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.
America
Imagine Dragons Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That I made inside my head to get me by?
Twenty years in debt
Twenty years in the government
Twenty years can never get me by
Then I feel you close
Feel you close like you wanted me to
Believe in you
Rise to the top of the world, America
America, don't you cry
Lift me up
Give me strength to press on
Rise to the top of the world, America
America, don't you cry
Lift me up
Give me strength to press on
From farmers in the fields
To the tallest of the towers that fall and rise
1-7-7-6
The names upon the list
For all the ones that gave until they died
Don't you hold back
I can see in your mind, and your mind will set you free
And I feel you close
Feel you close like you wanted me to
Feel you close like you wanted me to
Believe in you
Rise to the top of the world, America
America, don't you cry
Lift me up
Give me strength to press on
Rise to the top of the world, America
America, don't you cry
Lift me up
Give me strength to press on
Rise to the top of the world, America
America, don't you cry
Lift me up
Give me strength to press on
Rise to the top of the world, America
America, don't you cry
Lift me up
Give me strength to press on
The lyrics to Imagine Dragons' "America" are a reflection of the struggles and dreams of the American people. The first stanza refers to the difficulties of making a living and surviving in a society that is in debt and under the control of a government that often fails to provide for its citizens. The singer is seeking a way to cope with these challenges and find meaning in his or her life.
The chorus of the song is a call to action and a plea for strength and courage. The singer is asking the American people to rise to the top of the world and overcome their fears and doubts. The lyrics are a tribute to the resilience and determination of the American people, from the farmers in the fields to the heroes who have given their lives to defend their country.
The final stanza is a message of hope and inspiration. The singer believes that if we can overcome our doubts and fears, we can achieve greatness and accomplish our dreams. The lyrics inspire us to believe in ourselves and to never give up, no matter how difficult the challenge may seem.
Line by Line Meaning
Is this just an illusion
I wonder if my perception of reality is distorted
That I made inside my head to get me by?
Did I create this imaginary world to cope with reality?
Twenty years in debt
I've been struggling financially for two decades.
Twenty years in the government
I've been working for the government for two decades.
Twenty years can never get me by
Despite my dedicated service, I'm still struggling to make ends meet.
Then I feel you close
I sense a presence that comforts me.
Feel you close like you wanted me to
It's as if this comforting presence is intentionally seeking me out.
Believe in you
I trust that this presence is good and trustworthy.
Rise to the top of the world, America
I want to succeed and be at the pinnacle of American society.
America, don't you cry
I'm counting on my country to support me and not falter.
Lift me up
I need help to rise above my current struggles.
Give me strength to press on
I need the fortitude to overcome challenges.
From farmers in the fields
This country's foundation is built on hardworking farmers.
To the tallest of the towers that fall and rise
From humble beginnings to towering success, this country has persevered.
1-7-7-6
This is the year America declared its independence.
The names upon the list
Honoring those who served and sacrificed for their country.
For all the ones that gave until they died
Many have given their lives for America's continued freedom.
Don't you hold back
Don't be hesitant or timid in pursuing your dreams and aspirations.
I can see in your mind, and your mind will set you free
I believe that if you have a positive mindset, anything is possible.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Daniel Coulter Reynolds, Benjamin Arthur Mckee, Daniel Wayne Sermon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@blueaquarius22
this song really makes me feel something. it’s upbeat, but it’s also nostalgic and wistful
@Army_of_One_
Back in 2013 this was my most-played song in my iTunes library. I probably haven't heard it in five years at this point... it feels so strange being back, as if I never left
@humandavey
SAME!
@gumdum5258
I swear it sound different. 😅
@HE0106_
2011*
@Army_of_One_
@@HE0106_ 2011? No, my iTunes library began on May 27th 2013, and Night Visions released on September 4, 2012 with the deluxe versions including America coming even later. It is impossible for this song to be the most played song in my iTunes library in 2011 because at time neither of them existed.
@HE0106_
@@Army_of_One_ yeah just search America imagine dragons in YouTube and see the video clip
@DoctorBahoots
I remember listening to this song all the time during my junior year of high school. It makes me feel so nostalgic, happy, and melancholic at the same time, really hard to explain. People can make fun of imagine dragons a lot, and it’s true that I don’t really connect with their new music the same way, but I don’t think I’ll ever lose the feeling these songs from Night Visions give me. Such a special album
@cadequillion5276
Same. Night visions was something special. It really hit you on every level spiritually and emotionally with each song.
@fanofstarwars6079
P🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉pioneering 😊 poop emoji is 😊hyphens please 🙏 and have an peaceful and safe journey home 🏠 from school 🏫 and 😊gpg😅😅😅😅😊😅😅😂