A Quick Look At Maroon 5

 

Maroon 5 are one of the best selling acts in the world, and other being aware of the name, I had no idea who they were, so I was surprised to read they had sold out Wembley for two nights. I see them described on Wikipedia as pop-rock, but I'm not seeing them as an Aerosmith type band. They are very pop orientated. More pop focus even than Coldplay (and they seem to have some sounds in common with that band). This is a pop band - more like a pop band than a rock band. Could even be a boy band with that name.  

Anyway, I have learned that they are the band who did Just Like Jagger (a proper pop song if evert there was one!), so I have got some idea of who they are, but I want to learn a bit more, so I'm doing a quick look. 

Wikipedia: 

Maroon 5 is an American pop rock band from Los Angeles, California.[3][4] It consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Adam Levine, rhythm guitarist and keyboardist Jesse Carmichael, lead guitarist James Valentine, drummer Matt Flynn, keyboardist PJ Morton, and bassist and keyboardist Sam Farrar. Original members Levine, Carmichael, bassist Mickey Madden, and drummer Ryan Dusick first came together as Kara's Flowers in February 1994, while they were in high school.

After self-releasing their independent album ...We Like Digging?, Kara's Flowers signed to Reprise Records and released their debut studio album, The Fourth World (1997). It garnered a tepid response, after which the record label dropped the band and the members focused on college. In 2001, the band re-emerged as Maroon 5, adding guitarist Valentine. Signed to Octone Records, they released their first album as Maroon 5, titled Songs About Jane (2002). Aided by the hit singles "Harder to Breathe", "This Love" and "She Will Be Loved", the album peaked at number six on the Billboard 200 chart and went quadruple platinum in 2005. In the same year, the band won the Grammy Award for Best New Artist. In 2006, Dusick left the band after suffering from serious wrist and shoulder injuries and was replaced by Flynn. Maroon 5's second album, It Won't Be Soon Before Long (2007), debuted atop the US Billboard 200 chart; its lead single, "Makes Me Wonder", topped the US Billboard Hot 100.

The band's critically acclaimed third album, Hands All Over (2010), was re-released in 2011 with the US number-one "Moves Like Jagger". In 2012, Carmichael took a break from the band and was replaced by keyboardist Morton. Maroon 5's fourth album Overexposed (2012), spawned the single "One More Night", which topped the Billboard Hot 100 for nine consecutive weeks. In 2014, Carmichael rejoined the band alongside Morton to record the fifth album V (roman numeral pronounced "five"), released on Interscope Records and Levine's own label 222 Records, and reaching number one on the Billboard 200. In 2016, Maroon 5 added long-time collaborator Farrar to their official lineup as the band continued for their sixth studio album Red Pill Blues (2017). V and Red Pill Blues's respective singles "Sugar" and "Girls Like You" peaked at numbers two and one in the US respectively.

Madden announced his departure from the band in 2020 following his arrest on domestic violence charges, with Farrar becoming their new bassist. Their following albums, Jordi (2021) and Love Is Like (2025), saw varying critical and commercial success. Maroon 5 has sold more than 135 million records, making them one of the best-selling music acts of all time. The band has won numerous accolades, including three Grammy Awards and three American Music Awards.

AllMusic: 

Los Angeles band whose idiosyncratic brand of distortion-fueled, danceable soul and pop topped the charts frequently.

With their polished blend of dance-rock and neo-soul, Maroon 5 and frontman Adam Levine navigate shifting trends in music and fashion to be one of the biggest pop bands of their generation. They took the long way to the top, evolving from the straight-ahead '90s rock band Kara's Flowers into the sleek, soulful Maroon 5 with 2002's Songs About Jane, an album that languished for two years until "This Love" climbed to number five on Billboard's Hot 100 in 2004. From that point forward, the group was a fixture at the top of the charts, their popularity receiving a considerable and enduring boost when Levine was cast as a judge on NBC's televised talent competition The Voice in 2011. That year, their Christina Aguilera duet "Moves Like Jagger" gave Maroon 5 their second number one -- "Makes Me Wonder" went to the top in 2007 -- and kicked off a string of Top Ten hits highlighted by the number ones "One More Night" and "Girls Like You," a run that helped secure the band a headlining Super Bowl gig in 2019. "Girls Like You" featured an appearance by Cardi B, a sign of how Maroon 5 kept current by embracing modern R&B and hip-hop. The band followed this blueprint by enlisting Megan Thee Stallion for "Beautiful Mistakes," a lead single from 2021's Jordi, as well as the 2021 Bantu remix of "One Light," and the 2023 single "Middle Ground." In 2025, they joined forces with BlackPink's LISA for "Priceless," heralding their eighth album, Love Is Like.

