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After Last Night
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| "After Last Night" | ||||
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| Single by Silk Sonic, Thundercat and Bootsy Collins | ||||
| from the album An Evening with Silk Sonic | ||||
| Released | July 5, 2022 | |||
| Studio | Shampoo Press & Curl | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 4:09 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Songwriters |
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| Producers |
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| Bruno Mars singles chronology | ||||
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| Anderson .Paak singles chronology | ||||
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| Silk Sonic singles chronology | ||||
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"After Last Night" is a song by American superduo Silk Sonic, which consists of Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak, with Thundercat and Bootsy Collins, from their debut studio album, An Evening with Silk Sonic (2021). The song was written by Mars, .Paak, Thundercat, Dernst "D'Mile" Emile II, James Fauntleroy, Jonathan Yip, Ray Romulus, Jeremy Reeves, and Ray Charles McCollough II. The production was handled by Mars, D'Mile, Yip, Romulus, Reeves, and McCollough II, with the latter four credited as the Stereotypes. It was released to urban adult contemporary radio as the fifth single from the album in the United States on July 5, 2022, by Atlantic Records. The song is a funk, neo soul and R&B ballad about a man who was a player, changing his behavior for a woman with whom he is in love.
"After Last Night" received positive reviews from most music critics, who noted the sexiness and praised its composition. The song reached number 68 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 17 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in 2021. In the following year, upon its single release, the song reached the top spot of the Billboard Adult R&B Songs chart; this led An Evening with Silk Sonic to become the second album with four number-one singles on the chart, tying with Toni Braxton's self-titled studio album (1993). Mars and .Paak also sang it during the concert residency, An Evening with Silk Sonic at Park MGM (2022).[1]
Background and release
[edit]Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak met in 2017, while touring together on the European leg of Mars' 24K Magic World Tour (2017–18). The two were in the studio with Nile Rodgers and Guy Lawrence of Disclosure.[2] In late February 2021, Mars and .Paak announced on social media the formation of their new band Silk Sonic. They revealed the artwork for their debut studio album, An Evening with Silk Sonic (2021) and announced the release of the first single on March 5, 2021.[3]
Mars spoke about "After Last Night" to Apple Music: "That one got a lot of Bootsy on it. And my boy Thundercat came in and blessed us." He furthered that "everything was built to be played live, so that song is one of those we can keep going for 10 minutes".[4] "After Last Night" was released on July 5, 2022, to US urban adult contemporary radio stations by Atlantic Records as the fifth single from An Evening with Silk Sonic (2021).[5]
Production
[edit]"After Last Night" was written by Mars, Brandon Anderson, Dernst Emile II, James Fauntleroy, Stephen Bruner, Jonathan Yip, Ray Romulus, Jeremy Reeves, and Ray McCullough II. Its production was handled by Mars, D'Mile, and the latter four as the Stereotypes. Mars played guitar, while D'Mile also played the same instrument, piano, and Rhodes piano. Ella Feingold played additional guitars, while Krystal Miles sang background vocals. Thundercat played the bass guitar and provided guest vocals alongside Bootsy Collins. Glenn Fischbach played cello, Jonathan Kim and Yoshihiko Nakano were on the viola, and Ron Kerber played the flute. Emma Kummrow, Luigi Mazzocchi, Natasha Colkett, Blake Espy, Tess Varley, and Chris Jusell played violin. Larry