The piano chords are also re-introduced, with a low pas filter opening up over the duration of the bridge, which add depth to the synth stab chords.
The bridge is all about building anticipation of the chorus, and here the drums are in full swing: The finger clicks are replaced with a powerful clap layered over a subtle snare (the snare adds weight and lower frequencies), and a hi hat pattern gives the track some groove. The second part of the first verse builds into the bridge using a syncopated clap rhythm, and once again you can hear the main riff hinted at. The contrast of the introduction’s reverb is really powerful, as all the sounds in this section are quite “dry”. The male singer sings the first verse, which reinforces the kick’s rhythm and dances around it.
However, the piano chords from the intro disappear and are replaced by synth stab chords, with tight filter and amplitude envelopes. The entire track only uses one chord sequence (Db9 – Eb6 – Fm7 – Eb), so it’s continued into the first verse. This lets you know what song it is straight away, and teases you with a hint of what’s to come. Not only that, but you can also hear the main hook suggested quietly in the background. These set the tone and rhythm for the whole track. For “Closer”, The Chainsmokers start by filtering in the piano chords (with reverb). This means introductions are short and distinctive. The term “Don’t bore us, get to the chorus!” really means what it says: On radio you only have a few seconds to grab the attention of a listener. Here is the arrangement diagram on Google Sheets (view image below or click here to download).Īs this is a “made-for-radio” track (as opposed to a club track), the intro is short and sweet. The result is a catchy, punchy song that hinges on these three simple – but powerful – ideas. The third strong element is the chorus and vocal hook, which are memorable and easy to sing, largely because they mimic the melody exactly. the piano chords, the synth chords, the bass line and the main melody). The second is the rhythm: The simple kick pattern underpins the track, and almost all the main elements reinforce this pattern (i.e. It’s also extremely simple and memorable). This exact layering and repetition of the melody drives it into the listener’s brain. There are a few key elements which make it as strong as it is: The first is the main melody (which is played by synths as well as being sung by both the male singer AND the female singer. The Chainsmokers’ smash hit “Closer” is a slow-paced, expertly constructed EDM / Pop crossover song. It also became only the second song in the history of the Hot 100 chart to spend 32 weeks in the top ten of the chart.(If you want more info on chords and how they work, check this out) The song went on to become the first song to spend 26 weeks in the top five of the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Outside of the United States, "Closer" topped the charts in more than ten countries including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Ireland and the United Kingdom, making it both the Chainsmokers' and Halsey's first number-one single in all six countries. The Chainsmokers became the first act to have four songs ("Closer" being the fourth) that top the Dance/Electronic Songs chart, passing Calvin Harris, who held the previous record with three. The song stayed at the top spot for 12 consecutive weeks. In the United States, "Closer" became both the Chainsmokers' and Halsey's first number one single on the Billboard Hot 100. Musically, it is a future bass and pop song with a "retro" style synthesizer in the chorus. The song was written by Taggart, Halsey, Shaun Frank, Freddy Kennett, Isaac Slade and Joe King, while the production was handled by the Chainsmokers. It was released on July 29, 2016, through Disruptor Records and Columbia Records. Andrew Taggart (one half of the Chainsmokers) also provides his vocals in the song. "Closer" is a song by American DJ duo the Chainsmokers featuring American singer Halsey.