Maroon 5 is a band that I appreciate to a degree thanks to their wit and slick music videos. Their music, however, has never been on any of my favored playlists. After watching some of the NBC music competition “The Voice” I was inspired to go back into the history of Maroon 5 and see all of the musical contributions they have made. Adam Levine is a judge on “The Voice” and is also the lead singer of Maroon 5, just in case you are not an “in the know” fan and was wondering where the connection came for such an inspired, journey of criticism. After listening to Maroon 5’s three major studio albums and a handful of bonus tracks, the following songs as of 2011, are my choices for the top ten Maroon 5 songs.
10. “Nothing Lasts Forever”: This song is strong with soulful R & B roots, mixed in with a light pop jingle. The song stays low key, sad toned ballad, though it spins lyrics trying to make positive of an ending relationship and how things are going to be for the better as nothing lasts forever.
9. “This Love”: Maroon 5 sort of out does Maroon 5 with this track. It is classic good in terms of their style and it is recognizable as a popular single, thus it is list worthy in my brain. However, I may have heard it one too many times for it to put it further up the ladder.
8. “Give A Little More”: Pop your collar and dangle those gold chains over that exposed chest hair, this track is disco silk into the ears. This song followed an opening song on the “Hands All Over” album that was primed for radio play, but I found “Give A Little More” to be a smoother listen, yet with the complete Maroon 5 touch in place.
7. “If I Never See Your Face Again”: Cue this up when you cannot find any music from the band Chic in your bargain bin shopping. It does the same quirky tricks in the realms of funk and soul. Fun and full of Maroon 5 wit in the lyrics. The lazy funk background singers are a nice touch as well, with their hits off of something drawl of a group party delivery.
6. “Harder To Breathe”: Too much of a good thing is a good and bad thing and this song is an example of that. “Harder To Breathe” is a good song and the very first song I ever think of when I think of Maroon 5. However, I am burnt out on the single and there are plenty of other Maroon 5 songs that explore the same vibe adequately. It gets kudos here for being the one song I most identify with as being from Maroon 5.
5. “Makes Me Wonder”: One of Maroon 5’s signature songs it stands out against pop rock competition, being soulful, but with enough angst and swagger to rock.
4. “Hands All Over”: This song was a gritty departure from most of the sounds Maroon 5 has going for them in song. A bass growl that makes me think more 80’s industrial meets funk as opposed to the disco tendencies of other tracks. As the title track from their third album, I pick this as the best song from said album.
3. “Won’t Go Home Without You”: Gone is the usual ego driven swagger of Maroon 5 and instead you get a sweeter pop ballad with a more Hollywood romantic movie declaration taking the center stage. I’m a sucker for the Hollywood ideals of romance and not giving up on making someone happy, even if in real life that might translate into a restraining order.
2. “Wake Up Call”: A hip track that tells a story involving catching another man in your bed and dishing out some heartfelt vigilante justice. Lyrically this song is just awesome and though I am not a huge pop rock fan in general, this song deserves recognition.
1. “She Will Be Loved”: The only song where it almost feels like emotion could actually crack Adam Levine’s soulful voice, near the beginning I got that sense. A sweet song about the dedicated pain of wanting to make someone happy who is not yours to be doing such with. Sigh, what we can never have.
