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Liquor Store Blues

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"Liquor Store Blues"
Yellow bold letters on the right corner spelling "Bruno Mars", with the words "Liquor Store Blues ft. Damian Marley" below in white color and with normal font. The word liquors come from a billboard sign promoting the store below.
Promotional single by Bruno Mars featuring Damian Marley
from the album Doo-Wops & Hooligans
ReleasedSeptember 21, 2010 (2010-09-21)
GenreReggae
Length3:49
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Music video
"Liquor Store Blues" on YouTube

"Liquor Store Blues" is a song by American singer-songwriter Bruno Mars from his debut studio album Doo-Wops & Hooligans (2010), featuring Jamaican artist Damian Marley. It was released as the first promotional single from the record, on September 21, 2010, by Elektra Records. "Liquor Store Blues" is a reggae track with dub influences written by Mars, Phillip Lawrence, Ari Levine, Dwayne Chin-Quee, Mitchum Chin, Marley and Thomas Pentz. It was produced by the former three, under their alias, the Smeezingtons and Chin-Quee. Lyrically, the song addresses a way of avoiding problems by drinking hoping everything will be fine.

"Liquor Store Blues" received positive reviews from music critics, who praised Marley's appearance. The song peaked at number 97 on the Canadian Hot 100, number 20 on the Latin Pop Songs and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The music video, directed by Jake Summer, features Mars and Marley singing together with a colorful background and "acid-trip" visual effects. It was nominated for International Video of the Year at the Danish GAFFA Awards. Mars performed "Liquor Store Blues" on The Doo-Wops & Hooligans Tour (2010–2012) and the Hooligans in Wondaland Tour (2011).

Background and release

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In an interview with Sound on Sound, Ari Levine said that the team, the Smeezingtons, never met Supa Dups personally and that "Liquor Store Blues" was finished by exchanging files of the song. The latter producer helped finishing the track by providing a dub sound, something the three of them "could just not nail it".[1] During an interview granted to Vibe, Bruno Mars said that he never met Damian Marley, since the latter did "his part" after a show in Washington. Nevertheless, the singer explained how Marley was guested in the song:

I just wrote the song called "Liquor Store Blues". It had this reggae vibe...when I wrote, I was like, "Man, what if we could just get Damian on this?" So we [the Smeezingtons] made the phone call, and he came in with open arms and destroyed it.[2]

On September 21, 2010, the song was released as the first promotional single as an iTunes Store-exclusive prior to Doo-Wops & Hooligans album release in October 2010, under Elektra Records.[3] In the countries outside the United States, such as Germany, it was released under Warner Entertainment Group.[4]

Composition and production

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"Liquor Store Blues"
A 21-second sample of the song features Mars singing over a moderate reggae groove.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

"Liquor Store Blues" is a reggae song with a "melodious boom-box midtempo".[5][6] It is heavily influenced by dub music and borrowes "heavily from roots reggae".[7][8][9] It has been compared to Travie McCoy and Mars's previous song "Billionaire" and the music of Sublime, Michael Jackson and Bedouin Soundclash.[5][10][11] According to the digital sheet music the song was composed in common time and in the key of C♯ minor with a tempo of 144 beats per minute. Mars's and Marley's vocals range spans from the low note of G3 to the high note of C6.[12]

The song's lyrics describe feelings of "pain" and "sorrow", using alcohol as a method to flee "bad fortune in an odd foreshadowing of events". In the end, hope is found by "getting messed up today" since on the following day everything will be fine.[13][14] Tyrone S. Reid from the Seattle Post-Intelligencer said that the record explores addiction "wonderfully, if humorously" through the lyrics "I take one shot for my pain, one drag for my sorrow/Get messed up today, I’ll be okay tomorrow".[6] Entertainment Weekly's, Brad Wete stated that Mars is about to "drown his sorrows in a tall glass of alcohol".[14]

"Liquor Store Blues" was written by Mars, Philip Lawrence, Levine, Dwayne "Supa Dups" Chin-Quee, Mitchum Chin, Marley and Thomas Pentz and produced by the former three, under their alias, the Smeezingtons, and Chin-Quee. The latter was in charge of programming and arranging the drums, which he played. Chin played the guitar, bass, and keys. Levine engineered the song at Levcon Studios in California. The mixing was done at Larrabee Sound Studios in Los Angeles by Manny Marroquin, with Christian Plata and Erik Madrid as assistants. It was mastered by Stephen Marcussen at Marcussen Mastering in Hollywood, California.[15]

