“California” is one of the standout tracks from Maroon 5’s upcoming eighth studio album Love Is Like, set for release on August 15, 2025. The song blends the band’s signature melodic pop-rock style with a wistful, nostalgic energy, creating a heartfelt anthem about love, regret, and longing tied to a sense of place.
Lyrically, “California” plays like a bittersweet postcard to a past relationship. Adam Levine narrates a doomed but passionate romance filled with vivid imagery — “pretty face and a rebel heart,” “Polaroids and cowboy hats” — painting the backdrop of carefree nights and fleeting magic. The chorus captures the emotional centerpiece of the song: the desire to reconnect and understand “where we went wrong” when the other person returns to California.
Musically, the track pairs smooth, mid-tempo instrumentation with an emotive vocal delivery, balancing vulnerability with that polished Maroon 5 production touch. It feels both modern and reminiscent of earlier, more soulful Maroon 5 eras, making it an emotional pivot point on Love Is Like. Dive into the California lyrics below, and feel the pull of a love left behind.
| Lead Vocals | Adam Levine |
| Songwriter | Adam Levine, Federico Vindver & Naliya |
| Music Producer | Federico Vindver & Jacob Kasher |
| Label | Interscope Records & 222 Records |
| Release Date | July 17, 2025 |
| Song Language | English |
| Copyright © | Interscope Records & 222 Records |
Lyrics of California by Maroon 5
[Verse 1]
I Was Doomed From The Start, Pretty Face And A Rebel Heart
So Much Dancing, Polaroids And Cowboy Hats, Woah
I Was High, You Were Drunk, We Was Only Having Fun
And I Know That I’m Supposed To Just Forget, Woah
[Chorus]
So Let Me Know When You Get Back To California
Maybe We Can Figure Out Where We Went Wrong
And I’d Really Like To See You, Is There Somewhere I Can Meet You?
‘Cause I’m Paralyzed And Weak Here On My Own
[Post-Chorus]
On My Own
Paralyzed And Weak Here On My Own
[Verse 2]
Shooting Stars Come And Go, But I Wanted You To Know
That I’ve Never Met Nobody Quite Like You, Woah
You Were Gone In A Flash, Never Had A Chance To Ask
Did I Make This Shit Up In My Head Or Do You Feel It Too?
[Chorus]
So Let Me Know When You Get Back To California
Maybe We Can Figure Out Where We Went Wrong
And I’d Really Like To See You, Is There Somewhere I Can Meet You?
‘Cause I’m Paralyzed And Weak Here On My Own
[Post-Chorus]
On My Own
Paralyzed And Weak Here On My Own
On My Own
I’m Paralyzed And Weak Here On My Own
On My Own
Paralyzed And Weak Here On My Own
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