Don't Let Me Down (The Chainsmokers song)
"Don't Let Me Down" | ||||||||||
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Single by The Chainsmokers featuring Daya | ||||||||||
from the album Collage | ||||||||||
Released | February 5, 2016 | |||||||||
Format | Digital download | |||||||||
Recorded | 2015 | |||||||||
Genre | Trap[1] | |||||||||
Length | 3:28 | |||||||||
Label | ||||||||||
Writer(s) |
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Producer(s) | The Chainsmokers | |||||||||
The Chainsmokers singles chronology | ||||||||||
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"Don't Let Me Down" is a song by American production duo The Chainsmokers. The song features the vocals of American singer Daya, and was released on February 5, 2016, by Disruptor Records and Columbia Records.[1][2] The song was written by Andrew Taggart, Emily Warren and Scott Harris. Musically, it is a dance-pop song with trap influences.
"Don't Let Me Down" became both The Chainsmokers' and Daya's first top five single on the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number three. It also became The Chainsmokers' second consecutive top 10 entry after "Roses", which peaked at number six. It reached the top 10 in several countries, including Australia, Austria, Canada, Germany, New Zealand, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. A set of remixes for the song, was released on April 15, 2016. A music video for the song was released on April 29, 2016, with appearances from The Chainsmokers and Daya.
Background and composition
In an interview, Taggart stated that he first created the drop during a flight. The duo later added a "big, echoey guitar sound" to the song, inspired by the bands the xx and Explosions in the Sky, by using a Fender electric guitar and a software plugin. Emily Warren and Scott Harris convened with the duo to create the melody and lyrics. However, the vocalist was not chosen until Taggart heard Daya's "Hide Away", after which the duo enlisted her to record the vocals in the studio.[3]
The key of the song was originally a step lower, but the duo changed it in order to better accommodate Daya's range. The third drop, which includes the saxophone, was created later in the process.[3] The song has a double-time tempo of 80 beats per minute and a key of G♯ minor. "Don't Let Me Down" follows a chord progression of E – B – F♯ – G♯m, and Daya's vocals span from G♯3 to C♯5.[4]
Critical reception
Robbie Daw of Idolator stated "[Don't Let Me Down] kicks off with a haunting guitar loop and 17-year-old Daya lamenting that she's 'crashing, hit a wall, right now I need a miracle.' By the time the chorus sweeps in, the song shifts into full-on trap mode." and called it a "trappy collaboration".[1] Popdust's Jason Scott claimed "[Don't Let Me Down] is an enormously engaging strip of gritty dance-club euphoria. Percussion vibrates underneath a well-constructed skyscraper of synth and evocative vocals from the 17-year-old Daya."[5] Rolling Stone named "Don't Let Me Down" one of the 30 best songs of the first half of 2016, writing "EDM may not dominate the charts the way it used to but the Chainsmokers' swirling, turnt-up love song proves the genre has a little fight left in it. Newcomer Daya goes to battle with the aggro, big room beats and ends up coming out on top."[6]
Chart performance
The single debuted at number 85 on the US Billboard Hot 100 for the week of February 27, 2016 but fell off the chart the next week. It made a re-entry at number 81 for the week of March 12, 2016. The song reached a peak of number three for the week of July 16, 2016.[7]
Music video
The music video for the song was released to YouTube on April 29, 2016.[8]
In the video, Andrew Taggart and Alex Pall (The Chainsmokers) get into a yellow convertible at sunrise and begin to drive down a wooded mountain road. Intercut with shots of them driving is Daya, dressed in black leather pants and jacket, singing in a misty field full of bushes. Taggart and Pall stop the car when Daya, surrounded by dancers dressed similarly to her, stand in the middle of the road, blocking it. Daya sings as the girls perform dance moves around her while Taggart and Pall watch from the car. Suddenly, the car begins bouncing up and down on its wheels. As the beat progresses, the rocking of the car becomes more violent and aggressive. Towards the end of the song, the rocking lifts Taggart and Pall out of the car and they are suspended in the air as the girls disperse.
