Ever belted out a Maroon 5 song at the top of your lungs, only to realize later you’ve been singing the wrong words all along?

You’re not alone—misheard lyrics (aka “mondegreens”) happen to the best of us, especially with Adam Levine’s smooth but often mumbled delivery.

Today, we’re setting the record straight on 7 Maroon 5 hits you’ve probably been butchering for years.

Get ready to have your mind blown—and your karaoke game upgraded.

1. “Moves Like Jagger” (2011)

What you sing: “Take me by the tongue, and I’ll know you.”

Actual lyric: “Take me by the tongue, and I’ll own you.”

Levine isn’t promising knowledge—he’s claiming dominance with this sultry, confident line.

2. “Sugar” (2015)

What you sing: “I’m right here, ’cause I need a little love and little sympathy.”

Actual lyric: “I’m right here, ’cause I need a little love and sugar, baby.”

No sympathy needed—just sweetness (and maybe a diabetes-inducing metaphor).

3. “This Love” (2002)

What you sing: “This love has taken its toll on me.”

Actual lyric: “This love has taken its toll on me.”

Okay, this one’s a toss-up—but the correct phrasing is smoother, with “taken” blending into “its.”

4. “She Will Be Loved” (2004)

What you sing: “I don’t mind spending every day on a corner in the pouring rain.”

Actual lyric: “I don’t mind spending everyday out on your corner in the pouring rain.”

Levine’s devotion is so intense, he invented a new word (“everyday” instead of “every day”).

5. “Payphone” (2012)

What you sing: “All those fairytales are full of it.”

Actual lyric: “All those fairytales are full of sh*t.”

Radio edits softened this line, but the original packs a PG-13 punch.

6. “Animals” (2014)

What you sing: “Baby, I’m preying on you tonight.”

Actual lyric: “Baby, I’m preying on you tonight.”

Yes, it’s creepy—but the predatory metaphor is intentional (and grammatically correct).

7. “Girls Like You” (2018)

What you sing: “I need you right now, I need you right now.”

Actual lyric: “I spent last night on the last flight, I need you right now.”

Context matters: Levine’s desperation comes after a red-eye flight, not just random urgency.

So, how many of these did you get wrong?

Next time you’re jamming to Maroon 5, listen closely—you might catch even more sneaky lyrics hiding in plain sight.

And if all else fails, just mumble like Adam and call it artistic interpretation.