And The Writer Is...with Ross Golan Ep. 237: Philip Lawrence | How a $5 Bus Pass Created Bruno Mars
Jan 28, 2026
Philip Lawrence, a Grammy-winning songwriter and one-third of The Smeezingtons who helped shape Bruno Mars’ biggest hits. He recounts how a last $5 bus pass led to meeting Bruno, the pivot from performer to hitmaker, wild highs and a breakdown at the top, and the sober comeback that brought him back to music. Short, vivid stories about creating pop classics and studio life.
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The $5 Bus Pass That Started It All
- Philip Lawrence spent his last $5 on an all-day bus pass to get to a session where he met Bruno Mars for the first time.
- That meeting felt like a breakthrough and became the moment their careers changed forever.
Be Friends With The Assistants
- Be friendly to assistants because they often become executives later.
- Philip and Ross both stress that assistants like Aaron Basha can become influential A&R and label decision-makers.
Simplify To Find The Radio Hook
- Aaron Basha taught Philip to simplify songs and identify the repeating hook that radio listeners will remember.
- Philip realized many of his early songs lacked a clear hook and learned to zero in on the song's intention.
