Treasure

The overarching meaning of "Treasure" is a heartfelt ode to a woman who doesn't recognize her own worth. The narrator sees her as a perfect, beautiful individual, a "treasure" and a "golden star," even though she seems to be insecure and wishes to be someone else. The song's message is one of empowerment and adoration; the singer's goal is to make this woman see herself through his eyes and to cherish her accordingly. It's a direct address, aiming to boost the subject's confidence by showering her with compliments and promises of appreciation. The lyrics argue against societal pressures that make people, particularly women, feel insecure, suggesting that they should be valued for who they are. The central theme is about recognizing and celebrating the inherent value and beauty in a loved one, and the singer's desire to be the one who makes her realize her own significance.

The song begins with the singer demanding a woman's full attention. He feels an urgent need to tell her something vital about herself: she is a magnificent, flawless, and incredibly attractive lady. However, he observes that she carries herself as if she desires to be someone different, hinting at a lack of self-worth. The singer confidently states that although she may not be aware of her own value, he sees her as exceptionally fine. He makes a promise to her that once she is his, he will make her see this quality in herself.

The chorus erupts with the central metaphor of the song: she is a treasure. He compares her to a "golden star," a celestial body that is both beautiful and precious. He believes she has the power to make his deepest wishes come true, and he asks for her permission to "treasure" her, a verb implying he will cherish, protect, and value her above all else. This plea is repeated, emphasizing his deep desire to shower her with the affection and appreciation she deserves.

In the second verse, the singer addresses the woman directly again, calling her "pretty girl" and noting that she should be smiling instead of looking sad or "blue." He asserts that someone as wonderful as her should never be unhappy. He reveals that she is the embodiment of everything he sees in his dreams, a powerful declaration of her perfection in his eyes. To assure her of his sincerity, he states that he would never say such a thing if it weren't completely true. This again leads to the pre-chorus where he acknowledges her unawareness of her own beauty and his resolve to show it to her when they are together.

The bridge of the song shifts into a repetitive, chant-like declaration. He repeatedly calls her his treasure, solidifying this as his core perception of her. The repetition acts as a powerful affirmation, a mantra of her worth. This section builds the emotional intensity, leading back into a final, powerful rendition of the chorus. He reiterates that she is his treasure, his golden star, and the one who can fulfill his wishes, if only she will allow him to value her as such. The song fades out on this central theme, leaving the listener with an overwhelming feeling of adoration and the idea that true value lies in seeing and appreciating the preciousness of another person.

"Treasure" was written by Bruno Mars, Philip Lawrence, Ari Levine, and Phredley Brown, with production handled by the first three as the production team The Smeezingtons. It was recorded for Mars' second studio album, Unorthodox Jukebox, which was released in 2012. The song was born out of a desire to create fun, upbeat music that the whole band could jam to, inspired by the energy of live acts like Earth, Wind & Fire. Philip Lawrence noted, "It's the kind of song where the whole band can get up and jam and have this Earth, Wind and Fire kind of moment". The track was recorded at Levcon Studios in California.

A significant part of the song's history involves its striking similarity to the 2010 song "Baby I'm Yours" by French electronic artist Breakbot. In December 2012, Breakbot himself pointed out the resemblance. It was later revealed that Mars' team had approached Breakbot's label about a year prior to cover "Baby I'm Yours," but the request did not move forward as Breakbot was busy with his own album. Breakbot referred to "Treasure" as a "rip-off" but also stated he was "cool with it," acknowledging his own music is also full of influences. Eventually, to resolve the issue, Breakbot (Thibaut Berland) and his collaborator Christopher "Irfane" Khan were officially added as co-writers to the song's credits.

The song is built around a central, extended metaphor: the woman is a "Treasure." This metaphor frames her as something of immense value, rare, and precious, something to be sought after and cherished. By calling her a treasure, the singer elevates her status from an ordinary person to an object of profound worth that he wants to protect and adore.

This central metaphor is reinforced by other imagery:

• "Honey, you're my golden star": This simile compares the woman to a star, a celestial and radiant object. The addition of "golden" enhances this image, associating her with wealth, rarity, and brilliance. It implies she is a guiding light and a source of wonder for him.
• Imagery of self-doubt: The line "you walk around here like you wanna be someone else" is not a metaphor itself but symbolizes her internal struggle with self-esteem. It creates a contrast with the singer's perception of her, highlighting the theme that she doesn't see her own value.

The title itself, used as both a noun and a verb ("let me treasure you"), encapsulates the song's core message. She *is* the treasure, and his greatest wish is to be the one who *treats* her like one.

The predominant emotional atmosphere of "Treasure" is one of pure, infectious joy and adoration. It's an overwhelmingly positive and upbeat song designed to make the listener feel good. This joyful tone is crafted through a combination of its musical and lyrical elements. The bright, funky instrumentation, with its bouncing bassline and shimmering synths, creates an instant feeling of energy and happiness. The tempo is perfect for dancing, contributing to a celebratory mood.

Lyrically, the song is a cascade of compliments and declarations of love, which fosters a warm and affectionate feeling. Bruno Mars' vocal performance is key; it's filled with charisma, confidence, and a palpable sense of delight. There is a sense of earnestness and sincerity in his delivery that makes the message of treasuring someone feel genuine and heartfelt. While the lyrics touch upon the woman's sadness ("A girl like you should never look so blue"), this is immediately countered by the singer's uplifting promises, ensuring the overall emotional landscape remains hopeful and celebratory. The song is a musical antidepressant, a burst of retro-sunshine that aims to uplift both the subject of the song and the audience.

