Paris

The song “Paris” by The Chainsmokers is not about the literal city in France, but rather a metaphor for a self-created mental and emotional sanctuary. The duo explained that “Paris” represents “a sentimental yearning for a reality that isn't genuine” and a place you go “where everything's ok. It's subjective. It's where those who don't understand u don't exist.” The song explores themes of escapism, youthful rebellion, and the creation of an alternate reality as a coping mechanism. The narrative follows a young couple who retreat into this shared fantasy world to get away from the pressures and judgments of the outside world, specifically their parents. This “Paris” is a state of mind, a bubble where they can feel invincible and in control, despite the chaos in their actual lives. The core message revolves around their unwavering loyalty to each other, encapsulated in the lyric, “If we go down, then we go down together.” This line signifies a deep bond and a shared destiny, an “us against the world” mentality. The song delves into the bittersweet nature of this escape, acknowledging its artificiality while simultaneously celebrating the strength and love found within it. It captures the millennial experience of navigating adulthood, dealing with external expectations, and finding solace in a shared, albeit fragile, reality.

The narrative begins with a couple seeking refuge in an idealized space, which they call “Paris,” to escape the judgment and rules of their parents. This “Paris” isn't the physical city but a mental and emotional sanctuary they've constructed for themselves. The narrator, one half of the duo, reflects on their precarious situation. While on a terrace, a moment of doubt creeps in; he questions the sustainability of their isolated world, acknowledging that their makeshift reality might not be enough to truly work things out. There’s a palpable fear of letting his partner down, a sense of responsibility that clashes with his own reckless behavior, as he thinks about being “wasted with someone else” while she might be falling alone.

The chorus introduces a powerful, unifying motto: “If we go down, then we go down together.” This phrase becomes their anthem of loyalty and defiance. They are aware of how the outside world perceives them—as a talented girl who could do anything and a clever but perhaps misguided boy. They cling to this narrative, determined to prove everyone wrong and emerge better, stronger, and successful in their own right. It’s an “us against the world” mentality, a promise of shared fate, for better or worse. This defiant optimism is repeated, reinforcing their commitment to each other and their shared dream.

The story continues, painting a more vivid picture of their life within this self-made bubble. The female character is depicted with a mix of pride and melancholy, “standing there with a frown and a cigarette,” a modern image of youthful angst. Her actions, like “posting pictures of yourself on the Internet,” highlight a generational trait of curating one's life, projecting an image of independence and coolness that may mask underlying insecurities. They are living in a small town, cutting class for the thrill of it, and romanticizing their past, getting “drunk on the past we were livin’ in.” This suggests their escape is not just from parents but from the mundane reality of their lives, fueled by a nostalgia for moments that have already passed but feel more real and exciting than their present.

The song's bridge and final chorus amplify these themes. The repetition of “Let’s show them we are better” becomes a mantra, a desperate attempt to convince themselves as much as the outside world. The return to the core idea of being in “Paris” reinforces the central metaphor of their escapist fantasy. The shared vocals in the final chorus, with a female voice subtly layered, emphasize their unity. Their bond is the foundation of this world, a pact that no matter the outcome, they will face it together. The song concludes on this note of shared destiny, leaving the listener to wonder if their fabricated paradise will be their salvation or their downfall.

"Paris" was written by Andrew Taggart of The Chainsmokers, alongside Kristoffer Eriksson and Fredrik Häggstam. The song was released on January 13, 2017, as the lead single from the duo's debut studio album, Memories...Do Not Open. The inspiration for the song was personal, stemming from a friend of Andrew Taggart's who was struggling with drug addiction. This friend and his girlfriend lived in a fantasy world, believing their life was perfect, while in reality, it was falling apart. Taggart and Alex Pall expanded on this, stating, "We used Paris as a metaphor to convey that he felt like he was in a place where everything was fine, while being acutely aware of other people's concern for him." The writing process reportedly began late one night after a show with the line, "We were staying in Paris." The track features lead vocals from Andrew Taggart, marking a continued trend after his vocal debut on "Closer." It also includes uncredited backing vocals from singer-songwriter Emily Warren, a frequent collaborator who co-wrote the duo's hit "Don't Let Me Down." Warren's vocals were added late in the process to layer some of Taggart's parts, and she was left uncredited to keep the focus on it being a "Chainsmokers thing" rather than a proper duet. The song was produced by The Chainsmokers and Jordan "DJ Swivel" Young.

