Here’s what Maroon 5’s biggest hits mean
It seems as though every Maroon 5 song is destined for the Billboard Hot 100.
The group changed more than its name, returning with an entirely new sound. Maroon 5 rocketed into mainstream popularity in 2002 after releasing their first studio album, Songs about Jane. In 2004, the young band won a Grammy for Best New Artist over Ye (Kanye West), who was favored to win. Since its humble beginnings, the band has faced challenges, including shifting members and public controversies. However, the group’s ability to top the charts has remained constant. Keep scrolling to see Maroon 5’s 10 biggest hits according to Billboard, and their meaning.
10“Don’t Wanna Know” Ft. Kendrick Lamar
“Don’t Wanna Know” was one of multiple popular collaborations on Maroon 5’s album, Red Pill Blues. The song debuted in October 2016 and peaked at number six on the charts in February—remaining on the charts for 27 weeks. The song is about imagining, or attempting not to imagine, your ex moving on with someone else. The lyrics describe Adam Levine and Kendrick Lamar agonizing over the idea of their past lovers being intimate with their new partners.
9“Payphone” Ft. Wiz Khalifa
“Payphone” almost immediately shot to number two on the charts after its release in May 2012, and spent 31 weeks on the Billboard Top 100. While the band had reportedly made a “no collabs rule” for their album, Overexposed, they could not pass up the opportunity to work with Wiz Khalifa. The song is about a partner who can no longer hold up their relationship alone, causing the one-sided partnership to end.
8“Animals”
One of the band’s darkest songs, “Animals,” was released on their album V in September 2014. The song spent 33 weeks on the charts, peaking at number three. The violent lyrics describe an animalistic sexual attraction between partners. The music video brings the already dark song to an even more disturbing place. The video—which depicts Adam Levine as a murderous stalker—caused much controversy as people warned against the dangers of romanticizing or trivializing this type of violence.
7“She Will Be Loved”
Released on the EP, 1.22.03.Acoustic in 2004, “She Will Be Loved” remained on the charts for a whopping 41 weeks, peaking at number five. Levine explained the song’s meaning on Entertainment Tonight. “It’s a song I wrote about a girl and a guy that I knew who had a tumultuous, troubled relationship,” Levine explained. “I was looking at it from an outsider’s perspective. She was not in a good place. He was a really nice person and was very nurturing and supportive of her.”
6“Memories”
After its release in October 2019, “Memories” shot to number two on the charts. The hit song, from the band’s album Jordi, remained on the charts for 41 weeks. The lyrics are reportedly about reflecting on important memories, from first kisses to a cherished moment. Within this reflection, the singer lingers on one special person from the past with whom parting was particularly difficult.
5“Sugar”
“Sugar” spent 42 weeks on the charts and peaked at number two. In the song, Levine describes his yearning for his love through candy metaphors. The song’s writer, Mike Posner, told Billboard magazine that Levine begged him for the song for months before he gave in. In the end, he was glad he had because the band added their own “flavor” to the song, making it the hit it became.
4“One More Night”
“One More Night” spent a total of 42 weeks on the charts—nine of which it spent at number one. The catchy song is about being trapped in a toxic on-again-off-again relationship. The singer promises that he will only stay with his partner one more night, admitting that he has made this promise many times before.
3“This Love”
In 2002, Maroon 5 released their debut studio album, Songs About Jane, to little fanfare. It was not until 2004—when the song, “This Love,” reached number five on the Billboard’s Hot 100—that the band got their big break. The song was reportedly based on Adam Levine’s breakup with his ex-girlfriend and written during one of the singer’s lowest moments. According to Songfacts, the lyrics describe man’s anguish when his on-again-off-again relationship finally ends.
2“Moves Like Jagger”
“Moves Like Jagger” is perhaps Maroon 5’s most well-known song. The hit was released on the album Hands All Over in 2010 and spent 49 weeks on the charts. The electro-pop song held the number one for four weeks. The lyrics tout the singer’s ability to attract women with his dance moves, referencing the Rolling Stones singer and sex symbol, Mick Jagger. The legendary rock star reportedly called the homage incredibly flattering and hilarious.
1“Girls Like You” Ft. Cardi B
“Girls Like You,” featuring Cardi B was released in June 2018. The song spent 52 weeks on the charts and held the number one spot for seven weeks. The catchy song shows two sides of an intense and extremely close relationship. The singer describes his deep love for his soulmate but goes on to say that not even 24 hours is enough time for these partners to be together—turning the loving partnership problematically codependent.
