Industry Mar 24, 2026

The Musical Theory and Retro Gear Behind Bruno Mars’ 2016 Classic

Exploring how one of Bruno Mars’ biggest tunes works on a musical level - and revealing its debt to the 1980s

Originally published by MusicRadar
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The Musical Theory and Retro Gear Behind Bruno Mars’ 2016 Classic

Bruno Mars' 2016 hit "24K Magic" was written during the success of "Uptown Funk." The song's enduring spirit is attributed to the musical theory and retro equipment that influenced its creation, with a notable debt to 1980s music. Originally reported by MusicRadar.