Critical reception

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"Liquor Store Blues" received positive reviews by music critics. Tyrone S. Reid, considered the song one of the best in the album, "You simply can't get lyrics more droll or brainer than that." The addition of Damian Marley made the track "more alluring".[6] DJ Gravy praised the fact that the song "has a more authentic yard vibe, thanks to Chiney's Supa Dups".[10] The Scotsman said that Mars "strikes more of a downer note on simple confessional Liquor Store Blues with Marley providing a veneer of dub reggae credibility."[16] Kevin Barber from the Consequence of Sound, praised Marley's feature on the song, "In return for all of his generous favors he has given other artists, they give back as well".[17] When reviewing the album, Tony Clayton-Lea of The Irish Times put the recording on the download list.[18]

Idolator's writer Robbie Daw shared a mixed opinion towards the song, "isn't nearly as infectious as "Just The Way You Are", [but] it should still make for a fairly decent album track".[19] Andrew Winistorfer of Prefix Magazine criticized the singer, "Mars decided to try to carve off a chunk of Sublime's fans". He deemed the track "faux reggae".[11]

Commercial performance

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After being released as a promotional single, "Liquor Store Blues", entered the Canadian Hot 100 at number 97.[20] Around the same time, it failed to reach the Billboard Hot 100, however it entered the Bubbling Under Hot 100, which acts as an extension of the former chart, peaking at number 105.[21] On October 22, 2010, the song entered and peaked at number 20 on the US Latin Pop Airplay, spending 7 weeks on the former chart.[22] "Liquor Store Blues" was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[23] It also peaked at number 74 on the Romanian Top 100.[24]

Music video

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Synopsis

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The music video was directed by Jack Summer, and was premiered exclusive on March 3, 2011, for members of Mars's official website.[25][26] The video features Bruno Mars and Damian Marley singing together in a psychedelic room with a colorful background and "acid-trip" visual effects.[27][28] Thorough the clip "plumes of smoke" emerge in the screen in every direction with Marley "rapping about being "high as Superman" and shouting out pineapple kush", while Mars is upset about something.[14][27] They both drown "their sorrows in the colorful visuals".[27]

Reception

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The video has been described as "psychedelic" and as an anthem to marijuana, rather than one about drunkenness.[11][14][27] Wete explained that Mars was "ready to drown his sorrows in a tall glass of alcohol" and tipped "find out what concoction Mars and Marley are whipping up" by watching the clip.[14] Winistorfer gave the video a harsh critic, he wrote that the smoke was not the only featured in the video as anyone "get to see Damian Marley sell out in real time".[11] In 2011, the video was nominated for International Video of the Year at the Danish GAFFA Awards.[29]

Live performances and other media

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Mars performed "Liquor Store Blues" on The Doo-Wops & Hooligans Tour (2010–2012) as the ninth track on the setlist.[30] An extended version of the song was performed as the tenth track during the Hooligans in Wondaland Tour (2011).[31][32] During the 2016 Grammy Awards, Mars had a flask engraved with the lyrics, "One shot for my pain, one drag for my sorrow" from the song.[33] In 2020, American singer-songwriter Raiche covered "Liquor Store Blues" as part of the tenth anniversary of Mars's debut album.[34]

Personnel

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Credits adapted from the liner notes of Doo-Wops & Hooligans.[15]

