It's Better If You Don't Understand

It's Better If You Don't Understand
EP by Bruno Mars
Released	May 11, 2010
Recorded	2009–10
Genre	Pop, reggae,[1] R&B, indie rock
Length	13:32
Label	Atlantic, Elektra,[2] Fueled by Ramen[1]
Producer	Bruno Mars (exec.), The Smeezingtons, Keshown Cassell
Bruno Mars chronology
It's Better If You Don't Understand (2010) Doo-Wops & Hooligans (2010)

It's Better If You Don't Understand is the first extended play (EP) and debut release by American singer-songwriter and music producer Bruno Mars, released on May 11, 2010 as a digital-only EP.^[3] The title of the EP comes from the last line on "The Other Side".^[4] All the songs from It's Better If You Don't Understand were later included on Mars' debut studio album, Doo-Wops & Hooligans (2010). The EP peaked at number 99 on Billboard 200, and at number 97 on the UK Singles Chart.

Promotion

"The Other Side" was released as the first song released from the EP on July 2010. The song features guest vocals of Atlanta-based rappers Cee Lo Green and B.o.B.^[4] The music video for "The Other Side" was directed by Nick Bilardello and Cameron Duddy, and premiered on MTV's website on August 23, 2010.^[5] "The Other Side", "Count on Me", and "Talking to the Moon" were later included in the standard edition of Mars' debut album, Doo-Wops & Hooligans (2010), while "Somewhere in Brooklyn" was included as a bonus track to the deluxe edition of the album.^[6] The song was also added to the set list of Mars' Doo-Wops & Hooligans Tour.^[7]

Reception

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
About.com	[8]
Allmusic	[1]

Bill Lamb of About.com complimented the EP, noting the tracks "cover a quite wide range of pop pleasure" and "...should be on your radio."^[8] Allmusic's David Jeffres also gave a positive review, calling the EP a "surprisingly sparse effort that leans towards pop while focusing on the man’s songwriting."^[1]

Chart performance

On the week of May 29, 2010, It's Better if You Don't Understand debuted at number ninety-nine on Billboard 200, where it stayed on the chart for only one week. The EP also peaked at number thirteen on Billboard Digital Albums.^[9] It's Better if You Don't Understand also made into the United Kingdom singles chart, where it peaked at number ninety-seven on the week of August 28, 2010.^[10]

Track listing

• All songs written and produced by The Smeezingtons (Mars, Philip Lawrence, and Ari Levine).

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"Somewhere in Brooklyn"	Bruno Mars, Philip Lawrence, Ari Levine	The Smeezingtons	3:01
2.	"The Other Side" (featuring Cee Lo Green and B.o.B)	Mars, Lawrence, Levine, Brody Brown, Mike Caren, Patrick Stump, Kaveh Rastegar, John Wicks, Jeremy Ruzumna, Joshua Lopez, Bobby Simmons, Jr.	The Smeezingtons	3:48
3.	"Count on Me"	Mars, Lawrence, Levine	The Smeezingtons	3:16
4.	"Talking to the Moon"	Mars, Lawrence, Levine, Albert Winkler, Jeff Bhasker	The Smeezingtons, Bhasker*	3:27

(*) denotes co-producer

Source:^[3]

Credits

Bruno Mars — lead vocals, background vocals, songwriting Bobby Simmons, Jr. — vocals, songwriting Thomas Callaway — vocals The Smeezingtons — background vocals, songwriting, producer Albert Winkler — songwriting Jeff Bhasker — songwriting

Mike Caren — songwriting Patrick Stump — songwriting Kaveh Rastegar — songwriting John Wicks — songwriting Jeremy Ruzumna — songwriting Joshua Lopez — songwriting Graham Marsh (producer) — engineer[1]

Release history

Region	Date	Label(s)	Format
United States[2]	May 11, 2010	Atlantic, Elektra	Digital download
France[11]	August 11, 2010	Warner
United Kingdom[12]

References

1. Jeffries, David. "It's Better If You Don't Understand > Review". Allmusic. Retrieved August 26, 2010.
2. "It's Better If You Don't Understand: Bruno Mars". Amazon.com. Retrieved September 17, 2010.
3. "Bruno Mars Blasts Off Into the Top Ten Albums Chart on iTunes With New Digital EP; Acclaimed Singer/Songwriter/Producer Follows B.o. B's #1 Blockbuster, "Nothin' On You" With Much-Anticipated Solo Debut; Four-Song EP Features Guest Appearances From B.o. B and the Legendary Cee Lo Green; Major TV Performances Slated Throughout May; "IT'S BETTER IF YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND" Arrives at All Digital Retailers Today" (Press release). Marketwire. May 11, 2010. Retrieved August 26, 2010.
4. Fried, Melanie (July 16, 2010). "Bruno Mars Brings Cee-Lo to 'The Other Side'". Billboard. Nielsen Media Research. Retrieved August 26, 2010.
5. "Bruno Mars - "The Other Side "". MTV. August 23, 2010. Retrieved August 26, 2010.
6. "Doo-Wops & Hooligans (Deluxe) (+video) (+digital booklet)". Amazon MP3. Amazon.com. Retrieved September 29, 2010.
7. Escudero, Nicki (November 21, 2010). "Bruno Mars at Martini Ranch Last Night (VIDEO)". Phoenix New Times. Kurtis Barton. Retrieved November 22, 2010.
8. Lamb, Bill. "Bruno Mars - It's Better If You Don't Understand". About.com. Retrieved August 26, 2010.
9. "Bruno Mars Album & Song Chart History". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. Retrieved August 26, 2010.
10. "Chart Stats - Bruno Mars - It's Better You Don't Understand". Chart Stats. Retrieved August 26, 2010.
11. "It's Better If You Don't Understand: Bruno Mars" (in French). Amazon.fr. Retrieved September 17, 2010.
12. "It's Better If You Don't Understand: Bruno Mars". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved September 17, 2010.