You know that feeling when a song comes on and the entire room just... shifts? It doesn’t matter if you’re at a wedding, a dive bar, or just sitting in traffic. When that sleek, digital-meets-retro synth line kicks in, everyone starts doing that shoulder shimmy. We’re talking about That's What I Like, the track that basically turned Bruno Mars from a pop star into a permanent fixture of the musical atmosphere.
Honestly, it’s wild to think this song dropped back in 2017. Here we are in 2026, and it’s still pulling nearly 3 billion streams on Spotify. Most "viral" hits from that era have faded into the background noise of nostalgia playlists, but this one? It’s different. It’s got staying power that most artists would sell their soul for.
The Recipe Behind the Magic
People often call Bruno Mars a "karaoke artist" because he’s so good at mimicking the greats. But that’s a huge oversimplification. That's What I Like isn't just a tribute to 90s New Jack Swing; it’s a masterclass in modern production.
He didn't just stumble into this sound. He worked with a massive team of heavy hitters. We're talking about Shampoo Press & Curl (his own production trio) and The Stereotypes. They spent ages tweaking the "bounce" of the track. If the bassline was 5% less funky, the whole thing would have collapsed into a generic R&B ballad. Instead, they hit this sweet spot of luxury and playfulness.
It’s about the "finer things." Cadillac, champagne, strawberry champagne on ice—it’s aspirational but somehow feels like he’s inviting you to the party rather than bragging about it.
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Why It Sounds "Better" Than Other Pop
Musically, the song is actually pretty complex. Most pop songs stick to three or four basic chords and call it a day. That's What I Like plays around with jazzy voicings that most producers are too scared to touch in a Top 40 hit.
- The Chords: It starts on a B-flat minor over an E-flat bass. That’s a "slash chord" for the music nerds out there. It gives the intro that slightly unsettled, sophisticated vibe.
- The Tension: The pre-chorus builds up with an F7#5#9 chord. It sounds dissonant for a split second, which makes the resolution into the smooth chorus feel ten times more satisfying.
- The Vocals: Bruno is a three-octave tenor. He’s hitting notes in this track that most of us can’t reach even in the shower.
That Video Was a Total Gamble
Remember the music video? The one where it’s just him dancing in front of a grey background with those little white line drawings?
That was a massive pivot.
At the time, everyone expected a high-budget, flashy video with models and mansions, especially given the lyrics. Instead, Bruno and director Jonathan Lia went for something that looked almost... DIY? But it wasn't. It was meticulous. The animation had to be timed perfectly to his movements.
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Rumor has it they shot the whole thing and released it within 24 hours. Whether that's true or just clever PR, the result was a visual that didn't distract from the song. It let his charisma do the heavy lifting. You couldn't look away from the footwork.
The Awards and the Backlash
You can't talk about this song without mentioning the 2018 Grammys. Bruno absolutely cleaned up. He took home Song of the Year, Best R&B Performance, and Best R&B Song for this track alone.
But with that much success comes the inevitable "discourse."
Some critics, like writer Seren Sensei, sparked a massive debate about cultural appropriation. The argument was that Bruno—who is of Puerto Rican, Jewish, and Filipino descent—was essentially "playing" at Black music without having to deal with the same industry hurdles as Black artists. It’s a nuanced conversation. Bruno himself has always been vocal about his debt to Black pioneers like James Brown and Prince. He’s never claimed to have invented this sound; he’s a student of it.
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Regardless of where you land on that debate, the industry's reaction was clear. The RIAA eventually certified the song Diamond. That means 10 million units moved in the US alone. That's a club so exclusive most legendary bands never even get a peek at the door.
Why We're Still Listening in 2026
So, what's the actual legacy?
It’s the "wedding test." If you play a song at a wedding and both the 8-year-old flower girl and the 80-year-old grandfather get up to dance, you’ve won at music. That's What I Like passes that test every single time.
It bridged the gap between the vintage soul of the 70s, the swing of the 90s, and the crisp digital production of the 2010s. It’s "Bruno-coded" through and through.
Actionable Insights for Your Playlist
If you're looking to recapture that specific vibe or understand why this track works, here’s how to dive deeper:
- Listen for the "Air": Put on high-quality headphones. Notice how much "space" is in the mix. The instruments aren't fighting each other. The silence between the beats is just as important as the music itself.
- Compare the Live Versions: Go watch his 2017 Grammy performance versus the studio track. He changes the arrangement slightly to make it more "stadium-ready." It shows how he thinks about the audience's energy.
- The "New Jack Swing" Rabbit Hole: If you love the drum patterns in this song, go back and listen to Bobby Brown’s "Every Little Step" or Bell Biv DeVoe’s "Poison." You’ll see exactly where the DNA of Bruno’s hit comes from.
Bruno Mars basically proved that you don't need to reinvent the wheel to make a classic. You just need to polish the wheel until it shines so bright nobody can look away. That's What I Like isn't just a song; it's a blueprint for how to stay relevant in an industry that usually forgets you in six months.