Mars' debut album, "Doo-Wops & Hooligans" (Elektra), has spent 39 weeks in the Billboard 200's top 40. It debuted at No. 3 the week of Oct. 23, 2010, and has sold 1.2 million units in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan. First single "Just the Way You Are" spent four weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100, moving 4.5 million copies. The touching, R&B-flavored track also spent 20 weeks at No. 1 on the Adult Contemporary chart -- the longest-reigning debut single in the list's 50-year history. His follow-up release, "Grenade," reached No. 1 on the Hot 100 on Dec. 30, 2010, and has moved 4.4 million U.S. copies. "The Lazy Song," the third track off Doo-Wops, peaked at No. 4 on June 18 and has sold 2 million downloads.
Mars' appeal isn't just limited to the United States. "Doo-Wops" hit No. 1 in the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany and Ireland. The United Kingdom has proved a particularly fertile market -- he's scored three No. 1 singles with "Way," "Grenade" and "Lazy," selling a combined 2.2 million U.K. units, according to the Official Charts Co. The OCC places Doo-Wops' U.K. sales at 620,000. The eclectic 10-track album, which mixes pop, soul, soft rock, reggae and swing, has been certified 14 times platinum worldwide, according to Elektra. Mars' total worldwide single sales stand at 15 million, the label says. And then there's his other job: with Los Angeles-based production trio the Smeezingtons.
Check out a few highlights from the interview below.
On getting dropped by his first label, Universal Motown
I wasn’t ready for it. I did nothing. And the lesson was — why are you waiting for someone to come and write a song with you? You know how to play the freakin’ guitar. Do it on your own.
“There was a lot of rejection. A lot of other labels saying, ‘You don’t know who the hell you are. You’re doing all this reggae, R&B, rock stuff. How the hell do we market that? Are you pop? Are you urban?’ Elektra gave me a shot and trusted my vision.”
On how he became a songwriter first
Brandon [Creed, then VP of A&R at Epic Records] was always saying, ‘You need a story. You need to be in the studio writing for people.’ At the time I was like, ‘You’re crazy. I’m amazing!’ But he was absolutely right. Working and interacting with other artists and being so involved with the business aspect; understanding A&R, understanding radio, understanding music videos meant that when it came to my time, I’d seen how it goes.”
On being caught with cocaine
It’s something that I wish would go away. It’s a cloud that constantly follows me no matter how many achievements. I’d like to move on. To show that I’m here for my music. Not to be in a tabloid.
On his success
It’s a rare thing that happens, especially in this day, where it’s real hard to sell albums. I’m traveling to places that I’ve never even heard of and there are all these people singing the songs back — and English is not even their first language. It’s like, what the hell happened?
On who he would like to work with in the near future
I’m just a mixed-up dude. I want to work with the Kanyes, the Jay-Zs… a Rihanna, a Gaga, Kings of Leon, Mumford & Sons. I want to do all those things. As proud as I am of “Doo-Wops,” I feel like, ‘Oh, man. People haven’t seen nothing. They don’t even know what I’m about to do,’ and that’s what I can’t wait to show the world.
Words of Wisdom for Artists
“When people fall is when they’re like, ‘OK. Now I’m here, what’s next? A clothing line?’ That’s not what I’m trying to do. It’s like, ‘Don’t be a slut. Remember your dream. Do your music and keep it special.’”
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