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The Chainsmokers’ ‘Roses’ turns 10: Alex Pall reflects on the song that changed everything

The Chainsmokers’ ‘Roses’ turns 10: Alex Pall reflects on the song that changed everything

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This June marks 10 years since The Chainsmokers dropped ‘Roses’, the breakout track that redefined their sound and helped reshape dance music in the mid-2010s.

In a heartfelt note shared on LinkedIn, Alex Pall, one-half of the Grammy-winning duo, looked back on the track that first catapulted them into Billboard’s Top 10—and more importantly, marked a turning point in their creative journey.

“Back when we made it, nothing about that track followed the rulebook of songwriting for pop or electronic,” he wrote.

Released after the viral frenzy of ‘#Selfie’, ‘Roses’ was a sonic curveball—slower, more introspective, and emotionally layered. Pall described it as “the first song that really felt like us,” written in just an hour and a half during a rare flow state.

Despite industry feedback to tweak the song’s structure, The Chainsmokers stuck to their instincts. The result? A defining hit that showcased their range beyond club-ready bangers.

“It was an inflection point where we found our footing and our sound,” Pall shared. “Looking back now, that song taught us a lot about the kind of music we wanted to make and the kind of artists we wanted to be.”

Ten years, multiple hits, and a Grammy later, ‘Roses’ still resonates with fans who’ve danced, cried, and belted it out at shows around the world.

“To everyone who’s streamed it, danced to it, or screamed it back at us… thank you. Here’s to ten more!”

The Chainsmokers will be performing live at Arena @ Singapore EXPO on Friday, 27 June. Tickets are still available here.