Somebody

The song “Somebody” by The Chainsmokers, featuring vocals from Drew Love of the R&B duo THEY., delves into the internal conflict and disillusionment that can accompany fame and success. Lyrically, it explores the struggle of maintaining one's identity and staying true to oneself in a world preoccupied with materialism and superficiality. The song's protagonist finds himself in a glamorous setting, surrounded by “fancy cars and crowded bars and supermodels,” a life he once dreamed of. However, he realizes that this reality is not as fulfilling as he had imagined and that he is in danger of losing himself in the pursuit of being “somebody.”

A core theme is the feeling of alienation and the difficulty of forming genuine connections. The line, “I don't really like anybody, so don't tell me I'm like anybody else,” encapsulates this sense of isolation and the desire to preserve one's individuality. The song also touches on the fickle nature of people and relationships, as expressed in the line, “People change with the weather.” This reinforces the protagonist's internal struggle and his realization that he shouldn't have so readily listened to his heart. The music video for the song further emphasizes the theme of temptation and how it can consume individuals.

The song opens with a vivid depiction of a glamorous, almost dreamlike city filled with luxury cars, bustling bars, and supermodels. This is the world the narrator once fantasized about, a place that seemed like the pinnacle of success. However, now that he is living in this reality, a sense of disillusionment begins to creep in. He finds himself surrounded by material possessions and temptations he once thought he desired, but now feels a desperate need for them simply because they are ubiquitous. The most significant fear that emerges is the potential of losing his true self in the relentless pursuit of becoming 'somebody' important in this glittering, yet hollow, environment.

The narrator reflects on his own naivety, acknowledging that he should have been wiser than to follow his heart without caution, especially given that people's loyalties and affections are as fickle as the weather. A profound sense of alienation is expressed as he admits to not genuinely liking anyone around him. This feeling intensifies his desire not to be compared to the very people he feels disconnected from. He speaks of trying to mend something, perhaps a relationship or his own sense of self, and the constant fear of it all falling apart again due to the transient nature of people and their feelings.

The internal conflict is palpable. Intellectually, the narrator knows better than to fall into these traps. He tries to take responsibility for his own faults and recognizes the need to move on from a past relationship. Yet, the overwhelming feeling of not connecting with anyone persists, reinforcing his plea to not be seen as just another face in the crowd. The chorus repeats, emphasizing the stark contrast between the dream and the reality of his current life. The allure of the 'fancy cars and crowded bars' is a constant presence, but the overwhelming cost is the potential loss of his identity. The song culminates in the repeated, almost haunting, phrase of losing oneself while trying to be 'somebody,' highlighting the central struggle of the narrative.

“Somebody” was released on April 20, 2018, as the fourth single from The Chainsmokers' second studio album, Sick Boy. The song was written by Andrew Taggart of The Chainsmokers, along with Emily Warren and Drew Love. The production was handled by The Chainsmokers themselves, composed of Andrew Taggart and Alex Pall. Drew Love, one-half of the R&B duo THEY., provides guest vocals on the track. The song's creation was part of a larger project where The Chainsmokers released a new song each month in 2018, culminating in the album Sick Boy. The accompanying music video, which features time-lapsed watercolor paintings by Molly Crabapple, was directed by Jim Batt and Kim Boekbinder. The Chainsmokers described the video's narrative as a story of temptation that everyone deals with in their own way.

The rhyme scheme in “Somebody” is relatively straightforward, primarily utilizing perfect rhymes at the end of lines to create a cohesive and memorable structure. For instance, in the chorus, “supermodels” and “dreamed about it” don't rhyme, but the internal structure of the lines creates a sense of rhythm. The verses employ a more varied rhyme scheme, with lines like “again” and “weather” being near rhymes. The song's rhythm is characterized by a moderate tempo and a driving beat, which contrasts with the introspective and somewhat melancholic tone of the lyrics and melody. The tempo is approximately 102 beats per minute. This rhythmic drive, combined with the more pensive lyrical delivery, creates a sense of tension that mirrors the song's central conflict between the allure of a fast-paced lifestyle and the desire for authenticity.

Musically, “Somebody” blends elements of pop, R&B, and EDM, creating a sound that has been described as a “tropical number.” The production features “mournful keys and atmospheric synths” and a “bass-heavy drop.” This combination results in a “chilled out, introspective” tune. Andrew Taggart's vocal delivery is complemented by the R&B stylings of Drew Love. Lyrically, the song employs a narrative and introspective style, directly conveying the protagonist's thoughts and feelings. The use of repetition in the chorus, particularly the phrase “tryna be somebody,” emphasizes the central theme and internal struggle. The conversational tone in lines like “(You know, just know what I like)” adds a layer of personal reflection and authenticity to the lyrics. The music video for “Somebody” utilizes the unique stylistic choice of time-lapsed watercolor paintings by Molly Crabapple to visually tell the story.

“Somebody” was released as part of The Chainsmokers' 2018 album Sick Boy and contributed to the duo's continued presence in the mainstream music scene. Upon its release, the song debuted at number 5 on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart and reached number 15 on the Billboard Digital Song Sales chart. The track was also part of a new musical direction for The Chainsmokers, incorporating more alternative and introspective elements into their signature EDM-pop sound. The song's music video, featuring watercolor illustrations by Molly Crabapple, was also a notable artistic choice. While “Somebody” may not have achieved the same level of chart-topping success as some of their earlier hits like “Closer,” it was still a significant release within their discography and was well-received by many critics for its more restrained and introspective production. The song has been performed live at various venues and festivals, solidifying its place in their live repertoire.

The lyrics of “Somebody” utilize the setting of a glamorous city as a central metaphor for the superficiality and temptations of fame. The “town full of fancy cars and crowded bars and supermodels” represents the idealized version of success that the protagonist once aspired to. However, this imagery also symbolizes a hollow and materialistic world where genuine connection is scarce. The recurring line, “People change with the weather,” is a simile that highlights the unreliability and transient nature of relationships within this environment, contributing to the protagonist's sense of isolation. The ultimate metaphor lies in the concept of becoming “somebody,” which in the context of the song, symbolizes the loss of one's authentic self in the pursuit of external validation and status. The fear of “losing myself tryna be somebody” is the core symbolic conflict of the song.

The most prominent recurring phrase in “Somebody” is the line, “Only thing that I can't afford is to lose myself tryna be somebody, somebody.” This phrase encapsulates the central theme of the song and is repeated in the chorus to emphasize the protagonist's primary fear and internal conflict. The word “somebody” itself is a recurring motif, representing the hollow pursuit of fame and external validation at the expense of one's true identity. Another recurring lyrical motif is the description of the glamorous yet superficial city: “In the town full of fancy cars and crowded bars and supermodels.” This imagery is consistently used to set the scene and symbolize the world the protagonist is struggling to navigate. The line, “I don't really like anybody,” also reappears, highlighting the theme of alienation and the difficulty of forming genuine connections.