The Chainsmokers first announced the release of this track in an Instagram post on January 6, 2022. The post also announced the completion of their fourth album, as the caption of the post said, “#TCS4”. Snippets of the track were teased on a video of their return called SORRY, THE CHAINSMOKERS ARE BACK, in which the song can be heard throughout the dialogue and at the end.
Stylistically, the song is a departure from the duo’s previous sound, incorporating elements of hip-hop and R&B into their signature EDM-pop sound.
“High” debuted at #57 on the Billboard Hot 100 week ending February 5, 2022.
High
The Chainsmokers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So far, so good
Mm, oh, yeah
Why? You only say you love me when you're high
It's like we go through the same shit every night
Oh why, oh why?
You always swear that it's gonna change, but it never does
It's like we go through the same shit every night
Oh why, oh why?
You always swear that shit's gonna change, but it never does
Tell me that you're gonna change
Then act like this instead
I'm too old to want somebody who's always switching up their friends
I can't make you love me but at least you could pretend
Scrips gon' lead to fifths until I'm fucked out of my head
You play the same old songs, I know that you're different in your Air Force 1s
Filling my prescription, I could bite your tongue
Like I got an addiction, yeah
You always say this shit's gonna change, but it never does
Why? You only say you love me when you're high
It's like we go through the same shit every night
Oh why, oh why?
You always swear that it's gonna change, but it never does
Why? You'll only say you love me when you're high
It's like we go through the same shit every night
Oh why, oh why?
You always swear that shit's gonna change, but it never does
I know it's my fault, I pick up your phone calls
When it's half past one and you're halfway drunk
You say you love me and it sounds so dumb
But you're the only one I can't run away from
The same old songs, I know that you're different in your Air Force 1s
Filling my prescription, I could bite your tongue
Like I got an addiction, yeah
You always say this shit's gonna change, but it never does
Why? You only say you love me when you're high
It's like we go through the same shit every night
Oh why, oh why?
You always swear that it's gonna change, but it never does
Why? You'll only say you love me when you're high
It's like we go through the same shit every night
Oh why, oh why?
You always swear that shit's gonna change, but it never does
You always swear that shit's gonna change, but it never does
The Chainsmokers's song High is a portrayal of a relationship filled with ups and downs, where the love is only confessed when one is high. Drew Taggart and Emily Warren take turns to deliver the verses, reflecting the memories of the relationship gone bad. The song starts with the line "Why? You only say you love me when you're high," where Emily Warren addresses how the love is only mentioned when the high is bringing out the emotional side. The same situation repeatedly happens every night, and both of them realize how the promises made to change are never fulfilled. Warren's verse becomes a warning sign to Drew Taggart, who she asks to change and focus on building their future, instead of playing the same old songs and engaging in an addiction that leads to self-destruction.
The second verse is a story of Drew Taggart's helpless state, where he is too vulnerable to avoid picking up her calls in the middle of the night when intoxicated. The narrative is about a lover who knows she is not right for him but still can't resist her. Taggart mentions how he can't run away from her, confirming that their relationship is beyond repair. The song's repeated lines highlight the pattern of their failed relationship, where both parties are aware of the same mistakes, but nothing has changed. The lyrics showcase a sad reality where the promises of change are never fulfilled, and the pattern of breaking up and getting back together never ends.
Line by Line Meaning
Whoa, oh
Expressing excitement or amazement.
So far, so good
Things are going well at the moment.
Mm, oh, yeah
Sounds of agreement or acknowledgement.
Why? You only say you love me when you're high
Asking why the person only expresses love while under the influence of drugs.
It's like we go through the same shit every night
The relationship is stagnant and never progresses.
Oh why, oh why?
Repetition of the question, expressing frustration and confusion.
You always swear that it's gonna change, but it never does
The person promises to change but never follows through.
Tell me that you're gonna change
Asking for assurance that the person will make an effort to improve the relationship.
Then act like this instead
Actions speak louder than words, and the person is not living up to their promises.
I'm too old to want somebody who's always switching up their friends
A desire for stability and consistency in relationships.
I can't make you love me but at least you could pretend
A plea for the person to at least pretend to love them if they cannot genuinely do so.
Scrips gon' lead to fifths until I'm fucked out of my head
The use of prescription drugs leads to the person getting extremely intoxicated.
You play the same old songs, I know that you're different in your Air Force 1s
The person is trying to appear different and cool by wearing trendy shoes, but their behavior and actions remain the same.
Filling my prescription, I could bite your tongue
The use of prescription drugs leads to increased aggression and frustration.
Like I got an addiction, yeah
The person feels like they are addicted to the relationship and the cycle of false promises and disappointment.
