The band's single "It's Time", which previously appeared on the "It's Time" and "Continued Silence" EPs in addition to appearing on "Night Visions", is the group's biggest hit, reaching #33 on the Billboard Hot 100.
In a dark kitchen in the middle of a sweaty night in Las Vegas, all 6’4” of Dan Reynolds is hunched over a laptop, slapping beats on the table and crooning lyrics into a tiny microphone. Before long, he and the other three members of indie rock band Imagine Dragons would be playing “It’s Time,” that same laptop-demo-turned-supersized-anthem, from the roof of a parking garage to a wave of thousands of screaming fans. This song title to the single from their 2012 debut KidInaKorner/Interscope release “Continued Silence EP” is an all too apt descriptor of the band’s hard-earned success—but it’s also emblematic of the deep-seated anxiety Reynolds and the rest of the band experienced leaving behind any realistic expectation of a normal job to do the thing they love most.
A third-generation Las Vegas native, Reynolds is no stranger to the adage “the house always wins,” choosing to pave his musical career with a near obsessive work ethic and hundreds of unused demos rather than roll the dice with the first songs that sprung from his mouth. It’s no surprise, then, that he was drawn to guitarist Wayne Sermon, another founding member of Imagine Dragons. Having practically grown up in a recording studio and graduated Berklee College of Music, Wayne had been practicing his guitar through meals and other socially inappropriate situations as long as he could remember; he challenged Dan in a way that was both uncomfortable and exactly what they both needed. When they began writing songs together and recognized something special was happening, Wayne called up his Berklee friend Ben McKee, who promptly dropped out of school with only a few credits left, moving across the country to play bass for the band. This sort of reckless/genius behavior is typical for Ben, who has an uncanny penchant for spicy food and a suitcase full of unbelievable road stories. More recently, the band was joined by drummer Daniel Platzman, another Bostonian schoolmate who seems way too nice to be playing rock and roll until you actually see him in action.
Several tours and three self-released EPs later, Imagine Dragons had made a serious name for itself, particularly in the west coast circuit. Although their songs vary from nearly whimsical and light to brooding and powerful, listeners are drawn to the inherent honesty in the music. The only rule of thumb for the band, it seems, is to write from a true place; the result is songs that literally run the spectrum of human emotion. Attend a concert, and it becomes clear that the live performance of deeply personal songs has a real effect on people. And the band itself is not immune, as demonstrated when Dan literally passed out into the drum set during a finale song, sending cymbals and drum stands crashing while the rest of the band played on until the close.
Great songwriting is bound to be noticed eventually. As proof that the harder you work, the luckier you get, one of those people who noticed was Grammy winning producer Alex da Kid (Eminem, Rihanna). Alex and Dan began collaborating on projects, and soon the band had developed a relationship with Alex and his team. The alchemy resulting from Alex’s hip hop sensibilities and Imagine Dragons’ anthemic rock is nothing short of explosive. The byproduct of this creative collision is “Continued Silence,” a six song in-your-face sonic grenade that breaks musical boundaries and yet is strangely relatable by its improbably diverse audience.
Despite it all, on any given day when they aren’t on the road playing shows, you can still find Imagine Dragons huddled away in a rehearsal room somewhere, banging out song after song in search of the next perfect track. Like most things in Vegas, the band is angled at going big or going bust. For the sake of those who love great music, we hope it’s the former.
A Monster
Imagine Dragons Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Everything inside of me
Just wanted to fit in (oh, oh, oh, oh)
I was never one for pretenders
Everything I tried to be
Just wouldn't settle in (oh, oh, oh, oh)
If I told you what I was
And if I seem dangerous
Would you be scared?
I get the feeling just because
Everything I touch isn't dark enough
If this problem lies in me
I'm only a man with a candle to guide me
I'm taking a stand to escape what's inside me
A monster, a monster
I've turned into a monster
A monster, a monster
And it keeps getting stronger
Can I clear my conscience
If I'm different from the rest
Do I have to run and hide? (Oh, oh, oh, oh)
I never said that I want this
This burden came to me
And it's made it's home inside (oh, oh, oh, oh)
If I told you what I was
Would you turn your back on me?
And if I seem dangerous
Would you be scared?
