Grenade

Story of Song

Benny Blanco was the inspiration for this hit. Mars explained to The Idolator: “I was with my friend Benny Blanco and he was playing me some songs, and he played me this song that had a lyric like ‘Grenade’ he said, this band is not signed, this is a CD that wasn’t released. I said to Benny, ‘I can relate to that so much, I want to take that and make it my own.’ He was in contact with the dude, and I started writing my version, basically. It’s a heartbreaking, heartbreak song, and I think everyone can relate to that. You’re so in love with this woman and you don’t understand, ‘What am I doing wrong? What am I not giving to you? I’ll go as far as putting as putting a bullet in my brain for you, and why can’t I get that kind of love in return?’”

Release date

Released September 28, 2010

Songwriter/s

Bruno Mars – Philip Laurence – Ari Levine – Brody Brown – Claude Kelly – Andrew Wyatt

Label

Elektra

Chart Rankings

US – 1

UK – 1

GERMANY  – 1

‘Grenade’ was the second most popular single of 2011, with 10.2 million copies sold worldwide. In the UK, it topped the Official Charts Company and was certified Platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for sales over 949.000 copies. In the US, the song topped the Billboard Hot 100, the Mainstream Top 40, and the Rhythmic Charts. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified it 5 times Platinum for sales over 6.1 million copies. ‘Grenade’ topped the charts in several countries, including Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Norway, Poland, and Scotland. Elsewhere it reached the top 10 charts in Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Slovakia. In Australia, the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) certified it 5 times Platinum, and in Canada it was certified 6 times Platinum. Switzerland certified it Triple Platinum, New Zealand and Sweden certified it Double Platinum, and in Austria, Denmark, and Italy it was certified Platinum. In Germany it was certified Triple Gold for sales over 450.000 copies.

Artist’s age on release date

Bruno Mars was 25 years old when this song was released.

Cover Versions

Ariana Grande – Boyce Avenue – Gavin Mikhail – Lil Wayne (remix) – RichGirl – Nathaniel Drew & Salt Lake Pops Orchestra featuring Alex Boye & Lindsey Stirling (remix) – Gerrie van Dijk-Dantuma & Michelle Chamuel (The Voice of Holland – Gille – Will Chase – Memphis May Fire – Within Temptation – Edei – Alexa Goddard – Jason Chen – Fatin Shidqia Lubis (The X Factor) – Julia & Tyler – Joseph Vincent – Postmodern Jukebox – Reed Deming (The X Factor USA) – James & FJ (rock cover) – Sungha Jung – Forever Sets The Sun – Andrew M – Tori Kelly & Angie Girl (beatbox cover) – Christina Grimmie – Jannina W – Legaci featuring Summer Breeze – Aj Silva – J.R.A. – Other amateur artists covered this song on Youtube.