Gorilla

“Gorilla” is an unabashed and explicit anthem about raw, animalistic sexual passion. Bruno Mars uses the central metaphor of “making love like gorillas” to strip away romantic conventions and focus on a primal, intense, and uninhibited physical connection. The song's meaning is not cloaked in subtlety; it's a direct portrayal of a sexual encounter that is wild, aggressive, and all-consuming. In interviews, Mars confirmed the song is about “good old animalistic sex,” intended to paint a picture of a passionate, no-holds-barred experience. The lyrics detail a scenario fueled by alcohol and cocaine, leading to a heightened state of abandon where the lovers ignore potential consequences, such as neighbors calling the police, in favor of indulging their base desires. The song celebrates a form of consensual, rough passion, as evidenced by lines where the female partner smiles and encourages the aggressive acts. Ultimately, “Gorilla” is about shedding human inhibitions and connecting on a purely physical and instinctual level.

The narrative unfolds in a haze of reckless abandon, with the protagonist's body “full of liquor with a cocaine kicker,” creating a feeling of being “thirty feet tall.” This heightened state sets the stage for an intense physical encounter. He addresses his partner, who is positioned with her “legs up in the sky with the devil in your eyes,” and urges her to confess her desires openly. The atmosphere is compared to a jungle from which there is no escape, as he promises a “killer” experience that will have her “banging on my chest.”

The central, recurring theme is hammered home in the chorus: “You and me baby, making love like gorillas.” This primal metaphor strips away romanticism in favor of raw, untamed passion. The scene becomes more aggressive and possessive, with him grabbing a “fistful of your hair,” yet she is not scared; she smiles and affirms his dominance, calling him “Daddy.” He acknowledges her as a “dirty little lover,” indicating a shared understanding and mutual enjoyment of this rougher form of intimacy.

The intensity escalates to a point where they are completely oblivious to the outside world. He declares that even if the neighbors call the police, the sheriff, or a SWAT team, they will not stop. Their lovemaking will continue while authorities are “knocking on our door,” punctuated by her screams of desire, demanding more. The jungle metaphor returns, reinforcing the idea that in this wild, passionate space, there is no running away from the intensity of the moment.

A bridge section follows, promising a transformative experience. He boasts that she has “never ever felt so good” and describes her body “trembling like it should.” He asserts that she will “never be the same baby once I’m done with you,” suggesting the encounter will be unforgettable and life-altering. The song culminates in a final, powerful repetition of the core idea, emphasizing their shared, wild act of “making love like gorillas,” leaving no doubt about the primal and all-consuming nature of their connection.

“Gorilla” was the very first song written for Bruno Mars' second studio album, Unorthodox Jukebox (2012), and it set the creative tone for the entire project. Mars stated in an interview that the song “became the mascot” for the album, which is why a gorilla features prominently on the album's cover art. The song was written by Mars, Philip Lawrence, and Ari Levine, who are collectively known as The Smeezingtons. They also handled production alongside Emile Haynie, Jeff Bhasker, and Mark Ronson. Mars explained that the concept was simply to paint a picture of “animalistic sex.” When questioned about the explicit lyric, “Got a body full of liquor with a cocaine kicker,” especially in light of a past drug charge, Mars defended it as artistically necessary. He told Rolling Stone, “To take that line out would dilute my art. The song needs a sense of danger.” He felt that pop music had lost its edge and wanted to bring back the kind of danger personified by artists like Michael Jackson and Prince. The track was recorded at Levcon Studios in Los Angeles and Avatar Studios in New York City. It was officially released as the fourth single from the album on September 10, 2013.

“Gorilla” employs a relatively straightforward rhyme scheme within its verses, often using couplets (AABB) or near rhymes to maintain a cohesive and driving lyrical flow. For instance, in the first verse, “kicker” rhymes with “liquor” (if pronounced with some flexibility), and “tall” pairs with “all.” This simple structure makes the lyrics direct and impactful, mirroring the song's straightforward theme.

