Meaning and Lyrics of Payphone by Maroon 5

Song Lyrics meaning of Payphone by Maroon 5

About Maroon 5

Maroon 5:
Maroon 5 is an American pop rock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1994. The band’s lineup consists of lead vocalist Adam Levine, keyboardist and rhythm guitarist Jesse Carmichael, bassist Mickey Madden, lead guitarist James Valentine, drummer Matt Flynn, and keyboardist PJ Morton. Maroon 5 gained widespread fame with their debut album “Songs About Jane” released in 2002, which included hit singles like “This Love” and “She Will Be Loved”. The band has continued to be a dominant force in the music industry with their catchy pop tunes and energetic performances. One of Maroon 5’s popular songs is “Payphone“, which was released in 2012 as a lead single from their fourth studio album “Overexposed”. The song features a collaboration with rapper Wiz Khalifa and topped the charts in several countries around the world, showcasing Maroon 5’s ability to create infectious pop hits with a modern twist.

Meaning of Payphone by Maroon 5

“Payphone” by Maroon 5 is a poignant song that delves into themes of heartbreak, loss, and self-reflection. The narrative is centered around a relationship that has crumbled, leaving the protagonist at a payphone, symbolizing a sense of longing, regret, and a desire to reconnect with a past love.

The song’s chorus, sung by Adam Levine, conveys a deep emotional toll, as he laments spending all his change on someone who has seemingly faded away from his life. The lyrics question the passage of time and the dissolution of the shared dreams and plans the couple once had.

In the first verse, Levine reminisces about the past, acknowledging the difficulty in remembering who they once were and the pain of realizing that the person he loved is no longer by his side. The sense of loss and regret is palpable as he questions if it’s too late to salvage what they once had. The imagery of burned bridges underscores the irreparable damage that has been done.

The pre-chorus further emphasizes the emotional turmoil, with Levine expressing feeling stuck in a time when their relationship was defined by love, now lost and unattainable. The idea of paradise setting with the sun suggests that even the most beautiful things can come to an end.

The post-chorus highlights the disillusionment with the idea of “happy-ever-afters” and fairytales, portraying a grim reality as the narrator rejects the notion of a perfect ending. The repetition of being sick of love songs reflects a cynicism towards love and its promises, as well as a sense of emotional exhaustion.

The introduction of Wiz Khalifa in the second verse brings a shift in perspective, with Khalifa’s lyrics portraying a sense of empowerment and growth after a breakup. He boasts about his success and material wealth, suggesting a transformation from adversity to triumph. The contrast between his verses and Levine’s reflects differing reactions to heartbreak – one of self-assured confidence, and the other of longing and reflection.

The collaboration between Khalifa and Levine in the final verse showcases a blend of emotions, juxtaposing empowerment with vulnerability. The lyrics convey a sense of closure and moving on, with Khalifa emphasizing his rise from the bottom, contrasting with the regret and remorse expressed by Levine.

Overall, “Payphone” explores the complexities of love and loss, moving through stages of grief, acceptance, and self-discovery. The song resonates with listeners who have experienced heartbreak and serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility and impermanence of relationships.

Lyrics of Payphone by Maroon 5

Chorus: Adam Levine
I'm at a payphone, tryin' to call home
All of my change I spent on you
Where have the times gone? Baby, it's all wrong
Where are the plans we made for two?

Verse 1: Adam Levine
Yeah, I, I know it's hard to remember
The people we used to be
It's even harder to picture
That you're not here next to me
You say it's too late to make it
But is it too late to try?
And in our time that you wasted
All of our bridges burned down

Pre-Chorus: Adam Levine
I've wasted my nights
You turned out the lights
Now I'm paralyzed
Still stuck in that time
When we called it "Love"
But even the sun
Sets in paradise

Chorus: Adam Levine
I'm at a payphone, tryin' to call home
All of my change I spent on you
Where have the times gone? Baby, it's all wrong
Where are the plans we made for two?

Post-Chorus: Adam Levine
If happy-ever-after's did exist
I would still be holdin' you like this
All those fairytales are full of shit
One more f****n' love song, I'll be sick, oh

Verse 2: Adam Levine
You turned your back on tomorrow
'Cause you forgot yesterday
I gave you my love to borrow
But you just gave it away
You can't expect me to be fine (Oh-oh)
I don't expect you to care (Yeah)
I know I said it before
But all of our bridges burned down

Pre-Chorus: Adam Levine
I've wasted my nights
You turned out the lights
Now I'm paralyzed
Still stuck in that time
When we called it "Love"
But even the sun
Sets in paradise

Chorus: Adam Levine
I'm at a payphone, tryin' to call home
All of my change I spent on you (Oh, oh-oh-oh)
Where have the times gone? Baby, it's all wrong
Where are the plans we made for two? (Yeah)

Post-Chorus: Adam Levine & Wiz Khalifa
If happy-ever-after's did exist
I would still be holdin' you like this
And all those fairytales are full of shit
One more f****n' love song, I'll be sick (Yeah, uh)
Now, I'm at a payphone

Verse 3: Wiz Khalifa & Adam Levine
Man, f**k that shit
I'll be out spendin' all this money while you're sittin' 'round
Wondering why it wasn't you who came up from nothin'
Made it from the bottom, now when you see me, I'm stuntin'
And all of my cars start with the push of a button
Telling me I changed since I blew up or whatever you call it
Switched the number to my phone so you never could call it
Don't need my name on my shirt, you can tell that I'm ballin'
Swish, what a shame, coulda got picked
Had a really good game, but you missed your last shot
So you talk about who you see at the top
Or what you could've saw, but sad to say it's over for
Phantom pulled up, valet open doors
Wished I'd go away, got what you was looking for
Now it's me who they want
So you can go and take that little piece of shit with you (Yeah)

