Versace on the Floor

"Versace on the Floor" is a song by American singer Bruno Mars from his third studio album, "24K Magic" (2016). Atlantic Records released the song as the only promotional single and the third official single from the album to Hot AC radio in the United States on June 12, 2017. "Versace on the Floor" was written by Mars, Philip Lawrence, Christopher Brody Brown and James Fauntleroy. Mars, Lawrence and Brown handled the track's production under the name Shampoo Press & Curl. A remix by French DJ David Guetta was released on June 27, 2017, for digital download and streaming in various countries. "Versace on the Floor" is an R&B song reminiscent of the slow jams from the 1990s, and resembles the early works of Michael Jackson. The song's lyrics address romance, intimacy and Gianni Versace's clothing line.
Some music critics considered it to be the soundtrack to school dances, others found its lyrics sexually driven. The song charted moderately in various countries. It reached number 33 on the U.S. "Billboard" Hot 100 and number seven on the Dance Club Songs chart. It peaked at number 27 in New Zealand, and reached the top three on the Philippine Hot 100. Its remix peaked at number eight and 13 on the singles charts in Belgium (Wallonia) and Hungary, respectively. It has been certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and twice platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA).
The song's music video, directed by Cameron Duddy and Mars, was released on August 13, 2017, and features American actress and singer Zendaya. Mars performed "Versace on the Floor" during the 2017 Billboard Music Awards and on his 24K Magic World Tour (2017–2018). The song was nominated for The Ashford & Simpson Songwriter's Award at the 2017 Soul Train Music Awards.
Background and development.
In September 2014, Bruno Mars hinted he was working on new music with the tweet "Now it's time to start writing chapter 3". Following the release of the successful Mark Ronson and Mars' single "Uptown Funk" (2014), Mars headed to the studio to record more songs, and said he had no plans to release a new album "until it's done". It was due in March 2016, but his appearance at the Super Bowl half-time show postponed it for several months. At the time, seven songs were already recorded.
During an interview with "Rolling Stone" magazine, Mars explained there were six different versions of "Versace on the Floor". He played the original demo of the track for the interviewer, calling it the "poolside version" with a piña colada" vibe. Mars tells a girl they can "fly through a storm on a unicorn ... Make love on a mountain, bathe in a fountain". However, since he did not want the song to have a poolside vibe, he and his team remixed the track. The new version had the same lyrics, but a "more epic musical track". According to Mars, this version was set to be on the album, however, "something" was bothering him. "We’re painting this picture ... I’m promising the world. But I’m not singing. This is supposed to be a big ballad on the album, but I’m not giving it to ’em! If we’re gonna really, dramatically slow things down, I’ve got to be singing some shit." At this point, the team decided to work on a new melody and lyrics. The final version sounds like a "Boyz II Men–ish anthem that climaxes with an indelible hook". According to Mars, the final recording is the 12th version.
In November 2017, Mars was a guest on the "Charlie Rose Show". He said the way he dressed and looked when he went into the studio could affect his creativity. For the recording of "Versace on the Floor" Mars and his production team decided to compete to see who could be the "flyest" coming to the studio. Mars arrived wearing a Versace jacket, which made him feel "fancy" and wanting to "have some silky Versace sex". Both Italian fashion house Versace and designer Donatella Versace, who has dressed the singer, inspired the song.
David Guetta remix.
Two weeks after the release of the original version as a single, Atlantic Records issued a remix by French DJ David Guetta, officially titled: Bruno Mars vs. David Guetta – "Versace on the Floor". Guetta premiered the track during a live show at Ushuaïa Ibiza a day before the official release of the remix on digital and streaming platforms. During the live show, Guetta affirmed "it's a little different from what I usually play here, it's a little softer".
Guetta was grateful for the opportunity to work with Mars on "Versace on the Floor". He said the track was not only a remix but also a "collaboration and combination of different worlds together". He wanted to make it more danceable and "DJ friendly", respecting the music Mars created without changing his vocal. He aimed to create a song "that speaks to a wide audience". Guetta used the original version of the song to create his remix. It took him two weeks to finish. He played it for Mars, who enjoyed the remixed version and decided to send it to radio stations.
Guetta produced the song, music and instrument programming with Giorgio Tuinfort. They were also credited as songwriters. Tuinfort, Marcel Schimmscheimer, and Pierre-Luc Rioux played the piano, bass and guitar, respectively. Jeroen De Rijk was responsible for the percussion. A 16-piece orchestra was also used. Bosko provided the vocals on the talk box. Additional recording was done by Paul Power, while Daddy's Groove mixed and mastered Guetta's version.
Release and production.
"Versace on the Floor" was written by Mars, Philip Lawrence, Christopher Brody Brown and James Fauntleroy. Its production was handled by Lawrence, Brown and Fauntleroy under their alias, Shampoo Press & Curl. Greg Phillinganes played the keyboards; Mars, Fauntleroy, and Lawrence sang background vocals. The track was recorded and engineered by Charles Moniz with additional engineering assistance from Jacob Dennis at Glenwood Place Studios in Burbank, California. It was mixed at MixStar Studios in Virginia Beach by Serban Ghenea, with John Hanes serving as mixing engineer. Tom Coyne mastered the track at Sterling Sound, NYC.
