It turns the song into a personal anthem for those navigating their own "darkest times". Instead of watching Adam Levine's character deal with grief, you are invited to overlay the lyrics onto your own life, mapping out your own journeys through loss and the hope of reconnection.
"I wonder where were you when I was at my worst, down on my knees?". Maroon 5 - Maps (Lyric Video)
Without the distraction of a narrative film, the lyric video allows the to drive the meaning home. The "Police-esque" reggae-pop beat creates a sense of urgency, mirroring the frantic feeling of trying to find someone who doesn't want to be found. It turns the song into a personal anthem