Chorus: Adam Levine
I'm at a payphone, tryin' to call home
All of my change I spent on you (Woo)
Where have the times gone? Baby, it's all wrong (Yeah)
Where are the plans we made for two? (Yeah)

Post-Chorus: Adam Levine
If happy-ever-after's did exist (Oh)
I would still be holdin' you like this
And all these fairytales are full of shit (Yeah)
One more f****n' love song, I'll be sick
Yeah, now, I'm at a payphone

Discography Maroon 5

JORDI (Deluxe)

Release: 2021-06-11
Label: Interscope Records*
Popularity: 👏👏👏👏
1. Beautiful Mistakes (feat. Megan Thee Stallion)
2. Lost
3. Echo (feat. blackbear)
4. Lovesick
5. Remedy (feat. Stevie Nicks)
6. Seasons
7. One Light (feat. Bantu)
8. Convince Me Otherwise (with H.E.R.)
9. Nobody’s Love
10. Can’t Leave You Alone (feat. Juice WRLD)
11. Memories
12. Memories Remix (feat. Nipsey Hussle & YG)
13. Button (feat. Anuel AA & Tainy)
14. Lifestyle (Jason Derulo ft. Adam Levine)
Tracklist Collapse

Red Pill Blues (Deluxe)

Release: 2018-06-15
Label: Interscope Records*
Popularity: 👏👏👏👏
1. Best 4 U
2. What Lovers Do (feat. SZA)
3. Wait
4. Lips On You
5. Bet My Heart
6. Help Me Out (with Julia Michaels)
7. Who I Am (feat. LunchMoney Lewis)
8. Whiskey (feat. A$AP Rocky)
9. Girls Like You
10. Closure
11. Denim Jacket
12. Visions
13. Plastic Rose
14. Don’t Wanna Know (feat. Kendrick Lamar)
15. Cold (feat. Future)
16. Moves Like Jagger – Live In Manchester
17. Stereo Hearts – Live In Manchester
18. Animals – Live In Manchester
19. Daylight – Live In Manchester
20. Maps – Live In Manchester
21. This Love – Live In Manchester
22. Girls Like You (feat. Cardi B) – Cardi B Version
Tracklist Collapse

V (Deluxe)

Release: 2015-05-18
Label: Interscope Records*
Popularity: 👏👏👏👏
1. Maps
2. Animals
3. It Was Always You
4. Unkiss Me
5. Sugar
6. Leaving California
7. In Your Pocket
8. New Love
9. Coming Back For You
10. Feelings
11. My Heart Is Open
12. This Summer
13. Shoot Love
14. Sex And Candy
15. Lost Stars
16. Maps – Remix
Tracklist Collapse

Upcoming Events for Maroon 5

Maroon 5 Live In Concert

Price Range: $39.5 – 159.5
Date: 2024-06-29
Location: PNC Bank Arts Center

Maroon 5 Live In Concert

Price Range: $39.5 – 159.5
Date: 2024-07-03
Location: Northwell at Jones Beach Theater

Maroon 5 Live In Concert

Price Range: $83.2 – 228.05
Date: 2024-07-05
Location: American Family Insurance Amphitheater – Summerfest Grounds
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JORDI (Deluxe)

Release: 2021-06-11
Label: Interscope Records*
Popularity: 👏👏👏👏
1. Beautiful Mistakes (feat. Megan Thee Stallion)
2. Lost
3. Echo (feat. blackbear)
4. Lovesick
5. Remedy (feat. Stevie Nicks)
6. Seasons
7. One Light (feat. Bantu)
8. Convince Me Otherwise (with H.E.R.)
9. Nobody’s Love
10. Can’t Leave You Alone (feat. Juice WRLD)
11. Memories
12. Memories Remix (feat. Nipsey Hussle & YG)
13. Button (feat. Anuel AA & Tainy)
14. Lifestyle (Jason Derulo ft. Adam Levine)
Tracklist Collapse

Red Pill Blues (Deluxe)

Release: 2018-06-15
Label: Interscope Records*
Popularity: 👏👏👏👏
1. Best 4 U
2. What Lovers Do (feat. SZA)
3. Wait
4. Lips On You
5. Bet My Heart
6. Help Me Out (with Julia Michaels)
7. Who I Am (feat. LunchMoney Lewis)
8. Whiskey (feat. A$AP Rocky)
9. Girls Like You
10. Closure
11. Denim Jacket
12. Visions
13. Plastic Rose
14. Don’t Wanna Know (feat. Kendrick Lamar)
15. Cold (feat. Future)
16. Moves Like Jagger – Live In Manchester
17. Stereo Hearts – Live In Manchester
18. Animals – Live In Manchester
19. Daylight – Live In Manchester
20. Maps – Live In Manchester
21. This Love – Live In Manchester
22. Girls Like You (feat. Cardi B) – Cardi B Version
Tracklist Collapse

V (Deluxe)

Release: 2015-05-18
Label: Interscope Records*
Popularity: 👏👏👏
1. Maps
2. Animals
3. It Was Always You
4. Unkiss Me
5. Sugar
6. Leaving California
7. In Your Pocket
8. New Love
9. Coming Back For You
10. Feelings
11. My Heart Is Open
12. This Summer
13. Shoot Love
14. Sex And Candy
15. Lost Stars
16. Maps – Remix
Tracklist Collapse
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