It happened at the 2017 BRIT Awards. A surprise drop that basically blew the roof off the O2 Arena. No one really saw the Chris Martin and Chainsmokers pairing coming until it was already happening. Something Just Like This wasn't just another radio hit; it was a massive collision between the reigning kings of "frat-hop" EDM and the biggest stadium rock band on the planet.
Some critics hated it. They called it formulaic. But you know what? The numbers didn't care. It stayed on the Billboard Hot 100 for 39 weeks. People still blast it at weddings, graduations, and gym sessions nearly a decade later.
There's a specific magic in how Alex Pall and Drew Taggart managed to blend their signature four-on-the-floor drop with Chris Martin's earnest, almost childlike lyrics about superheroes. It’s a weirdly humble song for such a massive production. It’s not about being a god or a legend. It’s about being "kinda" normal.
The Anatomy of the Drop
Music theorists often point out that Something Just Like This follows the exact same structural blueprint as the Chainsmokers' previous mega-hit, "Roses." If you listen closely, the synth lead in the chorus hits almost the same rhythmic pockets.
It’s a simple $4/4$ time signature. Nothing fancy. But the layering is where the work happened. The track starts with those muted, pulsing piano chords—very classic Coldplay—before the electronic percussion starts to bleed in. By the time the chorus hits, the "future bass" wobble that defined the mid-2010s takes over.
Music producer Rick Beato has often talked about how modern hits rely on "the hook before the hook." In this case, it’s that high-pitched synth melody that follows the vocal line. It’s an earworm. Honestly, it’s annoying if you hear it too many times, but it’s scientifically designed to stay in your brain.
Why the Lyrics Actually Matter
We should talk about the Achilles, Hercules, and Spider-Man references.
Chris Martin has this knack for writing lyrics that sound like a bedtime story but feel like an anthem. By listing off these legendary figures and then admitting he doesn't see himself among them, he tapped into a universal insecurity. Most EDM songs of that era were about partying until the sun came up or being "untouchable." This was the opposite. It was a song about wanting someone to love you even if you aren't a superhero.
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That vulnerability is likely why it survived the initial wave of EDM-pop fatigue.
The Lyric Video Phenomenon
You can't talk about Something Just Like This without mentioning the lyric video. Directed by James Zwadlo, it used a distinct hand-drawn animation style that stood out in a sea of high-budget, live-action music videos.
It currently has over 2.2 billion views on YouTube.
Think about that. Two billion. That’s not just people listening to the song; that’s a visual identity that became synonymous with the track. The animation featured a young boy in a cape, reinforcing that "ordinary hero" theme. It gave the song a nostalgic, "lifestyle" feel rather than just a club vibe.
The Chainsmokers were masters of the lyric video era. They realized early on that people use YouTube as a free streaming service, and having a visually engaging—but cheap to produce—video was a literal goldmine.
The Critic Backlash vs. Commercial Reality
Pitchfork and other "high-brow" outlets were pretty brutal toward The Chainsmokers during this era. They were often viewed as the "Nickelback of EDM." There was a lot of talk about how their music was "disposable" or "too commercial."
But the collaboration with Coldplay gave them a weird kind of legitimacy. Coldplay doesn't just work with anybody. Chris Martin is notoriously picky about who gets the "Coldplay" stamp of approval. By bridging the gap between the Coachella crowd and the Glastonbury crowd, the song became a bridge between two very different generations of fans.
Performance and Legacy
When they performed it at the 2017 BRITs, it wasn't perfect. It was loud, chaotic, and Chris Martin was jumping around like a man possessed. But it felt live. In an era where EDM performances were often just guys pressing "play" on a laptop, seeing a full band integrate with the DJ decks was a shift.
It paved the way for more "hybrid" performances we see now from artists like Marshmello or Illenium, who bring out live drummers and guitarists to fill out the sound.
Is It Still Relevant?
Yes. Go check Spotify. The song consistently sits in the top tier of both artists' "Popular" lists. It’s a staple of "Feel Good" playlists.
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The production holds up because it isn't overly cluttered. It uses space effectively. There are moments of silence—or at least relative quiet—that make the eventual drop feel earned rather than forced.
If you're a songwriter or a producer looking at this track today, the takeaway isn't to copy the synth sound. That sound is dated. The takeaway is the relatability of the narrative. People want to feel like they are enough, even if they can't fly or stop a speeding train.
How to Apply the "Chainsmokers Method" to Your Own Projects
If you're creating content, music, or even a brand, there are three specific lessons to pull from the success of Something Just Like This that actually work in the real world:
- The Power of the Unexpected Pivot: If you’re known for one thing (like "Bro-EDM"), collaborate with someone who brings the exact opposite energy (like a sensitive Brit-pop singer). Contrast creates friction, and friction creates interest.
- Visual Storytelling on a Budget: You don't need a million-dollar film crew. The hand-drawn aesthetic of the lyric video proved that a strong, consistent art style can outperform a generic high-def video any day.
- Keep the "Entry Point" Low: The song uses simple language and a familiar structure. Don't make your audience work too hard to understand what you're trying to say. Give them a "hook before the hook" to keep them engaged while you deliver the actual message.
The next time you hear that pulsing piano intro, don't just dismiss it as another pop song. It’s a masterclass in commercial crossover and emotional branding. It works because it’s simple, and honestly, simple is the hardest thing to get right.