Gold did the arrangement and conducting of the strings at Milkboy Studios, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with Jeff Chestek recording them. Collins's vocals were recorded by Tobe Donohue at Rehab Studio in Cincinnati, Ohio. Reeves and Charles Moniz played percussion, while Alex Resoagli played the cabasa. The latter two also engineered and recorded the song at Shampoo Press & Curl Studios. Serban Ghenea mixed "After Last Night" at MixStar Studios in Virginia Beach, while John Hanes served as the mix engineer and Bryce Bordone as the mixing assistant. The song was mastered by Randy Merrill at Sterling Sound in New York City.[6]
Composition
[edit]Musically, "After Last Night" is a funk, neo soul, and R&B slow jam.[7][8][9] Its instrumentation features a "subtle" electric guitar and there is a key change towards the end of the song.[10][11] It starts with a "sensual spoken performance" by Krystal Miles and as she talks, Thundercat is playing the bass and singing "angelically" in the background.[6][12] His singing has been described as "tender ooos" that are "the sonic equivalent of a rose-colored scarf over a bedside lamp".[11] At one point, both Mars and .Paak replace Thundercat, both singing about the women they have fallen in love with. As the song goes on, Collins provides amusing lyrics and "swanky spoken word" to complement the song's lyrics.[12][13] The lyrics describe a woman who is "sweet-sticky/thick and pretty" and able to make a "player try on monogamy".[14] Furthermore, Mars and .Paak affirm they will leave their "player lifestyle" following a pleasurable date.[13] The latter also says he will leave "the velvet smoking jackets and giant sunglasses".[15] He throws away his phone, singing in the second verse, "If I still had my phone I'd call every girl I know/And tell them goodbye", a detail which is added by Mars's "harmonies on the last syllable".[11]
"After Last Night" is set in the key of C minor with a tempo of 71 beats per minute. The vocal ranges span from the low note of G4 to a high note of F6.[16] Jem Aswad, writing for Variety, described "After Last Night" as "a bedroom ballad with some heavy female breathing and pillow talk".[17] In a similar view, The Harvard Crimson's Eugene Ye found the sensuality embedded in the song.[10] Andy Kellman from AllMusic felt similarities between the composition of the song and the Lonely Island's "Dick in a Box" (2009) infused with a "Bootsy-style fantasy sleaze".[7] The lyrics were compared by him to "The Hunter Gets Captured by the Game" (1966) by the Marvelettes.[7] Paste's Candace McDuffie compared the song to the "early-'90s throwback jams a la Mint Condition and Jodeci".[9] Jon Dolan, for Rolling Stone, affirmed the "stretched-out grooves" of "After Last Night" are reminiscent of earlier music that the listener expects to hear Teddy Pendergrass at the beginning of the verse.[18]
Reception
[edit]Most reviewers gave "After Last Night" positive reviews. Ross Scarano, commenting in Pitchfork, called "After Last Night" one of the highlights of An Evening with Silk Sonic, due to its "slathering elevated technique—all those key changes—with satisfying molten cheese".[11] Exclaim!'s A. Harmony found the track to be "seductive" and that Mars channels his charm while singing from "his gut".[19] Similarly, Caleb Campbell of Under the Radar affirmed that "After Last Night" amplifies the seductiveness of Mars's "smooth lover-man persona".[20] Sophie Williams from NME found moments of "gorgeously subtle flourishes" in the album, such as "the fluttering intake of breath ...around the mix on 'After Last Night'".[21] Uproxx's Derrick Rossignol described the song as smooth[,] funky", and "chill".[4] Kyle Eustice from HipHopDX praised the feature of Thundercat and Collins, writing that they "pepper the seductive track with their signature touches".[15] Pat Carty, writing for Hot Press, described the single as "sexy" and credited Thundercat and Collins with the song's "horizontal relaxez-vous action".[22] Gigwise's Alex Rigotti characterized the single as "glitzy, glamorous, and totally lovestruck" and a "sexy slow jam".