It’s hard to imagine the 2010s without Closer—that dreamy, nostalgic synth-pop banger that dominated the airwaves and basically became a millennial anthem. But according to The Chainsmokers, the song that catapulted them into full-blown pop superstardom almost never happened.
In a recent reveal that feels like music industry trivia gold, Andrew Taggart shared that the track’s beat was originally born during a session with Freddy Kennett from Louis the Child. Later, the co-writing process with Canadian DJ Shaun Frank took shape—and here’s the kicker: it was Frank who pushed Taggart to step out from behind the decks and lay down vocals for the first time. That nudge changed everything. Taggart went from behind-the-scenes producer to front-and-center performer, setting the tone for The Chainsmokers’ future.
The core of Closer was inspired by a throwback night filled with Blink-182 and hazy memories of summer heartbreaks. They were chasing the emotional energy of those messy, intense reunions you have in your early twenties—the kind that leave you equal parts devastated and euphoric. It was that vibe they captured so well.
Now, here's a plot twist: the original plan was to feature Camila Cabello on the track. Yep. But due to scheduling conflicts, the opportunity slipped, and Halsey stepped in. Turns out, that “missed” connection was actually magic in disguise. The dual vocals between Taggart and Halsey created a push-and-pull dynamic that helped make the song so emotionally gripping.
Of course, no mega-hit escapes some drama. After Closer took off, similarities to The Fray’s Over My Head (Cable Car) surfaced, leading to retroactive songwriting credit. It stirred the usual industry debate: where’s the line between influence and imitation? But regardless of how you slice it, the result was a track that shaped the pop-EDM crossover wave for years to come.
Looking back, Closer was lightning in a bottle—a product of chance collaborations, missed schedules, and bold creative risks. And in a world of algorithmic hits and TikTok trends, it’s a reminder that sometimes the best tracks come from just vibing with your friends, trying something new, and seeing where the night takes you.