I Just Might


"I Just Might" is a song by American singer-songwriter Bruno Mars. It was released on January 9, 2026, through Atlantic Records, as the lead single from his upcoming fourth solo studio album The Romantic. A disco-pop and pop-soul song with funk influences, "I Just Might" was written by Mars, Dernst "D'Mile" Emile II, Philip Lawrence and Christopher "Brody" Brown, and produced by the former two. It reached number one in Belgium, Chile, Latvia, Lihuania, the Netherlands and the United States, and the top ten in Argentina, Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, El Salvador, Estonia, Honduras, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Singapore, Turkey, and the United Kingdom.

Background and release

Following various single releases with collaborators – including Lady Gaga, Rosé, and Sexyy Red – between 2024 and 2025, Mars began teasing new solo material in late 2025. His fourth studio album, The Romantic, was officially announced on January 7, 2026, alongside new music on Friday. The name of lead single, "I Just Might", was only revealed once it was made available for digital download and streaming services on January 9. Accompanying the release, Mars stated on social media that the song signaled that the "self-proclaimed Aura Lord is back" and that it heralded "party time".

Composition

"I Just Might" is a mid-tempo, retro-styled disco-pop and pop-soul song with heavy funk influences. It sees Mars operating "within his wheelhouse", incorporating "old-school soul" alongside "bright guitar licks, a buzzy bassline, and lots of brass". The song has been compared to Leo Sayer's 1976 hit disco song "You Make Me Feel Like Dancing", while the vocal refrain in the song's chorus has been compared to Junior Senior's 2002 single "Move Your Feet".

Critical reception

Writing for Pitchfork, Nina Corcoran wrote that Mars "delivers the type of chart-topping boogie that's quintessentially him". Slant Magazine Alexa Camp described the song as a return to Bruno Mars's signature style, highlighting its old-school soul feel, bright guitar licks, and brassy, midtempo groove. Pavel Snapkou of Showbiz by PS noted that while the single draws heavily on familiar elements from Mars's past eras, it remains smooth, catchy, and radio-friendly, even if it does not radically reinvent his sound.

Commercial performance

"I Just Might" received 13.73 million on-demand streams in the United States during its first four days of availability. "I Just Might" debuted at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming his first song to do so. On its first release week, the single debuted with 23.5 million streams, 32.6 million radio airplay, and sold 13,000 copies in the United States. It became Mars's fourth number one on the Streaming Songs chart and twelfth number one on Digital Song Sales and the singer's personal best on Radio Songs and the highest start for a lead male artist since the charts' inception in 1998. The song also became its fifth number one on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. He also tied Drake, Michael Jackson, and Stevie Wonder as the only solo male with 10 or more number-one songs on the Billboard Hot 100. Mars is also one of the artists with the most cumulative weeks at number one, with 40. "I Just Might" spent a second week on the top of the Billboard Hot 100. The single had 17.1 million streams, 40.8 million radio airplay, and sold 9,000 copies in the United States. The song reached the top ten of Radio Songs, entering at number nine, becoming Mars's 21st top 10; and a second week as the most sold track on Digital Song Sales. Mars topped the Hot 100 for at least two weeks with eight of his 10 career number one songs. He becomes the best among males and ties Janet Jackson for second-best, after Mariah Carey's.
In the United States, Mars's catalog received a 75 percent rise when compared to the previous week, as it was streamed 50.87 million times during the first four days of the aforementioned single availability.

Music video

The official music video for "I Just Might" was released alongside the single on January 9, 2026. Directed by Daniel Ramos and Mars, it features Mars dressed in a green suit as he leads a group of different versions of himself. The group is shown performing the song on a "retro, 1970s-inspired soundstage". Critics have compared the video to that of Outkast's "Hey Ya!", which itself was inspired by other one-man band music videos such as Paul McCartney's "Coming Up" and Phil Collins' "Two Hearts".

Live performances

Mars performed the song for the first time during the 68th Annual Grammy Awards on February 1, 2026.

Personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.
  • Bruno Mars – vocals, songwriting, production
  • D'Mile – songwriting, production
  • Philip Lawrence – songwriting
  • Brody Brown – songwriting
  • Carlin White – drums
  • Chris Payton – guitar
  • Daniel Rodriguez – percussion
  • Dwane Dugger – saxophone
  • Enrique Sanchez – trumpet
  • Eric "E-Panda" Hernandez – percussion
  • Jamareo Artis – bass
  • James King – trumpet
  • John Fossit – keyboards
  • Kameron Whalum – trombone
  • Charles Moniz – handclaps, recording engineer
  • Alex Resoagli – engineering assistance
  • Michael Rodriguez – engineering assistance
  • Anthony Masino – horns engineering
  • Gabriel Roth – horns engineering
  • Bryce Bordone – mix engineering
  • Serban Ghenea – mixing
  • Randy Merrill – mastering

    Charts

Certifications

Release history