The album is characterized by its "polyglot" nature, weaving together disparate genres such as pop, R&B, reggae, soul, and rock.
Lyrically, the tracks range from carefree optimism ("The Lazy Song") to heartbreak and loneliness ("Grenade," "Talking to the Moon").
: Inspired by his father's love for 1950s rock and roll, this side represents his romantic, soulful nature. Mars describes "doo-wop" as music without "tricks," relying purely on beautiful melodies and voices. He famously stated that this half was "for the girls".