Radioactive
Imagin Dragon Lyrics

The first verse of Radioactive is a depiction of the dystopian world that we currently live in. The singer is waking up to ash and dust, which could be interpreted either literally or metaphorically. He proceeds to wipe the dust off his brow and sweat off his rust, which showcases how the world has left him abandoned and rusty. The second line where he says "I'm breathing in the chemicals" is perhaps the most significant one as it alludes to the fact that the world is becoming increasingly polluted and contaminated, and that pollution is not just physical but also extends to the mental health of people.

The singer then moves on to analyze his own position in the current world, which he calls the prison bus. The use of prison here is metaphorical and suggests how the world that we live in is more of a prison than a place of freedom. The apocalypse is the final event in human history where the world encounters ruin and the end of civilization. The singer tells us that this is it, the apocalypse, which might be interpreted as him believing that the world has already ended, and that we all are in the apocalypse.

The second verse is more about taking control and rising against the oppression. The use of the phrases 'raise my flags' and 'don my clothes' both suggest that the singer is gearing up to lead a revolution. He also tells us that he is shaping up and checking out of the prison bus, which shows that he is ready to take control of his life and challenge the status quo. The allusion to painting everything red further highlights his inclination towards revolution and upheaval.