"Just the Way You Are" is the debut solo single by American singer-songwriter and record producer Bruno Mars, released by Elektra and Atlantic Records to contemporary hit radio on August 10, 2010. The official remix featuring American rapper Lupe Fiasco was included as the eleventh track of the iTunes deluxe edition of Mars' debut studio album, Doo-Wops & Hooligans (2010). This version contains two new verses by Fiasco, adding to the narrative that the girl doesn't have to change herself for anyone.
Background[]
The beat for the track was initially intended for Fiasco, producer Khari "Needlz" Cain explaining that "it came from a hip-hop origin." He continued, "I was doing a track for Lupe and we had Bruno sing the hook. Originally I thought it was going to be for Lupe, but it was taking a while for them to confirm and they wanted me to make some edits to the drums and do some things here and there. It got quiet for about a month and then I got a phone call that said it's Bruno's single. I didn't set out to do a pop track, but it just came out like that and I can't complain."[1]
Co-writer Khalil "Saint Cassius" Walton recalled in an interview with Flaunt that it was different working with Fiasco on "Just the Way You Are" opposed to the Lasers album experience. He elaborated, "For that, I did a lot of the music and wrote some of the hook, but they completely changed everything about the record. When "Just The Way You Are" hit, it sounded nothing like the original."[2]
In 2022, Fiasco addressed over Twitter, "I was comfortable making pop records. The issue was who controlled those records and what the ownership and splits were. Atlantic would only promote my records if they owned a large portion of them or if I signed a 360 deal. I gave Bruno Mars Just The Way You Are."[3]
Lyrics[]
[Intro: Lupe Fiasco]
First rule, never let 'em change you
Rule two, do you to the fullest (To the fullest)
And never be ashamed to
You're just good at what they can't do
And they hate that, they wanna paint you
In they color, put you on another
But what they don't accept, and what they don't see
The best thing is what you already be
[Verse 1: Bruno Mars]
Oh, her eyes, her eyes
Make the stars look like they're not shinin'
Her hair, her hair
Falls perfectly without her trying
She's so beautiful
And I tell her every day
Yeah, I know, I know
When I compliment her, she won't believe me
And it's so, it's so
Sad to think she don't see what I see
But every time she asks me, "Do I look okay?"
I say
[Chorus: Bruno Mars]
When I see your face
There's not a thing that I would change
'Cause you're amazing just the way you are
And when you smile
The whole world stops and stares for a while
'Cause, girl, you're amazing just the way you are
Yeah
[Verse 2: Bruno Mars]
Her lips, her lips
I could kiss them all day if she'd let me
Her laugh, her laugh
She hates but I think it's so sexy
She's so beautiful, and I tell her every day
Oh, you know, you know, you know
I'd never ask you to change
If perfect's what you're searching for
Then just stay the same
So don't even bother asking if you look okay
You know I'll say
[Chorus: Bruno Mars]
When I see your face
There's not a thing that I would change
'Cause you're amazing just the way you are
And when you smile
The whole world stops and stares for a while
'Cause, girl, you're amazing just the way you are
[Verse 3: Lupe Fiasco]
Uh yeah
The definition of real is
If you don't feel, then you don't you feel it
Don't conceal it, don't be fair
You look great, don't need silicone to build it, or botox to kill it
You just killing off spirit
And you the one that you gotta live with
So don't get caught up in appearance
And see the inner beauty
When you look off in the mirrors
[Post-Chorus: Bruno Mars]
The way you are
The way you are
Girl, you're amazing just the way you are
[Chorus: Bruno Mars]
When I see your face
There's not a thing that I would change
'Cause you're amazing
Just the way you are
And when you smile
The whole world stops and stares for awhile
'Cause girl, you're amazing
Just the way you are
Yeah
References[]
- ↑ Bernard, Adam (August 2, 2011). "Needlz Interview". Rapreviews.com.
- ↑ Ju, Shirley (July 27, 2020). "Saint Cassius | Balloons Don't Sink". Flaunt.
- ↑ "Lupe Fiasco (@LupeFiasco)". Twitter. August 1, 2022.