Uptown Funk: How Mark Ronson Created an Instant Classic

[@aeschafer1]

The fact Ronson and Mars built a song from various pieces of other music that has existed in the past, and were then sued for plagiarism by a band called Collage, is my favourite thing about this whole story.

[@fedoragibson3059]

great comment!

[@VolunteerFan07]

That irony was lost on me until I read this comment, thank you for pointing out the hilarity. 👏🏻 👊🏻

[@pauly1053]

It also seems like they stole Chicago's logo, tbh

[@TimTkachyk]

Underrated comment Aaron Schafer

[@Chrisratata]

It does sound a lot like it tbh... Of course the irony of the name Collage remains tho lol

[@watermelonhelmet6854]

Just a point: If one band says the song is almost indistinguishable from theirs, and another says it's 80% of their track, and another says they copied the rhythm from their track... well, maybe they should sue each other first.

[@heaventje]

But that wouldn't give them the big bucks they are after, they want to cash in on the major hit of now (then). But I totally agree with you.

[@gadget00]

LOL well played

[@musices604]

touche, seems like it's more like Uptown funk copied that style very well

[@akshayyc010]

Facts

[@davidblairmusic]

100%. The chords the disgruntled bands say are copyrighted are used in every 'funk' 'blues' song ever (slight exaggeration but hey) that's why everyone wants a piece. If Uptown Funk was copying their song, then why weren't their songs a hit for the ages? A copy is never as good as the original, its sad to see musicians suing musicians!

[@thejimmymeister]

It's the same thing as All I Want For Christmas Is You. It's manufactured to sound familiar by cobbling together what we've already heard. As far as pop songwriting and production go, it's a masterpiece. Past that, I guess it boils down to personal taste.

[@RENO_K]

yep, it takes a lot of brains to be able to manufacture, an intentional classic, its harder to reach your goal, if your goal is for your song to be a classic, its way harder than making Just a great song

[@TopsideCrisis346]

Oh, you did not just compare Uptown Funk to Mariah Carey... 😒

[@carisma2.24.26]

All I want for christmas is you is totally original without any samples or similars sounds... 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️

[@dangerouslytalented]

@@carisma2.24.26 They basically took all the most common tropes of Christmas music (both traditional and pop) and used them all. The keys, the phrasing, the instrumentation, the rythms, everything.

[@BigOwl51]

@@TopsideCrisis346 I agree. Such an insult to uptown funk

[@pajodcastmedia7291]

"The song was a fresh, nostalgic take that dominated an already crowded pop environment." Your voice is a fresh nostalgic take that is dominating an already crowded video community. Keep up the good work my dude!

[@qwertyzxaszc6323]

In the late 70’s and early 80’s a lot of “funk” songs sounded like this. It was a ubiquitous sound if you were listening to black radio back in the day. Uptown Funk feels like a homage to it. When I first listened to the song, I knew exactly what it was, and ALL the bands it took inspiration from. Including The Gap Band and The Time.

[@blinski1]

For me from the start Uptown Funk was a nice mix of 'Oops Upside Your Head' by Gap Band, 'My House' by Mary Jane Girls and of course 'Jungle Love' by Morris Day. The tropes of 80's electric funk are so well blended I cannot be mad at Mars and Ronson of the heavy usage of borrowed elements. The whole 2016 Bruno Mars album, '24K Magic', is one big tribute to 80's urban music: electro funk, R&B, powerful soul ballads, new jack swing, it's all there, and most of the songs sound like they were recorded between 1983 and 1989.

[@brucenatelee]

Music is likely to pay tribute to the heroes that inspired those to get into music. You aren't likely to say "I got into psychobilly music because of Tupac and Babymetal." Bruno was likely fans of the funky music and wanted to refelct that. Nobody sounds 100% original, no pop, country, hip hop, metal, funk, rockabilly, EDM, nothing.

[@gregdahlen4375]

mars' look in the video is somewhat retro as well

[@asharma4490]

One of the best songs made in my lifetime. This one will never get old. People will get tired of it, I’m tired of it. But is undeniably a great song

[@ryanjamesbarr1465]

I like how you mentioned that “Uptown Funk” is a song you’ve always known. “Mr. Brightside” is another song that comes to mind that everyone has always known

[@azuregriffin1116]

Literally, the first time I remember hearing it, I lurched forward. I was certain I'd heard it before, but I could not pin it to memory. I do wonder if perhaps it was played when I was incredibly young, as that would line up with the release date.

[@ectoplasmicentity]

I stopped listening to pop music in 1999 but when this played at the gym I really wanted to know the artist because this song is awesome!