Albums

  

  

Songs About Jane (2002)

Debut album under the name Maroon 5. It sold  very well. There is some rock music here, as well as a bit of funk, though mainly this is commercial pop with a solid eye on the melodies. It's well done and very listenable, though not something I'd put on my playlist. 

Released	June 25, 2002
Recorded	Late 2001 - January 21, 2002
Studio	Rumbo (Los Angeles) Can-Am (Los Angeles)
Genre	Pop rock  funk rock  alternative rock
Length	46:06
Label	Octone J
Producer	Matt Wallace  Mark Endert

All tracks are written by Adam Levine and Jesse Carmichael, except where noted.

Songs About Jane track listing

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Harder to Breathe"		2:53
2.	"This Love"		3:26
3.	"Shiver"		2:59
4.	"She Will Be Loved"	Levine James Valentine	4:17
5.	"Tangled"	Levine	3:18
6.	"The Sun"	Levine	4:11
7.	"Must Get Out"		3:59
8.	"Sunday Morning"		4:04
9.	"Secret"		4:55
10.	"Through with You"		3:01
11.	"Not Coming Home"	Levine Carmichael Ryan Dusick	4:21
12.	"Sweetest Goodbye"	Levine	4:30
Total length:			45:54

• Adam Levine – lead vocals, guitars
• Ryan Dusick – drums, percussion; backing vocals 
• Jesse Carmichael – keyboards; backing vocals 
• James Valentine – guitars
• Mickey Madden – bass

Wikipedia

AllMusic: 7
Score: 4

   

It Won't Be Soon Before Long (2007)

Typical modern commercial pop music. Elements of other musicians and bands can be heard - bits of Jamiroquai, Justin Beiber, etc. It's soft soul, pop, r&b, boy band, wallpaper music. I can why it would be immensely popular, and I am quite comfortable listening to it, and bopping around the kitchen. Good fun. I probably like this band more than Coldplay. They are  more poppy and fun, with a greater range of styles. Yeah, this is OK. Not my thing, but I'm really quite happy listening to it. And would be OK coming back for some more. 

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"If I Never See Your Face Again"	Adam Levine James Valentine	Mike Elizondo Mark "Spike" Stent Maroon 5	3:21
2.	"Makes Me Wonder"	Levine Jesse Carmichael Michael Madden	Mark Endert Maroon 5	3:31
3.	"Little of Your Time"	Levine	Eric Valentine Maroon 5	2:17
4.	"Wake Up Call"	Levine Valentine	Elizondo Stent Sam Farrar Maroon 5	3:20
5.	"Won't Go Home Without You"	Levine	Elizondo Stent Maroon 5	3:51
6.	"Nothing Lasts Forever"	Levine	Elizondo Stent Maroon 5	3:07
7.	"Can't Stop"	Levine Valentine	E. Valentine Maroon 5	2:37
8.	"Goodnight Goodnight"	Levine	Elizondo Stent Maroon 5	4:03
9.	"Not Falling Apart"	Levine	Elizondo Stent Maroon 5	4:06
10.	"Kiwi"	Levine Carmichael	Elizondo Stent Maroon 5	3:34
11.	"Better That We Break"	Levine	Elizondo Stent Maroon 5	3:07
12.	"Back at Your Door"	Levine Carmichael	Endert Maroon 5	3:47
Total length:				40:32

• Adam Levine – lead and backing vocals, rhythm and lead guitars
• Jesse Carmichael – keyboards, rhythm guitar;  backing vocals
• Mickey Madden – bass
• James Valentine – lead and rhythm guitars, backing vocals
• Matt Flynn – drums , percussion

Wikipedia 
AllMusic: 9
Score: 5 

  

Hands All Over (2010)

Same as before. Easy listening stuff. There's no interesting edge to any of this, but it is pleasant, happy clappy stuff. Shame there's little development between albums, but then again they do what they do very well, and it sells, so why make changes?  

The hit single, the very catchy and appealing, "Moves Like Jagger", was released after this album, but included on it in later releases. 