"Versace on the Floor" was released as a promotional single from "24K Magic", on November 4, 2016, on Spotify and iTunes. It was thought that the record was scheduled to be the second single from the album. However, in early January, AllAccess revealed "That's What I Like" was being sent to Top 40 radio stations as the second single. "Versace on the Floor" was released on June 12, 2017, as the third single to Hot AC radio stations in the United States and a day later to American contemporary hit radio and rhythmic contemporary stations, via Atlantic Records. On June 27, 2017, the official remix of the single by David Guetta was released on digital and streaming platforms by Atlantic, and via Warner Music to Italian comteporary hit radio stations. On July 7, 2017, the remix was added to BBC Radio 1 playlists.
Composition.
"Versace on the Floor" is an R&B song inspired by the slow jams of the 1990s. However, some critics placed the song in the 1980s. It is based on a keyboard tone giving it a slower and deeper sound, like a "smooth power-ballad". Its instrumentation features "roller-rink" synthesizers and "breezy guitar". The song is performed in the key of D major with a tempo of 87 beats per minute. During the final chorus, it transposed into E♭ major and the outro both in F# major and A major. Mars' vocals span from A4 to D6. David Guetta's reworked single features a 1970s funk style with instrumentation featuring synths breakdowns, bass, retro synths and vocoded liners.
Mars initially sings tenderly, his voice ranging from a soprano to a falsetto. His vocals have been compared to The Stylistics's lead singer Russell Thompkins Jr., Ralph Tresvant and Michael Jackson. Further into the song the singer unleashes "the more forceful side of his voice". This is apparent in the song's composition as it transitions from a "smoky music-box vibe" to "a vibrant jungle ballad". Its production borrows from Selena's "Dreaming of You" (1995) and "Man in the Mirror" (1987) by Michael Jackson. "Versace on the Floor" is similar to the sound of New Edition, Freddie Jackson's "Rock Me Tonight (For Old Times Sake)" (1985) and the early works of Michael Jackson. Chris DeVille of "Stereogum" said it was Boyz II Men's "I'll Make Love To You" "repurposed" for the "Dirty Dancing" soundtrack, describing it as "a power ballad rising to Valhalla from a soft bed of Casios". The single also has "Prince-like flourishes and frills".
Lyrically, it shows Mars' romantic side, with "champagne flutes", rose petals, dancing and getting intimate with his beloved. "Philly soul bands" and Marvin Gaye's "Sexual Healing" inspire the lyrics. It also shows Mars' attraction to the Gianni Versace clothing line. Will Robinson of "Entertainment Weekly" compared the track to Mars' "When I Was Your Man" (2012), but felt that "Versace on the Floor" is "less wistful and more romantic and steamier". Its lyrics have also been described as a sultry and sexy affair. On February 27, 2019, West Java's Indonesian Broadcasting Commission placed a ban on the daytime radio broadcast of several songs including "Versace on the Floor", due to their adult, offensive or obscene lyrics.
Critical reception.
"Versace on the Floor" received positive to mixed reviews from most music critics. Chris Gayomali and Max Berlinger of "GQ" praised the track for its throwback sound and highlighted the song's sexual lyrics. Gayomali described it as a "legitimate fuckjam and an old Shanice song", that would fit the "Beverly Hills 90210" soundtrack. Berlinger felt it was "the ultimate slow-jam". Andrew Unterberger, writing for "Billboard", called the song a "show-stopping "24K Magic" centerpiece". Jackie Willis of "Entertainment Tonight" felt the single gave Boyz II Men "a run for their money!". Willis called the lyrics "super sultry and sexy". "Vibe" magazine's Desire Thompson complimented the lyrics for being "seductive". Sasha Geffen of MTV News and Nick Levine from "NME" shared that the song is reminiscent of school dances. Geffen also felt the track was "smooth". Mike Wass of Idolator enjoyed the track, noting it is inspired by the soul music of the 1970s and 1980s, and describing it as "a cross between Atlantic Starr and The Commodores". Anna Tingley of "Billboard" considered the song "catchy". In a mixed review, Patrick Ryan of "USA Today" felt that "Versace on the Floor" is an excessively sentimental track as it counterbalances the other lavish songs on the album. "Las Vegas Weekly"s Mike Pizzo dubbed the track as "embarrassingly overproduced", saying that it sounds rather old than "old-school cool".
Reviewing Guetta's version "Vibe"s J'na Jefferson praised the remix for giving "new life" to the track. Idolator's Mike Wass affirmed that Guetta was "faithful to the original's retro charm while tinkering with the sound here and there to make it more current". David Rishty, writing for "Billboard", felt the Guetta remix elevated "the original record by a few notches". Jason Scott of PopDust said the remix should be "on repeat for all time". Scott added, "David Guetta injects his magical instincts into the Mars original".
