What makes Misery by Maroon 5 notable?

'Misery' peaked at number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 and received notable airplay, contributing to Maroon 5's continued commercial success. The song was emblematic of the band's ability to blend catchy melodies with relatable lyrics, further establishing them as a staple in contemporary pop music. Released on June 1, 2010, 'Misery' marked the lead single from Maroon 5's third studio album, 'Hands All Over.' At this point in their career, the band was transitioning into a more mainstream pop sound following the success of their previous albums, solidifying their place in the pop-rock landscape.

How many songs are on Misery?

Misery has 2 tracks, running approximately 6 minutes.

Misery

Maroon 5 · 2010

6 min · 2 tracks · alternative rock

A catchy blend of pop rock and funk with rhythmic hooks and Adam Levine's signature falsetto driving the emotional depth.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Misery — This track serves as the album's flagship single, showcasing a refined pop sensibility while retaining the band's funky roots, making it an instant earworm.
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Through With You (live) — The live version highlights the band's energetic performance style and demonstrates their ability to reinterpret earlier material for a contemporary audience.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

45 /100

Lowland

Higher than 5% of albums we've rated

The song blends pop rock and funk effectively but follows familiar patterns in its structure.

What we noticed

The song features a consistent mid-tempo beat throughout, with rhythmic hooks that drive the groove.
Adam Levine's falsetto is prominent in the chorus, creating a contrast with the verses sung in a lower register.
The arrangement includes layered instrumentation, with guitar riffs and keyboard accents complementing the vocal lines.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 4/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — This single contributed to Maroon 5's continued commercial success and mainstream recognition.
Themes: post-breakup heartache· neon-lit nightlife· catchy pop hooks
Career context: Released on June 1, 2010, 'Misery' marked the lead single from Maroon 5's third studio album, 'Hands All Over.' At this point in their career, the band was transitioning into a more mainstream pop sound following the success of their previous albums, solidifying their place in the pop-rock landscape.
Stylistic neighbors: OneRepublic· Panic! at the Disco· Train