In 2001, the band regrouped, with guitarist James Valentine added to the line-up, and pursued a new direction under the name: Maroon 5. At this point, Jesse Carmichael switched to playing the keyboards and this has become his main instrument in the band (although he also plays rhythm guitar to this day). After these changes, Maroon 5 signed with Octone Records and released their debut album, "Songs About Jane", in June 2002. The album's lead single "Harder to Breathe", received heavy airplay, which helped the album to debut at number six on the Billboard 200 chart. The band won the Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 2005. For the next few years, the band toured extensively worldwide in support of Songs About Jane and produced two live recordings: 2004's "1.22.03.Acoustic" and 2005's "Live Friday the 13th". In 2006, Ryan Dusick officially left the band after suffering from serious wrist and shoulder injuries and was replaced by Matt Flynn. The band recorded their second album, "It Won't Be Soon Before Long" and released it in May 2007. The album reached number one on the US Billboard 200 chart and the lead single, "Makes Me Wonder", became the band's first number-one song on the Billboard Hot 100.
On September 21, 2010, the band released their third studio album entitled "Hands All Over". It was re-released in 2011 to include the single "Moves like Jagger" (featuring Christina Aguilera). While the original version of the album received mixed reviews, "Moves like Jagger" reached the number one position on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The band released their next album, "Overexposed", on June 26, 2012. All four singles of the album were really successful on the charts - for example, the second single from Overexposed, "One More Night" (released on June 19, 2012), reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100. In 2014, the band signed with Interscope Records and released their fifth studio album, "V", with the very-first line-up of six official band members, as keyboardist and backing vocalist PJ Morton became an official member in 2012. The album debuted at top of the weekly Billboard 200 chart. Since its debut in 2002, the band has sold more than 15 million albums in the United States and over 100 million singles and 27 million albums worldwide.
Secret / Ain't No Sunshine
Maroon 5 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Say your goodbyes
Off we go
Some conversation
No contemplation
Hit the road
Car overheats
On the side of the highway, baby
Our road is long
Your hold is strong
Please don't ever let go, oh no
I know I don't know you
But I want you so bad
Everyone has a secret
Oh, can they keep it?
Oh no, they can't
I'm driving fast now
Don't think I know how to go slow
Where you at now
I feel around
There you are
Cool these engines
Calm these jets
I ask you how hot can it get
And as you wipe off beads of sweat
Slowly you say, I'm not there yet
I know I don't know you
But I want you so bad
Everyone has a secret
Oh, can they keep it?
Oh no, they can't
I know I don't know you
But I want you so bad
Everyone has a secret
Oh, but can they keep it?
Oh no, they can't...
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
So long when she's away
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
she always come too long
anytime, she goes away
under the sand, where she's gone
The song "Secret" by Maroon 5 (also known as "Ain't No Sunshine") tells the story of two people on a road trip together. They watch the sunrise and say goodbye before hitting the road with some lighthearted conversation. However, their car breaks down, and the woman's hold on the man is strong. As they continue their journey, the man admits to wanting her badly, even though he doesn't really know her. He also acknowledges that everyone has a secret, but wonders if they can all keep it hidden.
The lyrics suggest that this is not the first time the couple has gone on a road trip together. Despite the challenges they face along the way, the man wants the woman to stay by his side, perhaps indicating that he has feelings for her. The chorus repeats the line "I know I don't know you, but I want you so bad" and questions whether or not secrets can truly be kept forever. The second half of the song features an interpolation of Bill Withers' "Ain't No Sunshine" but changes the gender pronouns to reflect the female subject of the song. It serves as a lament for the woman's absence and the void it creates in the man's life.
Overall, the lyrics of "Secret" express themes of desire, longing, and the struggle to keep secrets hidden. The song's storytelling and use of Bill Withers' classic "Ain't No Sunshine" make it a standout track in Maroon 5's discography.
Line by Line Meaning
Watch the sunrise
Starting a new day and leaving behind the past.
Say your goodbyes
Saying farewell to someone who is not going to be around anymore.
Off we go
Starting a journey, leaving behind the familiar and embracing the unknown.
Some conversation
Talking about something, not necessarily meaningful.
No contemplation
Not thinking too much, just going with the flow.
Hit the road
Setting off on the journey, leaving everything behind.
Car overheats
Encountering problems, having to stop.
Jump out of my seat
Reacting impulsively, getting out of the car.
On the side of the highway, baby
Stranded, lost, not sure what to do.
Our road is long
Recognizing that the journey ahead is going to be a difficult one.
Your hold is strong
Feeling connected to someone, relying on them for support.
Please don't ever let go, oh no
Begging someone not to leave, not to abandon the relationship.
I know I don't know you
Acknowledging that there is a lack of familiarity between two people.
But I want you so bad
Feeling a strong emotional attraction to someone.
Everyone has a secret
Recognizing that everyone has something that they keep hidden from others.
Oh, can they keep it?
Questioning whether people can truly keep their secrets hidden.
Oh no, they can't
Concluding that it is unlikely for people to keep secrets undisclosed forever.
I'm driving fast now
Feeling an urgency to move forward.
Don't think I know how to go slow
Acknowledging that slowing down is difficult, always in a rush.
Where you at now
Trying to locate someone, not knowing where they are.
I feel around
Trying to find someone in the dark, stumbling.
There you are
Finally finding the person who was being sought after.
Cool these engines
Trying to calm down after being too excited or nervous.
Calm these jets
Trying to take it easy and not let emotions get the best of oneself.
I ask you how hot can it get
Questioning how difficult things can actually become.
And as you wipe off beads of sweat
Asking the person how they are feeling and observing signs of distress.
Slowly you say, I'm not there yet
Acknowledging that the person is still struggling and not fully recovered yet.
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
Feeling the absence of someone who is no longer present.
So long when she's away
Time drags when the person is not there.
She always comes too long
Missing the person who is always away.
Anytime she goes away
Feeling the heartache every time the person leaves.
Under the sand, where she's gone
Referring to death, the person being gone forever.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Bill Withers
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Ludi1403
I love their innuendos!
@tinadiciaccio1284
You sing this song with so much passion Adam❤
@NatDTrent
Jeeeeeesus I love this band. Truly.
@vpuspav715vpuspav7
This song, the melody is like something a black american could have sung - very Whitney Houston style. But Adam Levine sounds absolutely soulful whenever he gets into his groove! Been watching JV since Harder to Breathe and he's fantastic for getting the excitement flowing too Great sounds from M5
@ysal6570
theres nothing black about this song.
- soul music is common among many cultures. across the world.
stop with your race shit into everything
@knuckledragger9996
Try bill withers.
@amandas1183
@@ysal6570 black people created soul music, doofus
@djnibber
because it's bill withers aint no sunshine silly
@Re.x0
amazing band!!! Awesome music I cant stop listening to their music...u can never get sick of bored of their music!!! amazing! whooo hooo!
@Shadowed.1.5
I love the soul he has in his voice!