Honestly, music in 2017 was a bit of a fever dream. You had the rise of "mumble rap," the world was still humming "Despacito," and then out of nowhere, Maroon 5 dropped a track that felt like a neon-soaked summer night. When we talk about what lovers do lyrics maroon 5, we aren't just talking about another pop song. We’re talking about the moment Adam Levine met SZA—a pairing that, on paper, made zero sense but, in your headphones, felt like magic.
It’s been years, and yet the hook still gets stuck in your head. Why? Because it’s blunt. It’s catchy. And it’s kind of about that annoying "what are we?" stage of a relationship that everyone secretly hates.
The Raw Meaning Behind the Gamble
The song kicks off with Adam Levine basically demanding a status update. "Tell me, tell me if you love me or not." He’s not being subtle. He mentions he’s "betting the house" on this person. If you've ever felt like you were putting your entire emotional bank account on one human who might just ghost you, you get it.
The lyrics aren't deep poetry, but they are incredibly relatable. They capture that specific anxiety of being "too grown for games" but still being "young enough to chase." It’s that weird middle ground where you know better than to act like a teenager, but your heart hasn't gotten the memo yet.
Why the SZA Feature Was a Stroke of Genius
Before this track, SZA was the darling of the "alt-R&B" world. She had just released Ctrl, which was basically the diary of every 20-something woman in America. Putting her on a Maroon 5 track was a risk. Would her soulful, slightly raspy vibe mesh with Levine’s signature falsetto?
It did. More than that, she gave the song its backbone.
While Adam sounds like he's chasing, SZA sounds like she's already won. Her verse brings a cool, collected confidence to the table. When she sings about being "old enough to know better," you believe her. It balances the frantic energy of the chorus.
📖 Related: Why Rush An Evening With 1997 Changed How We See Progressive Rock
That Weirdly Iconic Music Video
If you haven't seen the video directed by Joseph Kahn, you’re missing out on some high-budget hallucinations. It’s not your typical "boy meets girl" story. We’re talking:
- Singing deer (yes, really).
- A 50-foot tall Adam Levine attacking Las Vegas like Godzilla.
- SZA as a mermaid.
- A literal triceratops just hanging out in the background.
The visual metaphors are actually pretty clever once you look past the CGI. The whole video is a series of chases—through meadows, across oceans, and eventually into a high-stakes poker game. It mirrors the what lovers do lyrics maroon 5 perfectly: love is a chase, a gamble, and usually, someone ends up losing. In the end, Adam wakes up in a hospital bed, suggesting the whole romance was just a feverish dream or a catastrophic accident.
The "Sexual" Connection You Might Have Missed
Ever noticed that the "Say, say, say, hey, hey now baby" part sounds oddly familiar? That’s because the song actually interpolates "Sexual" by Neiked.
📖 Related: Sir Lord Baltimore: Why the World Forgot the First Real Metal Band
The band didn't just steal the vibe; they gave credit where it was due. Songwriters Victor Rådström, Dyo, and Elina Stridh are all officially credited. This is why the track has that distinctively European, funky dance-pop DNA. It’s a hybrid of Swedish pop precision and American R&B soul.
Chart Performance: By the Numbers
People loved it. It wasn't just a radio filler.
- It peaked at number 9 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
- It reached the top 10 in over 15 countries.
- It’s currently sitting at nearly one billion streams on Spotify.
It proved that Maroon 5 could stay relevant by pivoting away from their "She Will Be Loved" rock roots and embracing the synth-heavy, R&B-influenced pop of the late 2010s.
What We Get Wrong About the Song
Most people think it’s a straightforward love song. It’s not.
If you listen closely to the bridge—"Aren't we too grown for games?"—it's actually a song about frustration. It’s about two people who are clearly into each other but are too scared to be the first one to say it. It’s a "standoff" track.
Levine is asking for clarity, but he's also admitting he's "wishin' for you." He’s vulnerable, but he's trying to play it off with a funky beat. That tension is what makes it a staple on every "Late Night Drive" playlist.
Actionable Insights for Your Next Listen
If you want to really appreciate the track next time it pops up on shuffle, try these three things:
- Listen for the Bassline: It’s surprisingly complex for a pop song. It carries the rhythm more than the drums do.
- Focus on SZA’s Harmonies: She isn't just a guest; she’s layering the background of the final chorus in a way that gives the song its "ethereal" feel.
- Check the Lyrics vs. the Beat: Notice how the lyrics are actually quite anxious ("Tell me if you love me or not"), while the music is incredibly upbeat. It’s a classic "sad lyrics, happy music" trope that Maroon 5 excels at.
Check out the official credits on the Red Pill Blues album notes if you want to see the massive team of producers, including Jason Evigan and Ben Billions, who helped polish this into a diamond.
📖 Related: Everything Everywhere All at Once Explained: Why This Weird Movie Actually Matters
Next time you find yourself stuck in that "what are we" phase, just blast this. It won't give you the answers, but at least you'll have a great soundtrack for the confusion.