Makes Me Wonder
Encyclopedia
"Makes Me Wonder" is the first single
released from Maroon 5
's second album, It Won't Be Soon Before Long
(2007). It premiered on the Las Vegas
radio station Mix 94.1
, and became an instant hit worldwide. Upon release, the song set a record for the biggest jump to number-one in the history of the Billboard Hot 100
chart, rising from number 64 to number-one. However, the record was later broken by Kelly Clarkson
's 2009 single, "My Life Would Suck Without You
".
"Makes Me Wonder" also became the band's first number-one on the Billboard Hot 100
chart, as well as the first rock song
to top the same chart since Nickelback
's "How You Remind Me
" (2001). The song won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal
at the 50th Grammy Awards
, their second song to win the award. The song was among the most successful of 2007
, and their biggest hit to date.
Despite the song's commercial success, critical reception was mixed. It was ranked #49 on Rolling Stone
's frustration at the state of politics and the US role in the war in Iraq. According to him, the song shows their confusion about the politics in the US. The song was also called a hard hitting pop rock anthem.
The second meaning is simply about love
. The lyrics in the chorus reflects one of Levine's relationships that went horribly wrong. Levine states about their relationship, "It had something to do with our growing dissatisfaction with things and the confusion that was in the air."
The song was upgraded to the A-list of BBC Radio 1
on May 7, 2007.
This song was performed at the 2007 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards
, on American Idol
, and many talk shows.
It was featured as downloadable content for Rock Band
on June 25, 2009.
's Total Request Live
on March 29, 2007. From interviews given by the band members it was confirmed that the video is shot at a futuristic airport with the actual song content about heartache and politics. The video was shot in the Los Angeles International Airport
and at the Los Angeles Department of Transportation
, and was directed by John Hillcoat
. Levine said the director had an idea of turning the airport into a bizarre, surreal, sexually charged, fashionable world.
In the video, the gate they are in is "M5", which stands for Maroon 5.
A kid-friendly version of "Makes Me Wonder" was covered by the Kidz Bop Kids
on their album Kidz Bop 12
.
Super producer Just Blaze
did a remix to "Makes Me Wonder", that ended up becoming highly praised by many fans and was featured on Call and Response: The Remix Album
.
for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for "Makes Me Wonder" at the 50th Anniversary show of the Grammys on February 10, 2008. It was their second win in this category after "This Love".
and climbed to number one on their top 100 sales chart.
In the Billboard
magazine issue dated May 12, 2007, Maroon 5 scored their first number-one on the Billboard Hot 100
, due to strong radio airplay and 243,500 digital downloads
. By doing so, they broke a record held by Kelly Clarkson
's "A Moment Like This" for the biggest jump to number one in Hot 100 history, leaping from number 64 to number one (Clarkson's single had jumped from number 52 in October 2002). "Makes Me Wonder" remained at number one for a second week before falling to number two and then returning to number one in the following week. It is the first song by a rock band to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100 since Nickelback
did the same on December 22, 2001 with "How You Remind Me
". The song reached number one again on June 2. As of September 2011, it has sold over 2,621,000 downloads in the US alone.
In the UK, the song debuted at #19 with downloads alone a week before its physical release and rose to #2 the second week.
In Mexico, it went on to sell over 420,000 digital downloads.
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
released from Maroon 5
Maroon 5
Maroon 5 is an American pop rock band from Los Angeles, California. While they were in high school, lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Adam Levine, keyboardist Jesse Carmichael, bass guitarist Mickey Madden, and drummer Ryan Dusick formed a garage band called Kara's Flowers and released one album...
's second album, It Won't Be Soon Before Long
It Won't Be Soon Before Long
It Won't Be Soon Before Long is Maroon 5's second studio album, released on May 22, 2007. It came almost a full five years after their debut, Songs About Jane. The name was inspired by a phrase the band adopted to keep themselves motivated while on their tour. The album debuted at number one on the...
(2007). It premiered on the Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
radio station Mix 94.1
KMXB
KMXB is a commercial radio station located in Southwest Las Vegas, Nevada, broadcasting to the Las Vegas, Nevada area on 94.1 FM. KMXB airs a Hot adult contemporary music format.-History:...
, and became an instant hit worldwide. Upon release, the song set a record for the biggest jump to number-one in the history of the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
chart, rising from number 64 to number-one. However, the record was later broken by Kelly Clarkson
Kelly Clarkson
Kelly Brianne Clarkson is an American pop rock singer-songwriter and actress. Clarkson came into prominence after becoming the winner of the inaugural season of the television series American Idol in 2002 and would later become the runner-up in the television special World Idol in 2003.In 2003,...
's 2009 single, "My Life Would Suck Without You
My Life Would Suck Without You
"My Life Would Suck Without You" is a song performed by American pop rock singer-songwriter Kelly Clarkson. It is the first single from her fourth studio album, All I Ever Wanted. Dr. Luke and Max Martin, writers of her hit "Since U Been Gone", co-produced and co-wrote the song. Claude Kelly also...
".
