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The Chainsmokers formed in New York City in 2012 as a DJ and production duo consisting of Alexander “Alex” Pall and Andrew “Drew” Taggart. Initially founded by Pall and former member Rhett Bixler, the group truly began to take shape after Taggart joined later that year. Their early attention came from remixing tracks by indie artists, a tactic that helped them build credibility within electronic music circles and attract the attention of major labels and fans online. Their viral breakthrough came in 2014 with the release of the single “#Selfie,” a satirical track that exploded on social media and peaked at number sixteen on the Billboard Hot 100.
Following the surprise success of “#Selfie,” The Chainsmokers signed with Disruptor Records, a label imprint under Columbia Records and Sony Music Entertainment. With their debut EP Bouquet in 2015, they shifted focus from comedic tracks to more emotionally grounded songwriting. The single “Roses,” featuring Rozes, became a commercial hit, reaching the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning multi-platinum certifications. The follow-up single “Don’t Let Me Down” featuring Daya was released in 2016 and became their first top five hit in the U.S. The song earned them a Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording.
The duo’s next release, “Closer” featuring Halsey, was a career-defining moment. Released in July 2016, the song became their first number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and stayed at the top spot for twelve consecutive weeks. It became one of the most streamed songs of the year and turned The Chainsmokers into household names. By the end of 2016, they had become the face of a new pop-electronic hybrid, and they released a second EP, Collage, featuring many of their earlier singles.
Their debut full-length studio album, Memories…Do Not Open, was released in April 2017 and debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. It featured two top ten singles: “Paris,” which featured uncredited vocals from Emily Warren, and “Something Just Like This,” a collaboration with Coldplay that became a major global hit. Though the album received mixed critical reviews, it achieved significant commercial success and certified platinum. They toured extensively in support of the album, performing in major arenas across North America and internationally.
Throughout 2018, The Chainsmokers released a series of monthly singles that eventually formed their second studio album, Sick Boy. This album was released in December 2018 and included tracks such as “Sick Boy,” “This Feeling” featuring Kelsea Ballerini, and “Side Effects” with Emily Warren. The approach marked a shift in their creative strategy and showed their commitment to evolving with the streaming era. Lyrically, the album leaned into darker and more introspective territory, exploring themes like fame, identity, and public perception.
Their third studio album, World War Joy, arrived in December 2019, built again through a drip-release model of singles over the year. The album featured collaborations with 5 Seconds of Summer (“Who Do You Love”), Bebe Rexha (“Call You Mine”), Kygo, and Blink-182. The sound was more guitar-driven, incorporating elements of rock and alternative pop. Their ability to collaborate with artists from multiple genres allowed them to remain visible and relevant even as EDM’s dominance on the charts started to wane.
After a brief hiatus from releasing music in 2020 and 2021, the duo returned in 2022 with their fourth studio album So Far So Good. It was released independently through Disruptor and Columbia and marked their first album without any featured artists. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard Top Dance/Electronic Albums chart and included singles like “High,” “iPad,” and “Riptide.” It showed a shift toward more personal and introspective songwriting, with the duo focusing on their own vocals and experiences rather than relying on outside collaborations.
In 2023, they released their fifth studio album, Summertime Friends, continuing their strategy of staggered single releases ahead of the full album drop. This album featured tracks such as “Up & Down” with 347aidan, “Self Destruction Mode” with Bludnymph, and “Jungle” with Cheat Codes. The record maintained their signature blend of electronic production and pop hooks but also incorporated elements of punk and alternative rock, signaling yet another stylistic evolution for the group.
Their live performances have remained central to their brand, blending DJ sets with live instrumentation. They headlined massive festivals and launched multiple headlining tours, including Memories…Do Not Open Tour, World War Joy Tour, and So Far So Good Tour. Their energetic performances and wide-ranging collaborations have helped them retain a strong fan base even as musical trends shift.
Throughout their career, The Chainsmokers have won numerous awards. These include one Grammy Award, two American Music Awards, seven Billboard Music Awards, and nine iHeartRadio Music Awards. Their ability to consistently generate streaming and radio hits has made them one of the most successful acts in pop-electronic music in the 2010s and early 2020s.
Outside of music, Pall and Taggart have extended their reach into venture capital. In 2020, they launched Mantis VC, a firm focused on early-stage companies in technology, media, and consumer goods. Their portfolio has included investments in companies like Ember, Liquid Death, and Brightside, reflecting their interest in aligning music-driven celebrity influence with high-growth startups.