I know it's my fault, I pick up your phone calls
The person acknowledges their own role in enabling the other's behavior.
When it's half past one and you're halfway drunk
The other person only reaches out when they are intoxicated.
You say you love me and it sounds so dumb
The person's expressions of love while under the influence seem meaningless to the other person.
But you're the only one I can't run away from
Despite the flaws in the relationship, the person is unable to leave.
You always swear that shit's gonna change, but it never does
Reiteration of the person's false promises and lack of follow-through.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Alexander J. Pall, Andrew Taggart, Ethan Snoreck, Jacob Kasher Hindlin, Jeff Halavacs, Natalie Salomon, Nicholas Alex Long
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@yiichou
Whoa, oh
So far, so good
Mm, oh, yeah
Why? You only say you love me when you're high
It's like we go through the same shit every night
Oh why, oh why?
You always swear that it's gonna change, but it never does
Why? You'll only say you love me when you're high
It's like we go through the same shit every night
Oh why, oh why?
You always swear that shit's gonna change, but it never does
Tell me that you're gonna change
Then act like this instead
I'm too old to want somebody who's always switching up their friends
I can't make you love me but at least you could pretend
Scrips gon' lead to fifths until I'm fucked out of my head
You play the same old songs, I know that you're different in your Air Force 1s
Filling my prescription, I could bite your tongue
Like I got an addiction, yeah
You always say this shit's gonna change, but it never does
Why? You only say you love me when you're high
It's like we go through the same shit every night
Oh why, oh why?
You always swear that it's gonna change, but it never does
Why? You'll only say you love me when you're high
It's like we go through the same shit every night
Oh why, oh why?
You always swear that shit's gonna change, but it never does
I know it's my fault, I pick up your phone calls
When it's half past one and you're halfway drunk
You say you love me and it sounds so dumb
But you're the only one I can't run away from
The same old songs, I know that you're different in your Air Force 1s
Filling my prescription, I could bite your tongue
Like I got an addiction, yeah
You always say this shit's gonna change, but it never does
Why? You only say you love me when you're high
It's like we go through the same shit every night
Oh why, oh why?
You always swear that it's gonna change, but it never does
Why? You'll only say you love me when you're high
It's like we go through the same shit every night
Oh why, oh why?
You always swear that shit's gonna change, but it never does
You always swear that shit's gonna change, but it never does
@jokshoks
Lyrics:
[Intro]
Whoa, oh
So far, so good
Mmm, oh, yep
[Chorus]
Why? You only say you love me when you’re high
It’s like we go through the same shit every night
Oh, why? Oh, why?
You always swear that it’s gonna change, but it never does
Why? You’ll only say you love me when you’re high
It’s like we go through the same shit every night
Oh, why? Oh, why?
You always swear that shit’s gonna change, but it never does
[Verse 1]
Tell me that you’re gonna change then act like this instead
I’m too old to want somebody who’s always switching up their friends
I can’t make you love me, but at least you could pretend
Scrips gonna lead to fifths until I’m fucked out of my head
[Pre-Chorus]
You play the same old songs
I know that you’re different in your Air Force 1’s
Filling my prescription, I could bite your tongue
Like I got an addiction, yeah
You always say that shit’s gonna change, but it never does
[Chorus]
Why? You’ll only say you love me when you’re high
It’s like we go through the same shit every night
Oh, why? Oh, why?
You always swear that it’s gonna change, but it never does
Why? You’ll only say you love me when you’re high
It’s like we go through the same shit every night
Oh, why? Oh, why?
You always swear that shit’s gonna change, but it never does
[Verse 2]
I know it’s my fault, I pick up your phone calls
When it’s half past one and you’re halfway drunk
You say you love me and it sounds so dumb
But you’re the only one I can’t run away from
[Pre-Chorus]
The same old songs
I know that you’re different in your Air Force 1’s
Filling my prescription, I could bite your tongue
Like I got an addiction, yeah
You always say that shit’s gonna change, but it never does
[Chorus]
Why? You only say you love me when you’re high
It’s like we go through the same shit every night
Oh, why? Oh, why?
You always swear that it’s gonna change, but it never does
Why? You’ll only say you love me when you’re high
It’s like we go through the same shit every night
Oh, why? Oh, why?
You always swear that shit’s gonna change, but it never does
[Outro]
(You’ll only say you love me when you’re h-h-h-, it never does)
You always swear that shit’s gonna change, but it never does
@mrcquizchannel
"High"
Whoa, whoa
So far, so good
Mhmm, mhm, mhm, yep
Why? You'll only say you love me when you're high
It's like we go through the same shit every night
Oh why, oh why?
