Maps

Album: V (2014)
Charted: 2 6
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The first single to be released from Maroon 5's V album was written by the band's frontman Adam Levine with Overexposed executive producer Max Martin and his frequent collaborator Shellback. The track was produced by Ryan Tedder, Benny Blanco and Noel Zancanella.
  • The song finds Levine singing about retaining hope for a relationship despite his girl abandoning him when he was going through a tough time.

    But I wonder where were you
    When I was at my worst
    Down on my knees
    And you said you had my back
    So I wonder where were you
    All the roads you took came back to me
    So I’m following the map that leads to you
    The map that leads to you


    Levine told Ryan Seacrest the song is about not giving up on a relationship after its been derailed and getting it back on track. "People go through a lot of things and get stepped on and step on others and we all make mistakes," he explained. "It's kind of more about not giving up on something, even though maybe you should."
  • The song's music video was directed by Peter Berg, who is best known for helming the films Friday Night Lights and Hancock as well as his acting role on the TV series Chicago Hope. He also previously directed Maroon 5's visual for "One More Night."

    The clip follows a backwards narrative format, as it recounts the death of Adam Levine's girlfriend after getting hit by a car in Los Angeles. The storyline is inspired by the 2000 film Memento.
  • The song was brought in by Tedder and Blanco. Guitarist James Valentine told Billboard magazine it was, "just sort of workshopped" into its eventual form. "It really has those elements of The Police that have always been a huge, huge influence on us," he said. "We're usually trying to do stuff that sounds contemporary but is still classic. I mean, everybody says that. That's what they're always going for. I think that song sort of achieves that, at least in my mind."
  • This was used in a commercial for the video game Just Dance 2015, which features the music of Maroon 5.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

George Harrison

George HarrisonFact or Fiction

Did Eric Clapton really steal George's wife? What's the George Harrison-Monty Python connection? Set the record straight with our Fact or Fiction quiz.

Andrew Farriss of INXS

Andrew Farriss of INXSSongwriter Interviews

Andrew Farriss on writing with Michael Hutchence, the stories behind "Mystify" and other INXS hits, and his country-flavored debut solo album.

Melanie

MelanieSongwriter Interviews

The singer-songwriter Melanie talks about her spiritual awakening at Woodstock, "Brand New Key," and why songwriting is an art, not a craft.

Chris Robinson of The Black Crowes

Chris Robinson of The Black CrowesSongwriter Interviews

"Great songwriters don't necessarily have hit songs," says Chris. He's written a bunch, but his fans are more interested in the intricate jams.

Commercials

CommercialsFact or Fiction

Was "Ring Of Fire" really used to sell hemorrhoid cream?

AC/DC

AC/DCFact or Fiction

Does Angus really drink himself silly? Did their name come from a sewing machine? See if you can spot the real stories about AC/DC.