Released: 2017
“Paris” by The Chainsmokers is a song steeped in youthful rebellion and a nostalgia-laced love story. At its core, it highlights the tale of risk taking lovers who navigate familial disapproval, social expectations, and personal demons, while steadfastly clinging onto each other.
Opening with the lines, “We were staying in Paris, To get away from your parents”, this song immediately sets up a situation of lovers in retreat, fleeing unsupportive environments and seeking solace in each other. The setting itself, “Paris”, serves as an emblem of romance and a fresh start. The line, “And I thought, ‘Wow, if I could take this in a shot right now, I don’t think that we could work this out'”, paints a picture of the intensity and the transient, intoxicating nature of their relationship.
On the terrace, the place of quiet contemplation and confession, the singer grapples with guilt and self-blame, saying, “How could I let you fall by yourself, While I’m wasted with someone else?” This hint of infidelity or teetering distraction further complicates the relationship narrative.
The chorus, “If we go down, then we go down together”, is an anthem of unity, underscoring the idea of togetherness in adversity. The lovers are ready to face societal judgement, cleverly denoted by the line, “They’ll say you could do anything, They’ll say that I was clever”. The repeated phrase, “Let’s show them we are better”, serves as a defiant manifesto against naysayers, expressing the confidence and unconventionality of their bond.
The beauty of this song also lies in its relatability factor, describing youthful escapades such as, “On our own, cutting class for the thrill of it, Getting drunk on the past we were livin’ in”. It’s a throwback to every listener’s days of rebellion and careless abandon, which is interwoven seamlessly into the narrative.
In essence, “Paris” by The Chainsmokers is a love letter to all the star-crossed, defiant lovers out there, who choose to uphold their love story against all odds, even if it means “going down together”. It’s a testament to the reckless, glorious and sometimes heartbreaking exuberance of youth.
