Revised Songs About Jane

This week we are taking it way back to the beginning of Maroon 5. “Songs About Jane” was the bands first ever album released in 2002. The band hit this one out of the park with five singles hitting the charts including “This Love," “She Will Be Loved," and “Harder to Breathe." Whenever mentioning this album to friends they always melt at the name of it. “Songs About Jane” seems to be the fan favorite. I like to think of this album as the album of love because these songs touch deep into the raw emotions of Adam’s relationship with Jane.

Relationships are never easy; they are filled with compromise and meeting someone half-way even though it is not your personal preference. Even I know that, and I am only 18. For those who are lucky this balance occurs naturally, but for others it takes months. Now, there are both good and bad relationships, obviously. “Good” relationships revolve around the love that connects two individuals. This love only grows stronger with each passing day. When two people are in love, they can do no wrong. It is almost like a twisted obsession. However, some obsessions have an expiration date and a once fairy tale love can turn into an utter catastrophe in the blink of an eye. It still amazes me how quickly young people fall in and out of love. I have seen someone so in love their boyfriend or girlfriend is all they can think about and then one day they will wake up and say “I’m bored”. This phenomenon is mind-boggling to me. Today’s generation is so caught up in the next best thing that they sometimes jeopardize their own happiness to say they have the “best” whatever. In the world of relationships, that can be the seemingly “perfect man or woman” just to flaunt the coveted image. 

“Songs About Jane” deals with many of these concepts, especially the heartbreak of a relationship on the brink of breaking apart. When Adam wrote these, he was to very young, which is why younger people can relate to this album so much and really appreciate it for what it is. Adam is head over heels for this girl Jane, but the feeling, unfortunately, is not mutual. It is evident Jane falls out of love with Adam, which leaves him in shock, heartache, and denial. This album is the story of their time together from Adam's perspective, including both his emotions while he was still with her and a reflection of his relationship months after the breakup. It is an interesting set up, but an effective one. It gives the audience both sides of love in a relationship and how it effects a person’s mannerisms and feelings.

To say “Sunday Morning” is a feel good song is an understatement. Adam was so in love while writing this song. The sweet melody automatically reflects his deepest feelings for his love. She was his bliss, his shining light in a sea of darkness. She embodied everything he wanted and needed. “Sunday morning, rain is falling; Steal some covers, share some skin; ...You twist to fit the mold that I am in."The sexual undertone of these lyrics can make anyones insides melt. The piano in the background of the song just sets the mood even more. I can picture this scene so vividly, and hear the rain hitting the roof. He is infatuated with her, and never wants to leave. “In darkness, she is all I see; Come and rest your bones with me; Driving slow on Sunday morning; And I never want to leave." His smooth voice paired with the piano in the background delivers these lines to perfection. He cannot imagine a day without having her by his side. All he wants to do is come home to her and love her and call her his. Every time he is with her his love only grows stronger and stronger. “Sunday Morning” embodies what every girl wants her man to feel about her.

The beginning stages of a relationship are always the most memorable. That is when couples start referring to themselves as “us” or “we”. It is the time of firsts and moments that drive the relationship from there on out. It is where the love between people begins and only grows with every second spent together. It is those memories that make trying to make things work in a relationship so important. “She Will Be Loved” is Adam’s confession of love to this girl that has left him in the past, but he is willing to do anything to get her back. “I don't mind spendin' everyday; Out on your corner in the pourin' rain…Ask her if she wants to stay awhile; And she will be loved, and she will be loved." His soft voice pairs perfectly with these lyrics and gives me that warm fuzzy feeling inside. He is putting himself out on the line for her. His feelings are so strong for this girl he is willing to do anything for her to make her happy and feel loved. He will do anything in his power to not let her go again. “It's not always rainbows and butterflies; It's compromise that moves us along yeah; ...You can come anytime you want yeah." Relationships are never easy, but love makes people do things they would not normally for anyone else – including stand in the pouring rain.

