Bruno Mars is in a bit of a conundrum: He's one of the biggest names in music since, well, ever ... but he hates being famous. Cue the world' tiniest violin!

“Becoming famous was never what I wanted to do,” he insisted to the McClatchy Tribune (courtesy of Knoxville.com). “There’s a lot of things that come with fame -- it’s what people in the limelight have to do," he added. "I’m like, ‘Can’t I just write and sing?’”

Well, yeah. Just don't do it on a major label then!

Mars chatted about the difference between songs on 'Unorthodox Jukebox,' many of which have a more raw, edgy tone and darker, dirtier themes (see 'Gorilla,' 'Money Make Her Smile' and 'Natalie') than the sunnier ditties on 'Doowops and Hooligans,' his warmer debut.

“I love those (older) songs,” he assured. “I’ll stand by them and sing them till the day I die. But an artist has to stay excited to keep on doing it. And the way to stay excited is to keep pushing and to keep experimenting," he explained. "I feel like I pushed on this record.”

Mars once more lamented on fame and being in the spotlight -- and compared himself to another pop legend who shies away from it. “Don’t you love it that Prince doesn’t use Twitter?” Mars said. “Don’t you think he’s somewhere on a unicorn? ... If people are going to have an idea of me, I’d just want them to think of a guy who goes in the studio, works hard and jams out.”

Watch the Bruno Mars 'Locked Out of Heaven' Video

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