The song was announced on social media four days before its official release.
In a series of tweets the day of the song’s release, Mark Foster said:
“i think the quality that makes us distinctly human is our ability to live in duality. we comprehend the present external world we’re in, while having an internal dialogue about what it all means. we can be our own best friends. we can be our own mortal enemy. we can ski the alps in the peak of summer from under our bed covers at night. we can sail the high seas with Yeats and pick his brain about the afterlife in the holy city of Byzantium. we can fall in love with a stranger that passes us on the street; forming a complete history and future with a person we’ve never even spoken to. our internal life is a universe, worthy to be explored and engaged. a dangerous place full of desires, undiscovered and unfulfilled. in our imagination we can escape our reality and create a new one.“
Imagination
Foster the People Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If you asked me, I'd say
To be careful, my love
At death we'll leave the same
If you want me to stay
Don't keep me waiting for it
We can't change the things we can't control
But you can't even look me in the eye if you tried
We can try, we can try
I see us dancing by ourselves
We do it better with no one around, yeah
Just you in my imagination, yeah
In my imagination, oh oh
Yeah, there's nothing left to cry about
I guess I'm living in a drought
It's raining like it was before
Something that you never knew you needed more of
We can't change the things we can't control
It's summer somewhere, so you shouldn't be so cold
But you can't even look me in the eye if you tried
We can try, we can try
I see us dancing by ourselves
We do it better with no one around, yeah
Just you in my imagination, yeah
In my imagination, oh oh
Just use your imagination, oh oh
Just use your imagination, oh oh
I see us dancing by ourselves
We do it better with no one around, yeah
Just you in my imagination, yeah
In my imagination, oh oh
And I can do so many things, so many things
So many things, you know
If you just use your imagination, oh oh
Just use your imagination, oh oh
(I really love you)
The lyrics to Foster the People's song Imagination are about a relationship that is on the verge of falling apart. The singer is pleading with his lover to be careful with their love, as death will ultimately lead them both to the same place. He doesn't want to throw himself away, but he needs his lover to meet him halfway and not keep him waiting. The singer acknowledges that there are things in life that we can't control, but that shouldn't keep us from enjoying the present moment. He implores his lover to use their imagination and see the possibilities for what their relationship could be if they tried.
The chorus of the song is particularly poignant. The singer sees them dancing together and imagines them doing it better with no one else around. In his imagination, they are happy and together, with the world falling away around them. The song suggests that the key to a lasting relationship is using your imagination and not being afraid to try new things. We often get stuck in our routines and forget to take risks, but taking those risks can lead to magic.
Line by Line Meaning
I wouldn't try to throw myself away
I wouldn't want to harm or lose myself
If you asked me, I'd say
If you want to know my opinion
To be careful, my love
To be cautious in the relationship
At death we'll leave the same
Everyone is equal in death
If you want me to stay
If you want me to be with you
Don't keep me waiting for it
Don't make me wait for too long
We can't change the things we can't control
We can't change events out of our control
It's summer somewhere, so you shouldn't be so cold
Things might be better in other places
But you can't even look me in the eye if you tried
You're avoiding a tough conversation
We can try, we can try
We can attempt to work it out
I see us dancing by ourselves
I imagine us having a private moment
We do it better with no one around, yeah
We are more natural when we're alone
Just you in my imagination, yeah
Just you and my thoughts
In my imagination, oh oh
In my thoughts
Yeah, there's nothing left to cry about
There's no point in crying anymore
I guess I'm living in a drought
I seem to have a lack of something important
It's raining like it was before
It's a reminder of a past hardship
Something that you never knew you needed more of
Something you realize you need when you already lost it
Just use your imagination, oh oh
Exercise your mind
