Maroon 5 is a well-known American pop-rock band loved for their catchy tunes and smooth vocals. They rose to fame in 2002 with their hit album Songs About Jane, featuring popular tracks like This Love and She Will Be Loved.

Led by frontman Adam Levine, the band blends pop, rock, funk, and electronic styles to create a sound that appeals to a wide audience. Their music continues to top charts and connect with fans worldwide.

Outside of music, Maroon 5 supports causes like health, education, and disaster relief. Their career shows a mix of hit-making talent and meaningful impact.

About the Song

Payphone is a soulful pop ballad by Maroon 5 featuring rapper Wiz Khalifa. The song highlights lost love and regret, with the narrator lamenting a relationship that has ended.

The collaboration blends pop-rock melodies with hip-hop elements, creating a crossover hit that connected with a wide audience.

Payphone Lyrics by Maroon 5

Intro: Adam Levine

I’m at a payphone, tryin’ to call home
All of my change I spent on you
Where have the times gone? Baby, it’s all wrong
Where are the plans we made for two?

Verse 1: Adam Levine

Yeah, I, I know it’s hard to remember
The people we used to be
It’s even harder to picture
That you’re not here next to me
You say it’s too late to make it
But is it too late to try?
And in our time that you wasted
All of our bridges burned down

Pre-Chorus: Adam Levine

I’ve wasted my nights
You turned out the lights
Now I’m paralyzed
Still stuck in that time
When we called it love
But even the sun sets in paradise

Chorus: Adam Levine

I’m at a payphone, tryin’ to call home
All of my change I spent on you
Where have the times gone? Baby, it’s all wrong
Where are the plans we made for two?
If happy-ever-afters did exist
I would still be holdin’ you like this
All those fairytales are full of shit
One more fuckin’ love song, I’ll be sick, oh

Verse 2: Adam Levine

You turned your back on tomorrow
‘Cause you forgot yesterday
I gave you my love to borrow
But you just gave it away
You can’t expect me to be fine (Oh)
I don’t expect you to care (Yeah)
I know I said it before, but
All of our bridges burned down

Pre-Chorus: Adam Levine

I’ve wasted my nights
You turned out the lights
Now I’m paralyzed (Oh)
Still stuck in that time
When we called it love
But even the sun sets in paradise

Chorus: Adam Levine & Wiz Khalifa

I’m at a payphone, tryin’ to call home
All of my change I spent on you (Oh, oh)
Where have the times gone? Baby, it’s all wrong
Where are the plans we made for two? (Yeah)
If happy-ever-afters did exist
I would still be holdin’ you like this
And all those fairytales are full of shit
One more fuckin’ love song, I’ll be sick (Uh)
Now I’m at a payphone

Verse 3: Wiz Khalifa

Man, fuck that shit
I be out spendin’ all this money while you sittin’ ’round
Wonderin’ why it wasn’t you who came up from nothin’
Made it from the bottom, now when you see me, I’m stuntin’
And all of my cars start with the push of a button
Tellin’ me I changed since I blew up or whatever you call it
Switched the number to my phone so you never could call it
Don’t need my name on my shirt, you can tell that I’m ballin’
Swish, what a shame, coulda got picked
Had a really good game, but you missed your last shot
So you talk about who you see at the top
Or what you coulda saw, but sad to say it’s over for
Phantom pulled up, valet open doors
Wished I’d go away, got what you was looking for
Now it’s me who they want
So you can go and take that little piece of shit with you

Chorus: Adam Levine

Yeah, I’m at a payphone, tryin’ to call home
All of my change I spent on you (Woo)
Where have the times gone? Baby, it’s all wrong (Yeah)
Where are the plans we made for two? (Ooh, ooh, ooh)
If happy-ever-after’s did exist (Oh, then)
I would still be holdin’ you like this
And all these fairytales are full of shit (Yeah)
One more fuckin’ love song, I’ll be sick
Yeah, now I’m at a payphone

Awards for the Song

Similar Songs Like Payphone

If you enjoyed Payphone by Maroon 5, here are other songs by the band with a similar emotional, pop-rock vibe that you might love:

• She Will Be Loved: A soft, emotional ballad with heartfelt lyrics about unrequited love and support through hard times. It shares a reflective tone like Payphone.
• Daylight: The song filled with longing and hope, it tells the story of holding on to love until the last possible moment. It blends sadness with light pop instrumentation.
• Won’t Go Home Without You: This track carries the theme of romantic regret and the desire to make things right, similar to the storyline in Payphone.

Similar Artists Like Maroon 5

If you enjoy Maroon 5’s mix of pop, rock, and R&B influences, especially from songs like Payphone, here are some similar artists worth checking out:

• OneRepublic
  Genre: Pop Rock, Alternative Rock
  Top Albums: Dreaming Out Loud (2007), Native (2013), Oh My My (2016)
• The Script
  Genre: Pop Rock, Soft Rock
  Top Albums: The Script (2008), Science & Faith (2010), No Sound Without Silence (2014)
• Train
  Genre: Pop Rock, Rock
  Top Albums: Drops of Jupiter (2001), Save Me, San Francisco (2009), California 37 (2012)
• Imagine Dragons
  Genre: Pop Rock, Alternative Rock
  Top Albums: Night Visions (2012), Smoke + Mirrors (2015), Evolve (2017)

Frequently Asked Questions

What Makes the Production of Payphone Stand Out?

The track blends pop-rock with a rap verse from Wiz Khalifa, making it unique. Produced by Benny Blanco and Shellback, it features strong hooks and clean, radio-ready production.

Where Was the Music Video Filmed?

The action-packed video was shot in Los Angeles, featuring a dramatic story with a bank robbery and car chase scenes.

Was the Rap Part Always in the Original Song?

Yes, the version featuring Wiz Khalifa is the original single. However, Maroon 5 also released versions without the rap for different audiences and radio formats.