Moves like Jagger

Did You Know?

• The song's official remix features Pittsburgh-based rapper Mac Miller, released on October 4, 2011.
• The song is written in the key of B minor with a tempo of 128 beats per minute.
• After Wham!'s "Last Christmas" topped the charts in 2021, "Moves like Jagger" became the UK's biggest-selling single that never topped the charts.

Background and development

The song was written and produced by Benjamin Levin (Benny Blanco) and Shellback, with additional writing by Adam Levine. Shellback originated the initial concept, including the phrase "moves like Jagger" and the characteristic whistle. He sent a demo to Blanco, who played it for Levine; Levine liked it and decided to finish and record it. Levine described the song as a risk and a bold statement, noting that the band had never released anything like it.

He acknowledged that collaborating with outside songwriters was a departure from his previous stance, but said he had learned it was acceptable to work with others. Levine praised Mick Jagger, saying his moves are uniquely his own, accessible, silly, and fun. Regarding the addition of Christina Aguilera, Levine explained that the song had a lot of bravado, and sharing vocals with a female singer would make it more welcoming. He complimented Aguilera as an incredible singer who recorded her part quickly.

Reception

The song received generally positive reviews. Bill Lamb from About.com gave it four-and-a-half out of five stars, calling the melody loose, light, and irresistibly funky, and noting the vocal chemistry between Aguilera and Levine. He described it as an outstanding summer song that would sound great in a car with the top down. Robbie Daw from Idolator wrote that Aguilera steals the show when she appears, and called it the best thing from either artist in years.

Rolling Stone observed that the song starts as an easygoing R&B-inflected pop tune before Aguilera kicks it into high gear with her brassy voice, and noted the chemistry between the two singers. James Dinh from MTV Newsroom wrote that the two turned their friendly rivalry on The Voice into studio chemistry. Robert Copsey of Digital Spy highlighted the funky bassline and irresistible whistle hook, and described Aguilera's cameo as short, sweet, and perfectly formed.

Commercial performance

On July 9, 2011, the song debuted at number eight on the US Billboard Hot 100, and topped the chart on September 10, 2011, as the greatest airplay gainer for the third consecutive week. It spent ten weeks in the top three. For Maroon 5, it was their first number one since "Makes Me Wonder" in 2007; for Aguilera, it was her fifth number one and first since "Lady Marmalade" in 2001. Aguilera became the fourth female artist to top the Hot 100 over three decades.

By March 2013, the song had sold over 6 million digital copies in the United States. In Australia, it reached number two and held that position for ten straight weeks. It topped the Canadian Hot 100, becoming the band's second number-one single and Aguilera's third. In the UK, it debuted at number three and peaked at number two for seven consecutive weeks, equaling the record for the longest stay at number two without reaching number one. It was held off the top by six different number-one singles in consecutive weeks.

Music video

The music video was directed by Jonas Åkerlund and filmed in the Los Angeles Theater, Los Angeles, California on July 8, 2011. Aguilera posted an image from the shoot on Twitter, saying Åkerlund created the perfect feel for the song. The video features Mick Jagger via archive footage, and includes an incorrect, simplified version of the Union Flag as a backdrop. Levine said the band was lucky to get Jagger's endorsement and access to footage that a newer generation might not have seen.

The video premiered on August 8, 2011, on E! and was released the following day on Vevo. Three versions were released from the band's YouTube channel: an explicit version, a non-Vevo banner version, and a band edit version. The video opens with black-and-white footage of the theater and work crews, followed by classic footage of Jagger being asked how long he plans to make music. Jagger look-alikes dance up to a central microphone, intercut with archival footage of Jagger and shots of Maroon 5 members.

Levine appears shirtless, tattooed, and wearing tight black pants. Aguilera appears briefly, dressed for a retro look with mascara-heavy lashes and a floppy hat.