[13] Ye found the vocals and instrumentation "sexy".[10] HotNewHipHop writer Joshua Robinson called the track "lush", while Roisin O'Connor from The Independent described it as "sultry".[12][23] Aswad said the track is "steamy".[17] In a mixed review for The New Yorker, Sheldon Pearce praised Sonic's "perfect synchronization" as their voices are indissoluble until their solo parts. Nevertheless, Pearce pointed out that "the figure outside the spotlight is always close behind with something to add".[24] Joe Rivers from No Ripcord said the song was "the furthest Silk Sonic deviate from their rigid template", adding that Thundercat's "aqueous bassline" shows a "glimpse" of what the song could have been.[25]
Following the release of An Evening with Silk Sonic in 2021, "After Last Night" debuted at number 68 on the US Billboard's Hot 100.[26] It also entered the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart at number 17.[27] The song charted at number 92 on the Canadian Hot 100 and was certified platinum by Music Canada (MC).[28][29] It debuted at number eight on the New Zealand Hot Singles, which acts as an extension of NZ Top 40 Singles Chart and peaked at number 78 on the Billboard Global 200.[30][31] In 2022, following its single release, "After Last Night" topped the Adult R&B Songs chart, becoming the fourth single of Sonic's debut album to do so. This achievement led An Evening with Silk Sonic to become the second album with four number-one singles on the chart, tying with Toni Braxton's self-titled studio album (1993).[32]
Personnel
[edit]Credits adapted from the liner notes of An Evening with Silk Sonic:[6]
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Charts and ceritifications
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Certifications[edit]
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References
[edit]- ^ Gill, Melissa (February 26, 2022). "Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak Kick Off Silk Sonic Las Vegas Residency: Recap + Setlist". Consequence. Archived from the original on March 10, 2022. Retrieved March 11, 2022.
- ^ Yoo, Noah (April 25, 2017). "Anderson .Paak, Nile Rodgers, Disclosure, Bruno Mars Hit the Studio Together: Watch". Pitchfork. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
- ^ Carras, Christi (February 26, 2021). "Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak tease fans with new band called Silk Sonic". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on February 26, 2021. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
- ^ a b Rossignol, Derrick (November 12, 2021). "Silk Sonic Recruit Thundercat and Bootsy Collins on 'After Last Night'". Uproxx. Retrieved October 19, 2022.
- ^ "Urban/R&B Future Releases". All Access. Archived from the original on July 2, 2022. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
- ^ a b c Silk Sonic (2021). An Evening with Silk Sonic (CD booklet). United States: Aftermath, Atlantic. 2-661922.
- ^ a b c Kellman, Andy. "Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, Silk Sonic - An Evening with Silk Sonic Album Review". AllMusic. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
- ^ Sowing (November 15, 2021). "Review: Silk Sonic - An Evening with Silk Sonic". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved October 19, 2022.
- ^ a b McDuffie, Candace (November 15, 2021). "Silk Sonic Showcase Their Natural Cool on An Evening with Silk Sonic". Paste. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
- ^ a b c Ye, Eugene. "An Evening With Silk Sonic Review: Smooth, Fun, and Nostalgic — Does It Get Much Better?". The Harvard Crimson. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
- ^ a b c d Scarano, Ross (November 16, 2021). "Bruno Mars / Anderson .Paak / Silk Sonic: An Evening With Silk Sonic Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
- ^ a b c Robinson, Joshua (November 12, 2021). "Anderson .Paak & Bruno Mars Are Sprung on Silk Sonic's 'After Last Night'". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved October 19, 2022.