"Treasure" was a significant commercial success and had a notable cultural impact, further cementing Bruno Mars' status as a superstar with a flair for retro showmanship. The song became Mars's seventh top-ten hit in the U.S., peaking at number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. It also performed well internationally, reaching the top ten in countries like Australia, Canada, France, and New Zealand, and hitting number one in South Africa, Mexico, and Libya.

The song was widely praised by critics for its authentic revival of the disco-funk sound, with many comparing it favorably to the work of Michael Jackson and Earth, Wind & Fire. Its accompanying music video, co-directed by Mars, was also a key part of its influence. The video perfectly captured a 1970s aesthetic, complete with retro outfits, simple choreography, vintage visual effects, and a 4:3 aspect ratio, which was lauded for its authenticity and charm. Mars won the award for Best Choreography at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards for the video.

The song's similarity to Breakbot's "Baby I'm Yours" also brought significant media attention and led to a wider discussion about musical inspiration and plagiarism, ultimately resulting in songwriting credits being shared. "Treasure" remains a staple of Mars' live performances and a fan favorite, remembered for its feel-good vibe and its successful homage to a classic era of music.

"Treasure" is characterized by a highly danceable rhythm and a structured, pop-friendly rhyme scheme.

Rhythm: The song has a tempo of approximately 116 BPM, a classic tempo for disco and funk tracks designed to make people dance. The rhythm is driven by a strong, syncopated bass line and a four-on-the-floor drum pattern, especially prominent in the chorus with the introduction of the hi-hat to provide a steady backbeat. The interplay between the rhythmic vocals and the funky instrumental groove creates a compelling, energetic feel. The pacing of the lyrical delivery is faster in the verses and more spaced out in the chorus, creating a dynamic flow that builds excitement.

Rhyme Scheme: The song follows a relatively simple and effective rhyme scheme. The verses use an AABB or ABAB pattern. For example, in the first verse, "baby" rhymes with "lady" and "yourself" rhymes with "else". The pre-chorus uses a couplet (AA rhyme scheme), as seen with "so fine" and "oh mine". The chorus also employs a straightforward AABB scheme with "are" and "star," and "true" and "you." This consistent and predictable rhyming pattern contributes to the song's catchy and memorable quality, making it easy for audiences to sing along.

"Treasure" is a masterclass in retro pastiche, deliberately emulating the sounds of the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Musical Techniques:

• Instrumentation: The song features a classic disco and funk arrangement with a prominent, driving slap bass line, funky guitar riffs, shimmering keyboards, and punchy drums. The use of synth chords and a horn section in the chorus adds to the rich, layered sound reminiscent of bands like Earth, Wind & Fire.
• Vocal Delivery: Bruno Mars employs a smooth, high-tenor vocal style that channels Michael Jackson, particularly from his Off the Wall era. His performance includes soulful runs and a call-and-response structure with the backing vocals, enhancing the gospel and R&B feel.
• Arrangement: The song's structure is a standard pop format (Verse-Pre-Chorus-Chorus). The arrangement builds dynamically, with instruments like the hi-hat and additional percussion entering in the chorus to lift the energy and create a danceable backbeat. The production features vintage-sounding effects, such as reverb and echo on the vocals, to maintain the retro aesthetic.

Literary Techniques:

• Metaphor and Simile: The core of the song's lyrics relies on the central metaphor of the woman as a "treasure" and the simile comparing her to a "golden star."
• Anaphora: The repetition of "You are my treasure" in the bridge is an example of anaphora, used to emphasize the main theme and create a memorable, chant-like effect.
• Direct Address: The singer speaks directly to the woman ("I got to tell you a little something about yourself"), creating an intimate and persuasive tone.

What is the song 'Treasure' by Bruno Mars about?

'Treasure' is a love song about a man who deeply adores a woman who doesn't see her own worth. He compares her to a precious 'treasure' and a 'golden star,' and his main desire is to make her see her own beauty and value.

Who wrote Bruno Mars' song 'Treasure'?

The song was initially credited to Bruno Mars, Philip Lawrence, Ari Levine, and Phredley Brown. Due to its similarity to the song 'Baby I'm Yours,' French artist Breakbot (Thibaut Berland) and his collaborator Christopher 'Irfane' Khan were later added as co-writers.

When was 'Treasure' by Bruno Mars released?

'Treasure' was released as the third single from the album 'Unorthodox Jukebox' on May 10, 2013. The album itself was released in December 2012.

What genre of music is 'Treasure' by Bruno Mars?

'Treasure' is primarily a blend of disco and funk-pop, with strong influences from soul and R&B music of the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Is 'Treasure' by Bruno Mars inspired by another song?

Yes, 'Treasure' is heavily inspired by and shares strong similarities with the 2010 song 'Baby I'm Yours' by the French electronic musician Breakbot. This led to Breakbot and his co-writer being given official songwriting credits on 'Treasure'.

What is the meaning of the 'golden star' lyric in 'Treasure'?

The line 'Honey, you're my golden star' is a metaphor that emphasizes the woman's preciousness and brilliance in the singer's eyes. It suggests she is a radiant, beautiful, and valuable guide in his life, much like a celestial object.

What is the style of the 'Treasure' music video?

The music video for 'Treasure' is intentionally retro, mimicking the style of performance videos from the late 1970s and early 1980s. It features Bruno Mars and his band in matching red suits, with vintage-style graphics, simple choreography, and a 4:3 aspect ratio to complete the nostalgic feel.