If you’ve ever found yourself humming along to a tune about strawberry champagne and silk sheets, you aren’t alone. It’s been years since it dropped, but Bruno Mars song lyrics That's What I Like still feel like the ultimate mood lifter. It’s catchy. It’s unapologetically flashy. Honestly, it’s basically a three-and-a-half-minute vacation to a world where money is no object and "Julio" is always on hand to serve the scampi.
But there’s more to this track than just listing expensive things.
The Secret Sauce Behind the Lyrics
When Bruno Mars sat down to write this, he wasn't just aiming for a radio hit. He wanted a "bounce." In fact, the production team, The Stereotypes, mentioned in interviews that the song started out as a slow ballad. Can you imagine that? Bruno shot it down. He literally danced in the studio and told them to change the drums whenever he couldn't move a certain way. If he didn't feel the groove, the beat had to go.
This physical approach to songwriting is why the lyrics land so well. They aren't just words; they are rhythmic cues.
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Breaking Down the Luxury Checklist
The lyrics are basically a shopping list for the 1%. But instead of feeling braggy, it feels like an invitation. He’s not just saying "I have this," he’s saying "I’m giving this to you."
- Manhattan Condos & Miami Beach Houses: The geographic jumps in the song—Paris, Puerto Rico, Manhattan—paint a picture of a global lifestyle.
- The "Julio" Factor: Fans of "Uptown Funk" immediately caught the callback. Julio is the legendary (and real-life) assistant/crew member who has become a staple in the Bruno Mars cinematic universe.
- Strawberry Champagne on Ice: It’s a classic R&B trope, but Bruno makes it feel fresh by pairing it with that skittering trap-influenced beat.
Why "That's What I Like" Won Everything
At the 2018 Grammy Awards, Bruno Mars didn't just win; he swept. That's What I Like took home Song of the Year, Best R&B Song, and Best R&B Performance. Critics were a bit split at first—some thought the lyrics were too materialistic—but the Recording Academy saw the craft.
It’s hard to write a song that feels like 1992 New Jack Swing and 2017 Atlanta Trap at the same time.
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Writing a hit is hard. Writing a song that stays in the top five of the Billboard Hot 100 for 24 weeks is nearly impossible. Bruno pulled it off because the song is technically perfect. The vocal layers, the finger snaps, and the "silky pre-chorus" (as Billboard called it) create a wall of sound that’s impossible to ignore in a car or a club.
The "Attack on Titan" Rumor
Social media is a weird place. For a while, there was this bizarre rumor on TikTok that Bruno Mars wrote the song after watching the anime Attack on Titan. People were trying to link the lyrics to the characters Eren and Mikasa. To be clear: this is 100% false. Bruno hasn't mentioned anime as an inspiration for this track. The song is a tribute to 90s R&B icons like R. Kelly and Jodeci, not giant monsters.
How to Actually Use These Lyrics
If you're looking at Bruno Mars song lyrics That's What I Like for Instagram captions or just to understand the vibe, the "actionable" takeaway is the confidence. The song is written from the perspective of someone who knows exactly what they want and isn't afraid to provide it.
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Best Lines for Different Vibes
If you’re posting a vacation photo, "I'm talkin' trips to Puerto Rico" is the obvious choice. If you’re at a fancy dinner, "Lobster tail for dinner" works. But the real heart of the song is the line: "Anything you want... just to put a smile on you." That’s the pivot. The luxury is just the tool; the goal is the happiness of the partner.
What to Listen to Next
If you’ve played this song to death, you should check out the official remixes. There’s a version featuring Gucci Mane that adds a bit more "grit" to the gloss, and a Partynextdoor remix that leans much harder into the late-night R&B vibes.
You should also dive into the rest of the 24K Magic album if you haven't. Tracks like "Chunky" and "Finesse" (especially the remix with Cardi B) carry that same New Jack Swing energy that makes this era of Bruno’s career so iconic.
To get the full experience, watch the 2017 Grammy performance. It’s a masterclass in vocal control—Bruno does most of the song as a "breakdown" to prove he isn't relying on studio magic. He really is that good.
Actionable Insight: Next time you hear the song, pay attention to the backing vocals during the bridge. They are meticulously layered to mimic the boy bands of the 90s. If you’re a musician, try stripping the track down to just the bassline—you’ll see that the "bounce" Bruno insisted on is what actually carries the entire melody.