You always swear that it's gonna change, but it never does
Why? You'll only say you love me when you're high
It's like we go through the same shit every night
Oh why, oh why?
You always swear that shit's gonna change, but it never does
Tell me that you're gonna change then act like this instead
I'm too old to want somebody who's always switching up their friends
I can't make you love me but at least you could pretend
Scrips gonna lead to fifths until I'm fucked out of my head
You play the same old songs
I know that you're different in your Air Force Ones
Filling my prescription, I could bite your tongue
Like I got an addiction, yeah
You always say this shit's gonna change, but it never does
Why? You'll only say you love me when you're high
It's like we go through the same shit every night
Oh why, oh why?
You always swear that it's gonna change, but it never does
Why? You'll only say you love me when you're high
It's like we go through the same shit every night
Oh why, oh why?
You always swear that shit's gonna change, but it never does
I know it's my fault, I pick up your phone calls
When it's half past one and you're halfway drunk
You say you love me and it sounds so dumb
But truly you're the only one I can't run away from
The same old songs
I know that you're different in your Air Force Ones
Filling my prescription I could bite your tongue
Like I got an addiction, yeah
You always say this shit's gonna change, but it never does
Why? You'll only say you love me when you're high
It's like we go through the same shit every night
Oh why, oh why?
You always swear that it's gonna change, but it never does
Why? You'll only say you love me when you're high
It's like we go through the same shit every night
Oh why, oh why?
You always swear that shit's gonna change, but it never does
You always swear that shit's gonna change, but it never does
@DANY04YT
High -the chainsmokers (lyrics)
[Intro]
Whoa, oh
So far, so good
Mmm, oh, yep
[Chorus]
Why? You only say you love me when you're high
It's like we go through the same shit every night
Oh, why? Oh, why?
You always swear that it's gonna change, but it never does
Why? You'll only say you love me when you're high
It's like we go through the same shit every night
Oh, why? Oh, why?
You always swear that shit's gonna change, but it never does
[Verse 1]
Tell me that you're gonna change then act like this instead
I'm too old to want somebody who's always switching up their friends
I can't make you love me, but at least you could pretend
Scrips gonna lead to fifths until I'm fucked out of my head
[Pre-Chorus]
You play the same old songs
I know that you're different in your Air Force 1's
Filling my prescription, I could bite your tongue
Like I got an addiction, yeah
You always say that shit's gonna change, but it never does
@oooOng
Love every song 🤟🤟🤟
@flymelodies1503
https://youtu.be/7SIGZLxrryw
@warriorprinces3333
same
@andreww3965
Yes This song is so good! I just tried making my own song inspired by him its in my Playlist
tell me how you feel about it Good /Bad
I would love to hear back from you.. .❤.
@justsomepersononyoutube9271
Same
@familiavelhote
My favorite song!
@user-nf5qp3gb8b
🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
@elizabethshelly2845
Same
@thatswhyiquit3260
Same
@yiichou
Whoa, oh
So far, so good
Mm, oh, yeah
Why? You only say you love me when you're high
It's like we go through the same shit every night
Oh why, oh why?
You always swear that it's gonna change, but it never does
Why? You'll only say you love me when you're high
It's like we go through the same shit every night
Oh why, oh why?
You always swear that shit's gonna change, but it never does
Tell me that you're gonna change
Then act like this instead
I'm too old to want somebody who's always switching up their friends
I can't make you love me but at least you could pretend
Scrips gon' lead to fifths until I'm fucked out of my head
You play the same old songs, I know that you're different in your Air Force 1s
Filling my prescription, I could bite your tongue
Like I got an addiction, yeah
You always say this shit's gonna change, but it never does
Why? You only say you love me when you're high
It's like we go through the same shit every night
Oh why, oh why?
You always swear that it's gonna change, but it never does
Why? You'll only say you love me when you're high
It's like we go through the same shit every night
Oh why, oh why?
You always swear that shit's gonna change, but it never does
I know it's my fault, I pick up your phone calls
When it's half past one and you're halfway drunk
You say you love me and it sounds so dumb
But you're the only one I can't run away from
The same old songs, I know that you're different in your Air Force 1s
Filling my prescription, I could bite your tongue
Like I got an addiction, yeah
You always say this shit's gonna change, but it never does
Why? You only say you love me when you're high
It's like we go through the same shit every night
Oh why, oh why?
You always swear that it's gonna change, but it never does
Why? You'll only say you love me when you're high
It's like we go through the same shit every night
Oh why, oh why?
You always swear that shit's gonna change, but it never does
You always swear that shit's gonna change, but it never does