Feature Photo: Justin Higuchi, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
The group Maroon 5 originated in Los Angeles, California, under the name Kara’s Flowers in 1994, consisting of Adam Levine (vocals, guitar), Jesse Carmichael (keyboards, guitar), Mickey Madden (bass), and Ryan Dusick (drums). Despite releasing an album, The Fourth World, in 1997, the band failed to gain mainstream traction and disbanded temporarily. After regrouping in 2001 with a more R&B-influenced sound and the addition of guitarist James Valentine, they rebranded as Maroon 5 and secured a record deal with Octone Records.
The release of Songs About Jane in 2002 marked the beginning of Maroon 5’s commercial breakthrough. The album, featuring hit singles like “Harder to Breathe,” “This Love,” and “She Will Be Loved,” gained momentum over time and eventually peaked at number six on the Billboard 200. It went multi-platinum in several countries and earned the band their first Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 2005. The success of their debut established Maroon 5 as a dominant force in pop-rock, blending catchy melodies with funk and soul influences.
Building on their early success, Maroon 5 released It Won’t Be Soon Before Long in 2007, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. The album produced hit singles such as “Makes Me Wonder,” which became their first number-one song on the Billboard Hot 100. Subsequent albums, including Hands All Over (2010), Overexposed (2012), and V (2014), saw the band leaning further into mainstream pop, collaborating with producers like Max Martin and Benny Blanco. Songs like “Moves Like Jagger,” featuring Christina Aguilera, and “Sugar” dominated the charts, solidifying Maroon 5’s status as a global pop sensation.
Maroon 5 continued their chart-topping streak with Red Pill Blues (2017), which featured the massive hit “Girls Like You,” a collaboration with Cardi B that spent seven weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. Their seventh studio album, Jordi (2021), further cemented their longevity in the industry, with singles like “Memories” and “Beautiful Mistakes.” Over the course of their career, Maroon 5 has released seven studio albums, consistently adapting to changing musical trends while maintaining their signature sound.
The band’s success is reflected in their numerous accolades, including three Grammy Awards, multiple American Music Awards, and Billboard Music Awards. They have also set records on the Billboard charts, with over 20 Top 40 hits and multiple multi-platinum certifications. Their ability to stay relevant for over two decades has made them one of the most enduring bands in contemporary pop music.
Beyond music, Maroon 5 has been actively involved in philanthropy. The band has supported various charitable organizations, including the Ryan Seacrest Foundation and the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Adam Levine, in particular, has been an advocate for mental health awareness and LGBTQ+ rights. Additionally, Levine gained widespread recognition as a coach on The Voice, helping to mentor aspiring artists while further expanding Maroon 5’s reach.
(A-C)
Animals – V (2014)
Back At Your Door – It Won’t Be Soon Before Long (2007)
Beautiful Goodbye – Overexposed (2012)
Beautiful Mistakes (featuring Megan Thee Stallion) – Jordi (2021)
Better That We Break – It Won’t Be Soon Before Long (2007)
Bet My Heart – Red Pill Blues (2017)
Best 4 U – Red Pill Blues (2017)
Button (featuring Anuel AA & Tainy) – Jordi (Deluxe) (2021)
Can’t Leave You Alone (featuring Juice Wrld) – Jordi (2021)
Can’t Stop – It Won’t Be Soon Before Long (2007)
Cold (featuring Future) – Red Pill Blues (Deluxe / Japanese Edition) (2017)
Coming Back for You – V (2014)
Convince Me Otherwise (with H.E.R.) – Jordi (2021)
Closure – Red Pill Blues (2017)
(D-G)
Daylight – Overexposed (2012)
Denim Jacket – Red Pill Blues (Deluxe / Japanese Edition) (2017)
Doin’ Dirt – Overexposed (2012)
Don’t Know Nothing – Hands All Over (2010)
Don’t Wanna Know (featuring Kendrick Lamar) – Red Pill Blues (Deluxe / Japanese Edition) (2016)
Echo (featuring Blackbear) – Jordi (2021)
Feelings – V (2014)
Figure It Out – It Won’t Be Soon Before Long (Deluxe) (2007)
Fortune Teller – Overexposed (2012)
Get Back In My Life – Hands All Over (2010)
Give a Little More – Hands All Over (2010)
Girls Like You – Red Pill Blues (2017)
Girls Like You (featuring Cardi B) – Red Pill Blues (Re-release) (2018)
Goodnight Goodnight – It Won’t Be Soon Before Long (2007)
(H-K)
Hands All Over – Hands All Over (2010)
Harder to Breathe – Songs About Jane (2002)
Help Me Out (with Julia Michaels) – Red Pill Blues (2017)
How – Hands All Over (2010)
I Can’t Lie – Hands All Over (2010)
If I Never See Your Face Again – It Won’t Be Soon Before Long (2007)
If I Never See Your Face Again (featuring Rihanna) – It Won’t Be Soon Before Long (Re-release) / Good Girl Gone Bad: Reloaded (2008)
Infatuation – It Won’t Be Soon Before Long (Deluxe) (2007)
In Your Pocket – V (2014)
Is Anybody Out There (featuring PJ Morton) – Non-album single (2011)
It Was Always You – V (2014)
Just a Feeling – Hands All Over (2010)
Kiwi – It Won’t Be Soon Before Long (2007)
(L)
Ladykiller – Overexposed (2012)
Last Chance – Hands All Over (Deluxe) (2010)
Leaving California – V (2014)
Little of Your Time – It Won’t Be Soon Before Long (2007)
Lips On You – Red Pill Blues (2017)
Losing My Mind – It Won’t Be Soon Before Long (Deluxe) (2007)
Lost – Jordi (2021)
Love Somebody – Overexposed (2012)
Lovesick – Jordi (2021)
Lucky Strike – Overexposed (2012)
Check out our fantastic and entertaining Maroon 5 articles, detailing in-depth the band’s albums, songs, band members, and more…all on ClassicRockHistory.com
Top 10 Maroon 5 Songs
Complete List Of Maroon 5 Albums And Songs
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