The first song on the album is Mars’ most popular track on the Doo-Wops and Hooligans. This song digs into the aspects of overcommitment. In this song, Mars meets a girl and they start going out. Right from the start, he can tell that she is going to be trouble.
Should’ve known you was trouble from the first kissHad your eyes wide open, why were they open?
These lyrics make it seem like she is going to be in trouble because most of the time when someone kisses, you close your eyes, but she didn’t in this particular moment. Mars gives all of his love and doesn’t get it reciprocated. The chorus comes, and this is where Mars’ true potential comes out.
I’d catch a grenade for ya (yeah, yeah, yeah)Throw my hand on a blade for ya (yeah, yeah, yeah)I’d jump in front of a train for ya (yeah, yeah, yeah)You know I’d do anything for ya (yeah, yeah, yeah)
The chorus shows that he would do anything in the world for this girl, even if it means possibly dying for her. In verse two, Mars is still with the same girl, still thinking that she is trouble. He’s saying the lyrics “Madwoman, bad woman, that’s just what you are” to show that she is just a bad person. The bridge comes after the chorus, and we see what seems like a heated argument between the two
If my body was on fireOoh, you’d watch me burn down in flamesYou said you loved me, you’re a liar‘Cause you never, ever, ever did, baby
These lyrics might be the best 15 seconds of the album. When you listen to this, you can hear how much empathy and passion he has at this part.
The second track of this song is the second most popular song on the album. This song consists of Mars finding a girl who thinks that she’s perfect. The first verse reveals that he is with a girl and offers her compliments, making her appear perfect.
Oh, her eyes, her eyesMake the stars look like they’re not shiningHer hair, her hairFalls perfectly without her trying
The main chorus comes on next. Mars tells the girl that she is perfect, no matter what she does,
When I see your face
There’s not a thing that I would change
‘Cause you’re amazing
Just the way you are
And when you smile
The whole world stops and stares for a while
‘Cause girl, you’re amazing
Just the way you are
Yeah
This chorus might truly be one of Mars’ best works of all time. The way he emphasizes the smallest things into something bigger, like her smile, makes the whole world stop. He continues the song with verse two, complimenting her about her lips and her laugh. It cycles back to the main chorus a couple of more times to conclude the song, showcasing this true masterpiece.
The third track is one of the least popular songs on the album, getting just under 84 million listens on Spotify. Just because the song is not popular does not mean that it’s not a good listen. This song starts like any other Mars song, with a nice, slow, upbeat song. This song focuses on a sexual situation for the first time. We can see this when Mars says these lyrics:
Clothes are not required
For what we got planned
These lyrics show us that they might get intimate, and from the title of the song, this could be their first time.
The fourth song of the track, and my personal favorite song, is such a banger. This song focuses on another moment between Mars and a girl. The girl wants to build a relationship, but Mars just wants to have a one-night stand. He tries to warn her that if she keeps getting attached, she will be disappointed. The pre-chorus comes, and it shows exactly what I just explained.
“I love you so” (Hey), that’s what you’ll say (that’s what you’ll say)You’ll tell me, “Baby, baby, please don’t go away” (Don’t go away)But when I play (but when I play), I never stay (I never stay)So every girl that I meet, yeah, this is what I say
The song is named “Runaway Baby” because he wants everyone to run away after he’s done with them, because he is not looking for anything serious.
No, I just wanna work you, baby, yup, yupSee, I ain’t tryna hurt you, baby, no, no
The bridge comes, showing us one more time that he just wants to work them and have sex, and not have too many feeling for each other, getting to the point where they fall for each other.
The fifth song is one of the most underappreciated songs in the entire album. This song uses a very simple beat, with a catchy whistle. This song is about Mars not wanting to do anything the whole day. There are parts in the song where he just wants to lie around and watch TV. I think he implemented this song after Runaway Baby and Our First Time to show that he is tired of running around. This song is perfect when you’ve just had a long day, like a sporting event or a long day at work.
The sixth song of the track is Marry You, having one of the best beats in the entire album. This song starts with a nice drum, leading into vocals. This song starts with the main chorus, which isn’t that common when it comes to singers, but this song is the perfect example of being unique. This song focuses on Mars wanting to marry someone. After all of the girls whom he didn’t want to have a real relationship with, he is ready to start a new life.
Is it the look in your eyes, or is it this dancing juice?Who cares, baby? I think I wanna marry you
The rest of the song goes on to talk about how they’re going to get married and how they’re going to live life together after this. This song is perfect for when you think you have found your forever soulmate.
The seventh song of the album is one of the slower songs. This song starts with a lightly sounding piano. The very first verse of the song suggests that the girl he wanted to marry is no longer with him.
I know you’re somewhere out there, somewhere far awayI want you back, I want you backMy neighbors think I’m crazy, but they don’t understandYou’re all I had, you’re all I had
These lyrics really makes us think that he was going to give the world to this girl, just for it not working. This song is perfect for when you are feeling lonely or sad because of something. This song is a real mood setter, depending on what mood you want to be in.
The eighth song is the track is one of the most underrated songs of the whole 2000s, in my opinion, Liquor Store Blues. This song is also not very popular compared to the rest in the album, but that doesn’t mean a less popular song is worse than a top hit. This song is also the first one of the album to feature someone else, Damian Marley. Marley has also created some solo hits of his one, with one being what most will recognize, Welcome to Jamrock. The main chorus in this song is the best in the entire album, in my opinion.
I’ll take one shot for my pain
One drag for my sorrow
Get messed up today
I’ll be okay tomorrow
One shot for my pain
One drag for my sorrow
Get messed up today
I’ll be okay tomorrow
After the main chorus plays a couple of times, we hear Marley come in with his vocals. They sound so unique to everybody else; you know it’s him when he sings. Some instruments come in after this, like a guitar and drums, before the main chorus comes one last time to show how good it is.
The ninth song of the album is Count on Me, featuring a story about someone you can always count on, no matter the moment. This song has been featured in the movie Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul. This song is perfect for when you see someone you haven’t seen in a while, like a grandparent or a friend who moved out of state. This song can bring people together. If you have never listened to this song before, I would 100% recommend. The light strum of the guitar mixed in with Mar’s voice is truly a one-of-a-kind masterpiece.
The final song of the album is the last masterpiece of the album. This song also features someone, including CeeLo Green and B.o.B. They have both produced many hit songs in their lifetimes; Green has made hit songs like Crazy and Kung Fu Fighting, while B.o.B has made songs like Nothin’ On You, with Mars and Airplanes, featuring Hayley Williams. This song has a great blend of different vocals, from Mars with the higher, alto parts, Green with the tenor parts, and B.o.B with the bass/baritone parts. This album in my opinion, is one of the best. It mixes some slower songs with some upbeat ones, some happy ones with the sad ones, and it has a catchy album name like no one has ever seen.