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"Misery"	Adam Levine Jesse Carmichael Sam Farrar	Robert John "Mutt" Lange	3:36
2.	"Give a Little More"	Levine Carmichael James Valentine	Lange	3:00
3.	"Stutter"	Levine Farrar Matt Flynn	Lange	3:16
4.	"Don't Know Nothing"	Levine Farrar	Lange	3:19
5.	"Never Gonna Leave This Bed"	Levine	Lange	3:16
6.	"I Can't Lie"	Levine Farrar	Lange	3:31
7.	"Hands All Over"	Levine Carmichael Farrar	Lange	3:12
8.	"How"	Levine Carmichael Farrar Shawn Tellez	Lange	3:36
9.	"Get Back in My Life"	Levine Carmichael Valentine	Lange	3:37
10.	"Just a Feeling"	Levine Carmichael	Lange	3:46
11.	"Runaway"	Levine Farrar Noah Passovoy	Lange	3:01
12.	"Out of Goodbyes" (with Lady Antebellum)	Levine Carmichael Valentine	Lange	3:17
Total length:				40:27

• Adam Levine – lead vocals, rhythm, lead and acoustic guitars, keyboards
• Jesse Carmichael – keyboards, rhythm and acoustic guitars
• Mickey Madden – bass
• James Valentine – lead, rhythm and acoustic guitars
• Matt Flynn – drums, percussion

Wikipedia 
AllMusic: 9
Score: 4

    

Overexposed (2012)

Same as before. Poppy, upbeat, and fun. Though some of the shine of the earlier albums has worn off. 

"Moves Like Jagger" was added to international releases. 

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"One More Night"	Adam Levine Shellback Savan Kotecha Max Martin	M. Martin Shellback	3:39
2.	"Payphone" (featuring Wiz Khalifa)	Levine Benjamin Levin Ammar Malik Dan Omelio Shellback Cameron Thomaz	Benny Blanco Shellback Robopop[a]	3:51
3.	"Daylight"	Levine M. Martin Sam Martin Mason Levy	Levine MdL M. Martin	3:45
4.	"Lucky Strike"	Levine Ryan Tedder Noel Zancanella	Tedder Zancanella	3:05
5.	"The Man Who Never Lied"	Levine Brian "Sweetwesty" West Marius Moga	Noah "Mailbox" Passovoy Levine West[a]	3:25
6.	"Love Somebody"	Levine Tedder Zancanella Nathaniel Motte	Tedder Zancanella	3:49
7.	"Ladykiller"	James Valentine Mickey Madden Levine	Passovoy Valentine Sam Farrar[a]	2:44
8.	"Fortune Teller"	Valentine Madden Levine	Passovoy Valentine Farrar	3:23
9.	"Sad"	Levine Valentine	Passovoy Levine Valentine	3:14
10.	"Tickets"	Valentine Madden Levine	Passovoy Farrar	3:29
11.	"Doin' Dirt"	Levine Shellback	Shellback	3:31
12.	"Beautiful Goodbye"	Levine Levin Malik	Blanco D.J. Kyriakides[a] Matthew Rappold[a]	4:15
Total length:				42:10

• Adam Levine – lead and backing vocals, rhythm guitar
• Mickey Madden – bass; backing vocals 
• James Valentine – lead and rhythm guitars; programming & keyboards , backing vocals
• Matt Flynn – drums & percussion
• PJ Morton – keyboards

Wikipedia 
AllMusic: 6
Score: 3.5 

   

V (2014)

Same. 

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"Maps"	Adam Levine Ryan Tedder Benjamin Levin Ammar Malik Noel Zancanella	Benny Blanco Tedder Zancanella Noah Passovoy[a]	3:10
2.	"Animals"	Levine Shellback Levin	Shellback	3:51
3.	"It Was Always You"	Levine Sam Martin Jason Evigan Marcus Lomax Jordan Johnson Stefan Johnson	Evigan The Monsters and the Strangerz S. Johnson[b] Martin[b] Isaiah Tejada[b]	4:00
4.	"Unkiss Me"	Levine Johan Carlsson Ross Golan	Carlsson Passovoy[b]	3:58
5.	"Sugar"	Levine Joshua Coleman Lukasz Gottwald Jacob Kasher Hindlin Mike Posner Henry Walter	Ammo Cirkut	3:55
6.	"Leaving California"	Levine Levin Nate Ruess Malik Tor Erik Hermansen Mikkel Storleer Eriksen	Blanco Stargate Passovoy[a]	3:23
7.	"In Your Pocket"	Levine Shellback T. Jimson M. Flygare	Shellback Astma & Rocwell	3:39
8.	"New Love"	Levine Tedder Zancanella	Tedder Zancanella	3:16
9.	"Coming Back for You"	Levine Martin Evigan Lomax J. Johnson S. Johnson	Evigan The Monsters and the Strangerz S. Johnson[b] Martin[b] Tejada[b]	3:46
10.	"Feelings"	Levine Shellback Oscar Görres	Shellback OzGo	3:14
11.	"My Heart Is Open" (featuring Gwen Stefani)	Levine Levin Sia Furler Rodney Jerkins Andre Lindal	Blanco Darkchild Lindal Levine	3:57
Total length:				40:10

