Maroon 5
Album: Songs About Jane
Song: Harder to Breathe
Reviewed by: Krystal Burns
The Band
LA based Adam Levine (vocals and guitar), James Valentine (guitar), Jesses Carmichael (keyboard), Mickey Madden (bass), and Ryan Dusick (drums) make up the soulful rock group Maroon 5. While they officially formed in 2002, Adam, Jesse, and Ryan have been playing together since high school. They called themselves Kara’s Flowers, and even got a record deal. However, things didn’t work out quite as planned, so they put their music careers on hold for a while. “Harder to Breath” was released as a single in 2002, followed in 2003 by their debut album “Songs About Jane.”
The Music
The idea behind “Songs About Jane” is unique in that each song describes a different aspect of the relationship with “Jane”—sometimes painful and confusing, other times fulfilling and beautiful. While the group has been criticized for their tendency to loose momentum and repeat themselves, their hit songs “This Love” and “Harder to Breath” continue to hold up on the charts.
The Song
“Harder to Breathe” is truly a guitar workout. Even those who don’t play guitar will appreciate the power and funk of this song. Acoustically speaking, the song is great. It’s the kind of song that stays in your head hours after you listen to it, and for days you’re racking your brain to remember the words that go with the tune.
And therein lays the problem. The lyrics. Even after watching the video and downloading the lyrics, I still can’t figure out exactly what they’re talking about! While the tone is obviously angry, frustrated, and confused, the subject is so vague and abstract, it’s left open to a variety of interpretations. Maroon 5 claims this is the only song not about Jane on the album, although it’s hard to imagine what the songs means if taken outside the context of a relationship.
Initially, the song seems to imply an abusive relationship, “How dare you say that my behavior is unacceptable/ So condescending unnecessarily critical/ I have the tendency of getting very physical/ So watch your step cause if I do you’ll need a miracle.” He is trying to gain an advantage by using threats and intimidation. It goes on, “Does it kill/ Does it burn/ Is it painful to learn/ That it’s me that has all the control.” Again reinforcing control through violence.
Some of us may laugh if that was said to us, while others who have been victims of abuse know the intensity of their meaning. Psalm 37 offers a glimpse of future justice, “Those who are gentle and lowly will possess the land; they will live in prosperous security. The wicket plot against the godly… But the Lord just laughs, for he sees their day of judgment” (11-13). While people may try to “take things into their own hand,” ultimately God is control of everything and will punish those who harm others. Those who suffer abuse can be assured that God will avenge, if not in this lifetime surely in the next. And those who harm others can be equally assured that God has seen all and will repay appropriately. (See 2 Corinthians 10:6, Proverbs 22:3, Jude 7)
The chorus of the song adds a twist and shows an unhealthy cycle in the relationship. The person or subject of the song needs the so-called love given by the singer, and the singer needs to have power and control over someone/thing. It repeats itself twice.
When it gets cold outside and you got nobody to love
You’ll understand what I mean when I say
There’s no way we’re gonna give up
And like a little girl cries in the face of a monster that lives in her
dreams
Is there anyone out there cause it’s getting harder and harder
to breathe (2xs)
It sounds like a pretty messed up relationship, but it is unfortunately a reality for many people. Without Christ’s help, we can never love someone in the selfless and unconditional way we all yearn for. “…for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love” (1 John 4:7-8). Furthermore, when we don’t understand how much God loves us and what perfect love looks like, we try to fill the void in unhealthy ways.
So What Do You Think?
1. How does this song make you feel when you listen to it?
2. Do you feel differently when you’re just reading the lyrics?
3. Maroon 5 is said to be great driving music. Why is that?
4. Can an unhealthy relationship be salvaged? Why or why not?
5. What are some other possible interpretations of this song