“I Was Creatively Blocked for 9 Months”: How Ed Sheeran’s Ukulele Advice Sparked Bruno Mars’ Hit Song

In the world of pop music, even the brightest stars face moments when inspiration runs dry. For Bruno Mars, that drought lasted nine months — a period of intense creative frustration while crafting his debut album. The breakthrough, however, came not from a studio overhaul or high-tech production trick, but from a humble four-string instrument and one well-timed piece of advice from his friend and fellow hitmaker, Ed Sheeran.

The Block That Wouldn’t Budge

At the time, Mars was in the final stages of developing Doo-Wops & Hooligans (2010), the album that would catapult him into global stardom. But despite multiple tracks already completed — including future hits like “Just the Way You Are” and “Grenade” — he struggled to find the final spark needed to complete the project.

“I was creatively blocked for nine months,” Mars later admitted in an interview. “Nothing felt fresh, nothing clicked.”

It was during this frustrating stretch that Mars reconnected with Ed Sheeran, who had already earned a reputation for his stripped-down, soulful approach to songwriting. Sheeran, hearing of Mars’ creative rut, offered a simple suggestion that would ultimately unlock one of Mars’ most distinctive hits.

The Ukulele Trick: A Small Instrument, a Big Shift

Sheeran’s advice was deceptively simple: “Switch up the instruments you’re using.”

He encouraged Mars to set aside the guitar and piano — the tools he’d always relied on — and instead try writing with something new and less conventional: the ukulele.

The goal wasn’t to change Mars’ sound permanently, but to disrupt his creative habits. By playing a smaller instrument with different chord shapes, Mars was forced to think in new rhythms and melodies.

Almost immediately, the creative block lifted.

Within hours of experimenting on the ukulele, Mars stumbled upon the playful, reggae-infused groove that would become “The Lazy Song.”

The Birth of “The Lazy Song”

That spontaneous session birthed one of Bruno Mars’ most memorable and carefree tracks — a song that captured the universal feeling of wanting to do absolutely nothing.

Released in 2011, “The Lazy Song” became a defining anthem of Mars’ debut era. The ukulele’s light, sunny tone formed the backbone of the song’s production, complementing its relaxed, tongue-in-cheek lyrics.

Chart Performance and Legacy:

• Billboard Hot 100: Peaked at #4 in the U.S.
• Global Reach: Charted in over 20 countries, including Top 10 placements in the U.K., Canada, and Australia.
• Music Video: The low-budget, comedic clip featuring dancing monkeys became a viral sensation, amassing over 2 billion views on YouTube.

The song’s breezy tone stood out in an era dominated by heavy electronic production, reminding listeners — and Mars himself — of the power of simplicity.

Ripple Effects: How the Ukulele Shaped Mars’ Sound

While “The Lazy Song” is the most famous product of Sheeran’s ukulele advice, the instrument became a subtle hallmark of Mars’ early sound. The heartfelt ballad “Count On Me,” also from Doo-Wops & Hooligans, features the same four-string warmth that gives the track its timeless intimacy.

That small creative pivot — moving from guitar and piano to ukulele — didn’t just unlock a hit; it expanded Mars’ musical identity. It reinforced his reputation as a versatile songwriter who could blend reggae, pop, and soul with ease.

A Friendship Built on Music and Mutual Respect

The connection between Ed Sheeran and Bruno Mars didn’t end with that moment of inspiration. The two would later join forces professionally, most notably on the fiery rock collaboration “Blow,” featured on Sheeran’s No.6 Collaborations Project (2019).

Their friendship highlights one of the most underrated aspects of artistic success: collaboration between peers who understand the creative struggle. In this case, Sheeran’s simple yet insightful advice didn’t just help Mars finish an album — it helped him create one of the most enduring pop anthems of the 2010s.

The Lesson: When Creativity Stalls, Simplify

Ed Sheeran’s ukulele tip is now cited as a textbook example of breaking creative stagnation. By stripping away complexity and returning to the basics, Bruno Mars rediscovered the joy of music-making — and in doing so, delivered one of his most iconic songs.

In a world where music production often leans on technology and elaborate layering, this story serves as a gentle reminder: sometimes, all it takes to write a hit is a small instrument, a fresh perspective, and the right piece of advice from a friend who understands the art of the reset.