- ^ a b c Rigotti, Alex (November 12, 2021). "Album Review: Silk Sonic - An Evening With Silk Sonic". Gigwise. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
- ^ Greenblatt, Leah (November 12, 2021). "Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak ride a retro soul train on An Evening With Silk Sonic". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
- ^ a b Eustice, Kyle (November 23, 2021). "An Evening With Silk Sonic Album Review". HipHopDX. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
- ^ "Silk Sonic 'Leave the Door Open' Sheet Music in C Major". Musicnotes.com. 21 April 2021. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
- ^ a b Aswad, Jem (November 12, 2021). "Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak's 'Evening With Silk Sonic' Is a Luscious Blast of '70s Soul: Album Review". Variety. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
- ^ Dolan, Jon (November 12, 2021). "Silk Sonic Are Here to Save Us With Seventies Soul". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
- ^ Armony, A. (November 15, 2021). "Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak's Chemistry Is Airtight on An Evening with Silk Sonic". Exclaim!. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
- ^ Campbell, Caleb (November 24, 2021). "An Evening With Silk Sonic". Under the Radar. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
- ^ Williams, Sophie (November 12, 2021). "Silk Sonic – An Evening With Silk Sonic review: an unashamedly retro delight". NME. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
- ^ Carty, Pat (November 15, 2021). "Album Review: An Evening With Silk Sonic". Hot Press. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
- ^ O'Connor, Roisin (November 19, 2021). "Album reviews: Snoop Dogg – Algorithm, and Silk Sonic – An Evening with Silk Sonic". The Independent. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
- ^ Pearce, Sheldon (November 17, 2021). "Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak's Soul Simulacrum". The New Yorker. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
- ^ Rivers, Joe (November 21, 2021). "Silk Sonic: An Evening with Silk Sonic". No Ripcord. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
- ^ a b "Silk Sonic Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
- ^ a b "Silk Sonic Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
- ^ a b "Silk Sonic Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
- ^ a b "Canadian single certifications – Silk Sonic – Smokin Out the Window". Music Canada. Retrieved November 17, 2025.
- ^ a b "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. February 21, 2022. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
- ^ a b "Bruno Mars Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
- ^ Anderson, Trevor (November 17, 2022). "Silk Sonic Scores Again as 'After Last Night' Hits No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay". Billboard. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
- ^ "Silk Sonic - Bruno Mars & Anderson .Paak With Thundercat & Bootsy – After Last Night". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
- ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Silk Sonic – After Last Night". Radioscope. Retrieved June 29, 2025. Type After Last Night in the "Search:" field and press Enter.
After Last Night
View on GrokipediaBackground and development
Formation of Silk Sonic
Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak first crossed paths in 2017 when .Paak joined as an opening act for the European leg of Mars's 24K Magic World Tour.[5][6] Their initial interactions sparked immediate chemistry during late-night jam sessions on the road, where the two musicians experimented with ideas rooted in classic funk and soul influences.[7] These early collaborations laid the groundwork for a deeper partnership, though it wasn't until the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 that Mars and .Paak committed to a full project. Isolated during quarantine, they transformed their casual jamming into a deliberate creative endeavor, drawing on shared inspirations from 1960s and 1970s R&B to form the duo Silk Sonic.[7] By early 2021, they had completed an album, solidifying their decision to release music under the new moniker.[8] On February 25, 2021, Mars and .Paak announced the Silk Sonic project via social media, revealing they had "locked in and made an album" with the debut single set for March 5.[8] To enhance the retro aesthetic, they enlisted funk legend Bootsy Collins as the fictional host and narrator for their album An Evening with Silk Sonic, a role in which he also suggested the duo's name after reviewing early tracks.[7][8]Song conception and writing