Cover versions
Usher covered "Don't Let Me Down" in BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge on September 5, 2016.[9]
Track listing
Digital download[2] | ||
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No. | Title | Length |
1. | "Don't Let Me Down" (featuring Daya) | 3:28 |
Remixes EP[10] | ||
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No. | Title | Length |
1. | "Don't Let Me Down" (featuring Daya) (W&W Remix) | 3:15 |
2. | "Don't Let Me Down" (featuring Daya) (Illenium Remix) | 3:40 |
3. | "Don't Let Me Down" (featuring Daya) (Zomboy Remix) | 4:26 |
4. | "Don't Let Me Down" (featuring Daya) (Ephwurd Remix) | 4:05 |
5. | "Don't Let Me Down" (featuring Daya) (Ricky Remedy Remix) | 4:39 |
6. | "Don't Let Me Down" (featuring Daya and Konshens) (Dom Da Bomb & Electric Bodega Mixshow Remix) | 3:25 |
Hardwell & Sephyx Remix[11] | ||
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No. | Title | Length |
1. | "Don't Let Me Down" (featuring Daya) (Hardwell & Sephyx Remix) | 2:42 |
Charts
Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/Sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[50] | 5× Platinum | 350,000^ |
Austria (IFPI Austria)[51] | Gold | 15,000* |
Belgium (BEA)[52] | Platinum | 30,000* |
Canada (Music Canada)[53] | 6× Platinum | 600,000^ |
Denmark (IFPI Denmark)[54] | Platinum | 60,000^ |
Germany (BVMI)[55] | Platinum | 400,000^ |
Italy (FIMI)[56] | 2× Platinum | 100,000 |
New Zealand (RMNZ)[57] | 2× Platinum | 30,000* |
Poland (ZPAV)[58] | Platinum | 20,000* |
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[59] | Gold | 20,000^ |
Sweden (GLF)[60] | 5× Platinum | 200,000^ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[61] | Platinum | 600,000 |
United States (RIAA)[62] | 3× Platinum | 1,600,000[7] |
*sales figures based on certification alone |
Release history
Region | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
Worldwide | February 5, 2016 | Digital download | [2][63][64][65] | |
United States | March 1, 2016 | Contemporary hit radio | [66] | |
Worldwide | April 15, 2016 | Remixes EP | [67] |
References
- 1 2 3 Daw, Robbie (February 5, 2016). "The Chainsmokers & Daya's 'Don't Let Me Down': Listen To The Trappy Collaboration - Idolator". Idolator. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
- 1 2 3 "iTunes Store (US) - Music - The Chainsmokers - Don't Let Me Down (feat. Daya) - Single". iTunes Store (US). February 5, 2016. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
- 1 2 Coscarelli, Joe (28 July 2016). "Music Producers Explain How They Created a Hit". The New York Times. Retrieved 12 September 2016.
- ↑ Scott, Harris,. "The Chainsmokers feat. Daya "Don't Let Me Down" Sheet Music in B Major - Download & Print". Musicnotes.com. Retrieved 2016-05-05.
- ↑ Scott, Jason (February 5, 2016). "Listen To The Chainsmokers' Dizzying 'Don't Let Me Down' Featuring Daya - Popdust". Popdust. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
- ↑ "30 Best Songs of 2016 So Far". Rolling Stone. June 23, 2016. Retrieved June 23, 2016.
- 1 2 Christman, Ed (October 10, 2016). "Here's Why 2016 Is Set to Be Music Industry's Best Year Since 2009". Billboard. Retrieved October 10, 2016.
- ↑ "The Chainsmokers - Don't Let Me Down ft. Daya—Youtube". YouTube. April 29, 2016. Retrieved April 30, 2016.
- ↑ Blistein, Jon. "Watch Usher's Gritty Cover of the Chainsmokers' 'Don't Let Me Down'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 12 September 2016.
