Bruno Mars Reveals Amy Winehouse As Surprise Influence On Unorthodox Jukebox

Bruno Mars Reveals Amy Winehouse As Surprise Influence On Unorthodox Jukebox

Bruno Mars has revealed a slightly surprising influence on his new album Unorthodox Jukebox – the late British blues singer Amy Winehouse! We reviewed the multi-million selling 27 year-old’s second album and, though we found ourselves impressed with it, we must admit we’d be hard-pushed to pinpoint the Winehouse influence stylistically.

However, talking to The Associated Press, Mars said "I felt like everything I've been saying, everything I wanted to do, she did it. It was one of those things like, 'Damn it! Damn it!' It was perfect.” He went on to enthuse "You couldn't put it in a box 'cause it could be played on rock stations, it could be played on rhythmic stations, it could be played on pop radio, and I've always wanted to make music like that – that could be spread out, and can't be pigeon-held to one thing. And they did it. Her and Mark Ronson."

Mars once again re-enlisted the help of his song writing pals The Smeezingtons for Unorthodox Jukebox but also has Mark Ronson on too – who of course was instrumental in Winehouse’s fame. Talking of the additional collaborations on the album – several producers are involved – Mars enthused “That's when the fun comes in. Now, it's time to have some fun. Let's put the dream band together... I love their take on pop music... It was a big ole science project.” Unorthodox Jukebox is out now and, a challenge from The Game notwithstanding, should find itself on top of the US Billboard 200 this weekend.

Read our review of Unorthodox Jukebox