"After Last Night" was conceived as a sensual slow jam that channels the smooth, seductive essence of 1970s funk and soul music, aligning with the retro aesthetic central to Silk Sonic's debut album An Evening with Silk Sonic.[9] The track's sultry vibe, featuring intricate bass lines and velvety vocals, draws direct parallels to the era's R&B and funk traditions, evoking artists like James Brown through its erotic undertones and rhythmic groove.[9] This conception emerged as part of the duo's broader effort to recreate the opulent sound of 1970s Las Vegas nightlife, blending nostalgia with contemporary production.[10] The song was developed during the recording sessions for An Evening with Silk Sonic, which spanned from early 2020 to mid-2021 at Shampoo Press & Curl Studios in Los Angeles.[11] Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak, the core members of Silk Sonic, collaborated closely on the writing, building on their established partnership to craft lyrics and melodies that capture post-intimacy longing and playful seduction.[12] The writing process emphasized organic jam sessions, allowing the track's slow-burning tempo and flirtatious narrative to evolve naturally within the album's cohesive retro framework. Songwriting credits for "After Last Night" are shared among Bruno Mars (Peter Gene Hernandez), Anderson .Paak (Brandon Paak Anderson), D'Mile (Dernst Emile II), James Fauntleroy, Thundercat (Stephen Bruner), and the production team The Stereotypes (Jonathan Yip, Ray Romulus, Jeremy Reeves, and Ray McCullough).[13] To enhance its retro funk vibes, the duo incorporated guest contributions from Thundercat, who provided bass work, and funk pioneer Bootsy Collins, who added distinctive vocals, infusing the track with authentic 1970s P-Funk flair.[14]Production
Recording sessions
The recording sessions for "After Last Night" took place primarily at Shampoo Press & Curl Studios in Los Angeles, California, as part of the broader production for Silk Sonic's debut album An Evening with Silk Sonic.[7] These sessions occurred from early 2020 to mid-2021, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak to collaborate intensively in a controlled studio environment after initial ideas had been developed years earlier.[7] During the tracking process, Bruno Mars handled lead and background vocals along with guitar, including a notable solo, while Anderson .Paak contributed vocals and drums, capturing the track's live, funky energy in real-time performances.[15] The bass line was recorded by Thundercat, who also added vocals, during a dedicated feature session that brought a distinctive, groovy low-end to the song.[15] Similarly, Bootsy Collins provided vocal ad-libs in a separate session, infusing the track with his signature playful funk flair as the album's spiritual guide.[15]Mixing and additional contributions
Following the recording sessions, the mixing phase for "After Last Night" was handled by Serban Ghenea at MixStar Studios in Virginia Beach, Virginia, with John Hanes serving as the mix engineer and Bryce Bordone as the assistant mixing engineer.[15] Additional production was contributed by D'Mile and The Stereotypes, who refined the arrangement through tweaks to enhance the track's funky groove and instrumental layering alongside primary producer Bruno Mars.[16] Mastering was performed by Randy Merrill at Sterling Sound in New York City, providing the final audio polishing that solidified the song's deliberate 70 BPM tempo—perceived in half-time for its laid-back feel—and its primary C minor key, ensuring a warm, vintage-inspired sonic balance across formats.[15][16][17] During overdubs, electric guitar riffs were incorporated, including a solo by Bruno Mars, rhythm guitar by D'Mile, and additional guitars by Ella Feingold, which introduced subtle key lifts to build emotional intensity toward the track's climax.[15][18]Composition
Musical style and structure
"After Last Night" is classified as a funk, neo-soul, and R&B ballad incorporating slow jam elements, drawing heavily from 1970s soul and funk traditions.[19][20][21] The track evokes the era's Parliament-Funkadelic influences through its groovy, sensual groove and polished production, blending retro opulence with modern execution.[19][21] The song follows a verse-chorus form, lasting 4:09, with a notable key change in the bridge that heightens its emotional uplift.[22][21] Set at a tempo of 70 beats per minute in the key of C minor, it maintains a languid pace suitable for its intimate, bedroom-ballad vibe.[23] Instrumentation centers on prominent electric guitar lines with wah-wah effects, driving bass lines performed by Thundercat, steady drums handled by Anderson .Paak, and layered vocals featuring harmonious interplay between Bruno Mars and .Paak, accented by Bootsy Collins' contributions.[19][21][20] These elements, combined with subtle string and horn arrangements from the album's production, create a lush, immersive soundscape reminiscent of classic slow jams.[21]Lyrics and themes
