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.
Cutthroat
Imagine Dragons Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I built this tower quietly
And when my well of Wellbutrin is
Running dry of serotonin
I can say things I don't mean
Or maybe it's the truth in me
I feel it building, bubbling up
My t-t-time is up
I'm so (mis-) misunderstood, (-un) but I live for this (-der)
My money's good (-stood), and I came to win
(Mis-) so step on up (-un), and I promise you
Only one of us gon' make it out alive and it's not you
(Cutthroat)
Only one of us
Only one of us gon' make it out alive and it's not you
(Cutthroat)
Only one of us
Only one of us gon' make it out alive
I've been making my Gethsemane
Since I was young my ancestry
Was marching martyrdom across the
Ra-da-da-da-da-da, plains of Utah
I can't lie, I've been played
By powerful people who get their way
But I in time will climb my mountain
I in time will rise
I'm so (mis-) misunderstood, (-un) but I live for this (-der)
My money's good (-stood), and I came to win
(Mis-) so step on up (-un), and I promise you
Only one of us gon' make it out alive and it's not you
(Cutthroat)
Only one of us
Only one of us gon' make it out alive and it's not you
(Cutthroat)
Only one of us
Only one of us gon' make it out alive
Try me
Try me (ra-da-da-da-da-da)
Cutthroat
Only one of us
Only one of us
Not you (cutthroat)
Only one of us
Only one of us
Only one of us
(Get on the knee, get on the knee, get on the knee)
(Get on the knee, get on the knee, get on the knee)
(Get on the knee, get on the knee)
Cutthroat (get on the knee)
Cutthroat (get on the knee, get, get, get)
Cutthroat (get, get, get, get, get, get, get)
Cutthroat
The opening line of the chorus in "Cutthroat" by Imagine Dragons, "Only one of us gon' make it out alive and it's not you" sets a tone for the whole song. With the use of the metaphor of "Cutthroat", the lyrics speak to the survival of the fittest mentality within the music industry, and in life in general. The chorus, supported by a deep bass line and pounding drum beat, hammers home the idea that success is not guaranteed for everyone, and that only the strongest will survive.
The verses of the song can be interpreted as a deep introspection into the mind of someone who is struggling with mental health issues. The line referencing "Wellbutrin" and "serotonin" implies a dependence on antidepressants. Moreover, the lyrics address the tendency to say things the person doesn't mean, which may be a result of their depression, but may also come from a place of frustration with the industry, where politeness often translates into hidden agendas. The last lines of the song, "Get on your knees" repeat several times, giving the connotation of power dynamics, whether it be, in this case, the music industry, or more globally, perhaps the power structures of society.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been waiting patiently
I've been waiting silently, without giving up hope.
I built this tower quietly
I have worked hard on this project, without drawing attention to myself.
And when my well of Wellbutrin is Running dry of serotonin
And when I run out of the medication that affects my mood negatively.
I can say things I don't mean Or maybe it's the truth in me
I tend to express my most truthful feelings, even if they are not what I intend to say.
I feel it building, bubbling up My t-t-time is up
I sense a strong emotional response brewing within me that is about to erupt.
I'm so (mis-) misunderstood, (-un) but I live for this (-der)
I am often not fully appreciated, but I thrive in my current situation.
My money's good (-stood), and I came to win
I have ample resources and I am determined to succeed.
(Mis-) so step on up (-un), and I promise you
Despite being misjudged, come forward, and I assure you.
Only one of us gon' make it out alive and it's not you
Only one of us will survive this conflict, and it will not be you.
(Cutthroat)
This game of survival is fierce and ruthless.
I've been making my Gethsemane Since I was young my ancestry
I have been suffering in silence since I was young, just like my ancestors before me.
Was marching martyrdom across the Ra-da-da-da-da-da, plains of Utah
Fighting against oppression and persecution, much like my ancestors marching across the Utah plains.
I can't lie, I've been played By powerful people who get their way
I admit that I have been tricked and manipulated by those in power who always get what they want.
But I in time will climb my mountain I in time will rise
But I am confident that I will overcome these challenges and eventually triumph.
Try me
Challenge me and see what I am capable of.
Try me (ra-da-da-da-da-da)
Challenge me to prove myself.
Cutthroat
The situation is ruthless and unforgiving.
Only one of us
There can only be one survivor.
Not you (cutthroat)
The winner will be someone else, not you, in this ruthless situation.
Get on the knee
Kneel before me in submission.
Cutthroat (get on the knee)
This is a ruthless environment, and you must show your submission.
Cutthroat (get on the knee, get, get, get)
Kneel down, pay respect, and acknowledge the harsh reality of this situation.
Cutthroat (get, get, get, get, get, get, get)
This situation is relentless and brutal, and you must show your loyalty or fall.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Benjamin Arthur McKee, Daniel Coulter Reynolds, Daniel James Platzman, Daniel Wayne Sermon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MaggieJaneSimpson
Everyone just wants to see him screaming his lungs out 😂😂😂
@alextomecek3015
Si cz alebo sk?
@MaggieJaneSimpson
@Alex Tomecek Slovenka 😊
@hamiltonchampagne5025
Lmao!! 🤣😂
@yummcyummy
Lol
@bwmanhath3770
And he somehow did it amazingly...
@eglerusso
I WOULD LOVE IT IF THEY MADE A WHOLE ALBUM WITH THIS VIBE AND THE SCREAMS😫 this song is so perfect
@shrutiOP
that would be reverse linkin park XD
Edit: i saw my comment from 12 days ago and got confused as to what i meant by it, so i thought i should clarify for anyone else that comes across,
That album would be reverse Linkin park because the vibe of this song is confident and motivational, unlike Linkin park who have songs with same volume but depressed and doubtful vibes.
@XxNoMErcY99xX
@shruti yeahh that's pretty specific 😂
@jojo1cool
I want it too but Dan would lose his voice 💀 maybe they named this song cutthroat for that matter.