[@francoisabeast7798]

So we just gonna ignore the fact that he has 8 videos in 3 months and has 51k subscribers. Not hating just really impressed

[@ianmcabee8036]

Franco Is a beast 114k now

[@acharich]

458k subs now.. 🙆🏾‍♂️🙆🏾‍♂️🙆🏾‍♂️

[@benheinz8817]

One year later: 522k subs and skyrocketing.

[@gop1386]

Bro he's reading directly off of wikipedia

[@marinothird]

I want mark ronson to produce my life

[@graciekatma7724]

me too!

[@jaymepereiranunes]

copy one source = plagiarism . copy dozens of sources = research :D

[@Garbodium]

Well-put.

[@HassouTobi88]

because you don't just ''copy'' dozens of sources, you idiot. that's called learning and referencing.

[@luliby2309]

This is not even remotely accurate. (To OP if not clear)

[@gonzo6750]

Plagiarism is using someones words as your own. Adding quotes to enforce your point is and giving them credit isn't really the same

[@bwebb90]

steal dozens of sources well, you're a genius. Good artists borrow, great artists steal. If you are creating something, you will always be dragging it from somewhere so might as well drag it from some where good, steal from enough people, you create a style.

[@smithy2729]

Great channel mate. I don't think there's a better example of quality over quantity

[@yPGzRicardo]

I really like this channel, and, on the topic of quality over quantity, I cannot recommend KaptainKristian high enough. It's an amazing channel that grew amazingly fast, with only about 24 videos out by now. Each one of them is amazing though. I am not saying this to discredit this channel, as it is also amazing, but to share another channel that I highly enjoy

[@ike8072]

Vsauce. This is pretty close though!

[@Polyphonic]

I second this. I'm a huge fan of KaptainKristian, he's one of the people that influenced me to start doing this, I hope some day I can make my videos look as good as his.

[@kevinaraque3100]

Polyphonic Always felt there was a similar vibe. Amazing quality both channels. Keep it up, mate!

[@epicDrummer1707]

Nerdwriter is pretty this channel but focusing on film check it out

[@zeenabrown6293]

I feel like this song laid the formulaic groundwork for Silk Sonic. that whole album feels classic and familiar, in a good way

[@89elmonster]

He took the best parts of old funk and combined modern music into it and it's absolutely perfect. The artists who sued him should be proud, but some royalties are good too. ;)

[@mr.selfdestruct7928]

gap band should be aware that "oops upside your head" is identical to the "funk get ready to roll" choir funkadelic used to do in the seventies

[@AriaHoran]

"Cholly" - track 3, side 2, "One Nation Under a Groove". GAP Band 'borrowed' extensively from P-Funk.

[@perfectlycorrupt420]

True, but Funkadelic were pretty open and giving with their music. They literally gave the Bop Gun idea to Rick James, who changed it to "Love Gun". And the musical environment back then, especially in the funk world, was very much built on interchangeability. That's how hip hop started, different DJ's biting each other's style. Samples weren't an issue really until early 90's hip hop went SAMPLE CRAZY. Original artists can only share so much.

[@kgrimes4934]

Why would anyone need to tell them that? You are hearing a percussion arrangement created by Keyboardist Junie Morrison and it isn't the same. Yeah It is the same style but his style. So he isn't going to sue himself. You can hear it in the Ohio Players as well.

[@blahblah606]

Sample Some of Disc Sample Some of D.A.T. 👽🤘

[@Howiesgirl]

I really do hope that if I live another 25 years (I'll be 80!), I'll still hear this song on the "oldies" radio station. And I hope that I'll still remember all the lyrics too!

[@Imfromtheportlandorarea]

Hahahhaha looko

[@ytsejam58]

I hated this song in 2015 when it was popular and over played, but after not hearing it for a while, I started listening to it again, and actually really enjoying it.

[@danielmadeson311]

Personally, I think Collage (Young Girls) had the best case to sue Uptown Funk even more than the gap band (Oops Upside your head). Great video!!!!

[@IsawUupThere]

Just about every single theme, lick, transition and sound from that song is lifted from another #1 hit from the past 60 years. It's a calculated paint-by-numbers song and I don't believe for a second that anyone worked himself into a stuper trying to get a single note guitar line right. The reason for its success is how incredibly familiar it sounds without technically infringing any copyrights.

[@vassa1972]

Hey guys I'm Peter from Hamilton Ontario Canada and 47 years old and totally dig uptown funk lol hopefully I said that right. Love the song and think it'll be around for awhile

[@TheArrogantMonk]

When this song came out, it defined the mood of the best summer of my life. They timed its release perfectly. Looking forward to hearing this become a classic years from now.