The lyrics of "After Last Night" center on themes of post-intimacy infatuation, newfound love, and a shift toward commitment after a passionate night, portraying the experience as transformative for the protagonists.[19] In the chorus, Anderson .Paak and Bruno Mars express this obsession directly: "After last night, I think I’m in love with you / Woke up and I can’t get you outta my head," underscoring the lingering emotional and physical pull.[24] Playful undertones of monogamy emerge in the verses, where the narrator vows to abandon his playboy past—"Throw my phone out the window, there’s no player in me / Those days are through"—and plans to tell every other romantic interest goodbye, offering the beloved "anything you want, any place you want."[24][19] The song's narrative structure builds from reflective contemplation to emphatic declaration, mirroring the emotional progression of the encounter. It opens with an introspective intro narrated by Thundercat and Bootsy Collins, questioning the night's impact—"Damn, I don’t even know who I was last night"—before the verses detail the desire to commit and the verses' sensual allure in lines like "You put it on me like I never felt before / That gushy, gushy good, girl, I want some more."[24] This evolves into the chorus's bold affirmations of love and confusion—"After last night, I don’t know what to do / When I’m gon’ see you again"—culminating in the bridge's exuberant scatting, which reinforces the joyful surrender to these feelings.[24][19] Drawing from retro soul traditions, the lyrics employ conversational phrasing and vivid, intimate descriptors such as "Sweet, sticky, thick and pretty" to evoke classic R&B sensuality.[24] Guest vocalists Thundercat and Bootsy Collins contribute flirtatious ad-libs that heighten the playful tone, including Thundercat's tender "oohs" in the intro and Bootsy's stuttering "d-d-d-do it to me" alongside exhortations like "Sock it to me one more time," infusing the track with a lively, seductive dialogue.[24][19]Release and promotion
Single release
"After Last Night" was released to urban adult contemporary radio as the fifth single from An Evening with Silk Sonic on July 5, 2022, by Atlantic Records.[25] It followed "Leave the Door Open", "Skate", "Smokin out the Window", and "Love's Train". The single received dedicated urban adult contemporary radio airplay, while the track was already accessible via digital download and streaming on the album.[25] Silk Sonic announced the release through their official social media channels, aligning it with the album's retro-themed rollout that channeled 1970s soul and funk aesthetics.[25]Marketing and media appearances
The promotion of "After Last Night" centered on targeted radio airplay and integration into streaming platforms, alongside live performances during Silk Sonic's Las Vegas residency. As the fifth single from An Evening with Silk Sonic, it was released to urban adult contemporary radio stations on July 5, 2022, by Atlantic Records, marking a focused campaign to engage R&B audiences through this format.[2] The track subsequently topped the Adult R&B Airplay chart in November 2022, underscoring the effectiveness of this radio push in building momentum for the album's deeper cuts.[2] A key element of the song's exposure came via Silk Sonic's "An Evening with Silk Sonic" concert residency at the Park MGM in Las Vegas, which began in February 2022 and ended in August 2022. "After Last Night" was regularly featured in the setlist, with Bruno Mars often performing it on electric guitar alongside Anderson .Paak, contributing to the duo's immersive live presentation of their retro-soul aesthetic.[26][27] These residency shows served as a primary promotional vehicle, allowing fans to experience the track in a high-energy, funk-infused environment that aligned with the song's themes.[27] On streaming services, "After Last Night" gained visibility through curated playlists, including the official Silk Sonic playlist on Spotify, which highlights tracks from the album alongside fan-favorite singles.[28] Similarly, it appeared in Apple Music editorial selections such as the "Bruno Mars: Sing" and "Anderson .Paak Essentials" playlists, aiding discovery among R&B and pop listeners.[29] Promotional snippets and the official audio were shared on YouTube via the Bruno Mars channel, amassing millions of views and driving further engagement.[30] Social media platforms like Instagram saw related teasers from the artists' accounts, often tying into the residency's vibrant visuals. Unlike prior Silk Sonic singles, "After Last Night" did not receive an official music video; instead, promotion emphasized live renditions from the Las Vegas shows, with fan-recorded clips circulating widely online to capture the performance's dynamic energy.[30] This approach reinforced the song's connection to the duo's stage presence without additional visual production.Reception
Critical reviews