- ↑ "iTunes (U.S.) - Music - The Chainsmokers - Don't Let Me Down (feat. Daya) [Remixes] - EP". iTunes (U.S.). April 15, 2016. Retrieved May 11, 2016.
- ↑ "iTunes (U.S.) - Music - The Chainsmokers - Don't Let Me Down (feat. Daya) [Hardwell & Sephyx Remix] - Single". iTunes (U.S.). May 20, 2016. Retrieved May 20, 2016.
- ↑ "Australian-charts.com – The Chainsmokers feat. Daya – Don't Let Me Down". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved April 16, 2016.
- ↑ "Austriancharts.at – The Chainsmokers feat. Daya – Don't Let Me Down" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
- ↑ "Ultratop.be – The Chainsmokers feat. Daya – Don't Let Me Down" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved August 12, 2016.
- ↑ "Ultratop.be – The Chainsmokers feat. Daya – Don't Let Me Down" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved September 2, 2016.
- ↑ "The Chainsmokers – Chart history" Canadian Hot 100 for The Chainsmokers. Retrieved July 26, 2016.
- ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert {{{year}}}{{{week}}} into search. Retrieved July 18, 2016.
- ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert {{{year}}}{{{week}}} into search. Retrieved May 24, 2016.
- ↑ "Danishcharts.com – The Chainsmokers feat. Daya – Don't Let Me Down". Tracklisten. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
- ↑ "The Chainsmokers: Don't Let Me Down (Feat. Daya)" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved April 24, 2016.
- ↑ "Lescharts.com – The Chainsmokers feat. Daya – Don't Let Me Down" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved July 9, 2016.
- ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – The Chainsmokers feat. Daya – Don't Let Me Down". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
- ↑ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Dance Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved November 11, 2016.
- ↑ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved August 18, 2016.
- ↑ "Radio Mirchi Angrezi Top 20". The Times of India. July 15, 2016. Retrieved November 24, 2016.
- ↑ "Chart Track: Week 28, 2016". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved July 15, 2016.
- ↑ "Classifica settimanale WK 36" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved September 10, 2016.
- ↑ "Latvijas Top 40". Latvijas Radio. May 29, 2016. Retrieved May 29, 2016.
- ↑ "The Official Lebanese Top 20". The Official Lebanese Top 20. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
- ↑ "Mexico Top 20 General" (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. Retrieved July 25, 2016.
- ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – The Chainsmokers feat. Daya search results" (in Dutch) Dutch Top 40. Retrieved April 8, 2016.
- ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – The Chainsmokers feat. Daya – Don't Let Me Down" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
- ↑ "Charts.org.nz – The Chainsmokers feat. Daya – Don't Let Me Down". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved April 22, 2016.
- ↑ "Norwegiancharts.com – The Chainsmokers feat. Daya – Don't Let Me Down". VG-lista. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
- ↑ "Portuguesecharts.com – The Chainsmokers feat. Daya – Don't Let Me Down". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
- ↑ "Romanian International Top 10 Singles Chart". Media Forest. June 13, 2016. Retrieved June 13, 2016.
- ↑ "Archive Chart: 2016-07-15". Scottish Singles Top 40. Retrieved July 16, 2016.
- ↑ "SNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert {{{year}}}{{{week}}} into search. Retrieved July 3, 2016.
- ↑ "Spanishcharts.com – The Chainsmokers feat. Daya – Don't Let Me Down" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved July 25, 2016.
- ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – The Chainsmokers feat. Daya – Don't Let Me Down". Singles Top 100. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
- ↑ "Swisscharts.com – The Chainsmokers feat. Daya – Don't Let Me Down". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved August 8, 2016.
- ↑ "Archive Chart: 2016-07-15" UK Dance Chart. Retrieved July 16, 2016.
- ↑ "Archive Chart: 2016-07-15" UK Singles Chart. Retrieved July 16, 2016.
