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.
The One
The Chainsmokers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I won't make it to your party
Got caught up in my own selfishness
It won't let me be a part of this
And I know I've started
Drifting off every second
I can't wait to leave as soon as I arrive
I count the seconds
Down and down we go
We'll torch this place we know
Before one of us takes a chance
And breaks this, I won't be the one
No, I won't be the one
I know it's pathetic
Fuck it, yeah, I said it
Tried to tell it like it is
There's a chance that I'll regret it, so
Let's go, let's end this
I delete before I send it
And we can play pretend
Like we haven't reached the end yet
Down and down we go
And we'll torch this place we know
Before one of us takes a chance
And breaks this, I won't be the one
No, I won't be the one
(You know, I'm sorry)
(I'm sorry)
No, I won't be the one
No, I won't be the one
The Chainsmokers's song The One delves into the theme of self-realization and regrets. The lyrics suggest that the persona feels apologetic for not being present at an event, but they have caught up in their own selfishness. They feel like they have drifted off and cannot wait to leave the place as soon as they arrive. The persona counts the seconds and decides that they won't be the one to take a chance and break the thing that they already have. They acknowledge that it is pathetic but decide to end things.
Considerably, the song is autobiographical and tells a story of how the duo, Andrew Taggart and Alex Pall, juggled fame with their real-life relationships. In an interview, they share how the song is about their struggles with balancing personal relationships with constant travel and their passionate work. As much as they do not wish to be a part of the mess, they get caught up in it without their consent.
One notable statement in the song is, "And we can play pretend like we haven't reached the end yet." This suggests that the persona and the other party know that their relationship cannot continue, but they decide to deny that it has ended. This way, they can fool themselves into believing that it is still active, even as the affection fades away. The song's chorus, "And we'll torch this place we know," refers to the idea that they will destroy everything they have worked for and go out with a bang.
Line by Line Meaning
You know, I'm sorry
I express remorse for my actions towards you
I won't make it to your party
I will not attend your event
Got caught up in my own selfishness
I became too focused on my own desires and needs
It won't let me be a part of this
My selfishness prevents me from fully participating
And I know I've started
I am aware that I have begun to distance myself
Drifting off every second
My attention is slipping away constantly
I can't wait to leave as soon as I arrive
I am looking forward to departing right after arriving
I count the seconds
I am constantly checking the time, waiting for my chance to leave
Down and down we go
Our situation is getting worse and worse
We'll torch this place we know
We will cause destruction to what we have built
Before one of us takes a chance
Before one of us risks making a change
And breaks this, I won't be the one
I refuse to be the one to initiate the end of this relationship
I know it's pathetic
I am aware that my behavior is sad and disappointing
Fuck it, yeah, I said it
I am speaking bluntly and without filter
Tried to tell it like it is
I attempted to speak the truth about our situation
There's a chance that I'll regret it, so
I may come to regret what I have said
Let's go, let's end this
I am ready for us to put an end to our relationship
I delete before I send it
I erase what I have written before sending it
And we can play pretend
We can pretend that things are still okay
Like we haven't reached the end yet
As if we have not yet come to the end of our relationship
No, I won't be the one
I refuse to take responsibility for ending our relationship
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Scott Harris, Andrew Taggart, Emily Warren
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lucaas
Lyrics:
[Verse 1]
You know, I'm sorry
I won't make it to your party
Got caught up in my own selfishness
It won't let me be a part of this
And I know I've started
Drifting off every second
I can't wait to leave as soon as I arrive
I count the seconds
[Chorus]
Down and down we go
We'll torch this place we know
Before one of us takes a chance
And breaks this, I won't be the one
No, I won't be the one
[Verse 2]
I know it's pathetic
Fuck it, yeah, I said it
Tried to tell it like it is
There's a chance that I'll regret it, so
Let's go, let's end this
I delete before I send it
And we can play pretend
Like we haven't reached the end yet
[Chorus]
Down and down we go
And we'll torch this place we know
Before one of us takes a chance
And breaks this, I won't be the one
No, I won't be the one
(You know, I'm sorry)
(I'm sorry)
No, I won't be the one
No, I won't be the one
Great song! :)
@daniellee2433
The Chainsmokers - The One (Audio) Lyrics
[Verse 1]
You know, I'm sorry
I won't make it to your party
Got caught up in my own selfishness
It won't let me be a part of this
And I know I've started
Drifting off every second
I can't wait to leave as soon as I arrive
I count the seconds
[Chorus]
Down and down we go
We'll torch this place we know
Before one of us takes a chance
And breaks this, I won't be the one
No, I won't be the one
[Verse 2]
I know it's pathetic
Fuck it, yeah, I said it
Tried to tell it like it is
There's a chance that I'll regret it, so
Let's go, let's end this
I delete before I send it
And we can play pretend
Like we haven't reached the end yet
[Chorus]
Down and down we go
And we'll torch this place we know
Before one of us takes a chance
And breaks this, I won't be the one
No, I won't be the one
[Breakdown]
(You know, I'm sorry)
(I'm sorry)
No, I won't be the one
No, I won't be the one
@adamalms
For those who wants to sing along :)
You know, I'm sorry
I won't make it to your party
Got caught up in my own selfishness
It won't let me be a part of this
And I know I've started
Drifting off every second
I can't wait to leave as soon as I arrive
I count the seconds
Down and down we go
We'll torch this place we know
Before one of us takes a chance
And breaks this, I won't be the one
No, I won't be the one
I know it's pathetic
Fuck it, yeah, I said it
Tried to tell it like it is
There's a chance that I'll regret it, so
Let's go, let's end this
I delete before I send it
And we can play pretend
Like we haven't reached the end yet
Down and down we go
We'll torch this place we know
Before one of us takes a chance
And breaks this, I won't be the one
No, I won't be the one
(You know, I'm sorry)
(I'm sorry)
No, I won't be the one
No, I won't be the one
@magdalenagodyn6910
You know, I'm sorry
I won't make it to your party
Got caught up in my own selfishness
It won't let me be a part of this
And I know I've started
Drifting off every second
I can't wait to leave as soon as I arrive
I count the seconds
Down and down we go
We'll torch this place we know
Before one of us takes a chance
And breaks this. I won't be the one
No, I won't be the one
I know it's pathetic
Fuck it, yeah, I said it
Tried to tell it like it is
There's a chance that I'll regret it, so
Let's go, let's end this
I delete before I send it
And we can play pretend
Like we haven't reached the end yet
Down and down we go
And we'll torch this place we know
Before one of us takes a chance
And breaks this. I won't be the one
No, I won't be the one
~~~~♫♫♫ ~~~~
(You know, I'm sorry)
(I'm sorry)
No, I won't be the one
No, I won't be the one
@dannypadilla
Loving the chill vibes of this track. It's a breath of fresh air to hear a track this different from the Chainsmokers' standard sound.
@KimLyrics
Danny Padilla OMG Danny love your videos😍❤❤
@dannypadilla
KimLyrics well thank you 😊
@lopezaustriapaolafernanda2446
❤❤❤❤😍😍😍
@raymondbronkhorst3816
Nope still boring
@estefaniaramirez6291
Danny Padilla
@Fusionade
It’s crazy, I can remember the exact day this came out and what I was doing when I first came across this release. I don’t understand why this song means so much to me but it just..does. wild.
@philipjensen9693
Totally relate!!!! I remeber the Day
@YS-eu4ne
Holy shit that’s insane cus I was thinking of the day it came out as well while reading the comments and I just came across yours!
@farrelbaskara4856
I feel u