[@debbierobeson7061]

I dont care of begged borrowed or stole, i love this song, gets me up and going. Its a great song for me. To each their own.

[@kennet7837]

The horn section reminds me of Michael Jackson's "Jam" (1991).

[@Jahdamian]

damn right

[@TopsideCrisis346]

Surprised he didn't sue... 😜

[@ezrashafron2315]

The whole song

[@chrispleasantable]

Yes!

[@chrispleasantable]

Troy Carr That’s because Michael Jackson was dead. It was approximately 6 years after the death of Michael Jackson that this song was released

[@ParadNorthProd]

"Mark Ronson didn't intentionally copy the music." Meanwhile, the video next up on YT is Mark's TED talk where he discusses how important sampling is. He's a professional thief. And a good one.

[@queenfedorathemagnificent]

Yep and Period!

[@guitarmexikanguy]

One thing is to be influenced, other thing is using parts of songs to craft your own

[@alexbooyse9053]

Uptown is a style, and not a specific set of notes. Everyone else saying it sounded like their song were correct, it was the same style. Like metal, or hip hop, it’s going to sound like at least 20 other songs you know. The style is the content.

[@SaMadden99]

Your vids are awesome, keep it up!

[@gop1386]

He's reading directly off of wikipedia bro

[@Geronimo_Jehoshaphat]

Shout out to Morris Day & The Time's "Jungle Love"

[@kellyterry516]

Hell yeah! And anyone that wants to sue Ronson should consider that "a lot of people were influenced by Quincy Jones"

[@mogo5055]

Yours has quickly become one of my favourite channels. You should definitely do a video on the Minneapolis sound. You don't have to look too hard to find the mark it's left in modern hip hop, and it's one of those musical rarities that is both omnipresent and, somehow, hardly spoken of.

[@TamTam-si2xh]

And now It's Billboard's Song of the Decade

[@no.7893]

The night the song aired in the UK was in the middle of a storm and my entire street which was fairly remote was in a complete power cut. When ever I hear this song I'm immediately taken back to my cold, dark living room.

[@laylastevens7144]

I love uptown Funk!! The song and the video gives me 80's vibes and I love that!

[@afroceltduck]

Excellent channel! I love video essays, and I love music, so this is perfect for me. I know you said in the intro video that you want to talk about literature and film as well, but I think a strong focus on music would keep you in a niche that few others are actually exploring right now.

[@bpabustan]

This is probably the youngest song ever to be given the "classic" distinction, as recent as 2018 when this song was roughly three years old, many were already saying this is a classic. AND I TOTALLY AGREE.

[@muzikman183]

great video man! funny part is, this is the process our great legends lived by.. great job Mark and company for tapping into the lost art of hit making!

[@durdydurds301]

Bruno's vocal part was recorded at Royal Studios in Memphis and after many frustrating takes, Bruno wanted to record on something without feedback. Sound engineer and studio manager, Boo Mitchell, dug out his dad's (the famous Willie Mitchell) old microphone set and started using that instead. So the vocals for UpTown Funk were recorded with the same microphone used by Al Green, Chuck Berry, and Tina Turner almost 50 years ago.

[@iau]

Lots of criticism to Pop music here. I get it, it's mostly not original nor creative and we do not like it, but it triumphs over everything else for a reason: production. You can write a pop hit in 5 minutes, but you cannot produce it so. The kind of production that makes your song a hit and nets you millions of dollars is not easy and few people know how to do it best. If we Rock, Metal or w/e lovers were to set aside our elitism and try to learn something from Pop, we might actually get to hear the music we like on the radio.

[@GreenPlymProduction]

iau Man Thank you ! When you listen to the synthetisers sound on this track, you understand why it is so popular. Last Queens of the stone age album (with Ronsons earlier work) is actually a very interesting take from Ronson on Rock. I'm starting to think that this guy actually managed to take pop out from the David Guetta era (with the help of the Daft Punk) to something that could eventually stand a chance in front of Nigel Godrich's alternative legacy.

[@TallicaMan1986]

Elie I miss Max Martin era of number ones.

[@mainecolbs]

Metal already has high budget acts with levels of production rivaling any pop track from the last 10 years. They don't get played on the radio as often because they make less money and are not as easily digested by mass markets. Metal just isn't "in vogue" right now. But popular music is always evolving. Right now there's lots of pop being produced that's heavily influenced by dancehall and reggae music. And tons of indie-pop bands are cashing in on the retro "80s" synthpop/new wave sound. Given time, there's a good chance Rock & Roll and Metal tropes will become "hip" again.

