The third drop, featuring a saxophone, was a late addition to the production process to add extra energy. Finding Daya (and Rejecting Rihanna)
Andrew Taggart created the song's signature drop while on a flight.
Watch these videos to explore the creation and legacy of the hit song: The backstory of “Don't Let Me Down” -ChainSmokers YouTube · Laamp Music How I Wrote That Song: The Chainsmokers "Don't Let Me Down" YouTube · The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon The Chainsmokers Feat Daya Dont Let
It reached #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became one of the top eight biggest songs of that year.
The duo wanted a "big, echoey guitar sound" and took inspiration from indie bands like The xx and Explosions in the Sky , using a Fender electric guitar and software plugins to achieve it. The third drop, featuring a saxophone, was a
It earned the duo their first Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording in 2017.
By 2022, the song received a Diamond certification by the RIAA, representing 10 million units sold in the U.S. alone. The duo wanted a "big, echoey guitar sound"
The track was famously intended for , but her team ultimately rejected it. This led the duo on a search for a new vocalist. Taggart eventually heard Daya’s song "Hide Away" and knew her voice was the right fit. To perfectly capture her 17-year-old range, they actually shifted the song's key up a step during recording. Impact and Legacy