Perm by Bruno Mars Lyrics Meaning – Unraveling the Feel-Good Funk Philosophy
Lyrics
Looking all pretty and angry and mean and good (haha)
Now I know you didn’t get your hair done
So you could just sit down and just sit still
Hey, we tryna have a good time tonight, let’s go baby!
It’s my birthday
(No, it’s not)
But I still look good though
(Hot comb hot)
I bet you want an autograph
For you and your friends
Gotta do it in the penthouse
That’s where I keep my pen
What you can’t dance, ain’t got rhythm?
What you got a man? I don’t see you with him
Put your phone down, let’s get it
Forget your Instagram and your Twitter
Got me like whoa, wait a minute
You need to take a minute
Loosen them shoulders up
Pour it up, let’s work
Throw some perm on your attitude
Girl, you gotta relax (ooh)
Let me show you what you got to do
You gotta lay it back
Matter of fact, band, show her how to lay it back!
Show her how to lay it back
Show her how to lay it back
Ow, show her how to lay it back
Alright!
Come on baby, I love you
(No you don’t)
You never know, I might though
Can’t say I won’t, ah
There’s that smile I’m looking for
Was that so hard?
If you ever need to smile again girl, take my card
Razzle-dazzle, never gon’ stop
What you want is what I got
You wanna get down? You gotta get up
Don’t be stingy with your big ol’ butt
You got a booty like whoa, wait a minute!
I’m just playing with you
Loosen them shoulders up
Pour it up, let’s work
Throw some perm on your attitude
Girl, you gotta relax (ooh)
Let me show you what you got to do
You gotta lay it back
Matter of fact, band, show her how to lay it back!
Show her how to lay it back
Show her how to lay it back
Ow, show her how to lay it back
Alright!
Hey, now you got it baby
You tryna have some fun tonight
You just gotta follow these simple instructions, you ready?
You need to activate your sexy (activate your sexy)
Silky, smooth and snap (silky, smooth and snap)
Now lean with it (lean), throw a lil’ sheen in it (sheen)
Then pat, pat, pat ’til it’s flat
One more time, you need to activate your sexy (activate your sexy)
Silky, smooth and snap (silky, smooth and snap)
Now lean with it (lean), throw a lil’ sheen in it (sheen)
Then pat, pat, pat ’til it’s flat
I’ll sing it again
Throw some perm on your attitude
Girl, you gotta relax
(Ooh)
Ooh, let me show you what you got to do
You gotta lay it back
Matter of fact, band, show her how to lay it back!
Show her how to lay it back
Show her how to lay it back, now
Ow, show her how to lay it back right now
Alright!
Bruno Mars delivers a fresh dose of funk-infused vivacity in his song ‘Perm,’ a track from his critically acclaimed album ’24K Magic.’ The song, which tingles with Mars’s signature smooth style and exuberant energy, manifests as a playful nudge for self-expression and celebration.
At first listen, the song’s bright horns and throwback funk rhythm seem to underscore a straightforward message of letting loose and dancing away the blues. Yet, a deeper dive into the lyrics reveals layers of social commentary, personal attitude, and a reminder of the timeless healing power of just letting it all hang out.
Pumped-Up Playfulness: The Immediate Lure of ‘Perm’
The brash opening lines of ‘Perm’ set the stage for a track that’s all about the immediate infectiousness of old-school funk and the importance of attitude. Mars, through his playful lyrical incantations, invites the listener to shed their inhibitions with a sly sense of humor.
The song’s directive to ‘Throw some perm on your attitude’ is both a cheeky nod to classic funk and an inventive metaphor urging the easing of tension. It’s an enigmatic invitation for listeners to modify their mindset as one might change their hairstyle—swiftly and with style.
Unwrapping the Hidden Meaning Behind ‘Perm’s’ Groovy Beats
The hidden meaning in ‘Perm’ goes beyond simply letting loose on the dance floor. It’s a coded call for authenticity in an era dominated by social media facades. Mars challenges the modern compulsion to put on airs for Instagram and Twitter, urging a return to genuine, unfiltered enjoyment.
His mention of putting the phone down and ‘pour it up’ suggests a rebellion against the constantly connected, often superficial, nature of online personas. Mars prompts his muse—and by extension, his audience—to embrace the present and reconnect with the real.
A Sonic Throwback: Bruno Mars’s Homage to A Bygone Era
The musicality of ‘Perm’ is a direct pipeline to the heart of 70s funk, marked by its blasting brass, rhythmic bass, and Mars’s cadenced, soul-infused vocals. The tune is less of a pastiche and more of an homage, a modern masterpiece that Bruno Mars has artfully crafted.
Listeners are transported to an era of glittering disco balls and flared pants, not just by the sound, but by the attitude embodied in the music. The retro vibe doesn’t just pay respect to the giants upon whose shoulders Mars stands—it also emphasizes the song’s broader message of timeless and universal joy.
Loosen Them Shoulders Up: The Mantra of Unburdening
Mars doesn’t merely suggest that his subject—and by extension, listeners—shake off their bad attitude; he makes lightness and relaxation a mantra in ‘Perm.’ The repeated incitement to ‘Loosen them shoulders up’ resonates as much more than a physical command; it is a prescription for the soul.
In an age where the weight of the world seems ever-present, Mars’s advice becomes deeply therapeutic. The emphasis on bodily movement is both literal and symbolic, hinting at the physiological connection between dance and psychological relief.
Echoes of Empowerment in ‘Perm’s’ Memorably Liberating Lyrics
The chorus’s battle cry to alter one’s ‘attitude’ carries an unexpected undertone of empowerment. ‘Perm’ is not simply about fun; it’s a directive to reclaim autonomy over one’s mood and circumstances through the act of celebration.
‘Throw some perm on your attitude’ thus becomes an anthem for self-emancipation. Mars’s seemingly frivolous lyrics about hair gel and dance moves serve as clever euphemisms for taking charge of life’s reins with confidence and flair.
