Bruno Mars is undeniably one of the most successful pop artists of his generation. With a string of global No. 1 singles, multiple Grammy Awards, and a reputation as a dynamic live performer, he has consistently proven his ability to dominate the charts. Yet even the most reliable hitmakers experience weeks when a new release doesn’t explode in the way their past work might have. This week, Mars debuts a new collaborative single in the United Kingdom, and while it extends his impressive streak of chart appearances, it also sets a new career low point on one of the country’s most prominent sales rankings.
The song in question is “Still,” a duet with Colombian superstar Karol G. It arrives as part of the promotional cycle for Karol G’s latest album, No Me Arrepiento de Sentir Tanto, and it has been positioned as a potential blockbuster. But early chart results suggest a more subdued reception, at least in the U.K. The track officially enters two purchase-focused lists this week: the Official Singles Downloads chart and the Official Singles Sales chart. On the former, it lands at No. 93, while on the latter it debuts at No. 99 — second-to-last on a ranking that only accommodates 100 positions.
A New Career Low on the U.K. Sales Chart
For Mars, the No. 99 debut on the Official Singles Sales chart is historically significant, though perhaps not in the way he might prefer. Over the course of his career, he has placed 20 songs on that particular ranking, and “Still” becomes his lowest-peaking entry yet. Previously, his least successful performance on that chart came with songs like “After Last Night,” a Silk Sonic track that topped out at No. 90, and “Finesse,” which reached No. 93. “Chunky,” another Silk Sonic cut, stopped at No. 95. None of those, however, fell as far as No. 99, making this new collaboration a notable outlier in his discography.
The fact that “Still” enters at No. 99 means it barely scraped onto the roster. It is a reminder that even superstars cannot always guarantee high-charting performances, especially for album cuts or releases that arrive with less radio and streaming momentum. In this case, the song appears to be relying heavily on physical and digital sales from dedicated fans rather than mass-market consumption. While a debut at No. 99 is undoubtedly better than no entry at all, it hardly matches the lofty expectations set by Mars’s previous U.K. chart behavior.
Milestones and Historical Context
Despite the low placement, “Still” does help Mars achieve a couple of important milestones. With its appearance on the Official Singles Sales chart, Mars now boasts 20 career hits on that tally — a respectable number for any artist, especially one who has focused much of his energy on global streaming rather than pure sales. Meanwhile, the song’s debut on the Official Singles Downloads chart gives Mars his 36th entry there. That is nearly twice as many as his total on the sales chart, reflecting the fact that downloads have long been a reliable area for his fanbase to support new music.
Interestingly, the Downloads chart performance of “Still” does not set a new low for Mars. At No. 93, it ties with his previous low on that chart, which was established by “Finesse.” Several other Mars tracks have charted lower on downloads, including “Somewhere in Brooklyn,” “Chunky,” “Nothin’ on You,” and “Nothing on You” with B.o.B. That distinction helps contextualize the current performance: while “Still” is not a massive hit, it is far from his worst showing in the download space.
Mars has a long history with the U.K. charts, dating back to his breakout singles in the early 2010s. Songs like “Just the Way You Are,” “Grenade,” and “Locked Out of Heaven” all reached the top of the Official Singles Chart, and he has continued to score major hits throughout the decade. His collaborative streak has been particularly notable in recent years. The Grammy-winning “Die With a Smile” with Lady Gaga became a global phenomenon and remains a staple on U.K. radio and streaming playlists. His work with Rosé on “Apt.” also proved to be a crossover smash, dominating charts across the world.
The Romantic Era and Recent Releases
“Still” arrives during a busy period for Mars. His latest album, The Romantic, was released earlier this year and has already produced multiple hit singles. The first, “I Just Might,” performed well globally and became a fan favorite, while the slower ballad “Risk It All” also gained traction. Both songs helped reaffirm Mars’s ability to craft catchy, radio-friendly pop music, even as his style has evolved toward more mature and polished production.
