right Round
Sampling You Spin Me Round (Like A Record) by Dead Or Alive – featuring the recently departed Pete Burns – Flo Rida teamed up with Ke$ha to provide vocals on this team written hit.

Flo Rida - Right Round (feat. Ke$ha) [US Version] (Official Video)

Travie McCoy ft. Bruno Mars – Billionaire
So we may be cheating a little with this one, considering Bruno Mars stars on the track, but there was a time when you couldn’t move without hearing Billionaire. It felt wrong to leave this massive track off the list.

Travie McCoy: Billionaire ft. Bruno Mars [OFFICIAL VIDEO]

Sugababes – Get Sexy
Mars was one of the team behind Sugababes’ 2010 single, Get Sexy. The song appeared on the trio’s swan-song, Sweet 7, and samples Right Said Fred’s notorious I’m Too Sexy.

Sugababes - Round Round

Alicia Keys – Tears Always Win
Taken from her Girl On Fire album, Alicia Keys worked alongside Bruno Mars and others for the soulful Tears Always Win. The song was originally debuted on an episode of American Idol in 2013.

Alicia Keys - Tears Always Win (Official Video)

The Vamps – Can We Dance
The breakthrough single by UK pop band The Vamps might not be the most obvious song for Bruno Mars to be involved in, but he was one of five people in the writing team. That said, once you know this fact, it’s easy to hear his influences during the hook-driven chorus.

The Vamps - Can We Dance (Official Video)

Adele – All I Ask
Bruno Mars isn’t just about the pop bangers. We started with a big balled, so let’s finish with a massive tearjerker; Adele’s All I Ask from last year’s absolutely huge 25. He also performed his own take on the track in the BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge.

Adele - All I Ask (Official Lyric Video) / AdeleVEVO

That’s not all either. Bruno Mars has written a load of tracks, including Jay Z and Kanye West’s Lift Off. Rumour has it that he had originally sang some lines of the track, which were not included in the final version. Although we’re sure that didn’t bother him, considering his massive solo success.

Bruno Mars is currently in the UK as part of the 24K Magic World Tour. Remaining tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster.co.uk.