I get the feeling just because
Everything I touch isn't dark enough
If this problem lies in me
I'm only a man with a candle to guide me
I'm taking a stand to escape what's inside me
A monster, a monster
I've turned into a monster
A monster, a monster
And it keeps getting stronger
I'm only a man with a candle to guide me
I'm taking a stand to escape what's inside me
A monster, a monster
I've turned into a monster
A monster, a monster
And it keeps getting stronger
"Monster" by Imagine Dragons is a song that deals with the theme of feeling like a monster and experiencing inner turmoil. The song opens with the singer expressing his desire to fit in and be a part of the crowd. However, the rest of the lyrics reveal that he feels like an outsider and not like everyone else. He refers to himself as a monster and recognizes how others may perceive him if they knew who he really was. He is afraid of being rejected and alienated.
The song explores the struggle of feeling like you are not good enough and how this perception can manifest into becoming a monster inside. Despite the feeling of being a monster, the singer takes a stand and tries to escape his inner turmoil. He acknowledges that he is only human and has a candle to guide him, but at the same time, he has turned into this monster that keeps getting stronger. The chorus repeats this idea, driving home the fact that despite his efforts, he can't seem to escape this part of him.
Overall, "Monster" is a powerful song that touches on themes of identity and fitting in. It speaks to anyone who has ever felt like they were different or struggled to belong. The raw emotions captured in the lyrics, coupled with Imagine Dragons' signature rock sound, make this an unforgettable song.
Line by Line Meaning
Ever since I could remember
From my earliest memories
Everything inside of me
All of my thoughts and feelings
Just wanted to fit in (oh, oh, oh, oh)
Simply wished to belong
I was never one for pretenders
I never pretended to be someone I'm not
Everything I tried to be
All the attempts I've made to fit in
Just wouldn't settle in (oh, oh, oh, oh)
All turned out to be unsuccessful
If I told you what I was
If I revealed my true self to you
Would you turn your back on me?
Would you reject me?
And if I seem dangerous
If I appear to be a threat
Would you be scared?
Would you feel afraid?
I get the feeling just because
I suspect that it's simply because
Everything I touch isn't dark enough
Anything I do is not edgy or extreme enough
If this problem lies in me
If the issue is within me
I'm only a man with a candle to guide me
I am just a person with a small source of light to illuminate my path
I'm taking a stand to escape what's inside me
I am standing up to fight what's burdening me internally
A monster, a monster
I have become a creature of my own fears
I've turned into a monster
I have transformed into a terrifying being
And it keeps getting stronger
The intensity of the monster within me continues to grow
Can I clear my conscience
Can I relieve my guilt?
If I'm different from the rest
If I am not like everyone else
Do I have to run and hide? (Oh, oh, oh, oh)
Do I need to flee and conceal myself?
I never said that I want this
I did not choose this
This burden came to me
This is a heavy weight that I must bear
And it's made its home inside (oh, oh, oh, oh)
It has settled deeply within me
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Alexander Junior Grant, Daniel Coulter Reynolds, Daniel Wayne Sermon, Joshua Francis Mosser
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@juancamacho5746
Ever since I could remember
Everything inside of me
Just wanted to fit in (oh, oh, oh, oh)
I was never one for pretenders
Everything I tried to be
Just wouldn't settle in (oh, oh, oh, oh)
If I told you what I was
Would you turn your back on me?
And if I seem dangerous
Would you be scared?
I get the feeling just because
Everything I touch isn't dark enough
If this problem lies in me
I'm only a man with a candle to guide me
I'm taking a stand to escape what's inside me
A monster, a monster
I've turned into a monster
A monster, a monster
And it keeps getting stronger
Can I clear my conscience
If I'm different from the rest
Do I have to run and hide? (Oh, oh, oh, oh)
I never said that I want this
This burden came to me
And it's made it's home inside (oh, oh, oh, oh)
If I told you what I was
Would you turn your back on me?
And if I seem dangerous
Would you be scared?
I get the feeling just because
Everything I touch isn't dark enough
If this problem lies in me
I'm only a man with a candle to guide me
I'm taking a stand to escape what's inside me
A monster, a monster
I've turned into a monster
A monster, a monster
And it keeps getting stronger
@kod35za
Does anyone else feel great nostalgia listening to old Imagine Dragons' songs?
@jhurtado516
This song is not old
@shumad431
Classic Tune me \(•▪•)/
@benneely5512
This song dose
@koata8287
Me.
@sirdovahkiin7548
The name is perfect for this person
@thegamingkiller6985
You know, sometimes I feel this way. Imagine Dragons your music helped me express my emotions and got me through some dark times. Thanks Imagine Dragons. Thank you for your music.
@saadfreakinadhia6239
Great to see a fellow fan who’s been inspired by these guys. They’ve touched my heart too and have helped me on countless occasions.
@thegamingkiller6985
@Saad Freakin’ Adhia That's very nice!
@hudakahn6252
same guys