“Grenade” is a pop and power-pop song recorded by American singer-songwriter Bruno Mars for his debut studio album, Doo-Wops & Hooligans (2010). It was written and produced by the Smeezingtons, comprising Mars, Philip Lawrence and Ari Levine, with additional songwriting by Brody Brown, Claude Kelly and Andrew Wyatt. Developed from an unreleased song with similar themes, it was extensively rearranged and re-recorded shortly before the album’s completion. Elektra Records released it as a promotional and official single in 2010.
Set in D minor at a moderate 108 beats per minute, “Grenade” combines a simple piano riff with keyboards, bass, pulsing drums and forceful kick-and-bass accents. Mars’s vocal range runs from A3 to D5, with the chorus serving as the song’s principal dramatic peak. The finished recording is slower and more stripped down than an earlier, faster guitar-led version with a 1960s surf-style and jangle-pop feel. Its lyrics portray unrequited love and heartbreak. The single was widely praised for its vocals and emotional intensity, reached number one in fifteen countries, and received Grammy nominations for Record of the Year and Song of the Year.
