In 2015, they issued the Bouquet EP on Disruptor Records, a softer and more indie-flavored effort that featured the single "Roses," which was certified double-platinum and hit number one on the Top Dance Songs chart. The song also earned the Chainsmokers nominations for the Billboard Music Awards in the Top Dance/Electronic Artist and Top Dance/Electronic Song categories. After playing over 300 shows in 2015, including dates at festivals like Lollapalooza, Firefly, Tomorrowland, and Ultra, the duo returned in 2016 with the platinum-certified "Don't Let Me Down," a collaboration with Pittsburgh pop singer Daya that topped the Billboard dance chart and would later win a Grammy. That year, the Chainsmokers also performed as part of the Tilt Tour, the first ever fan-sourced tour. In addition, Pall and Taggart host two SiriusXM shows: Nice Hair, a monthly mix; and the weekly YouTube EDM 15.
The follow-up single to "Don't Let Me Down" would carry the duo to new heights. Featuring Halsey on vocals, "Closer" began its slow climb to the top of the singles chart in the summer of 2016. Once it hit number one, it remained in the top spot for over ten weeks, breaking the record previously held by Drake's "One Dance." As their chart dominance continued, they released the Collage EP, which joined their two Top Three singles with new collaborations featuring Phoebe Ryan, XYLØ, and Charlee. Their debut record, Memories: Do Not Open, arrived in 2017. Featuring guests Emily Warren, Jhene Aiko, Florida Georgia Line, and hit singles "Paris" and the Coldplay collaboration "Something Just Like This," Memories debuted at the top of the Billboard chart. At the start of 2018, the pair veered in a more contemplative and lyrical direction with the single "Sick Boy," which landed on the EP of the same name. Sick Boy debuted on the Billboard 200 just outside the Top 50.
Honest
The Chainsmokers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm supposed to call you, but I don't know what to say at all
And there's this girl, she wants me to take her home
She don't really love me though, I'm just on the radio
And I'm not gonna tell you that I'm over it
'Cause I think about it every night I'm not sober, and
I know I keep these feelings to myself
But you're not the only one on my mind
If I'm being honest
If I'm being honest
You said I should be honest
So I'm being honest
It's 6 AM, I'm so far away from you
I don't wanna let you down, what am I supposed to do?
It's been three weeks at least, now, since I've been gone
And I don't even like the road, I'm just on the radio
And I'm not gonna tell you that I'm over it
'Cause I think about it every night I'm not sober, and
I know I keep these feelings to myself
Like I don't need nobody else
But you're not the only one on my mind
If I'm being honest
If I'm being honest
You said I should be honest
So I'm being honest
And I'm not gonna tell you that I'm over it
'Cause I think about it every night I'm not sober, and
I know I keep these feelings to myself
Like I don't need nobody else
But you're not the only one on my mind
If I'm being honest
If I'm being honest
You said I should be honest
So I'm being honest
If I'm being honest
The lyrics to The Chainsmokers's song Honest tell the story of a person who finds themselves in a difficult situation. The song happens at 5 am, and the singer is on the radio, wanting to call someone. They don't know what to say because they have a girl who wants to go home with them, but they don't love her. They admit to keeping their feelings to themselves, but they think about them every night when they're not sober. The singer is honest about having other people on their mind, and they admit that they're not over a particular person.
As the song progresses to 6 am, the singer finds themselves far away from the person they're supposed to call. They're on the road, which they don't like, but they have been gone for almost three weeks. The singer doesn't want to let the person down, but they don't know what they're supposed to do. They admit to keeping their feelings to themselves despite having other people on their mind.
Overall, the song is about admitting one's feelings without holding back, even though it might be difficult. It touches on the idea of wanting to be honest with someone but not knowing how they're going to react.
Line by Line Meaning
It's 5 AM and I'm on the radio
I'm up very early and broadcasting on the radio
I'm supposed to call you, but I don't know what to say at all
I have a responsibility to call you, but I'm unsure of what to say
And there's this girl, she wants me to take her home
There's a girl who wants me to drive her home
She don't really love me though, I'm just on the radio
She's not interested in me romantically, she's just a fan of my radio show
And I'm not gonna tell you that I'm over it
I won't lie to you and say that I'm completely over something
'Cause I think about it every night I'm not sober, and
Because I can't stop thinking about it when I'm not sober (drunk)
I know I keep these feelings to myself
I usually keep my emotions to myself
Like I don't need nobody else
It's like I don't need anyone else
But you're not the only one on my mind
You're not the only person I think about
If I'm being honest
If I'm being truthful
If I'm being honest
If I'm being truthful
You said I should be honest
You advised me to be truthful
So I'm being honest
So I'm being truthful
It's 6 AM, I'm so far away from you
It's 6 AM and I'm far away from you
I don't wanna let you down, what am I supposed to do?
I don't want to disappoint you, but I'm not sure what to do
It's been three weeks at least, now, since I've been gone
It's been at least three weeks since I left
And I don't even like the road, I'm just on the radio
I don't even enjoy traveling, I just do it for my radio job
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Audra Butts, Shaun Charles Frank, Andrew Taggart
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jp Pj
Honest"
It's 5 a.m. and I'm on the radio
I'm supposed to call you, but I don't know what to say at all
And there's this girl, she wants me to take her home
She don't really love me though, I'm just on the radio
And I'm not gonna tell you that I'm over it
'Cause I think about it every night I'm not sober, and
I know I keep these feelings to myself
Like I don't need nobody else
But you're not the only one on my mind
If I'm being honest
If I'm being honest
You said I should be honest
So I'm being honest
It's 6 a.m., I'm so far away from you
I don't wanna let you down, what am I supposed to do?
It's been three weeks at least, now, since I've been gone
And I don't even like the road, I'm just on the radio
And I'm not gonna tell you that I'm over it
'Cause I think about it every night I'm not sober, and
I know I keep these feelings to myself
Like I don't need nobody else
But you're not the only one on my mind
If I'm being honest
If I'm being honest
You said I should be honest
So I'm being honest
And I'm not gonna tell you that I'm over it
'Cause I think about it every night I'm not sober, and
I know I keep these feelings to myself
Like I don't need nobody else
But you're not the only one on my mind
If I'm being honest
If I'm being honest
You said I should be honest
So I'm being honest
If I'm being honest
Chucky
This song is so under rated. This song has so much Emotion.
Joe Nowak
Very underrated. It was only on the radio for like a month when it came out 2 years ago! This is one of my favs
Bri Lew
Thank you for acknowledging. 💙
Gonçalo Fernandes
agree
PrometheusTV
Yeah when he said woah, I felt that.
gorton lee
This is my fav too
Hemant Baldeosingh
Watched them performed this live in Forest Hills Stadium and honestly it was amazing! Well performed and such a stunning concert! xo
RODRIGO SOLLA
Omg this song is so underrated, this song means the world to me. My girlfriend and me used to listen this song together, we both loved this song and this masterpiece keeped us together for a long time. Now that she is gone I remember this song like this type of songs that you won't never forget and you will never be tired of love it. Thanks for making my life better The chainsmokers, you are the best 🤟💕
Pd: sorry for my English, love from Spain 🙏🏼🇪🇸❤️
JOEL AKUTAM ABUOSI
this song is really great to listen to especially at dawn when it's all quite...it's so soothing!!
TallDark Handsome
Another great song from these guys. Always catchy.