You remember the 2010s? It was a time of skinny jeans, Tumblr aesthetics, and a massive cultural obsession with sparkly vampires. Right in the middle of that chaos, Bruno Mars dropped a song that basically became the anthem for anyone who ever felt like their world was ending over a breakup. Honestly, Bruno Mars It Will Rain is one of those tracks that shouldn't have worked as well as it did, but here we are in 2026, and it's still pulling 1.4 billion-plus streams on Spotify.
The song was originally written for the The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 soundtrack. Usually, movie tie-ins feel a bit forced. You know the ones—commercialized, generic, and totally forgettable once the credits roll. But this was different. Bruno and his production team, The Smeezingtons, managed to capture that specific, almost toxic level of devotion that defined the Edward and Bella saga.
It’s dramatic. It’s heavy. And yeah, it’s a little desperate.
The Darker Side of Love
When Bruno Mars talked about the track back in the day, he described it as the "darker side of love." Most of his previous hits, like Just the Way You Are, were sweet and melodic. It Will Rain took a sharp turn into the agonizing, soul-crushing part of a relationship.
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The lyrics are intense. He talks about leaving morphine at his door if she leaves. That’s a pretty bold line for a mainstream pop song. It wasn't about the drug itself, obviously, but about that visceral need for a numbing agent when the emotional pain gets too loud. Critics at the time actually gave him some heat for it, calling the song "over-dramatized." But isn't that what heartbreak feels like? It’s not subtle. It’s a storm.
Why the Song Survived the Twilight Era
The Twilight movies haven't exactly aged like fine wine for everyone, but the music? That’s a different story. Alexandra Patsavas, the music supervisor for the franchise, had a knack for picking tracks that could live outside the films.
It Will Rain peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100. It didn't just stay in the "vampire movie" bubble. It moved into the real world. Why? Because the production is actually quite sophisticated. You’ve got those soaring vocals, the steady beat of the drums that feel like a heartbeat, and that melancholy piano.
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- Release Date: September 27, 2011.
- Key: D Major.
- The Production: Handled by The Smeezingtons (Bruno, Philip Lawrence, and Ari Levine).
- Certifications: 5x Platinum in the US.
The Struggle for Acceptance
One of the most relatable parts of the song is the verse about the parents. "I’ll never be your mother’s favorite / Your daddy can’t even look me in the eye."
Whether you’re a 100-year-old vampire trying to date a high schooler or just a regular guy who doesn't fit the "perfect boyfriend" mold, that's a universal struggle. It adds a layer of reality to a song that is otherwise very cinematic. It turns a "movie song" into a personal narrative.
People still cover this song constantly. From Austin Mahone to random TikTok creators in 2026, the vocal range required to hit those high notes is a benchmark for any aspiring singer. It’s hard. You can’t just "sing" It Will Rain; you have to wail it.
The Legacy of The Smeezingtons
We often forget that during this era, Bruno Mars was part of a production powerhouse. The Smeezingtons were everywhere. They were the ones behind CeeLo Green’s Forget You and B.o.B’s Nothin' on You.
It Will Rain was partially written while they were on the Hooligans in Wondaland tour. Imagine being in a tour bus, halfway through a massive US run, and trying to capture the essence of a fictional romance. Bruno actually watched an early cut of the movie to get the vibe right. He wanted to make sure the "clouds" in his eyes matched the mood of the film.
It worked.
The music video, which was directed by Phil Pinto and Bruno himself, mixed footage of him in a dimly lit apartment with scenes from Breaking Dawn. It was moody. It was grainy. It felt like a memory you’re trying to hold onto while it’s slipping away.
Actionable Takeaways for Music Fans
If you're revisiting this track or just discovering why it’s a staple in 2026, here’s how to really appreciate the craft behind it:
- Listen to the stems: If you can find the isolated vocals, do it. Bruno’s control and raw emotion in the bridge are a masterclass in soul-pop.
- Watch the 24K Magic World Tour version: He often interpolated this song with other hits, showing how well it blends with his more upbeat funk catalog despite the depressing lyrics.
- Check the credits: Look into Ari Levine and Philip Lawrence. Most people only know Bruno, but the "Smeezingtons sound" is what defined early 2010s radio.
The song isn't just a relic of a vampire craze. It’s a testament to how a well-written ballad can outlive its source material. It captures a specific type of "all-or-nothing" love that, quite frankly, we all secretly want to feel—minus the morphine and the literal rain.