And I can do so many things, so many things
I am capable of many great things
So many things, you know
You're aware of my potential
If you just use your imagination, oh oh
If you let your mind explore the possibilities
(I really love you)
An emotional expression of love
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
Written by: Austin Tirado, Sarah Aarons, Mark Foster, Oligee Oligee, Josh Abraham
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@annalara1303
I wouldn't try to throw myself away
If you asked me, I'd say
To be careful my love
At death we'll leave the same
If you want me to stay
Don't keep me waiting for it
We can't change the things we can't control
It's summer somewhere
So you shouldn't be so cold
But you can't even look me in the eye if you tried
Oh, we can try, we can try
I see us dancing by ourselves
We do it better with
No one around, yeah
Just you in my imagination, yeah
In my imagination, oh, oh
Yeah, there's nothing left to cry about
I guess I'm living in a drought
It's raining like it was before
Something that you never knew you needed more of
We can't change the things we can't control
It's summer somewhere
So you shouldn't be so cold
But you can't even look me in the eye if you tried
Oh, we can try, we can try
I see us dancing by ourselves
We do it better with
No one around, yeah
Just you in my imagination, yeah
In my imagination, oh, oh
Just use your imagination, oh, oh
Just use your imagination, oh, oh
I see us dancing by ourselves
We do it better with
No one around, yeah
Just you in my imagination, yeah
In my imagination, oh, oh
I can do so many things
So many things, so many things
You know if you just use your imagination, oh, oh
Just use your imagination, oh, oh
I really love you
@julianvelazquez5465
Imagination Lyrics
[Verse 1]
I wouldn't try to throw myself away
If you asked me, I'd say
To be careful, my love
At death we'll leave the same
If you want me to stay
Don't keep me waiting for it
[Pre-Chorus]
We can't change the things we can't control
It's summer somewhere so you shouldn't be so cold
But you can't even look me in the eye if you tried
We can try, we can try
Bella Poarch “Living Hell' Official Lyrics & Meaning | Verified
[Chorus]
I see us dancing by ourselves
We do it better with no one around, yeah
Just you in my imagination, yeah
In my imagination, oh
[Verse 2]
Yeah, there's nothing left to cry about
I guess I'm living in a drought
It's raining like it was before
Something that you never knew you needed more of
[Pre-Chorus]
We can't change the things we can't control
It's summer somewhere so you shouldn't be so cold
But you can't even look me in the eye if you tried
We can try, we can try
[Chorus]
I see us dancing by ourselves
We do it better with no one around, yeah
Just you in my imagination, yeah
In my imagination, oh
[Bridge]
Just use your imagination, oh
Just use your imagination, oh
[Chorus]
I see us dancing by ourselves
We do it better with no one around, yeah
Just you in my imagination, yeah
In my imagination, oh
[Outro]
I can do so many things
So many things, so many things
You know if you just use your imagination
Oh, if you just use your imagination, oh
I really love you
@el-ema
Imagination - Lyrics
[Verse 1]
I wouldn't try to throw myself away
If you asked me, I'd say
To be careful, my love
At death we'll leave the same
If you want me to stay
Don't keep me waiting for it
[Pre-Chorus]
We can't change the things we can't control
It's summer somewhere so you shouldn't be so cold
But you can't even look me in the eye if you tried
We can try, we can try
[Chorus]
I see us dancing by ourselves
We do it better with no one around, yeah
Just you in my imagination, yeah
In my imagination, oh
[Verse 2]
Yeah, there's nothing left to cry about
I guess I'm living in a drought
It's raining like it was before
Something that you never knew you needed more of
[Pre-Chorus]
We can't change the things we can't control
It's summer somewhere so you shouldn't be so cold
But you can't even look me in the eye if you tried
We can try, we can try
[Chorus]
I see us dancing by ourselves
We do it better with no one around, yeah
Just you in my imagination, yeah
In my imagination, oh
[Bridge]
Just use your imagination, oh
Just use your imagination, oh
[Chorus]
I see us dancing by ourselves
We do it better with no one around, yeah
Just you in my imagination, yeah
In my imagination, oh
[Outro]
I can do so many things
So many things, so many things
You know if you just use your imagination
Oh, if you just use your imagination, oh
I really love you
@houdammari9809
LYRICS :!
