This Feeling

"This Feeling" is a powerful anthem about defiance and the courage to follow one's heart despite external disapproval. The song, a collaboration between EDM duo The Chainsmokers and country-pop singer Kelsea Ballerini, tells the story of a romantic relationship that is scrutinized and judged by friends, family, and society. The lyrics convey a struggle between the logical advice of others ("They tell me think with my head, not that thing in my chest") and the powerful, undeniable emotion of love. The central theme is the conviction that outsiders cannot understand the depth of their connection, and therefore, their opinions are rendered irrelevant. It's a declaration of autonomy in matters of the heart, choosing personal happiness over societal acceptance. The song champions the idea of taking ownership of one's decisions, even if it means accepting the potential for failure on one's own terms ("In the end, it's my decision, so it's my fault when it ends").

The narrative unfolds with a proactive declaration, a story told before it can be twisted by others. The singer lays out all their reasons for a particular choice, anticipating that they will be met with misunderstanding and accusations of needing help. There's a recognition that everyone holds expectations, and often, these expectations lead to disappointment. A sense of being unheard pervades this opening, with the song itself becoming the only true outlet for their perspective.

The central conflict emerges in the pre-chorus, a battle between logic and emotion. Society, friends, and family—represented by the collective "they"—advise thinking with the head, not the heart. This external pressure is depicted as suffocating, a feeling of "hands at my neck." Despite this intense opposition, the singer's conviction is unwavering. The person they are with is the one they truly want, and they challenge the notion that this choice is wrong. The core message is that these outsiders cannot possibly comprehend the depth and nature of this powerful feeling.

The second verse shifts the narrative slightly. Now, the singer addresses the naysayers directly, imagining telling them a story that would be met with insincere, placating nods. There's a sense of vulnerability and a test of trust; if the singer reveals their deepest secrets, they fear betrayal and gossip. The verse ends with a strong assertion of autonomy. The opinions of others should remain their own, because ultimately, the decision belongs to the singer. With this ownership comes the acceptance of consequences; if it all goes wrong, the fault is theirs alone.

The song's bridge introduces a moment of internal doubt and reassurance. The singer confides in their partner about a fear that has been kept inside, a vulnerability shared only with them. This intimate confession is met with a comforting response, a promise that everything will be alright. This exchange strengthens their bond, reinforcing the idea that their connection is a sanctuary from the external world's disapproval. It solidifies their pact, making them a united front against the judgment they face. The feeling is not just love, but a shared experience of defiance and mutual support.

"This Feeling" was released on September 18, 2018, as the seventh single from The Chainsmokers' second studio album, Sick Boy. The collaboration with Kelsea Ballerini came about after a period of mutual admiration. The Chainsmokers had noticed Ballerini covering their songs on tour and had heard in an interview that she was keen to work with them. They finally met backstage, hit it off, and decided a collaboration was essential. The song was co-written by The Chainsmokers (Andrew Taggart, Alex Pall) and their frequent collaborator Emily Warren. According to the duo, the lyrical inspiration came from a real-life experience of Alex Pall. He was in a new relationship and faced significant criticism from friends and family, but chose to follow his heart. Drew Taggart also noted that this was one of the first songs he wrote after coming out of a period of depression that coincided with the band's rise to fame, marking a shift towards a more hopeful perspective. The production was handled by The Chainsmokers, blending their signature electronic style with country-pop elements, largely driven by an acoustic guitar base and Ballerini's vocals.

The rhyme scheme in the verses of "This Feeling" is relatively straightforward, often following an AABB or ABCB pattern, which gives the lyrics a direct and accessible quality. For example, in the first verse, "itself" rhymes with "help," and "wrong" with "song." The pre-chorus uses a similar structure. The song's rhythm is built around a mid-tempo beat, making it a radio-friendly, danceable pop track. The rhythm is driven by a prominent guitar strum that gives it a country-pop feel, which contrasts with the electronic elements in the chorus and drop. The vocal delivery from both Taggart and Ballerini follows the rhythm closely, emphasizing the percussive nature of the melody and making the lyrics punchy and memorable. There is a clear rhythmic build-up from the verses into the more expansive and energetic chorus, a common technique in EDM-pop to create anticipation and release.

"This Feeling" employs a successful blend of musical and literary styles. Musically, the track is a fusion of pop, EDM, and country, a hybrid that leverages a "chilly guitar base" against electronic elements. A notable technique is the use of delicate and "hypnotic" vocal chops in the drop, a signature of The Chainsmokers' production style, which provides an elegant transition between vocal sections. The song's structure follows a pop format, but the inclusion of a country-pop vocalist in Kelsea Ballerini was a key choice, expanding their sound. Lyrically, the song uses a direct, narrative style, opening with the promise, "I'll tell you a story before it tells itself," which immediately engages the listener. The use of a dual-narrative perspective, with both Andrew Taggart and Kelsea Ballerini singing verses, creates a conversational and relatable dynamic, reinforcing the theme of a shared struggle. The lyrics utilize direct address and rhetorical questions ("If that's really so wrong?") to challenge the listener and the song's antagonists.

"This Feeling" was a significant single from The Chainsmokers' second album, Sick Boy, and was noted for its successful crossover appeal, blending the worlds of EDM and country-pop. The song achieved commercial success, being certified double Platinum by the RIAA in the United States. It was also included on the deluxe version of Kelsea Ballerini's album Unapologetically, further bridging the two genres. The duo performed the song live on major platforms, including The Ellen DeGeneres Show, the ESPN Monday Night Football Halftime Show, and the 2018 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, showcasing the song to a wide and varied audience. The music video, which features a motocross theme, also garnered significant attention. While some critics found the country-EDM hybrid reminiscent of other contemporary hits, many praised it as a strong, radio-ready track that showcased a more mature and emotionally resonant side of The Chainsmokers.

The primary metaphor in "This Feeling" is the conflict between the "head" and the "chest" (heart). This classic dichotomy symbolizes the struggle between rational thought and emotional conviction. The "head" represents the logical, often critical, advice from the outside world, while the "chest" symbolizes the authentic, personal feelings of the individual. The physical imagery of having "their hands at my neck" serves as a powerful metaphor for the suffocating pressure and judgment exerted by others, conveying a sense of being constrained and controlled. The music video further extends the song's themes through the metaphor of a motocross race, where the artists are depicted as riders facing inner conflicts and competing against each other, symbolizing the struggle and the race to prove themselves and the validity of their feelings.

The most significant recurring phrase is the song's title and central hook, "this feeling." Its repetition throughout the chorus emphasizes that the emotional experience is at the core of their defiance, a feeling so profound it cannot be understood by outsiders. Another key recurring lyrical motif is the line, "They tell me think with my head, not that thing in my chest." This phrase acts as the song's central conflict, appearing in the pre-chorus sung by both vocalists to show their shared experience of facing the same criticism. The repetition of "yeah-eah" in the chorus serves as a simple but effective musical motif, creating a catchy, anthemic chant that conveys a sense of joyous rebellion and liberation. This simple, repeated affirmation acts as their unified response to the external pressure.