• Adam Levine – lead and backing vocals 
• Jesse Carmichael – keyboards, backing vocals
• Mickey Madden – bass
• James Valentine – lead guitar 
• Matt Flynn – drums, percussion 
• PJ Morton – keyboards 

Wikipedia 
AllMusic: 7
Score: 3.5

    
  
   

Red Pill Blues (2017)

This feels like a more considered and grown up album, and, consequently, as such, it lacks some of the charm and happy pop of the earlier albums. There's a lot of collaborating on the album, which again make the album feel more serious and reduce the carefree joy of previous albums. I think this is my least favourite so far. 

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"Best 4 U"	Adam Levine Julian Bunetta John Ryan Jacob Kasher Hindlin Alexander Izquierdo Andrew Haas Ian Franzino	Bunetta Afterhrs Noah "Mailbox" Passovoy	3:59
2.	"What Lovers Do" (featuring SZA)	Levine Brittany Talia Hazzard Solána Imani Rowe Oladayo Olatunji Jason Evigan Victor Rådström Elina Stridh	Evigan Sam Farrar[a] Passovoy[a] Ben Billions[b]	3:19
3.	"Wait"	Levine Ryan Hindlin Ammar Malik	Ryan Passovoy[a]	3:10
4.	"Lips on You"	Levine Charlie Puth Hindlin Julia Michaels Evigan	Puth Evigan	3:36
5.	"Bet My Heart"	Levine Ryan Hindlin Phil Shaouy	Ryan Phil Paul Passavoy	3:16
6.	"Help Me Out" (with Julia Michaels)	Levine Michaels Thomas Pentz Henry Allen Justin Tranter	Diplo King Henry Farrar[b] Passavoy[b]	3:13
7.	"Who I Am" (featuring LunchMoney Lewis)	Levine Eric Frederic Malik Gamal Lewis Teddy Geiger Ryan Hindlin	Ricky Reed	3:03
8.	"Whiskey" (featuring ASAP Rocky)	Levine Rakim Mayers Ryan Hindlin Tinashe Sibanda	Ryan Hindlin	3:30
9.	"Girls Like You"	Levine Henry Walter Hazzard Evigan Gian Stone	Cirkut Evigan	3:35
10.	"Closure"	Levine Ryan Hindlin Malik Shaouy	Ryan Paul Passavoy	11:29
Total length:				42:10

Wikipedia 
AllMusic: 7
Score: 3 

  

  

Jordi (2021)

As previous album, Red Pill Blues, though perhaps a tad more tired. 

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"Beautiful Mistakes" (featuring Megan Thee Stallion)	Adam Levine Matthew Musto Andrew Goldstein Joe Kirkland Jacob Kasher Hindlin Megan Pete	Andrew Goldstein Blackbear Noah "Mailbox" Passovoy[v]	3:47
2.	"Lost"	Levine Jonathan Bellion Michael Pollack Jordan K. Johnson Stefan Johnson Hindlin Alexander "Eskeerdo" Izquierdo	The Monsters & Strangerz[m] Gian Stone[v] Passovoy[v]	2:52
3.	"Echo" (featuring Blackbear)	Levine Musto Jake Torrey Pollack Sam Romans Henry Walter	Cirkut Pollack[a] Passovoy[v] Goldstein[g]	2:58
4.	"Lovesick"	Levine Mikky Ekko Gabe Simon Goldstein Hindlin	Ekko Simon Goldstein[m] Passovoy[v]	3:05
5.	"Remedy" (featuring Stevie Nicks)	Levine Brittany "Starrah" Hazzard Matthew Samuels Miloš Angelov Jahaan Akil Sweet John DeBold	Boi-1da Sweet Don Mills DeBold[m] Passovoy[a][v] Stone[v] Stevie Nicks[g]	2:29
6.	"Seasons"	Levine Tyshane Thompson Giorgio Lorenzo Ligeon Nathan Butts Blake Slatkin Keegan Bach Tyree Hawkins	Slatkin KBeazy Beam Dutchboi Nathan Butts Passovoy[v]	2:48
7.	"One Light" (featuring Bantu)	Levine Tinashe Sibanda Philip Kembo Hindlin Ant Clemons Kirsten Urbas Walter Cameron Breithaupt Miles Breithaupt	Cirkut Cameron Bright[c] Father Moth[c] Passovoy[a][v] Bantu[g]	3:34
8.	"Convince Me Otherwise" (with H.E.R.)	Levine Gabriella Wilson Lennon Kloser Walter Hindlin Jerry Edouard	Cirkut Kid Bloom Passovoy[a][v] H.E.R.[g]	3:07
9.	"Nobody's Love"	Levine Hindlin Pollack Nija Charles Kareen Lomax Rosina Russell S. Johnson J. Johnson Ryan Ogren Brandon Hamlin	The Monsters & Strangerz[m] Ryan OG[a] German[a] BHam[a] Stone[v] Passovoy[v]	3:31
10.	"Can't Leave You Alone" (featuring Juice Wrld)	Levine Jarad Higgins Hindlin Andrew Watt Louis Bell	Watt Bell[m] Passovoy[v]	3:16
11.	"Memories"	Levine Bellion Hindlin Pollack J. Johnson S. Johnson Vincent Ford	Levine The Monsters & Strangerz[m] Stone[v] Passovoy[v]	3:09
12.	"Memories (remix)" (featuring Nipsey Hussle and YG)	Levine Ermias Asghedom Keenon Jackson Hindlin Bellion Pollack S. Johnson J. Johnson Ford	Levine The Monsters & Strangerz[m] Stone[v] Passovoy[v]	3:09
Total length:				37:45

