If you attend Syracuse University, then you must obviously know that Drew Taggart from the Chainsmokers actually graduated from SU in 2012.
If you don’t, then you must seriously be living under a rock.
In case you need a backstory – the Chainsmokers are an American DJ duo consisting of Alexander Pall and Drew Taggart. Drew is a SU’12 alumnus and a part of the Syracuse Hall of Fame due to his success in the music group. Both musicians got their start to fame when they released their viral single Selfie.
The song became a huge trend and that was how the group got their recognition.
Anyways, I think it is vital that if you haven’t listened to any of their music, then please do so. I would be happy in providing some great songs that I think you should listen to first.
Personally, I have been a fan of the group since their viral song Selfie was released. I have always wanted to attend a concert of theirs, and thankfully, I had the opportunity to listen to them at Block Party and in NYC’s Jingle Ball Concert.
When I listen to their songs live, it’s a whole different vibe that you feel. You feel the hype and energy that the group gives off when they perform.
Before I excite you too much, here are three Chainsmokers songs that you need to listen:
1. Don’t Let Me Down ft. Daya
This masterpiece of a song became a major hit for the group. In fact, the song has won a Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording. It peaked at number three on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and became the Chainsmoker’s second Billboard’s Top 10 entry after their other hit single Roses.
The guitar loop at the beginning of the song is my favorite sound and is easily recognized when played at a concert or party. Daya starts to sing her verse on top of the guitar loop and it blends so perfectly. The tempo starts to tense and gets higher, then the beat finally drops:
I need you, I need you, I need you right now Yeah, I need you right now So don't let me, don't let me, don't let me down I think I'm losing my mind now It's in my head, darling I hope That you'll be here, when I need you the most So don't let me, don't let me, don't let me down Don't let me down
Don't let me down Don't let me down, down, down Don't let me down, don't let me down, down, down
When Daya sings this verse, I actually get the chills. Her voice mixed in with the background music is so powerful and it makes you feel so alive.
This is definitely my FAVORITE song of theirs and I know it will be yours too.
2. Roses ft. ROZES
This single of theirs is another popular hit that many people know and love.
The song starts off with bass drumbeats and synthetic harmonies, along with a nice bass guitar riff in the background. This combination of sounds resembles to Asian music, but with a little more flavor that is familiar in American music.
Deep in my bones I can feel you Take me back to a time when we knew Hideaway We could waste the night with an old film Smoke a little weed on the couch in the backroom Hideaway Say you'll never let me go Say you'll never let me go
These lyrics that are sung by ROZES are my favorite because of the beat that the lyrics are sung to and the overall message. The song is definitely about new sweet love and wanting the opportunity to experience that new feeling.
This exciting song is definitely great to listen to when you are somewhere chill like a music festival or a bonfire.
3. Closer ft. Halsey
Closer is an awesome summer jam that became number one in the charts for many weeks.
I really like this song because Drew actually sings a verse with Halsey.
According to The Atlatnic,
“Closer,” released in July, is a vocal duet between Taggart and the singer Halsey, whose song “New Americana” felt lab-designed to conquer Instagram captions by swiping Lana Del Rey’s sound while rhyming “Nirvana” with “legal marijuana.” Taggart and the other writers of “Closer” have taken cues from that song with regards to the power of multisyllabic couplets about rock bands that remind millennials of middle school, pairing “Blink-182 song” with “Tucson” for the most memorable line of “Closer.” They’ve also picked piano chords reminiscent of Justin Bieber’s “Where Are Ü Now” and lifted a hook from The Fray’s 2005 smash “Over My Head (Cable Car),” resulting in a sound on-trend with the blasé, last-call-at-the-club vibe of the year in pop from Drake to Zayn to Rihanna. Most distinctive about “Closer” might be its structure, which pivots from misty emotional reveries to passages of clear, specific storytelling from opposite points of view.
As you can see, the song has a bunch of mixed sounds from other popular pop songs and with the group’s renowned DJ skills, they were able to make something new that resonated with a lot of people. This song really shows off the true talent that this group has.
My favorite lyrics from the song are:
So baby pull me closer in the backseat of your Rover That I know you can't afford Bite that tattoo on your shoulder Pull the sheets right off the corner Of the mattress that you stole From your roommate back in Boulder We ain't ever getting older
There are many reasons why I particularly love this verse. The song talks about young bittersweet love that everyone craves for. If you read the lyrics closely, you can tell that Drew is clearly referring to someone he used to date back in the day. Apparently, this person couldn’t afford the Range Rover that they drove and stole a mattress from their roommate.
Fun fact: the lyrics "From your roommate back in Boulder" is rumored to be about someone from the SU dorm Boland. This isn’t verified but it makes sense since typically, you would have a roommate when you are in college.
Overall, this song is fun to listen to, especially during the summer.
In conclusion, I hope that you start listening to the Chainsmokers because they do make great music and sound even better live!
Do you have any favorite Chainsmokers song? Let me know in the comments below!
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