They’ve also been involved in philanthropic work, including charitable donations to children’s hospitals and mental health initiatives. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they performed at drive-in concerts to raise funds for healthcare workers. Their combination of business acumen and public giving underscores their position as entrepreneurs as well as entertainers.
Complete List Of The Chainsmokers Songs From A to Z
- Beach House – Sick Boy – 2018
- Bloodstream – Memories…Do Not Open – 2017
- Break Up Every Night – Memories…Do Not Open – 2017
- Call You Mine (featuring Bebe Rexha) – World War Joy – 2019
- Celular (Nicky Jam, Maluma & The Chainsmokers) – Summertime Friends – 2023
- Channel 1 – So Far So Good – 2022
- Closer (featuring Halsey) – Memories…Do Not Open – 2017
- Cyanide – So Far So Good – 2022
- Do You Mean (featuring Ty Dolla Sign and Bülow) – World War Joy – 2019
- Don’t Let Me Down (featuring Daya) – Memories…Do Not Open – 2017
- Don’t Say (featuring Emily Warren) – Memories…Do Not Open – 2017
- Everybody Hates Me – Sick Boy – 2018
- Family (with Kygo) – World War Joy – 2019
- High – So Far So Good – 2022
- Honest – Memories…Do Not Open – 2017
- Hope (featuring Winona Oak) – Sick Boy – 2018
- I Hope You Change Your Mind – So Far So Good – 2022
- I Love U – So Far So Good – 2022
- If You’re Serious – So Far So Good – 2022
- In Too Deep – So Far So Good – 2022
- iPad – So Far So Good – 2022
- It Won’t Kill Ya (featuring Louane) – Memories…Do Not Open – 2017
- Jungle (Alok, The Chainsmokers & Mae Stephens) – Summertime Friends – 2023
- Kills You Slowly – World War Joy – 2019
- Last Day Alive (featuring Florida Georgia Line) – Memories…Do Not Open – 2017
- Maradona – So Far So Good – 2022
- My Bad (with Shenseea) – Summertime Friends – 2023
- My Type (featuring Emily Warren) – Memories…Do Not Open – 2017
- Paris – Memories…Do Not Open – 2017
- P.S. I Hope You’re Happy (featuring Blink-182) – World War Joy – 2019
- Push My Luck – World War Joy – 2019
- Riptide – So Far So Good – 2022
- Roses (featuring Rozes) – Memories…Do Not Open – 2017
- Save Yourself (with Nghtmre) – Sick Boy – 2018
- See the Way (featuring Sabrina Claudio) – World War Joy – 2019
- See You Again (with ILLENIUM & Carlie Hanson) – Summertime Friends – 2023
- Self Destruction Mode (with bludnymph) – Summertime Friends – 2023
- Sick Boy – Sick Boy – 2018
- Side Effects (featuring Emily Warren) – Sick Boy – 2018
- Siren (with Aazar) – Sick Boy – 2018
- Somebody (featuring Drew Love) – Sick Boy – 2018
- Solo Mission – So Far So Good – 2022
- Something Different – So Far So Good – 2022
- Something Just Like This (with Coldplay) – Memories…Do Not Open – 2017
- Summertime Friends – Summertime Friends – 2023
- Takeaway (with Illenium featuring Lennon Stella) – World War Joy – 2019
- Testing – So Far So Good – 2022
- The Fall (with Ship Wrek) – So Far So Good – 2022
- The One – Memories…Do Not Open – 2017
- The Reaper (featuring Amy Shark) – World War Joy – 2019
- Think of Us (with GRACEY) – Summertime Friends – 2023
- This Feeling (featuring Kelsea Ballerini) – Sick Boy – 2018
- Time Bomb – So Far So Good – 2022
- Up & Down (with 347aidan) – Summertime Friends – 2023
- Wake Up Alone (featuring Jhené Aiko) – Memories…Do Not Open – 2017
- Who Do You Love (featuring 5 Seconds of Summer) – World War Joy – 2019
- Why Can’t You Wait (with Bob Moses) – So Far So Good – 2022
- You Owe Me – Sick Boy – 2018
- Young – Memories…Do Not Open – 2017
Albums
Memories…Do Not Open (2017): 15 songs
Sick Boy (2018): 10 songs
World War Joy (2019): 10 songs
So Far So Good (2022): 16 songs
Summertime Friends (2023): 8 songs
Check out our fantastic and entertaining The Chainsmokers articles, detailing in-depth the band’s albums, songs, band members, and more…all on ClassicRockHistory.com
Complete List Of The Chainsmokers Albums And Discography
Top 10 Chainsmokers Songs
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