After working hard to crystallize his creative vision for Unorthodox Jukebox, Mars says simply that “now is the fun time” as he lives out the life his success has made possible. “My dream was to not get a day job but to sleep, wake up and do my music. And hopefully, my music does all the talking. I want to keep that dream forever. That’s it. That’s what I love to do.”
This time last year, industry observers were wondering if fans would love “Unorthodox Jukebox.” During a preview of the album for Billboard two months earlier (Billboard, Oct. 6, 2012), Mars declared his artistic freedom. “This is me… recording and writing whatever I want. You’re going to feel a little more me and what I stand for.”
The album was full of unexpected turns, and it confused some early listeners. Mars’ infectious laugh and musical passion pepper his conversation as he recounts some of the comments he heard before the album’s release. “People were saying, ‘Man, the second album is the most important because there’s the sophomore jinx.’ Or, ‘Did he get lucky? Will he be able to do it again?’ I’m like, ‘Where is this coming from?’ I didn’t know whether people or radio was going to like it. I just knew that I need to love it, that I gave it everything. That’s the feeling I tried for with every song I put on this album and with everything I write.”