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.
Bullet In A Gun
Imagine Dragons Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The precipice, born to change
The final days, the last appraise
Augustus, Nero, taking names
I'm high, then I'm low, low
Stop, then I go, go
Bipolar, oh, oh
My time will come, I promise that
Pull the trigger back, back
Bullet in a gun (hey)
But in the end, my time will come
Like a bullet in a gun
Blood, sweat and tears to be the one
Bullet in a gun (hey), gun (hey), gun (hey)
Gun (hey), gun (hey), gun (hey), gun (hey)
Bullet in a gun (bu bu, hey), gun (hey), gun (bu bu, hey)
Gun (hey), gun (bu bu, hey), gun (hey), gun (bu bu, hey)
Bullet in a gun
To make a name, you pay the price
You give your life, no other way
The devil's deal, it comes around
To wear the crown, rise up from the ground
I'm high, then I'm low, low
Stop, then I go, go
Bipolar, oh, oh
Yes, then I'm no, no
My time will come, I promise that
Pull the trigger back, back
Bullet in a gun (hey)
But in the end, my time will come
Like a bullet in a gun
Blood, sweat and tears to be the one
Bullet in a gun (hey), gun (hey), gun (hey)
Gun (hey), gun (hey), gun (hey), gun (hey)
Bullet in a gun (bu bu, hey), gun (hey), gun (bu bu, hey)
Gun (hey), gun (bu bu, hey), gun (hey), gun (bu bu, hey)
Bullet in a gun
How many voices go unheard?
How many lessons never learned?
How many artists fear the light
Fear the pain, go insane?
Lose the mind, lose the self
(You only care about fame and wealth)
Sellout, sellout, sellout
Bullet in a gun (hey)
But in the end, my time will come
Like a bullet in a gun
Blood, sweat and tears to be the one
Bullet in a gun (hey), gun (hey), gun (hey)
Gun (hey), gun (hey), gun (hey), gun (hey)
Bullet in a gun (bu bu, hey), gun (hey), gun (bu bu, hey)
Gun (hey), gun (bu bu, hey), gun (hey), gun (bu bu, hey)
Bullet in a
The first verse of the song imagines the lives of ancient Roman kings, Romulus, Augustus and Nero, who were known for their power and ambition, but also their downfall. The lyrics suggest that the artists themselves relate to these figures, as they feel they were born to change and leave a legacy. However, they also feel the pressure of bipolarity - being high and low, stopping and going - and the struggle to make a name for oneself. The idea of "pulling the trigger" could be interpreted as a metaphor for taking control of one's own destiny, despite the risks involved.
The chorus repeats the phrase "bullet in a gun," which could be interpreted both literally and figuratively. On one hand, it refers to the act of pulling the trigger and taking action, as mentioned in the first verse. On the other hand, it could represent the idea that each individual's time will come to make their mark on the world, like a bullet shot from a gun. The lyrics suggest that this requires blood, sweat, and tears, and the willingness to pay a steep price.
The song ends with a questioning of the entertainment industry and its values. The artists wonder how many voices are not heard, how many lessons are not learned, and how many artists fear the light and the pain of the creative process. The idea of selling out and sacrificing one's own art for fame and wealth is condemned in the final lines of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
The Roman king, the Romulus
Referring to power and control, the line compares the singer's role to that of the mythical Roman king, Romulus.
The precipice, born to change
The singer feels like they are on the edge of something significant, born to make a difference.
The final days, the last appraise
The singer sees themselves as being in the final stretch, where their work will be judged and evaluated for its worth.
Augustus, Nero, taking names
The singer is comparing themselves to powerful historical figures known for asserting their authority and taking control.
I'm high, then I'm low, low
The singer is highlighting their emotional ups and downs, with highs and lows that can change quickly.
Stop, then I go, go
The singer's actions can be sporadic and without warning, with periods of inactivity followed by intense activity.
Bipolar, oh, oh
The singer feels like they are dealing with a bipolar disorder, with sudden mood swings that can be difficult to control.
Yes, then I'm no, no
The singer's opinions and decisions can fluctuate and change suddenly, making it hard to keep up with their thoughts and feelings.
My time will come, I promise that
The singer is confident that their moment of success and recognition will arrive, and they are determined to make it happen.
Pull the trigger back, back
The singer is ready to take action and make a bold move, even if it means taking a risk or facing consequences.
Bullet in a gun (hey)
The bullet in the gun is a metaphor for the singer's potential power and influence, which could be unleashed at any moment with great force.
But in the end, my time will come
The singer believes that they will eventually achieve success and recognition, even if it takes time and hard work.
Blood, sweat and tears to be the one
The singer is willing to do whatever it takes to be successful, including hard work, sacrifice, and overcoming obstacles.
How many voices go unheard?
The singer is reflecting on the many talented people who never get recognized or heard, despite their potential and talent.
How many lessons never learned?
The singer wonders how many people miss out on important life lessons, whether it's due to a lack of opportunity or a lack of openness to new experiences.
How many artists fear the light
The singer is acknowledging the fear that many creative people have of being exposed and judged, which can prevent them from sharing their work and talents.
Fear the pain, go insane?
The singer questions whether the pain of being vulnerable and exposed can drive people to madness or irrational behavior.
Lose the mind, lose the self
The singer suggests that losing one's creativity and individuality can be an unfortunate side effect of trying too hard to fit in or conform to expectations.
(You only care about fame and wealth)
This parenthetical comment suggests the singer is speaking to those who prioritize fame and wealth above creativity and self-expression.
Sellout, sellout, sellout
The singer is accusing those who prioritize fame and wealth of being sellouts, who will do anything to achieve success, even if it means compromising their values or artistic integrity.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Alex Grant, Benjamin Arthur Mckee, Daniel Coulter Reynolds, Daniel James Platzman, Daniel Wayne Sermon, Jayson M. Dezuzio
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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