What Lovers Do (feat. SZA)

"What Lovers Do" explores the pivotal moment in a budding romance where ambiguity becomes untenable. The lyrics depict a conversation between two people who are past the initial stages of attraction and are now confronting the need for commitment and clarity. Adam Levine's verses express a sense of vulnerability and impatience, using gambling metaphors like 'bet the house on you' to signify the high emotional stakes involved. He is asking for a definitive answer about the future of their relationship, tired of the uncertainty. SZA's verses provide the counter-perspective, exuding a confident and slightly teasing energy. She acknowledges the mutual attraction but also asserts her own terms, suggesting a dynamic where both parties are aware of the 'games' but are mature enough to question their place in a serious relationship ('Aren't we too grown for games?'). The song's core meaning revolves around this tension between playful courtship and the serious desire to 'do what lovers do'—to engage in a genuine, committed, and physically intimate relationship. It captures the universal feeling of wanting to know where you stand with someone you care deeply about.

The song unfolds as a direct and earnest plea between two people on the cusp of a deeper relationship. It begins with Adam Levine's character laying his cards on the table, urging for clarity. He sings about needing to know definitively if his affection is returned, framing the emotional risk as a high-stakes gamble by metaphorically betting 'the house' on his potential partner. This opening establishes a sense of vulnerability and a desire to move past ambiguity. He repeats the question, emphasizing his need for an answer and questioning whether fate, or 'luck,' is on his side. The chorus then transitions into a catchy, repetitive hook, expressing a simple, powerful desire: he has been wishing for this person and wants to engage in the intimacy and connection that defines a romantic couple, to 'do what lovers do'.

SZA's entrance introduces the other side of the conversation. Her verse is confident and sultry, responding to Levine's plea with a playful warning that she might just take him up on his offer. She asserts her own needs, stating she knows what she wants 'out the gate,' implying she's not interested in games either but also isn't one to be easily won over. Her perspective adds a layer of mutual desire and agency, shifting the dynamic from a one-sided plea to a shared, albeit tentative, negotiation. The two singers then come together, questioning the appropriateness of playing games at their age. They acknowledge they are 'young enough to chase' but also 'old enough to know better,' highlighting the internal conflict between youthful infatuation and mature understanding. This line captures the essence of their situation: a recognition that while the thrill of pursuit is exciting, there's a point where emotional honesty and commitment become necessary. The song circles back to its central theme of seeking certainty and the shared longing to move forward, encapsulating the tense, exciting, and slightly anxious moment before two people fully commit to one another.

"What Lovers Do" was released on August 30, 2017, as the third single from Maroon 5's sixth studio album, Red Pill Blues. The song was written by a team of songwriters including Adam Levine, Brittany "Starrah" Hazzard, Solána "SZA" Rowe, and Jason Evigan. The production was handled by Jason Evigan, Ben Billions, Sam Farrar, and Noah Passovoy. A key element of the song's creation is its interpolation of the 2016 song "Sexual" by Neiked featuring Dyo. This borrowing of the melody and underlying harmony led to Victor Rådström, Dyo, and Elina Stridh also receiving songwriting credits. The collaboration with SZA was part of a trend for the band in that era, following collaborations with other prominent hip-hop and R&B artists like Kendrick Lamar and Future. SZA's involvement was seen as bringing a fresh, sultry R&B element to Maroon 5's pop sound. The song was recorded in 2017 at various studios in Los Angeles, Tarzana, and Virginia Beach.

The song's rhythm is one of its most defining features, characterized by a tempo of approximately 110 beats per minute, which gives it a danceable, upbeat feel. The rhythmic foundation is a mix of pop and funk, driven by a prominent bassline and crisp, synthesized percussion. Lyrically, the rhythm is conversational and catchy, with short, repetitive phrases that are easy to sing along to. The rhyme scheme is relatively simple and direct. For instance, in the pre-chorus, the end rhyme is a repetition of 'not' ('love me or not / lucky or not'). The verses employ near rhymes and assonance, such as in Adam Levine's opening lines 'Say say say, hey hey now baby / Oh mama, don't play now baby' and SZA's verse 'You gonna make me hit you with that lay down, baby / You know what I need, out the gate now, baby'. This straightforward structure, combined with the syncopated vocal delivery against the steady beat, enhances the song's pop appeal and makes the central lyrical hook highly memorable.

