All We Know

"All We Know" explores the complex and often contradictory emotions within a struggling relationship. The Chainsmokers themselves stated that the song is about "the hardships of relationships but never giving up on your ride or die." It delves into the theme of two people who are acutely aware that their connection is failing—they are "fading lovers" who are "falling apart." Yet, despite the constant conflict and emotional distance, they choose to hold on. The core meaning lies in this paradox: the conscious decision to persist in a love that is painful and seemingly doomed because the intensity of that shared struggle is the only reality they know. It's about a bond that endures not because it's healthy, but because its turbulence has become a familiar, defining feeling for the couple. The lyrics capture a sense of bittersweet resignation and defiant loyalty, suggesting that even a fractured love can provide a sense of identity and purpose.

The narrative unfolds within a relationship that is fraught with difficulty and on the verge of collapse. The opening lines, "Fighting flames with fire, hang onto burning wires," immediately establish a sense of conflict and peril. The couple is engaged in a destructive cycle, yet they continue to cling to their volatile connection. There's a feeling of resignation as they question if they are "fading lovers" and acknowledge that they are "wasting colors," a metaphor for draining the vibrancy and life out of their partnership. Despite this, a paradox is presented: "We're falling apart, still we hold together." They recognize that their relationship may have passed its natural conclusion, but they persist in chasing it "forever." This cyclical, perhaps self-destructive, devotion is the central feeling they identify with; it's "all we know."

The chorus introduces a motif of escapism and unwavering loyalty. One partner declares their intention to "ride my bike up to the road, down the streets right through the city," promising to follow the other anywhere, from "Chicago to the coast." This imagery suggests a journey and a willingness to traverse any distance to remain together. The other partner reciprocates this spirit of rebellion and shared experience, urging them to "Hit this and let's go, blow the smoke right through the window." This act symbolizes a temporary release from their problems, finding solace in shared, reckless moments. This shared feeling of defiant togetherness, in the face of underlying problems, is reaffirmed as the only certainty they have.

The second verse deepens the sense of emotional distance despite physical proximity. The line "Never face each other, one bed, different covers" is a powerful image of intimacy lost. They share a space but are worlds apart emotionally. Their hearts are still beating, but to "different rhythms," highlighting their fundamental incompatibility. Once again, the thought of letting go surfaces, but it's immediately countered by the pre-chorus's familiar refrain of holding together while falling apart. The song's structure, which repeatedly returns to this core conflict and the chorus's theme of shared escape, reinforces the idea that the couple is trapped in a loop of breaking down and then recommitting, because this tumultuous feeling is the only one they recognize as their own.

"All We Know" was released on September 29, 2016, through Disruptor and Columbia Records. The song features vocals from Andrew Taggart, one half of The Chainsmokers, and American singer-songwriter Phoebe Ryan. This marked Taggart's second time providing lead vocals on one of the duo's tracks, following the massive success of "Closer". The song was written by Taggart alongside the Swedish songwriting duo SHY, which consists of Sara Hjellström (Shy Martin) and Nirob Islam (Shy Nodi). The production was handled entirely by The Chainsmokers, Alex Pall and Andrew Taggart. It was included on their second EP, Collage, released in November 2016. The creation of "All We Know" followed a formula that proved successful with "Closer," combining male and female vocals over an EDM-pop beat to tell a story about a complicated relationship, leading several critics to label it a thematic sequel.

The rhythmic structure of "All We Know" is straightforward, set in common time with a tempo of 90 beats per minute, creating a relaxed yet steady pace that allows the lyrical narrative to unfold clearly. The rhythm feels contemplative, mirroring the song's theme of a relationship in a state of flux. The lyrical rhythm is conversational, with phrases that flow naturally. The rhyme scheme is relatively simple, primarily using couplets (AABB) in the verses, such as "fire" with "wires" and "lovers" with "covers". This simple scheme makes the lyrics easy to follow and adds to the song's pop sensibility. The pre-chorus ("We're falling apart, still we hold together / We've passed the end, so we chase forever") also uses a perfect rhyme, which makes the central paradox of the song particularly memorable and impactful. The interplay between the steady musical rhythm and the emotional, slightly wistful vocal delivery creates the song's characteristic bittersweet mood.

"All We Know" showcases The Chainsmokers' signature blend of pop and electronic music, often categorized as Future Bass. Musically, the song is built on a foundation of a simple, memorable chord progression (C – Fsus2 – Am) and a mid-tempo beat of 90 BPM. It features a soft guitar intro that builds with a light, almost tropical electronic touch and a soft orchestral feel into the verses. A key stylistic choice is the vocal delivery; both Andrew Taggart and Phoebe Ryan sing in a breathy, almost whispering style, which enhances the song's intimate and melancholic atmosphere. The production follows a pattern common in their work from that era: a somewhat subdued verse leading to a pre-chorus that builds tension, culminating in an instrumental "drop" that is melodic and emotionally resonant rather than aggressive. This structure makes the song accessible for radio play while retaining its EDM roots. Lyrically, the song employs a conversational, dual-narrative style, with both vocalists expressing the shared yet conflicting feelings of the couple.

Released in the wake of the global phenomenon "Closer," "All We Know" continued to solidify The Chainsmokers' position as dominant forces in the pop-EDM crossover space of the mid-2010s. While not reaching the chart-topping heights of its predecessor, the song performed well commercially, peaking at number 18 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and charting in numerous other countries. It was certified Platinum in the US, Australia, and Canada. Many critics and listeners noted its strong thematic and structural similarities to "Closer," seeing it as a successful application of a winning formula. The song was featured on the duo's second EP, Collage, and became a staple in their live sets. Its music video, featuring a found-footage style, also garnered significant attention. "All We Know" helped cement The Chainsmokers' transition from EDM DJs to pop artists who also sing and perform their tracks, a move that defined their sound for that era.

The lyrics of "All We Know" are rich with metaphors that illustrate the relationship's volatile state.

• Fire and Burning Wires: The opening lines, "Fighting flames with fire, hang onto burning wires," use imagery of fire to symbolize a destructive, painful, and dangerous situation. It suggests the couple's attempts to fix their problems only add to the conflict, and holding on is causing them pain.
• Wasting Colors: The phrase "We keep wasting colors" is a metaphor for losing the vibrancy, joy, and beauty in their relationship. It implies that their connection, once vivid, is now fading and becoming dull due to their ongoing struggles.
• One Bed, Different Covers: This powerful image symbolizes emotional and intimate alienation. While physically together in the most intimate of spaces (a bed), they are emotionally separated, living under "different covers," which highlights their lack of connection and differing emotional states.
• Riding a Bike / Chasing Forever: The act of riding a bike "everywhere you go" symbolizes steadfast loyalty and a commitment to follow the other person no matter what. This contrasts with the idea that they have "passed the end," suggesting a deliberate choice to "chase forever" even when logic dictates they should stop, reinforcing the theme of irrational devotion.

The most significant recurring motif in "All We Know" is the central paradox presented in the pre-chorus: "We're falling apart, still we hold together / We've passed the end, so we chase forever." This couplet is repeated multiple times, acting as the song's thesis statement. It encapsulates the core conflict and the couple's illogical commitment. Another key recurring phrase is the song's title and final line of the chorus, "'Cause this is all we know." Its repetition reinforces the idea that this state of turmoil and persistent connection is the only reality the couple can identify with, serving as both an explanation and a resignation. The chorus itself, with its imagery of riding a bike and blowing smoke, acts as a recurring motif of escapism and defiant unity in the face of their problems. These repeated elements give the song a cyclical feeling, mirroring the couple's trapped-in-a-loop emotional state.