There's a common thread that hit songwriters share -- a passion for music, genuine love of storytelling and the knack for creating a heartfelt and catchy tune that resonates with the masses.  

And if you can deliver your creations vocally, you've essentially struck gold -- case in point, singer-songwriter Bruno Mars, who got his start launching other artists' careers with his songs -- until his own was catapulted into super-stardom with the release of just two solo albums, and was then topped off with a stellar performance at the Super Bowl half-time show.

Naysayers were taught a lesson when Mars proved that he had the vocal chops and showmanship to wow the nation -- and the world, for that matter -- with his Super Bowl half-time gig, in which 115 million tuned in.

On Monday, Mars visited The Ellen DeGeneres Show, where he reminisced about his debut on her show four years ago, and while he still has that baby face, he has a stronger self-confidence and edge that he earned from hard work and dedication. He then addressed the Super Bowl haters, which ended in another notable tune -- but this time it's wasn't his, but the Rocky anthem.

Mars and DeGeneres "addressed some of the unfortunate backlash," E! reports.

"Yes, but you know, you may not have more than two albums, but you write hit after hit after hit," DeGeneres said, complimenting the accomplished performer, E! adds. "Every song that you write everyone knows your music; everyone sings along to your songs, you have beautiful songs. And what I could not believe, I didn't talk about this with you backstage, but it's hurtful because there were people that were saying and I know you listen to some of this which you should never listen to it, but the New York Times wrote an article saying that."

"What they say?" Bruno interjected.

"You know, you know what they said, but they basically didn't think he was a star," DeGeneres explained. "They said he wasn't a star because he wasn't in the tabloids and he doesn't have a fragrance...He's not ready and it's too big for him and he couldn't do it and he pulled it off I think beyond what anybody..." Ellen said before Bruno fires back at the haters.

"I did. I did hear that and I think that was by far the most disgusting thing I think I've heard. Not because it was taking a shot at me, but I was thinking about aspiring young musicians who want to do this and even hearing the thought you need a fragrance or something like that is just is, you know what I would like to make a little speech and talk to them about this. Can I? Can I do that?" 

The Grammy winner, who's known for his hits, "Locked Out of Heaven," "Grenade" and " Gorilla," reflected on what it took to get him where he is today, and gave words of advice for aspiring musicians.

"Listen. Any young, aspiring musicians out there, if music is what you want to do, if music is what you love and your passion. It doesn't take a fragrance, it's not about the tabloids, it's about you putting in the work, practicing every day, practicing your vocals, practicing your instrument, practicing songwriting," he said. "Hopefully one day you write the song the whole world wants to get down to and I promise you, I promise you one day you're going to have your moment to shine and you're going to have a lot of people saying that you can't do it and you're not good enough. But I promise you, if you go out there and sing and you put your heart and soul into it and you follow your dream, one day you're going to be sitting next to Ellen DeGeneres, talking about how you broke records and rocked the Super Bowl. Stand up America!"