Denial and pain directly following a breakup are so emotionally draining it puts you into a spiral of depression and heartache. “This Love” is Adam’s way of putting his pain into words that leaves fans crying for him. “This love has taken its toll on me; She said Goodbye too many times before; And her heart is breaking in front of me;...” The steady beat of the drums in the background stay consistent throughout the song and make the listener to really pay attention to the lyrics. This relationship put him through hell and back. It sounds like Jane has separated from him more than once and he has reached his breaking point. Her inability to stay with him may be breaking her heart, but it has completely obliterated his. This last goodbye was harder for him than her because before he always had hope of rekindling their love, not anymore. “I tried my best to feed her appetite;...So hard to keep her satisfied; Kept playing love like it was just a game." He tried to keep her happy every way he could in and out of the bedroom, but it was not enough. He knows that once she walks away from him, he will not see her again, he cannot keep playing this game with her. He cannot handle her keep leaving on him, and then returning expecting everything to go back to normal. 

The post breakup feelings are always such a joy. Anger, contempt, and absolute disregard for everything regarding that excuse for a human being that broke up with you just scratches the surface. “Harder to Breathe” wraps all that anguish into a song. Adam lets nothing behind as he tells Jane to basically go screw herself because he is the best thing that has ever happened to her. Right off the bat the mood is set, “How dare you say that my behavior is unacceptable; So condescending unnecessarily critical;..." I can hear the angst in his voice as the electric guitar sends out harsh notes.  I have a feeling Jane might have said this to him in her breakup speech - harsh. She obviously felt that his behavior was tarnishing her image, so he could either fix it or she was done. “What you are doing is screwing things up inside my head; You should know better you never listened to a word I said”. Seems like she put all the blame on him, even though Adam makes it quite clear she had a mind of her own. Taking the easy way out instead of trying to work together to reach a compromise just is not some people’s style. I always get pissed when I listen to this song, it almost amps me up. The rock guitar solo in the middle of the song always sets me off. At least Adam got a good song out of it, thanks Jane.

“Songs About Jane” is a whole lot of emotional highs and lows wrapped into one. I felt drained after listening to this album. It was like I was in the relationship myself feeling every moment of happiness and then every moment of complete disappointment and despair. Relationships take time, energy, and commitment. A person cannot jump into a relationship without being willing to hear what the other has to say. Listening is crucial in establishing communication because without communication everything is doomed before it even started. You want your significant other to bring out the best qualities in you and accept the weird. If that is not attainable then the person will always feel trapped and tension will build until someone bursts. Then comes the arguing, isolation, blame game and breakup. What a mess. 

Love makes people do crazy things and act in ways they never have before, but sometimes it is worth it. When you find that right person that just gets you nothing else matters. The relationship is not work or burdening it is effortless. Being in a relationship with someone you love is like being with a best friend. The lucky ones find love like this on the first or second try. For others it takes a couple failed relationships to realize exactly what you do and do no want. Jane was not Adam’s match, but had not problem finding the right one a couple years later. All it takes is just a little bit of patience and hope.

Revised V

“What the f****, I got nothing to lose” Welcome to the newest installment of Maroon 5. V is risqué and raw. It embodies people’s greatest desires and deepest thoughts. The band does not hold back and puts everything out on the line for their fans. Each song has its own identity dealing with a different emotion – desire, love lust, anger, desperation, excitement, regret. Maroon 5 gets creative in truly showing the emotion by making parallels to beliefs of pop culture to further connect to listeners of any background.

