What Music Genre is Uptown Funk?

We all know and love the catchy tune “Uptown Funk” by Bruno Mars, but what genre does this song actually belong to? We break it down for you in this blog post!

Introduction

Mark Ronson’s “Uptown Funk” is one of the biggest pop hits of the past decade. But what genre does it belong to?

On the surface, “Uptown Funk” seems like a pretty straightforward pop song. It has a catchy hook, a danceable beat, and simple lyrics about dancing and having a good time. However, there are elements of the song that suggest it could also be classified as funk or R&B.

For one, the song features a number of classic funk elements, including a horn section and a groove that is indebted to ’70s disco music. Additionally, Bruno Mars’ vocals have a soulful quality that is more common in R&B than pop.

So what is “Uptown Funk”? Is it pop? Funk? R&B? The answer is probably all of the above. The song draws from multiple genres, creating a unique and unforgettable sound that has made it one of the most popular songs in recent memory.

What is Uptown Funk?

Uptown Funk is a song recorded by Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars, for Ronson’s fourth studio album, Uptown Special (2015). The song was released as the album’s lead single on 10 November 2014. “Uptown Funk” has been described as an “irresistible groove” and “feel-good party anthem”, with Mars’ vocals and lyrics “emphasizing the simple pleasures of a Saturday night out on the town”. The song peaked at number one in several countries, including Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, new Zealand and the United Kingdom. In the United States, it topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart for 14 non-consecutive weeks starting in December 2014—marking Ronson’s second US number-one single and Mars’ fourth and spending a then-record seven weeks atop the Digital Songs chart—and was eventually certified diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

The Origins of Uptown Funk

Uptown Funk is a song by American record producer Mark Ronson, featuring vocals by Bruno Mars. The track was released as the lead single from Ronson’s fourth studio album, Uptown Special (2015), on 10 November 2014. The song topped the charts in several countries, including the US, the UK, Canada and Australia; it also peaked at number two in Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands and New Zealand. In the US, “Uptown Funk” spent 14 consecutive weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100 chart (the second-longest run at number one in 2015), tying with Outkast’s ” Hey Ya!” for the longest-ever stay at number one for a single on that chart.

The Lyrics of Uptown Funk

The lyrics of “Uptown Funk” have been the source of much scrutiny and debate. Some believe that the song is about a street in New York City, while others believe that it is about a district in London. However, the true meaning of the song’s lyrics are actually quite ambiguous.

The first verse of “Uptown Funk” begins with the line, “This hit, that ice cold.” This could be interpreted to mean that the music being played is so good that it makes the listener feel cold. However, it could also mean that the person who is listening to the music is feeling cold because they are in an uptown area.

The next line of the song, “Michelle Pfeiffer, that white gold,” could be interpreted in a number of ways. Some believe that this line is a reference to the actress Michelle Pfeiffer, while others believe that it is a reference to cocaine.

The chorus of “Uptown Funk” includes the lines “Don’t believe me, just watch,” and “Uptown funk you up.” These lines could be interpreted to mean that people should not take the singer’s word for it, but instead should experience thesong for themselves. Alternatively, these lines could also be interpreted to mean that people should listen to uptempo music when they are in an uptown area.

Given the ambiguity of the song’s lyrics, it is difficult to say definitively what genre “Uptown Funk” belongs to. It could be classified as pop, R&B, or hip-hop, but ultimately it is up to each individual listener to decide what genre they believe it belongs to.

The Music of Uptown Funk

Uptown Funk is a song by American singer-songwriter Bruno Mars. The song was co-written by Mars, Jeff Bhasker, Mark Ronson, and Philip Lawrence. It was produced by Ronson and Bhasker. The song was released as the lead single from Mars’ fourth studio album, Unorthodox Jukebox (2012), on November 10, 2014. The track features guest vocals from American rapper and producing duo Rizzle Kicks.

Uptown Funk has been described as funk-pop, disco, soul and hip hop. The song achieved commercial success worldwide, reaching number one in 14 countries, including Australia, Canada, France, Ireland, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. In the United States, it spent seven weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100 giving Mars his second consecutive (and fourth overall) number-one on that chart. The single has also been certified Diamond in France and Poland. As of October 2018, Billboard ranked it as the second most popular song of all time.

There is no one definitive answer to this question – the genre of Uptown Funk can be interpreted in many ways!

The Legacy of Uptown Funk

Up-tempo, funky, and with a catchy beat, “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars was an instant hit when it was released in 2014. The song quickly rose to the top of the charts in multiple countries and has since become one of the most popular songs of all time.

While the song is clearly influenced by funk music, its exact genre is up for debate. Some have argued that it is a pure pop song, while others contend that it is a new twist on disco or soul. Whatever the case may be, “Uptown Funk” has had a lasting impact on the music industry and popular culture.