The Chainsmokers and Halsey’s nostalgic EDM-pop collaboration released July 29, 2016, that became one of the longest-running #1 hits of the decade, spending 12 weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100.
The Formula
“Closer” combined The Chainsmokers’ drop-heavy EDM production with Halsey’s emotive vocals and nostalgic lyrics about a college romance. The song’s conversational delivery (“Hey, I was doing just fine before I met you”) and vivid details (mattress on the floor, stealing your parents’ liquor) made it instantly relatable to millennials.
The lyrics referenced specific details like a “blink-182” tattoo and a “Range Rover,” creating a complete narrative of young love and nostalgia that resonated across demographics.
Chart Dominance
“Closer” spent 12 consecutive weeks at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, tying for the longest-running #1 of 2016. It became the first song by a duo to spend that long at #1 since Boyz II Men in the 1990s.
The song was ubiquitous throughout late 2016 and 2017, playing in stores, clubs, radio, and streaming playlists. It earned three Grammy nominations and sold over 10 million copies in the US alone.
Cultural Impact
“Closer” defined the EDM-pop crossover era and proved The Chainsmokers could create massive radio hits. The song’s nostalgia-driven lyrics influenced countless imitators and became a cultural touchstone of mid-2010s pop.
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