Leave the Door Open

Where they were

Silk Sonic, the duo of Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak, emerged from their respective successful solo careers to release this debut single in 2021. This album marked Mars' return after a four-year hiatus following his acclaimed album '24K Magic', while it also showcased .Paak's growth following the success of 'Ventura' in 2019, blending their styles into a cohesive project.

Why it matters

Leave the Door Open debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, quickly becoming a cultural phenomenon. The song received widespread critical acclaim for its retro sound and smooth vocals, earning multiple Grammy nominations, and ultimately winning Best R&B Song and Best R&B Performance.

Essential tracks

• "Leave the Door Open" — As the title track and lead single, this song encapsulates the album's romantic themes and showcases the duo's vocal chemistry beautifully.