The singer is spending their last night with a lover before having to leave in the morning. They know that when daylight comes they will be alone, so for now they want to hold each other close. The lyrics describe cherishing their final private moments together before reality sets in with the sunrise.

1. Daylight
Maroon 5
CAPO: 2
Verse 1:
C
Here I am waiting
I'll have to leave soon
F
G
Why am I holding on
C
We knew this day would come
We knew it all along
F
G
How did it come so fast
Pre-chorus:
Am
F
This is our last night
C
But it's late
F
G Am
And I'm trying not to sleep
F
Cause I know
C
When I wake
F
G C
I will have to slip away
Chorus:
C
Am
And when the daylight comes I'll have to go
F
C
But tonight I'm gonna hold you so close
C
Am
Cause in the daylight we'll be on our own
F
C
But tonight I need to hold you so close
C
Am
F
C
Oh-woah, Oh-woah, Oh-woah Ohhhhhh
C
Am
F
C
Oh-woah, Oh-woah, Oh-woah Ohhhhhh

2. Verse 2:
C
Here I am staring
At you're perfection
F
In my arms
G
So beautiful
C
The sky is getting bright
The stars are burning out
F
Somebody
G
Slow it down
Pre-Chorus:
Am
F
This is way too hard
C
Cause I know
F
G
When the sun comes up
Am
I will leave
F
C
This is my last glance
F
G C
That will soon be memory
Chorus:
C
Am
And when the daylight comes I'll have to go
F
C
But tonight I'm gonna hold you so close
C
Am
Cause in the daylight we'll be on our own
F
C
But tonight I need to hold you so close
C
Am
F
C
Oh-woah, Oh-woah, Oh-woah Ohhhhhh
C
Am
F
C
Oh-woah, Oh-woah, Oh-woah Ohhhhhh

3. Bridge:
G
I never wanted to stop
Because I don't want to
F
C
Start all over, Start all over
G
I was afraid of the dark
But now it's all that I want
F
C
All that I want, All that I want
Chorus:
C
Am
And when the daylight comes I'll have to go
F
C
But tonight I'm gonna hold you so close
C
Am
Cause in the daylight we'll be on our own
F
C
But tonight I need to hold you so close
C
Am
And when the daylight comes I'll have to go
F
C
But tonight I'm gonna hold you so close
C
Am
Cause in the daylight we'll be on our own
F
C
But tonight I need to hold you so close
C
Am
F
C
Oh-woah, Oh-woah, Oh-woah Ohhhhhh
C
Am
F
C
Oh-woah, Oh-woah, Oh-woah Ohhhhhh
C
Am
F
C
Oh-woah, Oh-woah, Oh-woah Ohhhhhh
(Yeah) (Yeah) (Yeahhhhhh)
C
Am
F
C
Oh-woah, Oh-woah, Oh-woah Ohhhhhh
(Yeah) (Yeah)