Bruno Mars, When I Was Your Man

Bruno Mars, the very known American singer-songwriter responsible for songs like Just The Way You Are, Grenade or The Lazy Song.

After the successful first album Doo-Wops & Hooligans in 2010, Unorthodox Jukebox, released in 2012, consolidated his career and talent, besides showing-off a new side of his work and inspiration.

After the tremendously big hit that the reggae funky lead single - Locked Out Of Heaven [read here]-, got, the hopes for the upcoming single were a bit high.
Gladly, Bruno Mars got higher than the expected, When I Was Your Man is the ballad of the record.
At first sight, it got really close to ballads from Elton John or Train but there's something really honest and real in this song.
The minimalism of the duet of Bruno, with his near-desperate-but-extremely-rhythmatic and his piano is, probably, the highlight of the song - showing off that there's no need to complicate what is possible to simplify, calling for his soul roots with strong glimpses of Prince, Michael Jackson and even, Stevie Wonder.
For sure, this single won for being so simple.

About the song, Bruno once said "When we started the record, I was like, "I'm never singing another ballad again", but that came from the gut - it's the most honest, real thing I've ever sang".
It talks about a heartbreak and how much he regrets for letting his girl go and not doing everything he could. It seems to be a letter for himself and especially, a reminder of all the things he should have done at the time.

"My pride, my ego, my needs and my selfish ways

Cause the good strong woman like you to walk out my life

Now I'll never never get to clean up the mess I made

Ooh and it haunts me every time I close my eyes"

Bruno Mars, Locked Out Of Heaven

Bruno Mars is the artistic name of the American singer-songwriter Peter Géne Hernández.

Being surrounded by musicians his entire life, it wasn't a surprise to see him follow his family steps.
After an unsuccessful link with Motown Records, he signed with Atlantic Records in 2009 - where he was able to become recognised not only as a songwriter but also as a singer after singing and co-writing the hit songs Nothin' On You by B.O.B. and Billionaire by Travie McCoy.

His first record Doo-Wops & Hooligans was released in 2010, we wrote a review that can be seen here, was successfully acclaimed by critics and had has main singles songs like Just The Way You Are and Grenade.
He also counts with an EP It's Better If You Don't Understand, in 2010.

Bruno Mars is also responsible for hit songs like It Will Rain, Marry Me or The Lazy Song.

The also Grammy winner has recently released his second very expected studio album on December 11, 2012 under the name Unorthodox Jukebox.

The lead single Locked Out Of Heaven is a very interesting reggae funky and new spirited song by this young man.
Besides the instant resembles with The Police, Michael Jackson and even Dire Straits, I would  really accentuate on The Police's sound which is notorious during the quick up-beated rhythms.
This funky jive, easy-going song about a certain girl and what he feels about her really got into my most favourite singles of this year. The video is really elemantary but serving the purpose of the song - easy to listen, catchy and with a lot of groove, something really vintage like it was recorded on VHS videotapes.

All the energy, all the mystery around Locked Out Of Heaven brings the song to a new level of joyfulness.

"Never had much faith in love or miracles

Never wanna put my heart on the line

But swimming in your world is something spiritual

I'm gonna get every time you spank the night"