"Makes Me Wonder" also became the band's first number-one on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
chart, as well as the first rock song
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
to top the same chart since Nickelback
Nickelback
Nickelback is a Canadian rock band from Hanna, Alberta. Since 1995 the band has included guitarist and lead vocalist Chad Kroeger, guitarist and back-up vocalist Ryan Peake and bassist Mike Kroeger.. The band's current drummer and percussionist is Daniel Adair who has been with the band since 2005....
's "How You Remind Me
How You Remind Me
"How You Remind Me" is a single from rock band Nickelback's 2001 album, Silver Side Up. A "Gold Mix" was made for latter editions of the single with the heavier guitars edited out of the chorus. This single would be the last rock single to be #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 until Maroon 5's song "Makes...
" (2001). The song won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal
Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal
The Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals was awarded between 1966 and 2011...
at the 50th Grammy Awards
50th Grammy Awards
The 50th Annual Grammy Awards took place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, on February 10, 2008. Kanye West received the most nominations, with eight. Amy Winehouse was the big winner, winning a total of five awards. Herbie Hancock's River: The Joni Letters won Album of the Year,...
, their second song to win the award. The song was among the most successful of 2007
2007 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 2007.-January:*January 1 - George Shearing is knighted for services to music in the Queen's New Year Honours List. Evelyn Glennie becomes a Dame...
, and their biggest hit to date.
Despite the song's commercial success, critical reception was mixed. It was ranked #49 on Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
Background
The lyrics of "Makes Me Wonder" have two different meanings. One meaning is about Adam LevineAdam Levine
Adam Noah Levine is an American singer-songwriter and musician, best known as the front man and guitarist for the pop rock band Maroon 5. He is also a coach on the American talent show The Voice.-Early life:...
's frustration at the state of politics and the US role in the war in Iraq. According to him, the song shows their confusion about the politics in the US. The song was also called a hard hitting pop rock anthem.
The second meaning is simply about love
Love
Love is an emotion of strong affection and personal attachment. In philosophical context, love is a virtue representing all of human kindness, compassion, and affection. Love is central to many religions, as in the Christian phrase, "God is love" or Agape in the Canonical gospels...
. The lyrics in the chorus reflects one of Levine's relationships that went horribly wrong. Levine states about their relationship, "It had something to do with our growing dissatisfaction with things and the confusion that was in the air."
The song was upgraded to the A-list of BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
on May 7, 2007.
This song was performed at the 2007 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards
2007 Kids' Choice Awards
The 20th annual Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards were held on March 31, 2007, hosted by Justin Timberlake.It was the highest rated show in the history of the Kids Choice Awards.The show was held at Pauley Pavilion at the University of California, Los Angeles....
, on American Idol
American Idol
American Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...
, and many talk shows.
It was featured as downloadable content for Rock Band
Rock Band
Rock Band is a music video game developed by Harmonix Music Systems, published by MTV Games and Electronic Arts. It is the first title in the Rock Band series. The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions were released in the United States on November 20, 2007, while the PlayStation 2 version was...
on June 25, 2009.
Music video
The video premiered on MTVMTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
's Total Request Live
Total Request Live
Total Request Live is a television series on MTV that featured popular music videos. TRL was MTV's prime outlet for music videos as the network continues to concentrate on reality-based programming. In addition to music videos, TRL featured daily guests...
on March 29, 2007. From interviews given by the band members it was confirmed that the video is shot at a futuristic airport with the actual song content about heartache and politics. The video was shot in the Los Angeles International Airport
Los Angeles International Airport
Los Angeles International Airport is the primary airport serving the Greater Los Angeles Area, the second-most populated metropolitan area in the United States. It is most often referred to by its IATA airport code LAX, with the letters pronounced individually...
and at the Los Angeles Department of Transportation
Los Angeles Department of Transportation
The Los Angeles Department of Transportation, commonly referred to as LADOT, is an agency created by Los Angeles City Ordinance, and is governed by a citizen commission. The LADOT is best known for providing public transportation to the City of Los Angeles. It currently operates the second largest...
, and was directed by John Hillcoat
John Hillcoat
John Hillcoat is an Australian screenwriter and film director.Hillcoat was born in Queensland, Australia, and was raised in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. As a child, his paintings were featured in the Art Gallery of Hamilton. He has repeatedly worked with Nick Cave and also the band Depeche Mode...
. Levine said the director had an idea of turning the airport into a bizarre, surreal, sexually charged, fashionable world.
In the video, the gate they are in is "M5", which stands for Maroon 5.
Versions
The song has two censored clean versions, the "super clean" and "clean" versions. The tracks are identical except the "super clean" version has the word "damn" removed from the 2nd verse and the word "fuck" is more clearly censored out. The "super clean" version was played at the 2007 Kids Choice Awards.A kid-friendly version of "Makes Me Wonder" was covered by the Kidz Bop Kids
Kidz Bop
Kidz Bop is a brand of compilation albums featuring child session musicians performing contemporary music. The series was developed by Razor & Tie co-founders Cliff Chenfeld and Craig Balsam in 2001...
on their album Kidz Bop 12
Kidz Bop 12
Kidz Bop 12 is the 12th edition of Kidz Bop. The album was released on July 31, 2007.The album debuted at #7 on the Billboard 200 with sales of about 71,000 copies.. It sold about 137,000 copies in its first three weeks of release.-Track listing:...