[@acharich]

🤔💥💣

[@coreyfellows9420]

Shut up.... U sell out

[@Synystr7]

Can't go wrong with funk. Ever.

[@RobCarrollMusic]

Great video man. Totally agree with your points on the plagiarism/copyright issues. I had never heard that song by The Gap Band but I know I've heard that particular rhythm/melody elsewhere. The similarities are very strong but I think it's just a testament to their chase for this particular sound. So many of these funk bands and songs sound alike and Uptown Funk completely captured that feeling.

[@jonesy279]

“Fresh nostalgia” is a perfect way to surmise Uptown Funk.

[@valle2601]

2021 and I haven't heard it anywhere in months, manny months

[@Regimeshifts]

Three cities in North America and one in Europe. Conclusion: "bouncing around the world". Oh, OK

[@ArrogantDan]

For real I think it's because most radio-friendly pop songs have one hook and call it a day. Every section in Uptown Funk is a hook that could make even a mediocre song a number one hit.

[@aarondx3764]

I don't like modern songs that much. But I still listen to this shit till this day. Definitely a modern classic.

[@drumsruan]

Love your videos! Please keep em coming. We need more info like this on all the brilliant songs out there

[@thomasfievet1517]

This song is JUST freaking AWE SOME. Period

[@theophi1us887]

Love the quality of your work!

[@thecampfire4877]

Poly can make anything interesting, or maybe he just chooses exteemely interesting topics. Either way, amazing channel that should have more subs. *Most Underrated Channel 2018*

[@MrChangoxD]

Man I really love your channel

[@yousifa7354]

This channel is professional! It's hard to see such a high quality channel not have the subscribers it deserves. Keep making great content! You'll get big in no time!

[@sorrybecausei]

Don’t even like pop, but this makes me appreciate the song because of the effort and dedication. btw would really love to hear the “hard rock breakdown” part, if that was ever recorded

[@sorrybecausei]

@ghost mall bro chill, I don’t even remember commenting this 3 years ago and don’t agree with that statement anymore lmao

[@Medddler]

Great channel. You're like the nerdwriter for music. Loving the videos!

[@pattyayers]

I wouldn’t have even noticed this song if I hadn’t seen the video, which is just awesome

[@lexcherri3687]

Mark Ronson is the king of making nostalgic hits

[@Eggy-bp6pj]

Excellent analysis mate, uptown funk is an absolute masterpiece of a track. I'd put it up along side the likes of thriller it's that good. You can hear when an artist pours their heart and soul into a song, and you've done the same with this video. Well done

[@ThomasSteamVideos]

This is such a good channel!

[@mrwoodchuck94]

Its hard to ride new music you can never be sure if you made a new melody or if it is just one you heard years ago but dont remeber that it is already used

[@kevindoyle1884]

You are one of the best music channels on KZbin such a good video

[@HAZARDOUS88]

New favourite channel, such excellent content

[@dangerouslytalented]

Those who are claiming copyright infringement from Mars could equally claim it from each other. They are all building on the same riffs. It's just Mars combined them better than the others did.

[@Twilightmagi]

Love your videos, man. Keep it up!

[@Synystr7]

There's only so many great beats and rhythms people... What so you think because you wrote one 30 years ago, in that time, someone else isn't gonna happen upon it by chance?

[@creatinotionchannel2680]

Don't forget how much it sounds like The Time - Jungle Love. I have seen mashups of the two songs. This is what I first thought when I heard it. Anyways I do love Uptown Funk. It is extremely catchy and fun to sing along with and dance to.

[@quinn5109]

flashbacks to 4th/5th grade, when every this song was the soundtrack to recess. and don't get me started on the bus

[@garnerday7149]

Jesus I'm old

[@PianoSeb09]

This channel is amazing!

[@hamonthecob]

There's a ZERO PERCENT CHANCE that the dude at 1:08 isn't Shia Labeouf.

[@TheLuizSouza]

Right on! HAHA

[@MichaelBarrett1984]

HamOnTheCob made me laugh my ass off, haha thanks mate

[@bryede]

So that's where he went... deep cover.

[@joeynavarro6762]

I cant unsee this

[@DistantLights]

Got into Prince and The Time in part because of this song. My introduction to the Minneapolis sound

[@FARID1870]

when I first heard this megahit, I was like, is this really 2015 or 1985? can't they come up with a new , original sound? but then my legs mysteriously moved to those catchy beats and all was forgiven

[@lisah8438]

I don't want them to come up with a original sound. I want funk and R&B music to come back.

