For the next two days we are going to play what Ted Tocks Covers calls, ”Same Title – Different Song”.
Happy 34th birthday to Bruno Mars. It is hard to believe that someone who has accomplished so much is only 34. The unbelievably versatile Mars released the lead single from his debut album nine years ago. That song was ‘Just the Way You Are’. It was a true collaborative effort for Mars and his team that included; Philip Lawrence, Ari Levine, Khalil Walton and Needlz as part of the lyrical and composition crew and the former three along with Needlz handled the production duties. This is typical of many Bruno Mars creations. This production crew operated under the alias known as The Smeezingtons.
When the song was released it was panned by critics as sappy and corny. Conversely, audiences everywhere loved it. It went to #1 in five countries including Canada, the U.S. and the U.K. It peaked in the top 5 in five other countries. In 2011 alone it sold over 12,5 million digital copies. Let’s just say ‘Just the Way You Are’ found an audience and rode the wave. It is a love song that is probably partially responsible for bringing millions of couples together. It is yet another classic example of how music unites; this time in a romantic way.
When Bruno Mars set out to create ‘Just the Way You Are’ he was aiming to produce a composition that spoke to couples in the same way as songs by two of my favourite artists; Joe Cocker (‘You Are So Beautiful’) and Eric Clapton (‘Wonderful Tonight’). He wanted a song that in his words would come directly from the heart. There are no pretentions here.
“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. 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. 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?!”
Bruno Mars
In my opinion, if an artist is being genuine, he/she should never be criticized. In this case we will let the mass popularity of ‘Just the Way You Are’ do the talking.
When I said that Bruno Mars was versatile, I meant it. He plays all of the instruments on ‘Just the Way You Are’. To add to the song’s appeal, the video is very engaging with some cool effects that bring the sentimentality of the song out even more. The interaction between Bruno Mars and Nathalie Kelley allows the viewer to identify with the moment. The fact that it has been viewed over 1.38 billion times is yet another testament to its popularity.
From 2010, we move back in time. Forty-two years to be exact, to another artist who likely brought a multitude of couples together with his own ‘Just the Way You Are’.
For Billy Joel, success was not nearly as immediate, but when the adulation came, it was overwhelming. ‘Just the Way You Are’ was a massive hit and it catapulted his album, The Stranger to phenomenal heights. Both the song and the album won Grammys in 1979, for Song of the Year and Album of the Year.
Unlike Bruno Mars, who loved the end result of his version of ‘Just the Way You Are’, Billy Joel hated the song. His band disliked it even more. He had to be convinced to include it on The Stranger. Ironically, singers Linda Ronstadt and Phoebe Snow can be credited with assisting in the ultimate decision. They happened to be in an adjacent studio recording, and when they heard it, they were convinced it would be a hit. Billy Joel claims the melody came to him in a dream, and the inspiration was a direct homage to Frankie Vali and the Four Seasons song ‘Rag Doll’. He wrote ‘Just the Way You Are’ for his first wife, and business manager, Elizabeth Weber. After their divorce in 1982, Billy Joel put the song on a shelf until the 2000s.
The honest delivery of ‘Just the Way You Are’ is what makes it work. The piano and saxophone combination help to peel back the sentiment to its core. The sax accompaniment was provided by Phil Woods; a Grammy Award winning player, who can also be heard on Steely Dan and Paul Simon recordings of that era.
In terms of lyrical composition Billy Joel’s version is much more realistic. Rather than put his partner on a pedestal, he maintains that although his partner is not perfect, she is just right for him.
Compare the two versions of ‘Just the Way You Are’ and you can feel the contrast.
Bruno Mars version speaks to complete devotion and empowerment.
”Oh, her eyes, her eyes make the stars look like they’re not shinin’
Her hair, her hair falls perfectly without her trying
She’s so beautiful and I tell her everyday
Yeah, I know, I know when I compliment her she won’t believe me
And it’s so, it’s so sad to think that she don’t see what I see
But every time she asks me “Do I look okay?”
I sayWhen I see your face
Bruno Mars
There’s not a thing that I would change ’cause you’re amazing
Just the way you are
And when you smile
The whole world stops and stares for a while
‘Cause girl you’re amazing
Just the way you are
Yeah.”
Billy Joel’s version speaks to acceptance and a clear commitment to the relationship.
“Don’t go changing to try and please me
You never let me down before
Don’t imagine you’re too familiar
And I don’t see you anymoreI wouldn’t leave you in times of trouble
Billy Joel
We never could have come this far
I took the good times; I’ll take the bad times
I’ll take you just the way you are.”
Both songs work in completely different ways. Both songs have some nice cover versions. I will go with one each.
First, we have Johnny Mathis covering Bruno Mars on his album Johnny Mathis Sings the New Great American Songbook. Mathis’ career goes back to the 1950s so this is a cool tribute.
Moving on to the Billy Joel ‘Just the Way You Are’ cover version, how about Willie Nelson?
Give someone a hug today and tell them you love them…”just the way you are.”
Ted Tocks Covers 