Just the Way You Are (Remix)

## Song by Bruno Mars featuring Lupe Fiasco

"**Just the Way You Are**" is the debut solo single by American singer-songwriter and record producer Bruno Mars, released by Elektra and Atlantic Records to contemporary hit radio on August 10, 2010. The official remix featuring American rapper Lupe Fiasco was included as the eleventh track of the iTunes deluxe edition of Mars' debut studio album, *Doo-Wops & Hooligans* (2010). This version contains two new verses by Fiasco, adding to the narrative that the girl doesn't have to change herself for anyone.

## Background

The beat for the track was initially intended for Fiasco, producer Khari "Needlz" Cain explaining that "it came from a hip-hop origin." He continued, "I was doing a track for Lupe and we had Bruno sing the hook. Originally I thought it was going to be for Lupe, but it was taking a while for them to confirm and they wanted me to make some edits to the drums and do some things here and there. It got quiet for about a month and then I got a phone call that said it's Bruno's single. I didn't set out to do a pop track, but it just came out like that and I can't complain."

Co-writer Khalil "Saint Cassius" Walton recalled in an interview with *Flaunt* that it was different working with Fiasco on "Just the Way You Are" opposed to the *Lasers* album experience. He elaborated, "For that, I did a lot of the music and wrote some of the hook, but they completely changed everything about the record. When "Just The Way You Are" hit, it sounded nothing like the original."

In 2022, Fiasco addressed over Twitter, "I was comfortable making pop records. The issue was who controlled those records and what the ownership and splits were. Atlantic would only promote my records if they owned a large portion of them or if I signed a 360 deal. I gave Bruno Mars Just The Way You Are."

## Lyrics

**Lyrics**
[Intro: Lupe Fiasco]

First rule, never let 'em change you

Rule two, do you to the fullest (To the fullest)

And never be ashamed to

You're just good at what they can't do

And they hate that, they wanna paint you

In they color, put you on another

But what they don't accept, and what they don't see

The best thing is what you already be

[Verse 1: Bruno Mars]

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 every day

Yeah, I know, I know

When I compliment her, she won't believe me

And it's so, it's so

Sad to think she don't see what I see

But every time she asks me, "Do I look okay?"

I say

[Chorus: Bruno Mars]

When I see your face

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

[Verse 2: Bruno Mars]

Her lips, her lips

I could kiss them all day if she'd let me

Her laugh, her laugh

She hates but I think it's so sexy

She's so beautiful, and I tell her every day

Oh, you know, you know, you know

I'd never ask you to change

If perfect's what you're searching for

Then just stay the same

So don't even bother asking if you look okay

You know I'll say

[Chorus: Bruno Mars]

When I see your face

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

[Verse 3: Lupe Fiasco]

Uh yeah

The definition of real is

If you don't feel, then you don't you feel it

Don't conceal it, don't be fair

You look great, don't need silicone to build it, or botox to kill it

You just killing off spirit

And you the one that you gotta live with

So don't get caught up in appearance

And see the inner beauty

When you look off in the mirrors

[Post-Chorus: Bruno Mars]

The way you are

The way you are

Girl, you're amazing just the way you are

[Chorus: Bruno Mars]

When I see your face

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 awhile

'Cause girl, you're amazing

Just the way you are

Yeah

## References

1. ↑ Bernard, Adam (August 2, 2011). "Needlz Interview". *Rapreviews.com*.
2. ↑ Ju, Shirley (July 27, 2020). "Saint Cassius | Balloons Don't Sink". *Flaunt*.
3. ↑ "Lupe Fiasco (@LupeFiasco)". *Twitter*. August 1, 2022.