[@jamief2488]

This is very good! Thank you for this video!!!!!!!

[@gregdahlen4375]

only heard it once when i watched the video. the visual look has retro elements as well

[@rockerMan0987]

This is a great channel!

[@yea8004]

Great job dude I'm a fan already.

[@hrossaman]

These videos are ON POINT. As a student of music myself, I say keep up the great work.

[@soaribb32]

Even thought I can't buy into Bruno's bragging, still I love it.

[@fuedaseoyt]

Oh, I just sooo love it when you do episodes about some crappy modern "music", and you start wth things like "if you were anywhere in 2015 you would have heard this or that song". Except that I am like "nooooot. Never heard that shit before".

[@elroc1]

This channel kicks ass

[@coreyfellows9420]

I will so that bass slide at the hook is absolutely disgusting... Then there's this crazy funky run rite after the slide... Good stuff

[@charhoang]

lbr, uptown funk wouldn't be getting any hate if it were by some nobod artist and had fewer than 1M views on youtube. it's just a good song.

[@Nik.No.K]

Agreed but I've been forced to listen to it so many fucking times that I hate it now. Every goddamn day at work I have to hear this shit. I honestly thing there should be legal limits for how many times a song can be played by radio stations and other outlets. Being forced to listen to something every day sometimes multiple times a day for an extended period of time is literally mental torture for people like me.

[@suicidalfetusx]

It's really just almost a good song it's got a good hook but it's way too simple check you the band Lettuce specifically "The Love You Left Behind" if you want hear how music like this can still be awesome

[@plzitzjustmahcheezits909]

aaron dohrer How does simplicity make it bad? Just because a song is "simple" (which is completely subjective btw) doesn't mean it can't be good as well.

[@andrewkaiser401]

Char and ghkg

[@jazzmaster909]

I always thought *Treasure* did a lot of things that *Uptown funk* did but better, when it came to being a future classic . Great Video, keep up the great work :)

[@stipeur]

Man I love your videos, you are genious, keep it up!

[@Imfromtheportlandorarea]

Wow risked their mental and psysical safety for this song

[@harveylopezt]

Excelent video. Well done. Thanks.

[@lightout8863]

Nice content keep doing💪🔁

[@Antcasti]

Love this channel

[@miguels008]

awesome channel!

[@chrispleasantable]

I also heard a sample of “Jam” by Michael Jackson in this song which is probably another reason that this song is such a super huge hit

[@jaredholton3145]

Can we just get rid of copyright infringement already? Unless the artist is stealing the same lyrics, melody and beat of the song, it seems completely unnecessary to me. In my opinion, the three songs that were compared to "Uptown Funk" in the video don't even sound half as catchy or well structured & produced as the creation of Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars.

[@spoonito]

effing love your videos

[@fajarsetiawan8665]

Copyright infringement in music is very tricky, guys. To be honest, I don't agree with any of these lawsuits. Hell, you CAN'T OWN rhythm nor melody nor chords!!!

[@HADJEE]

A local band plays, "Play That Funky Music", over, "Uptown Funk", and it fits seamlessly.

[@tonylancer7367]

A very interesting video indeed never thought there was much detail to this. After digging myself, I hear that the horn lines in Uptown Funk are the same as the one in The Really Wild Show theme song(or Ellovee-ee by Tony Sherman, the original artist), though I can't see(or hear) this myself. It would be nice for someone to enlighten me as to how they are the same. Really good stuff Polyphonic, keep it up!

[@insederec]

I live on earth. I have never heard this song before in my life.

[@dou3061]

Well, now you have.

[@miguelsimal4432]

When i heard it for the first time, It felt like a mix of Bowie's "Let's Dance" And James Brown "Living in America"

[@sammysnyder4861]

Faith No More singer Mike Patton has an insane vocal range.

[@AgentMTW]

I starting to absolutely love this channel. It would be amazing if you did a video on anything Pink Floyd!

[@darko_m]

Michael Jackson "jam" :)

[@gracejones4295]

I like how you keep on saying "Uptown funk is a timeless song"

[@mrprogrock1]

retro is the word ,the bloke is clueless

[@ridleyroid9060]

I did NOT expect that Viktorija reference. I guess we Serbs do get acknowledged sometimes.

[@ZOB4]

Damn, those examples you played of the lawsuits/radio interviews - that's a pretty strong case against the originality of Uptown Funk. If you put the four you showed into a blender, it would most definitely come out as Uptown Funk.