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Risk It All (Bruno Mars song)

"Risk It All" is a song by Bruno Mars, released as the opening track from his 2026 album The Romantic. The song was released on February 27, 2026, via Atlantic Records, as the second single from the album. "Risk It All" is a love song in which Mars states he would risk everything to be with his loved one.

Background and release

Initially conceived as an uptempo track, "Risk It All" ultimately transformed into a romantic bolero to better reflect its lyrical depth and Mars's Latin heritage.

"Risk It All" was released as a single on February 27, 2026, alongside the album. It was chosen as the second single of The Romantic. On March 3, 2026, it was reported that the song was one of the most added to contemporary hit radio stations.

Reception

Maya Geori of Rolling Stone described it as "a cinematic roar of trumpets and delicate strings". She notes, "Immediately, it evokes a Mexican bolero, which is a romantic ballad that originated in Cuba and became popularized by Mexican musicians like Agustín Lara and, later, Javier Solís." Alexis Petridis of The Guardian criticized the track as a "runny 70s MOR ballad not much perked up by the addition of mariachi horns. And even the blatant homages are not good enough to prevent you thinking you may more usefully spend your time listening to the originals". Writing for Variety, Chris Williman notes that it "really does feel like a bit of a risk, not just because it starts off the album on a slow, pleading note with acoustic guitar plucking and some of Mars' most supple vocals".

In a Riff Magazine review, Vera Maksymuik notes, "[The song] slows the tempo [of the album] without losing emotional intensity. Rich horn arrangements and mariachi-inspired instrumentation add warmth, while subtle nods to Mars' Latino heritage feel intentional." When ranking all nine tracks, Andrew Unterberger placed the track at number five, noting that "the opener to The Romantic starts with near-mariachi trumpet and balladic strings, with Bruno Mars almost sounding like Marc Anthony as he croons over lightly brushed drums and gently plucked acoustics" and concluding by thinking that it could be a Jumbotron kiss cam highlight.

Commercial performance

"Risk It All" debuted at number four on the US Billboard Hot 100. On its first release week, the single debuted with 23.2 million streams, good for a number one entrance on Streaming Songs, where it's his fifth leader.

Music video

The beginning of the music video for "Risk It All" shows Mars fronting a mariachi band with Mars playing an acoustic guitar. Later on in the video, Mars is seen with a woman while they're on their honeymoon.

Credits and personnel

Credits are adapted from the album's liner notes.

Performers

  • Bruno Mars Ã¢Â€Â“ vocals, producer, songwriting
  • D'Mile Ã¢Â€Â“ producer, songwriting
  • Philip Lawrence Ã¢Â€Â“ songwriting
  • James Fauntleroy Ã¢Â€Â“ songwriting
  • Chris Payton Ã¢Â€Â“ guitar
  • Daniel Rodriguez Ã¢Â€Â“ percussion, congas
  • Dwayne Dugger Ã¢Â€Â“ saxophone
  • Eric Hernandez Ã¢Â€Â“ percussion
  • Jamareo Artis Ã¢Â€Â“ bass
  • John Fossitt Ã¢Â€Â“ keyboards
  • James King Ã¢Â€Â“ trumpet
  • Enrique Sanchez Ã¢Â€Â“ trumpet
  • Kameron Whalum Ã¢Â€Â“ trumpet
  • Larry Gold Ã¢Â€Â“ conductor, string arranger
  • Glenn Fischbach Ã¢Â€Â“ cello
  • Jonathan Kim Ã¢Â€Â“ viola
  • Yoshihiko Nakano Ã¢Â€Â“ viola
  • Blake Espy Ã¢Â€Â“ violin
  • Emma Kummrow Ã¢Â€Â“ violin
  • Gared Crawford Ã¢Â€Â“ violin
  • Luigi Mazzocchi Ã¢Â€Â“ violin
  • Natasha Colkett Ã¢Â€Â“ violin
  • Tess Varley Ã¢Â€Â“ violin

Technical

  • Stephen Tirpak Ã¢Â€Â“ strings arranger, conductor, copyist
  • Larry Gold Ã¢Â€Â“ strings co-arranger
  • Jeff Chestek Ã¢Â€Â“ strings recording engineer
  • Matthew Ticcino Ã¢Â€Â“ additional strings recording assistance
  • Gabriel Roth Ã¢Â€Â“ horns recording engineer
  • Anthony Masino Ã¢Â€Â“ horns recording engineer
  • Michael Rodriguez Ã¢Â€Â“ horns recording engineer assistance
  • Charles Moniz Ã¢Â€Â“ recording engineer
  • Alex Resoagli Ã¢Â€Â“ engineer assistance
  • Bryce Bordone Ã¢Â€Â“ mixing engineering
  • Serban Ghenea Ã¢Â€Â“ mixing
  • Randy Merrill Ã¢Â€Â“ mastering

Charts

Release history

References