The original version of "Versace on the Floor" was nominated for The Ashford & Simpson Songwriter's Award at the 2017 Soul Train Music Awards but lost to "Cranes in the Sky" (2016) by Solange Knowles.
Commercial performance.
"Versace on the Floor" was released as a promotional single and debuted on the charts at number 88 in France and number 96 in Portugal. When the "24K Magic" album was released, the track debuted at number 98 in the United States on the "Billboard" Hot 100 chart and at number 73 on the Canadian Hot 100, the week of December 10, 2016, and at its peak position of number 27 in New Zealand. Around the same time, it peaked at number two in Israel.
Following its single release the song re-entered the "Billboard" Hot 100 and the Canadian Hot 100, peaking at number 33 and 43, respectively, spending 14 weeks on both charts. The track peaked at number seven on the "Billboard" Dance Club Songs. "Versace on the Floor" was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and gold by Music Canada (MC). It debut and peaked at number three on the Philippine Hot 100 on June 12, 2017.
On the UK Singles Chart the song peaked at number 59 and was certified gold by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). Despite reaching only number 82 in Italy, it was certified platinum by the Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana (FIMI).
The David Guetta remix charted in three countries, Belgium, Hungary and Poland. It reached the top ten, peaking at number eight on the Ultratop 50 chart in Wallonia (Belgium), number 13 in Hungary and number 32 on the Polish Airplay Top 100. Its remix also helped the original version of "Versace on the Floor" to chart in Australia, debuting at number 57. The song was certified two times platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA).
Music video.
On August 13, 2017, Bruno Mars asked on Twitter: "What you thought I wasn't gonna shoot a video for this silky summer jam?" Later, he teased a short preview of the video at the 2017 Teen Choice Awards during his acceptance video after winning Teen Choice Visionary Award. During the ceremony, the music video for "Versace on the Floor", featuring American actress and singer Zendaya, directed by Cameron Duddy and Mars, premiered. Zendaya said she was asked by Mars to participate in the video.
In the video Mars and Zendaya exchange flirty glances in a hotel hallway before entering their respective rooms. They are both wearing custom Versace clothes. Mars is dressed in black pants, a short-sleeved silk button-down shirt, and smoking slippers with gold Medusa emblems, while Zendaya wears a gold chain mail mini-dress. There is a purple-toned haze in both rooms. Once Mars sits at a purple piano he begins to sing. His music has a magical effect on Zendaya who is next door. Becoming seduced by Mars' charm and the ballad, she gets "her freak on" next to the wall. Later, her Versace dress unzips itself while she grooves to the music. The video ends with Zendaya's gown hitting the floor, followed by a knock on Mars' door.
To show her appreciation and friendship with Mars, designer Donatella Versace posted an Instagram video featuring the chorus of "Versace on the Floor". The video features several models, including Candice Swanepoel and Adrian Chabada, along with Versace herself. They lip-sync and dance in "extravagant clothes from the designer".
Ashley Iasimone of "Billboard" commented that Mars and Zendaya both dressed in Versace, calling the video "stylish and sensual". Mike Wass of Idolator found the music video to be worth the wait, adding "the video has every chance of going viral". "Vibe"s Jessica McKinney felt the chemistry between Mars and Zendaya, saying "things got pretty steamy on set". Raisa Buner writing for "Time" dubbed the video "retro-glamorous" and praised it for having a "sensuous treatment" that fitted the song. Jennifer Drysdale of "Entertainment Tonight" called the video "sultry".
Live performances.
During "The Late Late Show" with James Corden on December 13, 2016, Mars included "Versace on the Floor" on the popular segment Carpool Karaoke. Nevertheless, its first televised performance was during the 2017 Billboard Music Awards, through a live stream from the 24K Magic World Tour, in Amsterdam. Mars wore an XXIV merch ball cap, a blazer and white sneakers and sang the track with his band. During his performance "Tetris-like blocks craned down" providing a visual with purple, blue and yellow colours. Laser lights appeared while Mars and two band members danced. At the end of the show, Mars was standing on top of a "Versace logo". Emily Yahr of "The Washington Post" felt Mars' performance was one of the five best moments of the night saying that his rendition "had more energy" than some people singing live in Vegas. Nick Williams, writing for "Billboard", called it "electrifying" and found Mars' vocals to be "powerful" and "emotive". Brian Josephs of "Spin" and Lucas Villa of AXS praised the show and called it "glowing". Villa added, that Mars' vocals "shined". "Time"s Raisa Bruner criticized the inclusion of Mars' live performance calling it "unnecessary", saying it slowed the show and brought its energy down.
Mars performed the single at the Apollo Theater alongside the majority of the "24K Magic" album for his CBS prime time special titled "", which aired on November 29, 2017. "Versace on the Floor" was the ninth song on the set list of his third tour—24K Magic World Tour (2017–18). On June 27, 2017, David Guetta played the remix for the first time during a live show at Ushuaïa Ibiza, a day before the track's official release.
Personnel.
Credits adapted from the liner notes of "24K Magic", and credits for the remix version are adapted from Tidal.