[Verse 1]
I wouldn't try to throw myself away
If you asked me, I'd say
To be careful, my love
At death we'll leave the same
If you want me to stay
Don't keep me waiting for it
[Pre-Chorus]
We can't change the things we can't control
It's summer somewhere so you shouldn't be so cold
But you can't even look me in the eye if you tried
We can try, we can try
[Chorus]
I see us dancing by ourselves
We do it better with no one around, yeah
Just you in my imagination, yeah
In my imagination, oh
[Verse 2]
Yeah, there's nothing left to cry about
I guess I'm living in a drought
It's raining like it was before
Something that you never knew you needed more of
[Pre-Chorus]
We can't change the things we can't control
It's summer somewhere so you shouldn't be so cold
But you can't even look me in the eye if you tried
We can try, we can try
[Chorus]
I see us dancing by ourselves
We do it better with no one around, yeah
Just you in my imagination, yeah
In my imagination, oh
[Bridge]
Just use your imagination, oh
Just use your imagination, oh
[Chorus]
I see us dancing by ourselves
We do it better with no one around, yeah
Just you in my imagination, yeah
In my imagination, oh
[Outro]
I can do so many things
So many things, so many things
You know if you just use your imagination
Oh, if you just use your imagination, oh
I really love you
@romiksj5036
3:59 "I really love you" WELL MARK, THIS IS ILLEGAL 😳
@yiorn
HAHAHAHA
@johnmanthorpe4640
Cheif I dunno, I ain't 18 or nothing.
@VictoriaSobocki
Why?
@annalara1303
I wouldn't try to throw myself away
If you asked me, I'd say
To be careful my love
At death we'll leave the same
If you want me to stay
Don't keep me waiting for it
We can't change the things we can't control
It's summer somewhere
So you shouldn't be so cold
But you can't even look me in the eye if you tried
Oh, we can try, we can try
I see us dancing by ourselves
We do it better with
No one around, yeah
Just you in my imagination, yeah
In my imagination, oh, oh
Yeah, there's nothing left to cry about
I guess I'm living in a drought
It's raining like it was before
Something that you never knew you needed more of
We can't change the things we can't control
It's summer somewhere
So you shouldn't be so cold
But you can't even look me in the eye if you tried
Oh, we can try, we can try
I see us dancing by ourselves
We do it better with
No one around, yeah
Just you in my imagination, yeah
In my imagination, oh, oh
Just use your imagination, oh, oh
Just use your imagination, oh, oh
I see us dancing by ourselves
We do it better with
No one around, yeah
Just you in my imagination, yeah
In my imagination, oh, oh
I can do so many things
So many things, so many things
You know if you just use your imagination, oh, oh
Just use your imagination, oh, oh
I really love you
@Caffrey987
O o
/¯/_________________________
| BLAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRGGGG!!!
\_\¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
ZOMG A GUURL ON TEH INSTERNETS... U HAZ... cough.. Do you have a lover? I could be a great lover. I know I'm 2 years late. Sorry. We can begin our love story now. ahem Je vais t'aimé comme tu ne la jamais été! ahem I mean I`m too high for this shit. Wait you want a divorce? SCREW YOU WOMAN! Since I'm the homemaker, I keep the kids and you pay me alimony. Now to find a girl half your age... assuming you were born in 394.. actually make that your age divided by 56. Hey I told you you can't have the kids for christmas. THAT"S IT! I'm getting full custody of the kids. Hey why so sad? They are off to college. They will find someone of their own.. just like we did.. on a youtube comment section. By the time you read this, you just wasted like a good 25 seconds of your life, and that is if you didn't try to translate or calculate!
@caronteo7615
Love u too
@thejackfilms9742
Tkt
@elbrowniefeliz4494
Tantas veces que ya le he escuchado y aún se siente tan bien como la primera vez
@almaruthjuarezrosas7922
Cierto 👍