The Chainsmokers' 'Closer' turns 10: Rare lyric-writing footage surfaces
Synopsis
A decade after 'Closer' hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, The Chainsmokers have surfaced never-before-seen footage of the lyric-writing session that started it all — a candid studio clip shot by Chris Yoder that the duo themselves forgot they had. With 3.4 billion YouTube views and counting, the song's tenth birthday is a reminder of just how durable that retro synthesiser drop turned out to be.
Key Takeaways
The Chainsmokers released never-before-seen archival footage from the 'Closer' lyric-writing session on 29 July 2026 , marking the song's 10th anniversary . 'Closer' , featuring Halsey , was originally released on 29 July 2016 and became the duo's first Billboard Hot 100 number-one single .
The track has over 3.4 billion views and 15 million likes on YouTube as of July 2026.
The clip was shot by Chris Yoder and features Alex Pall , Drew Taggart , and songwriter Shaun Frank working on the lyrics.
The duo confirmed the full studio session will be uploaded to YouTube .
The Chainsmokers have won one Grammy , two American Music Awards , seven Billboard Music Awards , and nine iHeartRadio Music Awards .
Electronic music duo The Chainsmokers marked the 10th anniversary of their chart-defining hit 'Closer' by releasing a never-before-seen archival clip from the song's lyric-writing session, offering fans a rare behind-the-scenes look at how one of the decade's biggest pop records came together. The track, originally released on 29 July 2016, has since accumulated over 3.4 billion views and 15 million likes on YouTube as of July 2026.
The Archival Clip
The duo — comprising Alex Pall and Drew Taggart — shared the vintage studio footage on Instagram, revealing a candid session in which they worked on the song's lyrics alongside songwriter Shaun Frank. The clip was originally shot by photographer Chris Yoder and had never been made public until now.
In the caption, the duo wrote: 'Closer turns 10 years old today so we went in the archive and cannot believe we found this clip that @chrisyoder shot of @shaunfrank and I writing the lyrics i can't believe we've never posted this haha.' They also teased that the full session recording would be uploaded to YouTube, adding with characteristic humour: 'Also why didn't anyone tell me to get a haircut?'
About 'Closer'
'Closer' features American singer Halsey and is classified musically as a future bass and electropop track, distinguished by a retro-style synthesiser in its chorus. It was included on the Japanese edition of The Chainsmokers' debut studio album, Memories...Do Not Open, and became the duo's first number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100.
The Chainsmokers' Rise
The duo first gained mainstream traction with their 2014 viral hit '#Selfie', which cracked the top twenty in several countries, after building an early following through remixes of indie artists. Their debut EP, Bouquet, arrived in October 2015 and introduced the single 'Roses', which reached the top 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
Their follow-up single 'Don't Let Me Down' became their first top-five Billboard entry and earned them the Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording at the 59th Grammy Awards. To date, the duo has collected one Grammy Award, two American Music Awards, seven Billboard Music Awards, and nine iHeartRadio Music Awards.
What's Next
With the promise of a full studio session upload on YouTube, fans can expect a deeper look at the creative process behind one of the most-streamed songs of the 2010s. The anniversary release underscores 'Closer's' enduring cultural footprint a full decade after it first topped global charts.
Point of View
High-engagement, and perfectly timed for algorithmic nostalgia cycles on Instagram and YouTube. What it quietly confirms is that 'Closer' remains The Chainsmokers' most durable asset, a decade on. The duo's catalogue since has struggled to replicate that cultural saturation, making the tenth anniversary less a celebration of momentum and more a reminder of a singular peak. The promise of a full session upload on YouTube is smart: it converts a nostalgia moment into a content event with genuine fan value, rather than just a press release milestone.
NationPress
30 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did The Chainsmokers share for 'Closer's' 10th anniversary?
The Chainsmokers shared a never-before-seen video clip from the original lyric-writing session of 'Closer', shot by Chris Yoder, featuring the duo alongside songwriter Shaun Frank. The footage was posted on Instagram on 29 July 2026 and the full session is set to be uploaded to YouTube.
How many views does 'Closer' have on YouTube?
As of July 2026, 'Closer' has over 3.4 billion views and 15 million likes on YouTube, making it one of the most-watched music videos of the 2010s.
Who is featured on 'Closer' by The Chainsmokers?
'Closer' features American singer Halsey. It was released on 29 July 2016 and became The Chainsmokers' first number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100.
What awards have The Chainsmokers won?
The Chainsmokers have won one Grammy Award, two American Music Awards, seven Billboard Music Awards, and nine iHeartRadio Music Awards. Their Grammy came for Best Dance Recording for 'Don't Let Me Down' at the 59th Grammy Awards.
What was The Chainsmokers' breakthrough before 'Closer'?
Before 'Closer', The Chainsmokers broke through with '#Selfie' in 2014, which reached the top twenty in several countries. Their debut EP 'Bouquet' in October 2015 and the single 'Roses' further established them before 'Closer' made them global chart-toppers in 2016.
