Bruno Mars Wanted ‘Just the Way You Are’ to Be Like This Eric Clapton Song

While Bruno Mars and Eric Clapton write very different songs, Mars’ “Just the Way You Are” was partly inspired by one of Clapton’s classic rock hits. During an interview, Mars revealed he also drew influence from another song from the 1970s to write “Just the Way You Are.” Mars expected women to have a certain reaction to “Just the Way You Are.”

Bruno Mars wanted men to play ‘Just the Way You Are’ to their girlfriends to prevent fights

In “Just the Way You Are,” Mars assures a woman that she doesn’t need to change herself to look beautiful. Mars felt guys could use the song to keep the peace with their girlfriends. “Because of what it says, it’s also a song that can help guys stop getting into fights with their girl!” he told Blues & Soul.

“‘Like you’ll be getting ready to go out to a movie and the girl will be in the bathroom doing their hair, putting on 10 different outfits … And the guy’s like ‘Babe, Come on! Let’s go!'” Mars said. He said boyfriends could play “Just the Way You Are” to their girlfriends if they didn’t know what to say.

Joe Cocker’s ‘You Are So Beautiful’ and Eric Clapton’s ‘Wonderful Tonight’ inspired Bruno Mars

Mars admitted drawing influence from Clapton and Joe Cocker to write “Just the Way You Are.” Well, I’m a big fan of songs like Joe Cocker’s ‘You Are So Beautiful’ and Eric Clapton’s ‘Wonderful Tonight’ — songs that go straight to the point,” he revealed. “You know, there’s no mind-boggling lyrics or twists in the story — they just come directly from the heart. 

“And to me ‘Just the Way You Are’ is one of those songs!” he added. “There’s nothing mind-blowing about it. I’m just telling a woman she looks beautiful the way she is — and, let’s be honest, what woman doesn’t wanna hear those lyrics?!”

The way the world reacted to ‘Wonderful Tonight’ and ‘Just the Way You Are’

“Wonderful Tonight” was a hit for Clapton. The song reached No. 16 on the Billboard Hot 100, staying on the chart for 17 weeks. Its parent album, Slowhand, became an even bigger hit. It reached No. 2 on the Billboard 200, lasting on the chart for 74 weeks.

The success of “Just the Way You Are” eclipsed the success of “Wonderful Tonight.” “Just the Way You Are” remained on the Billboard Hot 100 for 48 weeks, spending four of those weeks at the top of the chart. “Just the Way You Are” appeared on Mars’ album Doo-Wops & Hooligans. Doo-Wops & Hooligans peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 and stayed on the chart for a staggering 549 weeks. “Just the Way You Are” became incredibly popular — and it might not be the same without “Wonderful Tonight” or “You Are So Beautiful.”