The new collaboration with Karol G expands his reach into Latin music, a genre he has occasionally explored in the past. Mars has previously worked with artists like Cardi B and Anderson .Paak, but this marks his first major duet with a leading Latin music figure since the success of “Señorita” with Camila Cabello. Karol G herself is one of the biggest stars in Latin pop, with numerous chart-topping tracks and a massive global following. The pairing of her reggaeton-influenced style with Mars’s retro-pop sensibilities was expected to be a major event, but so far it has not translated into top-tier chart positions in the U.K.
Four Songs Across the Atlantic
This week, Mars has four songs on various U.K. charts, demonstrating that even when one track underwhelms, he still maintains a strong presence. “Die With a Smile,” his collaboration with Lady Gaga, remains his biggest win on the Official Singles Chart and also holds onto a spot on the Official Streaming ranking. The duet is nearing an extraordinary milestone: 100 weeks on the main singles roster. It should reach that mark in approximately one month, which would place it in an elite group of songs that have demonstrated remarkable longevity.
“I Just Might,” the lead single from The Romantic, appears on four different U.K. charts simultaneously: the Official Singles, Official Streaming, Official Singles Sales, and Official Singles Downloads rankings. It is experiencing a slight decline this week, falling on all four lists, but its continued presence is a testament to its staying power. “Apt.,” the collaboration with Rosé, can only be found on the Official Streaming tally this frame, where it drops 10 spaces. That song has already enjoyed a long and successful chart run, and its slow descent is expected at this stage in its life cycle.
Mars’s ability to keep multiple songs on the charts at the same time is a sign of his enduring popularity. While “Still” may not be the smash hit that some predicted, it still contributes to his legacy as one of the most consistent hitmakers of his era. The low debut may actually generate more attention than a mid-chart entry would have, as fans and analysts alike take note of the unusual placement.
A Look at the Numbers and Fan Reactions
Chart data from the U.K. shows that the Official Singles Sales chart is based on a combination of physical singles, digital downloads, and other paid formats. The No. 99 entry suggests that “Still” sold a modest number of copies in its first week of release. By contrast, the Downloads chart, which focuses solely on digital track purchases, places the song at No. 93, indicating a slightly stronger — though still minimal — performance in that category. These numbers are far below the massive streaming figures that typically drive hits to the top of the Official Singles Chart, where “Still” did not debut this week.
Fans of both Mars and Karol G have expressed surprise at the song’s low chart placement, especially given the star power involved. Some have speculated that the release strategy, which may have lacked a prominent music video or extensive radio promotion, contributed to the underwhelming opening. Others have pointed out that the U.K. sales charts are often less indicative of a song’s overall popularity than the streaming-based Official Singles Chart, and that “Still” could still gain momentum in the coming weeks as more listeners discover it.
In an era where streaming dominates how music is consumed, sales charts have become a niche metric. Yet they still matter to artists and labels for marketing purposes and for tracking physical and digital purchase trends. Mars, who has always cultivated a dedicated fanbase willing to buy his music, has historically performed well on these rankings. The low debut of “Still” may simply be a reflection of changing consumer habits rather than a sign of diminished interest in his music.
What This Means for the Rest of 2026
Looking ahead, Mars has several opportunities to reclaim higher chart positions. His album The Romantic is still generating buzz, and there may be future singles from the project that could perform better on sales and streaming charts. Additionally, his collaboration with Karol G might benefit from increased promotion in Latin markets, which could eventually impact U.K. sales as well. The song is still new, and many tracks have started low before climbing steadily over time.
For now, the story of “Still” is one of a superstar reaching a new career low on one chart while simultaneously celebrating milestones on others. It is a reminder that the music industry is unpredictable, and even the biggest names can face unexpected results. But it is also a testament to Mars’s resilience and the breadth of his catalog. Few artists can boast 20 appearances on a major sales chart, and his 36 total entries on the Downloads ranking is a remarkable achievement. The low position of “Still” will likely become a footnote in his long and storied career, while his other hits continue to demonstrate his lasting appeal.
As the week progresses, all eyes will be on how “Still” performs in additional markets and whether it can rebound in the U.K. The collaboration has the potential to become a sleeper hit, especially if it receives more radio airplay or is added to prominent playlists. For now, Mars remains a dominant force in the global music landscape, even if this particular release has started at the bottom of the charts.
Source: Forbes News