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 6ā4ā 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 āItās Time,ā 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 āContinued Silence EPā is an all too apt descriptor of the bandās hard-earned successābut itās 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 āthe house always wins,ā 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. Itās 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 Alexās hip hop sensibilities and Imagine Dragonsā anthemic rock is nothing short of explosive. The byproduct of this creative collision is āContinued Silence,ā 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 arenāt 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 itās the former.
Cool Out
Imagine Dragons Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just before I go
Yes I know that I'm losing control, yeah
I wanna take things slow, put my mind cruise control
I know I'm always pacing
And I blame it on the pressure I'm facing
I wanna take things slow, put my mind cruise control
I'm standing on your front porch, saying: "Don't go"
You're lookin' at me wild saying "Just go home" and
Cool out, 'cause baby I don't think I'm the one for you
So just cool out, 'cause baby I don't think I'm the one for you
So cool out, stay high, stay fresh, late nights
And just cool out, 'cause baby I don't think I'm the one for you
So cool out
You're always saying that you're read my sign and
Always wishing that I'll take the time but
You know that's not my speed
Only believe what I can see
I live my life in black and white
I know that's not what you would like
That's all I know, I put my mind and cruise control
I'm standing on your front porch, saying: "Don't go"
You're lookin' at me wild saying "Just go home" and
Cool out, 'cause baby I don't think I'm the one for you
So just cool out, 'cause baby I don't think I'm the one for you
So cool out, stay high, stay fresh, late nights
And just cool out, 'cause baby I don't think I'm the one for you
So cool out (cool out, so cool out)
All the things that you detest in me
They keep you coming back for more, you see
We make each other get a bit crazy
But you'll always be a part of me
Cool out, 'cause baby I don't think I'm the one for you
So just cool out, 'cause baby I don't think I'm the one for you
So cool out, stay high, stay fresh, late nights
And just cool out, 'cause baby I don't think I'm the one for you
So cool out (cool out, so cool out)
Cool out, so cool out
(Cool out, cool out)
(Cool out, cool out)
The lyrics of "Cool Out" by Imagine Dragons convey the desire to take things easy and slow down in life. The singer admits to losing control and always pacing due to the pressures he's facing. He wants to put his mind on cruise control and enjoy life at his own speed. However, the person he's addressing is always pushing him to reveal more of himself, but he's unable to offer more because he only believes what he can see. The two have a love/hate relationship that keeps them coming back to each other even though they're not a perfect match.
The chorus of the song gives the most significant take away - the need for the singer to cool out, stay high, stay fresh, and late at night. He acknowledges that he's not the one for the person he's addressing, but he doesn't want that to end their relationship entirely. Overall, the lyrics suggest that everyone needs to slow down and take things easy, regardless of what's going on in their lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Cool out, cool out
Calm down, relax
Just before I go
Right before I leave
Yes I know that I'm losing control, yeah
I wanna take things slow, put my mind cruise control
I know I'm always pacing
And I blame it on the pressure I'm facing
I wanna take things slow, put my mind cruise control
I'm aware I'm not in control, so I want to maintain a steady pace without ruminating, since the factors pressuring me to hurry constantly are causing my volatility.
I'm standing on your front porch, saying: "Don't go"
You're lookin' at me wild saying "Just go home" and
I'm at your doorstep, asking you not to leave me, but you're looking at me like I'm crazy and telling me to leave.
Cool out, 'cause baby I don't think I'm the one for you
So just cool out, 'cause baby I don't think I'm the one for you
So cool out, stay high, stay fresh, late nights
And just cool out, 'cause baby I don't think I'm the one for you
So cool out
Just relax and remain calm because I don't believe I'm right for you despite our history together, and it's time to move on.
You're always saying that you're read my sign and
Always wishing that I'll take the time but
You know that's not my speed
Only believe what I can see
I live my life in black and white
I know that's not what you would like
That's all I know, I put my mind and cruise control
You keep telling me that you understand me, and that you hope I'll take more time to understand you too, but I'm not one to move at a slower pace or rely on feelings rather than logic. I live my life objectively, but I don't expect that's how you'd prefer it. So, to maintain my peace of mind, I just let my mind drift on cruise control.
All the things that you detest in me
They keep you coming back for more, you see
We make each other get a bit crazy
But you'll always be a part of me
You hate things about me, yet you find yourself wanting more of me. We drive each other a little nuts, but you'll always hold a special place in my heart.
Cool out, so cool out
Relax, just relax
Lyrics Ā© Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Benjamin Arthur McKee, Daniel Coulter Reynolds, Daniel James Platzman, Daniel Wayne Sermon, Tim Randolph
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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