"After Last Night," featuring Thundercat and Bootsy Collins, received widespread praise from critics for its sensual groove and the palpable chemistry between Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak.[31] In a review of the album An Evening With Silk Sonic, Rolling Stone called the track "equally fine" to the lead single, highlighting its "resplendently stretched-out grooves" as historically accurate examples of the duo's retro style.[31] Similarly, Pitchfork highlighted it among the album's successful tracks, commending the "elevated technique" in the vocal interplay between Mars and .Paak, which evokes a rare splashy male harmony in contemporary R&B, likening the result to "satisfying molten cheese."[19] Critics particularly lauded the contributions of the guest artists, noting how they enhance the song's depth and funk heritage. Thundercat's tender "ooos" and immaculate basslines provide a romantic, soulful foundation that elevates the track's intimacy, as observed in Pitchfork's analysis of its opening and overall texture.[19] Bootsy Collins' ad-libs and narrative flourishes were celebrated for infusing the song with a playful nod to classic funk, reinforcing its '70s-inspired vibe without overpowering the core duo.[32] It was broadly regarded as a highlight that exemplifies the album's joyful, unapologetic throwback aesthetic.[33] NME praised its "gorgeously subtle flourishes," such as the fluttering intake of breath in the mix, which add layers of nuance to the otherwise familiar formula.[33] Overall, the track contributed to the album's strong critical reception.Accolades and recognition
"After Last Night" earned notable recognition through its strong performance on R&B airplay charts. The track topped Billboard's Adult R&B Airplay chart for the week of November 19, 2022, marking Silk Sonic's fourth number-one single from An Evening with Silk Sonic on that ranking.[2] It also reached number one on Mediabase's R&B radio airplay chart in November 2022, underscoring its popularity among R&B audiences.[34] The lead single "Leave the Door Open" from An Evening with Silk Sonic won four Grammy Awards—Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best R&B Song, and Best R&B Performance—at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards in 2022.[35] The album itself was ineligible for the 2022 Grammys due to its November 2021 release after the eligibility cutoff but received nominations for the 65th Annual Grammy Awards in 2023, from which Silk Sonic withdrew to preserve the project's intended era.[36] While "After Last Night" itself received no individual Grammy nominations or major wins, its inclusion in the critically lauded project highlighted its role in Silk Sonic's debut.Commercial performance
Chart positions
"After Last Night" experienced moderate commercial success on various international music charts, primarily driven by its inclusion on Silk Sonic's debut album An Evening with Silk Sonic. In the United States, the song debuted and peaked at number 68 on the Billboard Hot 100 during the week of November 27, 2021. It also entered the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart at number 17 in the same week, reflecting its strong appeal within the R&B genre.[37][38] The track achieved greater success on R&B-specific charts following its single release in July 2022. It topped the Adult R&B Songs chart in November 2022, marking Silk Sonic's fourth number-one hit on that tally and underscoring the duo's dominance in adult contemporary R&B radio.[2] Although it held the top spot for one week on the related Adult R&B Airplay chart, its multi-metric performance on the Adult R&B Songs ranking contributed to sustained visibility.[39] Internationally, the song made minor chart entries. It debuted at number 8 on the New Zealand Hot Singles chart upon the album's release in November 2021. In Canada, it peaked at number 92 on the Canadian Hot 100. In the United Kingdom, it reached number 41 on the Official Singles Chart, number 20 on the Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart, and number 90 on the Singles Downloads Chart, all during the same period. It also peaked at number 78 on the Billboard Global 200.[40][4] The song's chart trajectories were bolstered by robust streaming metrics and airplay, with radio stations continuing to feature it prominently into 2023, helping maintain its cultural relevance.[41]| Chart (2021–2022) | Peak Position | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Canada (Canadian Hot 100) | 92 | Billboard |
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 68 | Billboard |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard) | 17 | Billboard |
| US Adult R&B Songs (Billboard) | 1 | Billboard |
| Global 200 (Billboard) | 78 | Billboard |
| New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ) | 8 | Official New Zealand Music Chart |
| UK Singles (OCC) | 41 | Official Charts |
| UK R&B Singles (OCC) | 20 | Official Charts |

