: The "jittery" verses and choppy guitar riffs are a direct nod to new wave classics like "Roxanne".
Lyrically, "Locked Out Of Heaven" uses religious metaphors to describe a very earthly kind of euphoria. Mars explores the idea of being "born again" and finding "paradise," but he quickly strips away any ambiguity: the "heaven" he’s referring to is the physical intimacy of his relationship. The Meaning Behind Bruno Mars' Sexy "Locked Out of Heaven" Bruno Mars – Locked Out Of Heaven
The Evolution of a Modern Classic: Bruno Mars’ “Locked Out Of Heaven” : The "jittery" verses and choppy guitar riffs