What makes Selfie by The Chainsmokers notable?

Selfie became a viral sensation, topping charts and garnering significant airplay. It is notable for its cultural commentary on social media trends, influencing a wave of electronic dance music that embraced humor and irony. Released in January 2014, Selfie marked The Chainsmokers' breakthrough into mainstream consciousness following their earlier remixes. This single established them as prominent figures in the EDM scene, leading to their subsequent commercial success with hits like Closer and Don't Let Me Down.

How many songs are on Selfie?

Selfie has 2 tracks, running approximately 7 minutes.

Selfie

The Chainsmokers · 2014

7 min · 2 tracks · electronic dance music

A playful blend of infectious beats and tongue-in-cheek lyrics that encapsulate the selfie culture of the early 2010s.

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Top tracks — play these first

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#SELFIE (original mix) — The original mix sets the tone for the album with its catchy hook and satirical take on social media vanity, capturing the zeitgeist of its era.
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#SELFIE (club mix) — This extended version enhances the dancefloor energy while maintaining the playful critique of selfie culture, making it a staple in DJ sets.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

45 /100

Lowland

Higher than 5% of albums we've rated

The track's catchy hook and commentary on social media trends define its appeal, though it lacks depth for repeated listens.

What we noticed

The track features a repetitive hook that is layered over a driving beat, creating an infectious rhythm.
The lyrics are delivered in a spoken-word style, interspersed with vocal samples and sound bites that reflect social media culture.
Both versions of the track maintain a similar structure but vary in intensity, with the club mix emphasizing bass and percussion.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 4/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — Established The Chainsmokers' mainstream presence and recognition in EDM.
Themes: social media vanity· 2010s selfie culture· dance floor critique
Career context: Released in January 2014, Selfie marked The Chainsmokers' breakthrough into mainstream consciousness following their earlier remixes. This single established them as prominent figures in the EDM scene, leading to their subsequent commercial success with hits like Closer and Don't Let Me Down.
Stylistic neighbors: Zedd· Calvin Harris· David Guetta