“What the f****, I got nothing to lose” is a line from the song "New Love." The theme is pretty self-explanatory given the title. Nevertheless, it expresses the common occurrence of falling into love too hard, too fast. People tend to jump whole-heartedly into a relationship without even thinking. Adam clearly exhibits similar tendencies, and he is especially reckless because he has “nothing to lose." Thirty years ago such behavior would have been highly frowned upon, but in today's day in age people do not even acknowledge it. However, "New Love" deals with superficial attraction – “I'm a slave to the way that you move; I'm an addict for all that you do; you're the only drug I wanna do yeah." Adam likes the thrill of being with this girl which is portrayed through the strong consistent beat of the drums throughout the entire song. Interestingly, the lyrics never mention and emotional connection, but it makes sense because pop culture makes people first look at people’s appearances instead of who the person is. Everyone is so wrapped up in appearance’s and body image they unfortunately continuously forget that looks aren’t everything. A relationship is built on trust, responsibility, and an emotional connection, but who has time for that?

"Maps" delves into societies desperation for reciprocation of love.  “So I’m following the map that leads to you” explains Adam’s need to find this girl he so desperately needs love from. He feels lost and confused, “When I was at my worst; down on my knees; and you said you had my back; So I wonder where were you?” Left out alone hurt in the dark about where this girl is all he has to go by is his moral compass, which leads to her. Wanting someone to love you as much you love them has become a new obsession in the younger generation due to unrealistic romance movies and media. Popular culture feeds society fantasized outcomes and expectations, such as love at first sight and living happily ever after. The upbeat tempo of the song clearly illustrates these fantasies of happily ever after. Even though he is disappointed, the catchy tune reassures his blind faith in this map to lead him back to his love.

The band channels their wild side while writing "Animals" - “Baby I’m preying on you tonight; hunt you down eat you alive just like animals” starts off this infectious song. The predator-prey relationship has been around since the beginning of time. Predators rely on prey to live and evolve, much like people need each other to fulfill their needs and desires. Predatory animals do whatever is necessary to complete the hunt, whether that be speed, agility, camouflage, smell, hearing, or poison. Regardless, they get the job done. The hard hitting beat reflects the thrill of the hunt and anticipation of the kill or in Adam's case getting the girl. In the song “Animals," Maroon 5 uses this relationship to explain Adam’s hunt for this girl he so desperately needs to survive. The lyrics “Maybe you think that you can hide; I can smell your scent from miles” makes the connection from an animal’s sense of smell to a mans ability to seek out his love. Current culture acknowledges a man’s animalistic tendencies while seeking out a woman.

The song Sex and Candy is the black sheep of the album. The cover shows the most sensual thoughts of person’s mind. Raw and vulnerable are the perfect way to describe the lyrics.  The chorus starts with, “I smell sex and candy here; Who's that lounging in my chair; Who's that casting devious stares in my direction." The slow jazz music makes the lyrics feel more sexual with every word. His insecurity shows as the chorus continues “Mama this surely is a dream; Yeah mama this surely is a dream; Yeah mama this surely is a dream." People see someone that is their “perfect type” and they can use their imagination for what they want to do. However, in reality, they do not think they are good enough to deserve that person’s love. Everything in Adam’s mind and heart is telling him to go for the girl, but he doesn’t feel like he has a shot. The push and pull between sexual wants and doubtful thoughts bring out the pure emotional struggle that many face on a daily basis.

V is a magnifying glass into popular culture. The themes of the songs reflect those most seen in society today. Maroon 5 did so to connect to fans of all ages. They tapped into the uncontrollable tendencies people exhibit without even knowing they do so. This includes animalistic, sexual, mental, and physical tendencies. People are so wrapped up in their own lives in society they love hearing songs that they think apply to them. In reality, what they are experiencing is happening to hundreds of thousands of others. It amazes me how easily people fall into the exaggerations put forth by popular culture, but it works in artist’s favor because they are more likely to enjoy the album and therefore purchase it. Pop culture influences can be over done sometimes in regards to other artists trying to make it in the business or stay current. Being a mainstream band, it is obvious Maroon 5 must keep up with the times, but it is pertinent they stick to the brand they established a decade ago. With that being said, they do a good job crafting V and maintaining a balance between pop culture influences and originality.