Wikipedia 
AllMusic: 6
Score: 3

  

Love Is Like (2025)

Some cute innocence has returned, but not enough. 

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"Hideaway"	Adam Levine Sam Farrar Natalie "Naliya" Salomon Jacob Kasher Hindlin Federico Vindver Elof Loelv	Vindver JKash Loelv[a] Noah "Mailbox" Passovoy[a][v] Farrar[a] Naliya[v]	2:49
2.	"Love Is Like" (featuring Lil Wayne)	Levine Salomon Hindlin Vindver Rio Root Bobby Love Dwayne Carter Nickolas Ashford Valerie Simpson Josephine Armstead	Vindver JKash Root Love Passovoy[v] Manny Galvez[v] Naliya[v]	2:54
3.	"All Night"	Levine Farrar James Valentine Hindlin Vindver Michael Pollack	Vindver JKash Farrar Passovoy[a][v]	2:45
4.	"Yes I Did"	Levine Salomon Vindver Root Sam Dees	Vindver JKash Root Passovoy[v] Naliya[v]	3:36
5.	"Priceless" (featuring Lisa)	Levine Farrar Hindlin Vindver Lisa Ali Tamposi Pollack Rhea Rajagopalan	Vindver JKash Passovoy[a][v] Farrar[a] Kuk Harrell[v]	2:43
6.	"I Like It" (featuring Sexyy Red)	Levine Salomon Hindlin Vindver Janae Wherry Earl Moss Woody Price	Levine Vindver JKash Passovoy[a][v] Farrar[a] Naliya[v]	2:32
7.	"Burn Burn Burn"	Levine Salomon Hindlin Vindver Root Charlie Hunter	Vindver JKash Root Passovoy[v] Naliya[v]	2:33
8.	"Jealousy Problems"	Levine Salomon Vindver Loelv Lenny Goldsmith Viktor Thylwe	Vindver JKash Loelv Passovoy[a][v] Naliya[v]	2:51
9.	"My Love"	Levine Farrar Hindlin Vindver Loelv	JKash Passovoy[a][v] Farrar[a] Loelv[a] Naliya[v]	2:37
10.	"California"	Levine Salomon Vindver	Vindver JKash Naliya[a][v] Passovoy[v]	2:16
Total length:				27:40

• Adam Levine – vocals, guitars 
• James Valentine – guitars 
• Jesse Carmichael – guitars, additional keyboards
• Matt Flynn – drums
• PJ Morton – keyboards
• Sam Farrar – bass 

Wikipedia 
AllMusic: 8
Score: 3.5

Discography

Songs About Jane (2002)
It Won't Be Soon Before Long (2007)
Hands All Over (2010)
Overexposed (2012)
V (2014)
Red Pill Blues (2017)
Jordi (2021)
Love Is Like (2025)

Summary 

Attractive and very popular mainstream pop/soul/rock act. There's a energetic charm to their music and image. Easy listening, though too frothy to be substantial 

Total: 35/100

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