Whiskey (Maroon 5 song)

"Whiskey" was written by Adam Levine, Jacob Kasher Hindlin, Brittany Hazzard, and ASAP Rocky, with production handled by Levine and J Kash. The song was included on Red Pill Blues, which was released on November 3, 2017, and later serviced to contemporary hit radio as the album's fourth single on February 13, 2018.¹ The track features a guest verse from ASAP Rocky, marking one of several collaborations on the album, which also included appearances from SZA and LunchMoney Lewis.

"Whiskey" is a mid-tempo pop and R&B song with a smooth, laid-back groove. Lyrically, it uses whiskey as a metaphor for a person who intoxicates the narrator, with lines like "You're the whiskey on my lips." The song's production incorporates a prominent bassline and atmospheric synths, characteristic of the album's overall sound. Critics noted the track's mellow vibe, which contrasted with the more upbeat singles from the album.²

Upon the album's release, "Whiskey" received generally positive reviews from music critics. Many praised the chemistry between Maroon 5 and ASAP Rocky, with some highlighting the song as a standout track on Red Pill Blues. For instance, Billboard described it as "a sultry, slow-burning jam," while Entertainment Weekly noted its "smooth, seductive vibe." However, some critics felt the song was not as memorable as other tracks on the album, but it was still considered a solid addition to Maroon 5's discography.

"Whiskey" did not achieve the commercial success of the album's lead singles, such as "Don't Wanna Know" or "Girls Like You." It failed to chart on the Billboard Hot 100, but did reach number 40 on the Billboard Adult Pop Songs chart. The song also charted in a few international markets, including New Zealand, where it peaked at number 10 on the Heatseekers chart. Despite its modest chart performance, the song has been streamed over 100 million times on Spotify, indicating a steady popularity among fans.³

An official music video for "Whiskey" was released on March 1, 2018, directed by David Camarena. The video features the band performing in a dimly lit, intimate setting, intercut with scenes of a woman dancing and pouring whiskey. ASAP Rocky appears in the video, delivering his verse in a separate room. The video has been viewed over 50 million times on YouTube. Maroon 5 performed the song live on several occasions, including on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in March 2018, and it was included in the setlist for their 2018 Red Pill Blues Tour.⁴

One lesser-known fact is that the song was originally written with a different title, "Whiskey on My Lips," but was shortened to "Whiskey" before release. Additionally, the collaboration with ASAP Rocky came about after Levine reached out to him via social media, and the two recorded their parts separately, with Rocky recording his verse in New York while Levine was in Los Angeles. The song's producer, J Kash, is also known for co-writing hits for other artists, including "Payphone" by Maroon 5. Furthermore, the song's B-side on the single release was a live acoustic version of "Wait," another track from Red Pill Blues.⁵

Red Pill Blues

Maroon 5's sixth studio album, released in 2017.

ASAP Rocky

American rapper and songwriter who is featured on the track.

J Kash

American songwriter and producer, co-writer and producer of the song.