Maps

'Maps' is built on a deceptively simple Aeolian rock loop (VI–VII–i in C# minor), a palette common in Police and reggae-influenced pop. The harmonic restraint is by design: with only three primary chords cycling throughout, the arrangement concentrates energy on texture — the signature breezy guitar lick, multi-tracked vocals, and syncopated reggae-adjacent groove — rather than harmonic surprise. The pre-chorus G#7 is the sole chromatic pivot and works precisely because everything around it is so diatonic.

'Maps' was co-written by Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine alongside Ammar Malik, Benny Blanco (Benjamin Levin), Noel Zancanella, and Ryan Tedder. Both Blanco and Malik had prior songwriting credits with the band on 'Moves Like Jagger' and 'Payphone', while Tedder and Zancanella had previously collaborated on 'Love Somebody' and 'Lucky Strike'. The combined familiarity with Maroon 5's strengths resulted in a track that channeled a cleaner, Police-esque reggae-pop texture and moved the band away from its earlier funk-influenced sound.

Released in June 2014 as the lead single from Maroon 5's fifth album V, 'Maps' marked a confident pivot toward a reggae-tinged pop-rock sound reminiscent of The Police. Co-written and produced by Ryan Tedder and Benny Blanco alongside Adam Levine, it became one of the band's biggest international hits, topping the Canadian charts and reaching #6 on the Billboard Hot 100.