It doesn’t get much more surreal for a musician than seeing a legend dance to your song. That’s exactly what happened to Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine when he discovered a video of Mick Jagger grooving to their 2011 hit “Moves Like Jagger.” The unexpected encounter sparked amusement, a touch of disbelief, and a deeper appreciation for the song’s origins.
Levine’s Disbelief and Delight: A Once-in-a-Lifetime Moment
During a recent appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Levine shared his candid reaction to the now-viral video. He described it as “really surreal,” a mix of surprise, humor, and pure joy. The idea of Mick Jagger, the iconic frontman of The Rolling Stones, dancing to a Maroon 5 song seemed almost unbelievable. “It’s just one of those things you’re like, ‘Oh my, like how is this possible? What is happening? It’s bizarre,'” Levine said on the show.
The Video that Sparked the Conversation
The video in question originated from Jagger’s Instagram page back in March. It showed the legendary musician in a casual setting, likely a bar or restaurant when a band began playing a cover of “Moves Like Jagger.” Jagger, ever the showman, couldn’t resist the catchy tune and started dancing along, clearly enjoying the music. He playfully captioned the post “Moves like who?” and credited the cover band named Splash for their rendition.
Levine’s Unexpected Surprise: Not Everyone Sent Him the Video
The video generated a significant buzz online, but Levine revealed a surprising detail. Despite the song’s connection to him and Maroon 5, he initially didn’t receive a flood of messages from friends and family pointing him towards it. “I think it was one of those, like, everybody thought that everyone had already sent it to me thing,” he explained on Fallon. It was only his mother and one friend who forwarded the video, leaving him “shocked not more people sent it to me.”
Beyond the Dance: The Origins of “Moves Like Jagger”
Levine also used the opportunity to share some interesting facts about the creation of “Moves Like Jagger.” He revealed that the song was originally conceived for a female artist, with the catchy hook “he got the moves like Jagger.” However, Levine took a bold step, suggesting that he change the lyric to “I got the moves like Jagger.” Although there were initial doubts, he persisted, believing in the empowering message and undeniable coolness of the line. “I was the only idiot crazy enough to say, ‘What if I say I have the moves like Jagger?'” Levine explained. He further elaborated on the song’s success, attributing it to the concept of confidence and swagger. “It’s a confidence thing. It’s a swag thing. You know? He’s [Jagger] the man.”
A Legacy of Music and Inspiration
The unexpected moment of Mick Jagger dancing to “Moves Like Jagger” transcended a simple social media post. It became a testament to the enduring power of music, the influence of legends like Jagger, and the audacious spirit of artists like Levine. The interaction underscores the importance of believing in your music, taking creative risks, and ultimately, paying homage to those who paved the way.
