It's Better If You Don't Understand

Background

In an interview with Rap-Up, Mars explained that the song "Somewhere in Brooklyn" is dedicated to his father who is from Brooklyn, adding that: "everyone can agree that New York is a special place". Lyrically, a girl is the subject of Mars' attention. After they met briefly, he tries to find her again somewhere in Brooklyn.

Ari Levine talked in an interview with Sound on Sound about producing some of Mars' songs. "The Other Side", whose production was re-arranged, was intended for somebody else, and several people wrote parts of the track. Concerning the lyrics' concept Mars said that they describe: "the lifestyle you end up living as an artist". He also explained that the title of the record came from the final lyrics of one of its songs, "The Other Side".

In the same interview, Levine explained that "Talking to the Moon" took a long time to record, while he, Mars, and Lawrence decided which drums to use. As a result, the song was arranged and produced "in four different ways". When the team started composing the track, they "only had the first verse and the horns". However their gut told them they were onto something. At one point the team: "had three different bridges and [they] spent a lot of time trying to find out which one was the best". Jeff Bhasker also collaborated on the track's composition. "Talking to the Moon" was the first song written for Mars' debut release once the three of them finished working with other artists and focused on the EP.

Composition

It's Better If You Don't Understand is composed of four songs employing pop, pop rock, and hip hop genres. Mars explained that the EP is hard to classify since: "I just write songs that I strongly believe in and that are coming from inside. There's no tricks. It's honesty with big melodies. And I'm singing the s*** out of them". A romantic soft and smooth recording, the opening track, "Somewhere in Brooklyn", was composed by The Smeezingtons. It features "an emo-pop backing" beat, "electronic pops and bleeps", a piano and synthesizers. Lyrically, the tune is about Mars chasing the "perfect woman" who got away, and wishing to find her again. Mars' vocals have been highly praised in this track. The second release, "The Other Side", features a vocal collaboration with Cee Lo Green and B.o.B., and is considered the best on the EP by several critics. The track has been described as incorporating 60's and 70's soulful feeling. Its instrumentation uses guitar, organ and a: "drum and bass pace that slowly builds through the verse and into the chorus". It is reminiscent of compositions by Daniel Merriweather and Chris Isaak’s "Wicked Game". "The Other Side" addresses the "excitement of courting" sung in a falsetto voice with a "soaring pop" hook.

The two final tracks were described as "bittersweet ballads", with the third being called a "slow burner". "Count On Me" draws from the works of Jason Mraz and David Cook, featuring a laid back groove, tropical vibes, "Elvis-esque adlibs at the beginning" and Mars "roots in Hawaii". Pardalis of 411mania.com found its hook "simple but effective". The vocals were described as powerful, "yet pleasant". It conveys the message of comfort found in a friend and shows Mars' "soft side". The closing track, "Talking to the Moon", was described as a pop song with power ballad influences. It was met with mixed reviews, with some reviewers calling it "the weakest because the heavy production threatens to overwhelm Mars' singing", and others feeling that "the song just gets better". The recording features a "soft piano", "layers of synthesizers", "beautiful vocals" on a chorus with a "phenomenal hook" and "perfect balance" culminating in an "over the top production". The track's sentiment has been highly praised, with some saying that "anyone could feel it". Its lyrics describe Mars trying to reach his "lost former lover" hoping that his words reach their destiny.

Release and promotion

It's Better If You Don't Understand was released exclusively for digital download on May 11, 2010 by Elektra Records in the US, and in France, on August 11, 2010 by Atlantic Records; this edition did not feature "Count on Me" on the track list.

"The Other Side" was released as the first single from the EP in July 2010. The song featured guest vocals by Atlanta-based rappers Cee Lo Green and B.o.B. The home video for "The Other Side" was directed by Nick Bilardello and Cameron Duddy, and premiered on MTV's website on August 23, 2010. "The Other Side", "Count on Me", and "Talking to the Moon" were later included on the standard edition of Mars' debut studio album, Doo-Wops & Hooligans (2010). "Somewhere in Brooklyn" was included as a bonus track on the deluxe version of the record. All of the songs were featured on the set list of Mars' Doo-Wops & Hooligans Tour, with the exception of "Somewhere in Brooklyn".

Critical reception

Upon its release, It's Better If You Don't Understand received rave reviews from music critics. 411Mania's Dan Pardalis complimented the EP by calling it "pop music at its finest", noting the song "Somewhere in Brooklyn" was "good", describing the other three as "great". He added that the four tracks tell "one love story". Pardalis complement not only Mars' "extraordinary versatility, pop sensibility, and appeal", but also his talent at creating "memorable vocal melodies and his naturally emotive writing", easily making a connection with the audience. Bill Lamb of About.com labelled the EP a "pop pleasure", further praising the record by saying "with justice in the pop music world, this is the music that should be on your radio", rating It's Better If You Don't Understand four and a half out of five stars. Writing for AllMusic, David Jeffres called the EP's four songs a "sparse effort that leans towards pop" and drew attention to "the man’s songwriting". He also deemed the album a "short set of easy, breezy tunes", which doesn't necessarily leave people "begging for more, but it will make most pop fans open to the idea". Harris Decker of the website The Truth About Music also gave the EP a positive review, calling the record "impressive" and Mars "talented". Nevertheless, he felt the release was "rushed" since it was made: "in order to capitalize on the success of the mainstream singles".

Chart performance

It's Better If You Don't Understand failed to achieve commercial success. It debuted at number 99 on the Billboard 200, the week of May 29, 2010, where it remained for only one week; it peaked at number thirteen on the Billboard Digital Albums chart. As of 2011, it has sold 27,000 copies in the United States. It's Better If You Don't Understand reached number 97 on the UK Albums Chart on the week of August 28, 2010, while "The Other Side" charted on the UK Singles Chart at number 117.

Track listing

Credits adapted from It's Better If You Don't Understand liner notes.

Personnel

Credits adapted from It's Better If You Don't Understand liner notes and AllMusic.