The song's rhythm is a powerful mid-tempo beat characteristic of arena rock. The track is built on a foundation of strong, Phil Collins-esque drumming, featuring prominent tom-tom fills and a heavy, reverberating snare. This creates a thunderous, almost tribal feel that complements the “gorilla” metaphor. The lyrical rhythm often syncs with this powerful musical pulse, especially in the pre-chorus, building tension that explodes in the anthemic chorus. The interplay between Mars’s syncopated vocal delivery and the steady, driving rock beat contributes significantly to the song's feeling of raw power and unstoppable momentum.

Musically, “Gorilla” is a midtempo arena-rock power ballad with a significant 1980s influence. Critics have frequently compared its style to the work of Prince, particularly his 1984 hit “Purple Rain,” and Phil Collins, noted in its distinctive synth and powerful, gated reverb drum sound. The arrangement features “epic” guitars, a driving drum beat, and a powerful pop hook in the chorus. Bruno Mars's vocal performance is a key stylistic element; it is explosive and high-octane, showcasing his impressive range and ability to convey raw emotion and intensity. His delivery is passionate and aggressive, matching the lyrical content.

Lyrically, the song employs a direct and visceral narrative voice. The primary literary device is the central metaphor of comparing the sexual act to that of gorillas, which is used to frame the entire song. The lyrics utilize vivid, and often explicit, imagery (“fistful of your hair,” “banging on my chest”) to create a graphic and impactful picture of the scene. There is also a use of hyperbole, such as feeling “thirty feet tall,” to emphasize the feeling of invincibility brought on by intoxication and desire.

“Gorilla” received mixed reviews from critics upon its release; while many praised its powerful arena-rock sound and ambitious production, reminiscent of the 1980s, others criticized its explicit and arguably crude lyrical content. Despite the controversy, the song achieved moderate chart success, reaching number 22 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and was certified platinum by the RIAA, indicating over a million units sold. Its controversial nature was amplified by its music video, co-directed by Mars, which starred actress Freida Pinto as a stripper in a seedy club. The video was considered racy and provocative, generating significant discussion and breaking viewership records on Facebook's #NowPlaying premiere program at the time. Bruno Mars delivered memorable live performances of the song, including at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards and the MTV Europe Music Awards, which further solidified its place in pop culture. As the first song written for Unorthodox Jukebox, it is significant within Mars's discography for setting the edgier, more rock-influenced tone of the album.

The dominant and central metaphor in the song is the act of “making love like gorillas.” This comparison serves to strip the encounter of any romanticism and instead emphasizes pure, primal, and untamed passion. Gorillas, as powerful and wild primates, symbolize instinct, dominance, and raw strength, which are the core themes of the song's depiction of sex. By invoking this image, Mars conveys an experience that is not tender or gentle, but rather aggressive, loud, and unrestrained.

The setting is described as a “jungle,” a classic symbol of a wild, untamed environment where civilization's rules don't apply. This metaphor reinforces the idea that the lovers are operating on pure instinct, away from societal norms. The line, “in this jungle you can’t run,” suggests the inescapable and all-consuming nature of their desire.

Furthermore, the lyric “you got your legs up in the sky with the devil in your eyes” uses demonic imagery to symbolize temptation, mischief, and a departure from innocence, highlighting the seductive and dangerous allure of the encounter.

The most significant recurring phrase and central motif is the line, “You and me baby, making love like gorillas.” This phrase appears in the chorus and at the end of the song, serving as the thematic core. Its repetition drills the central metaphor of primal, animalistic passion into the listener's mind, defining the song's entire meaning and tone.

Another recurring lyrical element is the imagery of the jungle. The line “But in this jungle you can't run” appears in the pre-chorus sections, reinforcing the idea of an inescapable, wild, and lawless environment where the lovers' instincts take over.

The phrase “Bang bang, gorilla” and the action of “banging on my chest” is also a key recurring motif. This directly references the stereotypical behavior of a male gorilla, symbolizing dominance, raw power, and the untamed nature of the encounter described in the song.