"What Lovers Do" blends Maroon 5's pop-rock sensibilities with funk and R&B elements, creating a sleek, dance-pop track. Musically, the song is built on an interpolation of Neiked's song "Sexual," borrowing its catchy, upbeat melodic hook. The production is characterized by a funky bassline, digital handclaps, and what some critics described as 'spooky synths'. Adam Levine's vocal performance relies heavily on his signature high-pitched falsetto, particularly in the memorable 'ooh-ooh' chorus, which gives the song its infectious quality. SZA's vocal delivery offers a smooth, sultry contrast, grounding the track with an R&B feel. The interplay between their voices, especially when they harmonize, is a key stylistic feature. Lyrically, the song uses a simple, conversational style with direct questions and repetition ('love me or not, love me or not') to create a memorable and relatable narrative of romantic uncertainty. The structure follows a standard pop format of verse-pre-chorus-chorus, making it highly accessible and radio-friendly.

"What Lovers Do" was a significant commercial success, further solidifying Maroon 5's status as pop radio mainstays. The song reached number nine on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, becoming the band's 13th top-10 hit and, notably, SZA's first. It performed well internationally, charting in the top 10 in Australia and other countries. The song was certified multi-platinum in the United States. Its success was bolstered by a surreal and highly cinematic music video directed by Joseph Kahn, which garnered hundreds of millions of views and was praised for its whimsical and adventurous visuals. The track also gained attention for its interpolation of Neiked's "Sexual," which brought the 2016 hit back into the spotlight. The song was performed live on several major television shows, including The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and The Voice, increasing its visibility. The collaboration was also significant for SZA, introducing her to a wider mainstream pop audience just as her own career was taking off with her critically acclaimed album Ctrl.

The primary lyrical metaphor in "What Lovers Do" is gambling, which symbolizes the risk and uncertainty inherent in love and relationships.

• Betting the House: The line, 'I'll bet the house on you,' is the most direct use of this metaphor. It conveys a sense of total commitment and high stakes, suggesting the speaker has invested everything emotionally into this potential relationship and stands to lose a great deal if it doesn't work out.
• Luck: The recurring question, 'Am I lucky or not?', reinforces the gambling theme. Love is portrayed not just as a matter of choice or connection, but also of chance and fortune.
• Games: The lyric 'Aren't we too grown for games?' serves as a meta-commentary on the games of courtship. While the song has a playful tone, this line introduces a moment of self-awareness, questioning the value of playing hard-to-get when a genuine connection is on the line.

The surreal and whimsical music video, directed by Joseph Kahn, extends these themes visually with Adam Levine constantly and comically chasing SZA through various fantastical scenarios, from running through fields to being on a jet ski, further emphasizing the 'chase' and the 'game' of love.

The most significant recurring motif in "What Lovers Do" is the central question of commitment, which is repeated through several key phrases. The phrase 'Tell me, tell me if you love me or not, love me or not, love me or not?' acts as the song's primary lyrical hook and emotional core, directly stating the singer's need for clarity. This is immediately followed by the gambling metaphor, 'Am I lucky or not, lucky or not, lucky or not?', which is also repeated throughout the song, reinforcing the theme of romantic risk. The title phrase, 'Tryna do what lovers do,' serves as the resolution in the chorus, succinctly summarizing the ultimate goal of the singers' plea. Its repetition makes it the song's central memorable line. Finally, the rhetorical question, 'Aren't we too grown for games?', appears as a bridge, acting as a moment of shared reflection between the two vocalists and highlighting the maturity that they feel should guide their actions. The constant repetition of these phrases ensures the song's central message is clear and contributes significantly to its catchy, earworm quality.