With his 2024 Lady Gaga collab “Die With A Smile” this month, I’ve been reminded of Bruno Mars’s “24K Magic” and his undeniable talent as a musician. From his upbeat anthems to his heartbreaking ballads to his new-fangled Frank Sinatra fashion sense, Bruno brought something different to the table. Now that my grandpa Larry’s favorite twenty-first-century artist is back and better than ever with his most beautiful song yet, it’s time to take a look back at his discography. Aside from countless episodes of Love Island and an earth-shattering Super Bowl halftime performance in 2014, his songs have been featured in several legendary film and television masterpieces. Let’s name a few.
“It Will Rain” - Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1
Kristen Stewart
Robert Pattinson
Taylor Lautner
Billy Burke
Peter Facinelli
Michael Sheen
Elizabeth Reaser
Kellan Lutz
Nikki Reed
Jackson Rathbone
Ashley Greene
Anna Kendrick
This emotional powerhouse became the theme song for the most devastating vampire-werewolf series of 2008-2012. This was how we realized that Bella, the lost teenager, and Edward, the controlling 104-year-old vampire, really needed each other. Even Jacob, the jealous werewolf, had to respect that. Their relationship was toxic as Hell, but so was everything in this era, including my parents’ divorce. So, we all came to accept this behavior as normal.
Check out the full The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1 soundtrack here.
“Marry You” - Glee (S2E8)
Lea Michele
Chris Colfer
Matthew Morrison
Jane Lynch
Naya Rivera
Chord Overstreet
Cory Monteith
Becca Tobin
Dot-Marie Jones
Jessalyn Gilsig
Jacob Artist
Melissa Benoist
When the high school quarterback’s mom married the only openly gay kid’s dad in the 2000s, you knew that slushies would be thrown. However, Kurt Hummel (Chris Colfer) and Finn Hudson (Cory Monteith) came together through the glee club. This was revolutionary, and the wedding became Glee Season 2’s biggest celebration. Right after Finn confessed his love for Rachel Barry (Lea Michele)– the theater girl “taking him down into the depths of Loserville”–the crowd burst into song.
Love was officially in the air when Bruno Mars’s hit “Marry You” began to play. For the next ten years, every himbo proposed to their girlfriend with this song, and it was really special. You had to love it.
Check out the full Glee soundtrack here.
“Runaway Baby” - Friends with Benefits
Justin Timberlake
Mila Kunis
Jenna Elfman
Patricia Clarkson
Woody Harrelson
Richard Jenkins
Bryan Greenberg
Andy Samberg
Nolan Gould
Shaun White
Catherine Reitman
Now, this is the kind of trouble we still know and love. Our favorite modern rom-com opens with Bruno’s 2010 billboard smash. Justin Timberlake leads his team at GQ to post a demeaning image of a woman at the top of an article for more views online, as Mila Kunis calls her boyfriend to see her favorite rom-com, Pretty Woman, with her. Clearly, both protagonists are attracted to the unconventional, and they make sense together. While the film is cut to convince us that the man on the phone with Mila is Justin, it’s actually a nerdy, pre-fame Andy Samberg. This song leads us into our characters’ mangled web of romantic confusion and sets the tone for a generation dominated by hookup culture.
Check out the full Friends with Benefits soundtrack here.
“Grenade” - Pitch Perfect 3
Anna Kendrick
Rebel Wilson
Brittany Snow
Hailee Steinfeld
Elizabeth Banks
Anna Camp
Alexis Knapp
Ruby Rose
Ester Dean
Hana Mae Lee
Chrissie Fit
Kelley Jakle
During a trademark riff-off, the opposing acapella team led by Ruby Rose belts this track, and the Barden Bellas must find a countersong to win the battle. However, they’re stumped because their opponents went with Bruno. Sadly, our heroes– Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Anna Camp, Brittany Snow, and others– quit shortly thereafter, but who can blame them for admitting defeat? With Bruno, they can never lose.
Check out the full Pitch Perfect 3 soundtrack here.
“Just the Way You Are” - Shameless (S3E8)
William H. Macy
Jeremy Allen White
Ethan Cutkosky
Shanola Hampton
Steve Howey
Emma Kenney
Cameron Monaghan
Emmy Rossum
Noel Fisher
Christian Isaiah
Justin Chatwin
Emma Greenwell
While Shameless is known for its punk rock soundtrack, the Emmy-nominated show rings truest in its softer moments—but this song doesn’t play during one of those. Here, Bruno’s love song plays in the background when Kevin (Steve Howey) is having sex with his wife Veronica’s mom (Vanessa Bell Calloway) as she (Shanola Hampton) watches, and we don’t need to talk about it. This gritty, dysfunctional family sings to the tune of absurdity and raunchy comedy at the end of every day.
Check out the full Shameless soundtrack here
“Skate” - Hocus Pocus 2
Bette Midler
Sarah Jessica Parker
Kathy Najimy
Whitney Peak
Belissa Escobedo
Lilia Buckingham
Froy Gutierrez
Sam Richardson
Doug Jones
Tony Hale
Hannah Waddingham
Taylor Henderson
In the 2020s, Bruno attempted to make a comeback with his musical duo Silk Sonic alongside Anderson Paak. They were definitely not as sensational as Bruno was in his solo career, but their single “Skate” was featured in the credits of Hocus Pocus 2. This shows that no matter how brilliant you are or how much star power you have, everybody flops. Sorry, Bruno– we love you, anyway.
Check out the full Hocus Pocus 2 soundtrack here.
“Count On Me” - A Turtle’s Tale: Sammy’s Adventure
Yuri Lowenthal
Gemma Arterton
Isabelle Fuhrman
Melanie Griffith
Tim Curry
John Hurt
Robert Sheehan
Kathy Griffin
Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg
Gigi Perreau
Eric Unger
Kierstin Koppel
This heartening melody is the perfect addition to a children’s movie about the power of love and friendship. When Sammy the turtle is lost at the bottom and separated from his family, his dolphin friend saves him and brings him back to the shore. Bruno’s voice guides him during the rescue; by the end of the sequence, we all feel whole again.
Check out the full A Turtle's Tale: Sammy's Adventure soundtrack here.
An inspiration to short kings everywhere, Bruno Mar’s unique voice, personality, and sex appeal have permeated our culture. However, over the last few years, Bruno has not been on the scene as prominently as he was during my childhood. During these years, I feel like I have been “Locked Out of Heaven.”
It’s easy for the public to forget even the most remarkable pop icons when they fade away for a couple of years, but Grandpa Larry hasn’t forgotten circa last Thanksgiving, and neither have I. In these tumultuous times, we can’t afford to lose a one-of-a-kind artist with a heart like Bruno Mars. He is truly an American “Treasure,” and our country has missed his fedoras. Bruno, please stay smack in the center of the public eye where you belong because we need your music!