All Six Maroon 5 Albums Ranked

Last week, I found myself in a deep conversation with my boyfriend about Maroon 5 and how their music has changed over the years. Of course he didn’t ask and didn’t so much care but nevertheless, I persisted. I also hadn’t realized how passionate I was about this topic until I was already down the rabbit hole.

So what did I do? You guessed it! I listened to Maroon 5’s entire discography IN ORDER to see where I currently stand. I loved their early stuff, and who doesn’t, but lately I’ve been a little more dismissive of their new music. By conducting this little experiment, I’m hopefully giving them a fair shot in my overall opinion of the group.

'Songs About Jane' (2002)

My love for Maroon 5 goes back into my childhood which sounds crazy when I say it out loud (or in this case, type it). I remember hearing "Harder To Breathe," "This Love," and "She Will Be Loved" play on the radio and just being completely into it.

As I got older, I actually gave the entire album a listen and grew to love it even more. It is arguably the best album out of the six (but don’t tell them I said that). I found myself trying to categorize their genre and kind of drew a blank. I mean, it’s obviously in that pop/rock area but if we’re going off of this album alone, it definitely has that R&B/soul feel which I LOVE.

"Sunday Morning" will always be a favorite but the song(s) that stood out to me this time around as the most underrated would have to be "Tangled," "Through With You," and "Not Coming Home."

Words cannot express how difficult it was to narrow it down to three. I’m not kidding when I say, I absolutely love this record. I think what makes it so great is just the pure emotion I feel when listening to it. You can feel the passion in the vocals, the lyrics, and of course the music itself.

'It Won’t Be Soon Before Long' (2007)

I remember this Maroon 5 era quite well. When "Makes Me Wonder" was released, I was in middle school (junior high?) and I was OBSESSED. It’s all I wanted to listen to. I listened to "If I Never See Your Face Again" (featuring Rihanna, because duh), "Wake Up Call," and "Won’t Go Home Without You" as they were released and a few others here and there but never the entire thing. But once again, this was a solid record for me.

It’s a little poppier but has an electric funkiness to it which is a nice touch. I hadn’t realized what 13-year-old me was singing along to in "Kiwi" until years later which was a fun (and sexy?) surprise. My top underrated songs for this album are "Not Falling Apart," "Better That We Break," and "Back At Your Door."

I would choose this entire album if I could but I think I tend to base my favorites off of those that start slow and build into these awesome power ballads. Chills every time.

'Hands All Over' (2010)

I’m just going to call this one “Songs About Jane: Part 3” because I am so emotionally invested in this one as well. It just feels so raw compared to their second album but in the best way. High school me was all over this (pun unintended but now intended) and officially considered myself a full-on Maroon 5 fan. "Misery," "Give A Little More," and "Never Gonna Leave This Bed" were going to be on repeat for the rest of my life as far as I was concerned.

The songs that made an impression on me were "Stutter," "How," and "Just A Feeling." The thing I’ve always appreciated about Maroon 5 is their lyrics. No matter who produces their album, the message is always obvious and pure. Props to them for amazing lyricism. Truly.

I will say that this was also the beginning of an era starting with "Moves Like Jagger" featuring Christina Aguilera. I would like to believe that this collaboration would not have happened had Adam Levine not agreed to be a judge on The Voice (it wouldn’t have). Sure, they had featured Rihanna on the last record but it was Rihanna and come on, it was just better. But I’ll play along...

'Overexposed' (2012)

At last, I’ve reached college! They really have been with me my entire life. I did buy the physical CD because I’m a known CD hoarder but that is beside the point. If I had to pick one word to describe this album, I would say that it was.. fun. It’s safe to say that they’ve gotten more and more poppier over the years and there’s no question here. Sure, you still have a few slower songs (it wouldn’t be Maroon 5 without them) and they compliment it nicely.

I obviously could have done without the Wiz Khalifa feature on "Payphone" but excuse my unpopular opinion. I actually got to see them on the Overexposed tour in 2013 and I have to say, it was one of the best concerts I’ve ever been to.

The most underrated songs off of this album for me would have to be "Sad" (because I’m a sucker for the sad songs), "Love Somebody", and "Lucky Strike." "Lucky Strike" is just the perfect song to blast in the car whether you’re on a road trip or you just need something to jam out to on your way home from work. And dammit, Adam Levine is just looking to love somebody! Little did he know that I was there all along...

'V' (2014)

This album had some hits with "Maps," "Sugar," and "Animals" for sure but for some reason, it just didn’t leave a lasting impression with me. That being said, I did appreciate the cover of "Sex And Candy" and the songs from the film, Begin Again. My favorites? "Shoot Love" and "Feelings" were the two I listened to consistently. Again, these were just fun and had so much energy. I like my Maroon 5 to not only make me cry but to make me lose my inhibitions on the dance floor.

'Red Pill Blues' (2018)

Here we are. The moment of truth. I had heard "Cold," "Don’t Wanna Know", "Wait," "What Lovers Do," and finally, "Girls Like You" on the radio and honestly, could not have been quicker to judge. Although I have to admit that these songs are extremely catchy, I just wasn’t buying it.

I think it’s safe to say that I’m just over the featured artists. I understand that having today’s hottest artists on your track might help “sell your record” but at what cost? The singles feel like an entirely different group and genre, however, the rest of the album leaves traces of their older sound; a very easy-going, relaxing vibe.

In conclusion, I don’t necessarily have an underrated song but a couple favorites simply because they make me bob my head while writing in a coffee shop. And the winners are "Closure" and "Plastic Rose." Good stuff.

So there you have it. No hard feelings, Maroon 5. You’ll always be my favorite no matter what.