You’ve probably been in a crowded bar or a messy dorm room when that specific drop hits. The one where Drew Taggart’s voice starts trailing off about staying in Paris, and then that massive, anthemic hook kicks in: "If we go down, then we go down together."
It’s a line that felt like a manifesto for millennials and Gen Z back in 2017. But here’s the thing—if you’re searching for "Chainsmokers We Go Down Together," you’re actually looking for their hit single Paris.
It is kind of funny how song titles work. Sometimes a lyric is so much more powerful than the actual name of the track that the internet just collectively decides to rename it.
The Mystery of the Song Title
Let's get the record straight. There isn't technically a song in the discography officially titled "We Go Down Together." That iconic line is the emotional backbone of Paris, which was the lead single for their debut studio album, Memories... Do Not Open.
Released in January 2017, the track wasn't just another EDM banger. It marked a massive shift for Alex Pall and Drew Taggart. They were moving away from the "Selfie" era and even the high-energy drop of "Don't Let Me Down," leaning into something moodier and more narrative-driven.
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The phrase "we go down together" carries this "us against the world" energy that resonated during a pretty chaotic time in pop culture. It’s about loyalty, even when that loyalty is probably a bad idea.
What "Paris" Is Actually About (It’s Not Just a City)
A lot of people think the song is a literal travelogue. It’s not. In fact, The Chainsmokers have been pretty open about the fact that they wrote the lyrics in Stockholm, not France.
The "Paris" in the song is a metaphor.
Drew Taggart explained that the song was inspired by a friend of his who was struggling with a drug addiction. For that friend, "Paris" represented a mental state—a place where everything felt okay and romanticized, even while their actual life was falling apart.
When they sing about "staying in Paris" to "get away from your parents," they aren't talking about a vacation. They're talking about escapism. That's why the line "if we go down, then we go down together" feels so heavy. It’s about two people who are willing to sink into a bad situation as long as they have each other.
Why the Track Hit So Hard in 2017
You have to remember what the music scene looked like then. We were right in the middle of the "pouty-pop" era. Everything was a bit hazy, a bit nostalgic, and very mid-tempo.
- The Vibe: It had that "indie-pop" guitar riff that felt more like The 1975 than David Guetta.
- The Vocals: Drew Taggart took the lead, but there’s a secret weapon on the track: Emily Warren.
- The Uncredited Feature: If you listen closely to the female background vocals, that’s Emily. She’s the songwriter behind many of their hits, and her voice adds that ghostly, ethereal layer that makes the "we go down together" hook so catchy.
Honestly, the song was everywhere. It peaked at number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100. It became the anthem for every "toxic but loyal" relationship on Instagram and Tumblr.
Common Misconceptions and Search Mix-ups
Because the hook is so dominant, people often mix up "Paris" with other tracks from that same album. Memories... Do Not Open was packed with songs about failing relationships and late-night regrets.
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If you’re humming a different Chainsmokers tune, you might be thinking of:
- It Won't Kill Ya: Featuring French singer Louane (who, interestingly, just represented France in Eurovision 2025). This one is more about a night out and the tension of wanting to talk to someone.
- The One: The melancholy album opener about being a bad friend because you're too busy with work.
- Last Day Alive: The collaboration with Florida Georgia Line. It has a similar "end of the world" vibe but with a country-pop twist.
But none of those have the specific "we go down together" payoff. That belongs strictly to the world of "Paris."
The Legacy of the "We Go Down Together" Lyric
Looking back from 2026, it’s easy to see "Paris" as the peak of the Chainsmokers' cultural dominance. They managed to capture a very specific feeling of millennial nihilism.
It’s a song about being "clever" and "better" than the people judging you, even if you’re actually just making mistakes. That’s why it still gets millions of streams. It’s relatable. Everyone has had that one person they’d be willing to "go down" with, regardless of the consequences.
If you’re looking to dive deeper into this era of music, start by revisiting the Memories... Do Not Open tracklist in order. It actually tells a bit of a story about a relationship disintegrating from start to finish. You should also check out Emily Warren's solo work; hearing the "hidden" voice of The Chainsmokers' biggest hits gives the songs a whole new perspective.
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To truly appreciate the production, listen to the "Paris" stems or a live acoustic version. Stripping away the synth reveals how much the song relies on that simple, recurring guitar melody and the sincerity in the lyrics.