Paris – English Lyrics

• By: The Chainsmokers

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into The Chainsmokers' "Paris," a song that goes beyond a geographical location to explore universal themes of escapism and yearning for an idealized reality. Through its thoughtful lyrics and blend of pop and EDM, listeners can learn vocabulary related to emotions, relationships, and self-perception, while appreciating how English can convey complex metaphorical meanings and the challenges of modern young adulthood.

[English]

We were staying in Paris

To get away from your parents

And I thought, "Wow, if I could take this in a shot right now

I don't think that we could work this out"

Out on the terrace

I don't know if it's fair, but I thought

"How could I let you fall by yourself

While I'm wasted with someone else?"

If we go down, then we go down together

They'll say you could do anything

They'll say that I was clever

If we go down, then we go down together

We'll get away with everything

Let's show them we are better

Let's show them we are better

Let's show them we are better

We were staying in Paris

To get away from your parents

You look so proud standing there, with a frown and a cigarette

Posting pictures of yourself on the internet

Out on the terrace

We breathe in the air of this small town

On our own, cutting class for the thrill of it

Getting drunk on the past we were livin' in

If we go down, then we go down together

They'll say you could do anything

They'll say that I was clever

If we go down, then we go down together

We'll get away with everything

Let's show them we are better

Let's show them we are

Show them we are

Show them we are

Show them we are

Let's show them we are better

We were staying in Paris

...

Let's show them we are better

Let's show them we are

Show them we are

Show them we are

Show them we are

Let's show them we are better

If we go down, then we go down together

They'll say you could do anything

They'll say that I was clever

If we go down, then we go down together

We'll get away with everything

Let's show them we are better

We were staying in Paris (if we go down)

We were staying in Paris (if we go down)

We were staying in Paris (if we go down)

We were staying in Paris (if we go down)

Let's show them we are better (we were staying in Paris)

...

Let's show them we are better

...

Let's show them we are better

If we go down

Let's show them we are better

If we go down

Let's show them we are better

If we go down

Let's show them we are better

Let's show them we are better

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
staying /ˈsteɪɪŋ/ A1	verb - to remain in a place
Paris /ˈpærɪs/ A1	noun - the capital city of France
parents /ˈpɛrənts/ A1	noun - a mother or father
thought /θɔːt/ A1	verb - past tense of think noun - an idea produced by thinking
work /wɜːrk/ A1	verb - to perform a task or activity noun - activity involving mental or physical effort done in order to achieve a purpose or result.
terrace /ˈtɛrəs/ B1	noun - a level paved area next to a house
fall /fɔːl/ A1	verb - to go down
clever /ˈklɛvər/ B1	adjective - intelligent; quick to understand and learn
together /təˈɡɛðər/ A1	adverb - with each other
everything /ˈɛvrɪθɪŋ/ A1	noun - all things
better /ˈbɛtər/ A1	adjective - of a higher quality
proud /praʊd/ A2	adjective - feeling pleased and satisfied
frown /fraʊn/ B1	noun - a facial expression of unhappiness or disapproval
cigarette /ˌsɪɡəˈrɛt/ B1	noun - a small roll of tobacco wrapped in paper for smoking
internet /ˈɪntərnɛt/ A2	noun - a global computer network providing a variety of information and communication facilities
air /ɛər/ A1	noun - the invisible gaseous substance surrounding the earth
town /taʊn/ A1	noun - a built-up area
thrill /θrɪl/ B1	noun - a sudden feeling of excitement and pleasure
drunk /drʌŋk/ A2	adjective - affected by alcohol to the point of losing control of one's faculties
past /pɑːst/ A1	noun - the time before the present

Key Grammar Structures

• We were staying in Paris

  ➔ Past Continuous Tense

  ➔ Describes ongoing past actions ('were staying') setting a narrative background.

• To get away from your parents

  ➔ Infinitive of Purpose

  ➔ Expresses intention using 'to' + verb ('to get away') showing reason for action.

• If I could take this in a shot right now

  ➔ Second Conditional

  ➔ Hypothetical situation (past simple 'could take') about present impossibility.

• While I'm wasted with someone else

  ➔ Present Continuous + Contrast Conjunction

  ➔ 'While' contrasts simultaneous actions; present continuous ('am wasted') describes temporary state.

• If we go down, then we go down together

  ➔ First Conditional

  ➔ Real future possibility: present simple ('go down') in if-clause + future implied ('go down').

• They'll say you could do anything

  ➔ Future Simple + Past Ability Modal

  ➔ Future prediction ('will say') + past general ability ('could do').

• You look so proud standing there

  ➔ Present Simple + Participle Phrase

  ➔ State verb ('look') in present simple + participle phrase ('standing there') describing posture.

• Getting drunk on the past we were livin' in

  ➔ Gerund Phrase + Reduced Relative Clause

  ➔ Gerund ('Getting drunk') as subject + reduced relative clause ('we were living in' → 'living in') modifying 'past'.