Personnel

Charts and certifications

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References

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  1. ^ Tingen, Paul (June 2011). "Ari Levine & The Smeezingtons: Producing Bruno Mars". Sound on Sound. Archived from the original on April 29, 2016. Retrieved July 27, 2013.
  2. ^ Hope, Clover (October 4, 2010). "Bruno Mars on Damian Marley Track, Hip-Hop Influences, B.o.B." Vibe. Archived from the original on July 9, 2015. Retrieved February 1, 2011.
  3. ^ "Bruno Mars Soars to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart With Debut Single "Just The Way You Are"; Single Lands the Top Position on UK Midweek Chart; Elektra Artist Slated for October 9th Performance on Saturday Night Live; Dates Already Sold Out on First-Ever U.S. Headline Tour; "Doo-Wops & Hooligans", Arrives October 5th" (Press release). Marketwire. September 22, 2010. Archived from the original on August 3, 2017. Retrieved September 22, 2010.
  4. ^ "Liquor Store Blues (feat. Damian Marley) – Single". iTunes. Archived from the original on June 19, 2014.
  5. ^ a b Wheeler, Brad (October 1, 2010). "The week's hottest songs". The Globe and Mail. Archived from the original on October 18, 2010. Retrieved October 16, 2010.
  6. ^ a b c S. Reid, Tyrone (April 26, 2011). "Music Review: Bruno Mars – Doo-Wops & Hooligans". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved April 18, 2014.
  7. ^ Mervis, Scott (October 7, 2010). "For the Record: Bruno Mars". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Archived from the original on October 11, 2011. Retrieved October 16, 2010.
  8. ^ Capobianco, Ken (October 25, 2010). "Bruno Mars, 'Doo-Wops & Hooligans'". The Boston Globe. Archived from the original on December 29, 2010. Retrieved November 29, 2010.
  9. ^ Caramanica, Jon (October 5, 2010). "Bruno Mars in Ascension". The New York Times. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved October 5, 2010.
  10. ^ a b Gravy, DJ (March 4, 2011). "Ova-Mars: Bruno Mars x Damian Marley's "Liquor Store Blues" Video". LargeUp. Archived from the original on August 26, 2016. Retrieved June 18, 2016.
  11. ^ a b c d Winistorfer, Andrew (March 4, 2011). "Bruno Mars: "Liquor Store Blues" f. Damian Marley (Video)". Prefix Magazine. Archived from the original on August 17, 2016. Retrieved June 18, 2016.
  12. ^ "Bruno Mars – Liquor Store Blues (Digital Download)". Musicnotes. March 22, 2011. Archived from the original on August 10, 2016. Retrieved June 20, 2016.
  13. ^ "New Music: Bruno Mars f/ Damian Marley – 'Liquor Store Blues'". Rap-Up. September 21, 2010. Archived from the original on August 10, 2016. Retrieved June 19, 2016.
  14. ^ a b c d e Wete, Brad (March 4, 2011). "Bruno Mars tries to drink (and maybe smoke) the pain away in 'Liquor Store Blues' video: Watch it here". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on November 26, 2016. Retrieved June 19, 2010.
  15. ^ a b Doo-Wops & Hooligans (CD booklet). United States: Elektra Entertainment Group. 2010. 2-525393.
  16. ^ "Album review: Bruno Mars, Doo-Wops & Hooligans". The Scotsman. January 14, 2011. Archived from the original on January 16, 2017. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
  17. ^ Barber, Kevin (December 3, 2010). "Album Review: Bruno Mars – Doo-Wops & Hooligans". Consequence of Sound. Archived from the original on February 9, 2015. Retrieved December 14, 2012.
  18. ^ Clayton-Lea, Tony (January 21, 2011). "Bruno Mars - Doo-wops and Hooligans Elektra". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on May 11, 2017. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
  19. ^ Daw, Robbie (September 21, 2010). "Bruno Mars Gets Messed Up With Damian Marley On "Liquor Store Blues"". Idolator. Retrieved June 18, 2016.
  20. ^ a b "Bruno Mars Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 23, 2016.
  21. ^ a b "Bruno Mars Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 23, 2016.
  22. ^ a b "Bruno Mars Chart History (Latin Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 23, 2016.
  23. ^ a b "American single certifications – Bruno Mars – Liquor Store Blues". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved October 2, 2020.
  24. ^ a b "Romanian Top 100 03.07.2011 – 10.10.2011". Kiss FM. Archived from the original on September 28, 2011. Retrieved September 28, 2011. Note: User may scroll down the 'Podcasturi' menu to play or download the respective podcast.
  25. ^ "Liquor Store Blues". United States: MTV Music. Archived from the original on January 29, 2013. Retrieved September 22, 2012.
  26. ^ "New Video: Liquor Store Blues feat. Damian Marley Premiering Tomorrow!". Bruno Mars official website. March 2, 2011. Archived from the original on August 9, 2016. Retrieved June 19, 2016.
  27. ^ a b c d "Video: Bruno Mars f/ Damian Marley "Liquor Store Blues"". Rap-Up. March 3, 2011. Archived from the original on August 8, 2016. Retrieved May 4, 2016.
  28. ^ Fresh, Mikey (March 4, 2011). "New Video: Bruno Mars Feat. Damian Marley 'Liquor Store Blues'". Vibe. Archived from the original on August 27, 2016. Retrieved June 19, 2016.
  29. ^ Steen Vejrup, Morten (November 29, 2011). "De nominerede til GAFFA-Prisen 2011 er..." (in Danish). Gaffa. Archived from the original on January 22, 2018. Retrieved January 22, 2018.
  30. ^ Frith, Holly (August 17, 2011). "Bruno Mars Brings 'Doo-Wops & Hooligans' To London on UK Tour". Gigwise. Archived from the original on April 24, 2016. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
  31. ^ Gray, Chris (May 19, 2011). "Last Night: Bruno Mars & Janelle Monae At Reliant Arena". Houston Press. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
  32. ^ Kivel, Matthew (June 13, 2011). "Bruno Mars". Variety. Archived from the original on October 29, 2020. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  33. ^ Fisher, Kendall (February 16, 2016). "Bruno Mars Got Everybody Drunk at the 2016 Grammys and Here Are the Pics to Prove It". E! Online. Archived from the original on February 18, 2016. Retrieved June 19, 2016.
  34. ^ "Raiche - Liquor Store Blues (Bruno Mars Cover) - 10th Anniversary 'Doo-Wops & Hooligans'". YouTube. November 20, 2020. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
  35. ^ "Bruno Mars Chart History (Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved May 28, 2022.

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