The Lazy Song

Album: Doo-Wops & Hooligans (2010)
Charted: 1 12
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Mars sings on this hymn to sloth: "I'll be lyin' on the couch, just chillin' in my Snuggie/Click to MTV so they can 'Teach Me How to Dougie'/'Cause in my castle I'm the freaking man." He explained to The Daily News where the track came from: "That song just came out of the studio. We were trying to make a song that was better than the Beatles. We were trying to be magical and historic. After five hours, it all turned to rubbish. The frustration got to me and I said, 'Today I don't feel like doing anything at all.' That opened up everyone's eyes. When you're overshooting, you get the worst work. When you're relaxed, you have your best. I'm a light kind of guy."
  • The music video, which Mars co-directed with Cameron Duddy, is one continuous shot of Mars singing as the dance troupe Poreotics dressed as monkeys dance to and mimic the song's lyrics.

    An earlier, Nez-directed version featured Leonard Nimoy stumbling about town in his bathrobe, but Mars wasn't satisfied. He ponied up $22,000 of his own money and called his pal, Diana Ross' daughter, and asked if he could shoot a video in her living room.
  • When this reached #1 in the UK, Mars became the first artist since Westlife in 1999-2000 to achieve four chart-toppers in one year. (The Irish band actually achieved five). The Hawaiian singer landed his first number one single as the guest singer on B.o.B.'s hit "Nothin' on You," followed by chart-toppers with his own songs "Just The Way You Are" and "Grenade" Finally, exactly 52 weeks after his first visit to the summit, he returned to #1 with this song.

Comments: 3

  • Chuck from TexasToday I dont feel like doing anything
  • Brandon from Strawberryfields, CaThis song is NOT better than any Beatles song
  • Mark from Pine Hall, Ncsometimes i feel this way
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Wedding Bell Blues

Wedding Bell BluesSong Writing

When a song describes a wedding, it's rarely something to celebrate - with one big exception.

Pam Tillis

Pam TillisSongwriter Interviews

The country sweetheart opines about the demands of touring and talks about writing songs with her famous father.

Queen

QueenFact or Fiction

Scaramouch, a hoople and a superhero soundtrack - see if you can spot the real Queen stories.

Barry Dean ("Pontoon," "Diamond Rings And Old Barstools")

Barry Dean ("Pontoon," "Diamond Rings And Old Barstools")Songwriter Interviews

A top country songwriter, Barry talks about writing hits for Little Big Town, Tim McGraw and Jason Aldean.

Don Brewer of Grand Funk

Don Brewer of Grand FunkSongwriter Interviews

The drummer and one of the primary songwriters in Grand Funk talks rock stardom and Todd Rundgren.

Sending Out An SOS - Distress Signals In Songs

Sending Out An SOS - Distress Signals In SongsSong Writing

Songs where something goes horribly wrong (literally or metaphorically), and help is needed right away.