Paris – English Lyrics

• By: The Chainsmokers

Lyrics & Translation

Learn English through the evocative storytelling of The Chainsmokers' "Paris." This song is a great way to explore figurative language, as the title itself is a metaphor. By delving into the lyrics, you can understand how words can be used to create a sense of place and emotion that goes beyond their literal meaning, all set to a captivating electronic-pop soundscape.

[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
stay /steɪ/ A1	verb - to remain in a particular place
away /əˈweɪ/ A1	adjective - not here
parent /ˈpɛrənt/ A1	noun - a father or mother
thought /θɔːt/ A1	noun - an idea or opinion
terrace /ˈtɛrəs/ B1	noun - a flat area outside a building
fair /fɛər/ A2	adjective - just and reasonable
fall /fɔːl/ A1	verb - to move downward
wasted /ˈweɪstɪd/ B1	adjective - extremely drunk
together /təˈɡɛðər/ A1	adverb - in the same place or at the same time
clever /ˈklɛvər/ A2	adjective - intelligent and quick-witted
proud /praʊd/ A2	adjective - feeling deep pleasure or satisfaction
frown /fraʊn/ B1	noun - a facial expression showing displeasure
breathe /briːð/ A1	verb - to inhale and exhale air
thrill /θrɪl/ B1	noun - a feeling of excitement
drunk /drʌŋk/ A2	adjective - intoxicated by alcohol
better /ˈbɛtər/ A1	adjective - of a higher quality

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'.