- ↑ "The Chainsmokers – Chart history" Billboard Hot 100 for The Chainsmokers.
- ↑ "The Chainsmokers – Chart history" Billboard Hot Dance/Electronic Songs for The Chainsmokers. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
- ↑ "The Chainsmokers – Chart history" Billboard Adult Pop Songs for The Chainsmokers. Retrieved September 14, 2016.
- ↑ "The Chainsmokers – Chart history" Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs for The Chainsmokers. Retrieved May 24, 2016.
- ↑ "The Chainsmokers – Chart history" Billboard Pop Songs for The Chainsmokers. Retrieved May 17, 2016.
- ↑ "The Chainsmokers – Chart history" Billboard Rhythmic Songs for The Chainsmokers. Retrieved May 24, 2016.
- ↑ "ARIA Australian Top 50 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. October 31, 2016. Retrieved October 29, 2016.
- ↑ "Austrian single certifications – The Chainsmokers – Don't Let Me Down" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved August 31, 2016. Enter The Chainsmokers in the field Interpret. Enter Don't Let Me Down in the field Titel. Select single in the field Format. Click Suchen
- ↑ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – 2016". Ultratop & Hung Medien / hitparade.ch. Retrieved June 15, 2016.
- ↑ "Canadian single certifications – The Chainsmokers – Don't Let Me Down". Music Canada. Retrieved May 29, 2016.
- ↑ "Danish single certifications – The Chainsmokers feat. Daya – Don't Let Me Down". IFPI Denmark. Retrieved June 15, 2016. Click on næste to go to page if certification from official website
- ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (The Chainsmokers feat. Daya)" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
- ↑ "Italian single certifications – The Chainsmokers feat. Daya – Don't let me Down" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Select Online in the field Sezione. Enter The Chainsmokers feat. Daya in the field Filtra. Select 2016 in the field Anno. The certification will load automatically
- ↑ "New Zealand single certifications – The Chainsmokers feat. Daya – Don't Let Me Down". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved April 29, 2016.
- ↑ "Polish single certifications – The Chainsmokers – Don't Let Me Down" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. 10 August 2016.
- ↑ "Spanish single certifications – The Chainsmokers feat. Daya – Don't Let Me Down" (PDF) (in Spanish). Productores de Música de España. Retrieved June 15, 2016. Select the "Chart", enter 2016 in the field "Year". Select '' in the field "Semana". Click on "Search Charts"
- ↑ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 2016" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Retrieved April 9, 2016. Type The Chainsmokers feat. Daya in the top right search bar. Click on "Sok" and select Don't Let Me Down and see certification.
- ↑ "British single certifications – The Chainsmokers – Don't Let Me Down". British Phonographic Industry. Enter Don't Let Me Down in the field Keywords. Select Title in the field Search by. Select single in the field By Format. Select Platinum in the field By Award. Click Search
- ↑ "American single certifications – The Chainsmokers – Don't Let Me Down". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH
- ↑ "iTunes Store (UK) - Music - The Chainsmokers - Don't Let Me Down (feat. Daya) - Single". iTunes Store (UK). February 5, 2016. Retrieved March 2, 2016.
- ↑ "iTunes Store (SA) - Music - The Chainsmokers - Don't Let Me Down (feat. Daya) - Single". iTunes Store (SA). February 5, 2016. Retrieved March 2, 2016.
- ↑ "iTunes Store (AU) - Music - The Chainsmokers - Don't Let Me Down (feat. Daya) - Single". iTunes Store (AU). February 5, 2016. Retrieved March 2, 2016.
- ↑ "Top 40/M Cool New Music - New Top Popular Music, Free Radio Play - AllAccess.com". AllAccess Media Group. March 1, 2016. Retrieved March 2, 2016.
- ↑ "iTunes (U.S.) - Music - The Chainsmokers - Don't Let Me Down (feat. Daya) [Remixes] - EP". iTunes. April 15, 2016. Retrieved May 11, 2016.