.
Super producer Just Blaze
Just Blaze
Justin Smith, better known as Just Blaze, is an American hip hop music producer from Paterson, New Jersey. Blaze is also the CEO of Fort Knocks Entertainment. He is most well known for producing Jay-Z songs on the albums The Blueprint, The Blueprint 2, and The Black Album. He is also known for...
did a remix to "Makes Me Wonder", that ended up becoming highly praised by many fans and was featured on Call and Response: The Remix Album
Call and Response: The Remix Album
Call and Response: The Remix Album is a remix album by Maroon 5, released on December 9, 2008. It features remixes of songs from the group's first two studio albums Songs About Jane and It Won't Be Soon Before Long by various artists and producers.The album's first single, the remix of the song...
.
Track listings
2008 Grammy Awards
The band won their third Grammy AwardGrammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for "Makes Me Wonder" at the 50th Anniversary show of the Grammys on February 10, 2008. It was their second win in this category after "This Love".
Chart performance
The song has had one of the biggest bullets in Hot Adult history, with many AC radio stations putting it into heavy rotation mere days after its release. The song reached number 11 on the U.S. Adult Top 40 after only two weeks on the chart, becoming only the third song since 2000 to reach the top 15 of the Adult Top 40 in two weeks or less. The song was also released on the U.S. iTunes StoreITunes Store
The iTunes Store is a software-based online digital media store operated by Apple. Opening as the iTunes Music Store on April 28, 2003, with over 200,000 items to purchase, it is, as of April 2008, the number-one music vendor in the United States...
and climbed to number one on their top 100 sales chart.
In the Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
magazine issue dated May 12, 2007, Maroon 5 scored their first number-one on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
, due to strong radio airplay and 243,500 digital downloads
Music download
A music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment...
. By doing so, they broke a record held by Kelly Clarkson
Kelly Clarkson
Kelly Brianne Clarkson is an American pop rock singer-songwriter and actress. Clarkson came into prominence after becoming the winner of the inaugural season of the television series American Idol in 2002 and would later become the runner-up in the television special World Idol in 2003.In 2003,...
's "A Moment Like This" for the biggest jump to number one in Hot 100 history, leaping from number 64 to number one (Clarkson's single had jumped from number 52 in October 2002). "Makes Me Wonder" remained at number one for a second week before falling to number two and then returning to number one in the following week. It is the first song by a rock band to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100 since Nickelback
Nickelback
Nickelback is a Canadian rock band from Hanna, Alberta. Since 1995 the band has included guitarist and lead vocalist Chad Kroeger, guitarist and back-up vocalist Ryan Peake and bassist Mike Kroeger.. The band's current drummer and percussionist is Daniel Adair who has been with the band since 2005....
did the same on December 22, 2001 with "How You Remind Me
How You Remind Me
"How You Remind Me" is a single from rock band Nickelback's 2001 album, Silver Side Up. A "Gold Mix" was made for latter editions of the single with the heavier guitars edited out of the chorus. This single would be the last rock single to be #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 until Maroon 5's song "Makes...
". The song reached number one again on June 2. As of September 2011, it has sold over 2,621,000 downloads in the US alone.
In the UK, the song debuted at #19 with downloads alone a week before its physical release and rose to #2 the second week.
In Mexico, it went on to sell over 420,000 digital downloads.
Peak positions
| Chart (2007) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Ireland (IRMA Irish Singles Chart The Irish Singles Chart is Ireland's music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on behalf of the IRMA by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured... ) |
10 |
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Dutch Top 40 The Dutch Top 40 is a weekly music chart, which started as the "Veronica Top 40", because the offshore radio station Radio Veronica was the first to introduce it. It remained "The Veronica Top 40" until 1974, when the station was forced to stop broadcasting... ) |
7 |
| Slovakia (IFPI) | 8 |
| UK Singles (The Official Charts Company UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... ) |
2 |
| US Pop 100 Pop 100 The Pop 100 was a songs chart that debuted in February 2005 and was released weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States until its discontinuation in 2009... (Billboard Billboard (magazine) Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis... ) |
1 |
Year-end charts
| Chart (2007) | Position |
|---|---|
| German Singles Chart Media Control Charts The official music charts in Germany are gathered and published by the company Media Control GfK International on behalf of Bundesverband Musikindustrie... |
96 |
Release details
| Country | Date | Label | Format | Catalog |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 2007-05-14 | Octone/A&M A&M Records A&M Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that operates under the mantle of its Interscope-Geffen-A&M division.-Beginnings:... |
CD Compact Disc The Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,... (2-track) |
1734956 |
| United States | 2007-03-27 | A&M | CD | AMRR-12098-2 |
See also
- List of Hot 100 number-one singles of 2007 (U.S.)
- List of number-one dance singles of 2007 (U.S.)
- List of number-one dance airplay hits of 2007 (U.S.)
External links
- "Makes Me Wonder" video at the official site
- "Makes Me Wonder" official music video on YouTubeYouTubeYouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....