The song's rhythmic structure is built on a steady, mid-tempo beat characteristic of EDM-pop, providing a constant, danceable pulse that contrasts with the lyrical themes of instability and escapism. The tempo is consistent, creating a hypnotic, dream-like feel that draws the listener into the couple's fantasy world. The interplay between the lyrical rhythm and the musical rhythm is key; Andrew Taggart's vocal delivery is conversational and loosely follows the beat, enhancing the song's narrative, storytelling quality. The rhyme scheme is relatively simple and direct, primarily using couplets (AABB) and near rhymes, which makes the lyrics feel accessible and unpretentious. For example, in the first verse, "Paris" is rhymed with "parents," and "now" with "out." This straightforward structure keeps the focus on the story being told. The chorus uses a more emphatic rhythm, with the line "If we go down, then we go down together" delivered with a confident, declarative cadence that makes it a powerful and memorable hook. This rhythmic emphasis underscores the line's importance as the song's central motto. The overall effect is a song that is both rhythmically engaging on a surface level and emotionally resonant through its lyrical pacing and flow.

Musically, "Paris" employs a blend of EDM and pop sensibilities, characterized by its chilled-out keyboard progression, a looping guitar riff, and a steady, danceable beat without a conventional, hard-hitting "drop." This creates a more subdued, melancholic, and nostalgic atmosphere compared to many of their previous festival anthems. The song is composed in the key of D Major. Andrew Taggart's lead vocal performance is central to the track's narrative-driven style, delivered in a straightforward, relatable manner that enhances the storytelling feel. The subtle, uncredited backing vocals from Emily Warren add a layer of harmony and a feminine counterpoint in the chorus, reinforcing the theme of partnership. Lyrically, the song uses a direct, narrative structure, telling a story from a first-person perspective. The language is simple and conversational, using concrete images like “a frown and a cigarette” and relatable scenarios like “cuttin' class for the thrill of it” to paint a vivid picture of rebellious youth. The repetition of the chorus and the key phrase "Let's show them we are better" acts as a powerful refrain, functioning as both a personal mantra for the characters and a memorable hook for the listener. The song's structure builds emotional intensity not through a massive instrumental climax, but through the layering of vocals and the lyrical repetition of its central, defiant themes.

"Paris" was a significant commercial success for The Chainsmokers, serving as the lead single from their debut album Memories...Do Not Open. It debuted at number seven and peaked at number six on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming their fourth top 10 hit. The song also reached number one on Billboard's Dance/Mix Show Airplay and Dance/Electronic Songs charts. The track's lyric video, starring model Alexis Ren, gained immediate popularity. The song's theme of escapism and its definition of "Paris" as a state of mind resonated widely, particularly with a younger audience. The track further solidified The Chainsmokers' move from pure EDM producers to pop-centric storytellers, a transition that began with hits like "Closer." In 2018, it was announced that the song would be the inspiration for a feature film of the same name, produced by the duo's own production company, Kick the Habit Productions, with a screenplay by Mickey Rapkin (writer of Pitch Perfect). More recently, in 2022, the song saw a resurgence on TikTok. The line "If we go down, then we go down together" was adopted by pro-choice activists as an anthem following the overturning of Roe v. Wade in the United States. The Chainsmokers acknowledged and supported this usage, stating they were glad their work was being used for a cause they believe in.

The most significant symbol in the song is "Paris" itself. As confirmed by The Chainsmokers, it is not the geographical location but a metaphor for an idealized, escapist state of mind. The duo defined it as “a sentimental yearning for a reality that isn't genuine” and “an irrecoverable condition for fantasy that evokes nostalgia or day dreams.” This symbolic Paris is a sanctuary built by the couple to shield themselves from external judgment and the harshness of their real lives. The lyric “We were staying in Paris / To get away from your parents” immediately establishes this theme of escape from authority and rules. The imagery of being “out on the terrace” symbolizes a liminal space, a place of reflection between their fantasy world and reality, where doubts can creep in. The act of “posting pictures of yourself on the Internet” while having a “frown and a cigarette” symbolizes the modern, millennial conflict between curated online personas and underlying unhappiness or angst. The recurring phrase “If we go down, then we go down together” is a powerful metaphor for their unbreakable loyalty and shared fate, a vow of solidarity against the world. This idea transforms their escapism from a solitary act into a shared, romanticized struggle.

The most prominent recurring phrase in "Paris" is the chorus line, "If we go down, then we go down together." This line functions as the central thesis of the song, a powerful declaration of loyalty and shared destiny. Its repetition throughout the track solidifies it as the couple's defiant mantra against a world that misunderstands them. It's a vow of unconditional solidarity that elevates their relationship beyond a simple romance into a pact. Another key recurring lyrical motif is the phrase "We were stayin' in Paris." Its repetition at the beginning of each verse and in the bridge constantly reminds the listener of the central metaphor—their escapist fantasy. It frames the entire narrative within this self-created reality. Musically, the main keyboard chord progression is a recurring motif that sets the song's signature nostalgic and slightly melancholic tone from the very beginning. This melodic hook is as crucial to the song's identity as its lyrical phrases. Finally, the chant-like repetition of "Let's show them we are better" in the refrain and bridge serves as a recurring call to action and a form of self-affirmation for the protagonists, highlighting their desire to prove their worth and the validity of their choices.