"Unkiss Me" is a song by American pop rock band Maroon 5. It is featured as the fourth track on band's fifth studio album, V (2014). Despite the song's popularity, it has never been performed live by the band.
"Unkiss Me" starts off with a trap beat,[1] which dissipates during the chorus in favor of a synth instrumental section.[1][3] The entire song is more mid-tempo, along with the next track, "Sugar".[4]
Lyrically, "Unkiss Me" is about a failed relationship,[5][6] which Levine struggles to overcome.[6][7] The song features Levine using his lower register in his voice more so than in other songs.[8]
"Unkiss Me" had a mostly positive reaction from critics, with some saying it was the best track on the album,[9][10] although there were some more negative reviews.[11] Brad Wete from Billboard nominated the song to be released as a single.[6] It was noted as an album highlight by Jimmy Donnellin from Cultured Vultures.[7] The song has been compared to Boyz II Men.[12]
Due to the success of V, "Unkiss Me" (along with many other songs) charted due to strong sales numbers. It peaked at number 56 on the Canadian Hot 100 chart,[13] and 15 on the South Korean Gaon Chart.[14] The song has over 66 million streams on Spotify as of November 2022.[15]
^ abcAnderson, Kyle (September 4, 2014). "V Reviewed by Kyle Anderson". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on September 4, 2014. Retrieved November 21, 2022. Things get mildly better when the band slows down for the Bruno Mars-ian soul jam Sugar and the middle-school-dance power ballad Unkiss Me,
^Adam R. Holz. "ALBUM REVIEW V". Plugged In. Retrieved November 21, 2022. "Unkiss Me" asks a woman to respect a man enough to tell the hard truth about their failing relationship.
^ abDonnellan, Jimmy (September 3, 2014). "REVIEW: Maroon 5 – 'V'". Cultured Vultures. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
^"Maroon 5 returns with its fifth studio album, V. Adam Levine and company focus on delivering slick, modern pop songs". The Musically Hype. September 4, 2014. Retrieved November 21, 2022. "Unkiss Me" continues adding colorful synths. "Unkiss Me" proves more pop/urban-oriented than "It Was Always You." Vocally, Levine's tone is exceptional here, finding him using his lower register more. Lyrically it shines thanks to wise moments like, "You can't light a fire, if the candle's melted," a larger statement of failed love.
