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.
Lost Cause
Imagine Dragons Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's not me you'll save
Cause I'm a lost cause
I'm a lost cause
A lost, lost cause
Wait, all this time that I have spent away
Makes me think that I might be okay
My head, is holding on to all those things you said
You taught me to be strong and get through it, the mist of darkness
In my head
Oh, dig my shallow grave
It's not me you'll save
Cause I'm a lost cause
I'm a lost cause
A lost, lost cause
Wait, no one said what's lost cannot be found
You are here to make it safe and sound
Oh we, can make it, out alive
Fate, hath its way when all that's learned is sin
Nothing really matters in the end
As long, as you, are with me, friend
Oh, dig my shallow grave
It's not me you'll save
Cause I'm a lost cause
I'm a lost cause
A lost, lost cause
No one can understand me
Like you can understand
No one can fill your shadow
Cause you are all I am
Oh, dig my shallow grave
It's not me you'll save
Cause I'm a lost cause
I'm a lost cause
A lost, lost cause
In "Lost Cause" by Imagine Dragons, the lyrics depict a sense of self-awareness and acceptance of being a lost cause. The singer acknowledges their own flaws and feels as though they are beyond saving. The repeated refrain, "Oh, dig my shallow grave, It's not me you'll save," highlights this realization that they cannot be rescued or redeemed by someone else. They have come to terms with their own destiny and the fact that they are a lost cause.
As the song progresses, the singer reflects on the time they have spent away from those around them. This distance has given them some perspective and allows them to believe that maybe they are okay in their current state. They mention how others have taught them to be strong and face the darkness within their own mind. Despite the challenges, they still hold onto those lessons and find solace in their head.
The lyrics also touch upon the idea that what is lost can still be found. They express the need for someone to make them feel safe and secure, implying that it is possible to navigate through the difficulties of life together. They recognize that fate has a way of intervening, and in the end, nothing truly matters except being with their friend who understands them like no one else can. The last verse emphasizes that the singer's identity is intertwined with their connection to this person, making them feel whole.
Overall, "Lost Cause" delves into themes of self-acceptance, the complexities of human nature, and the significance of meaningful connections amidst chaos and personal struggles.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, dig my shallow grave
I feel like I'm buried alive in my own problems and insecurities.
It's not me you'll save
I don't expect anyone else to come and fix me or solve my issues.
Cause I'm a lost cause
I see myself as someone who is beyond redemption or help.
I'm a lost cause
I strongly believe that there's no hope for me to change or improve.
A lost, lost cause
I'm completely defeated and hopeless, without any direction or purpose.
Wait, all this time that I have spent away
During my time apart from everyone, I've had moments of reflection and self-discovery.
Makes me think that I might be okay
I've come to realize that despite my struggles, there's a possibility for me to be alright.
For this, the deaf will have to wait
The people who didn't listen or pay attention to my struggles will have to remain unaware for now.
My head, is holding on to all those things you said
I can't stop thinking about the advice and guidance you gave me.
You taught me to be strong and get through it, the mist of darkness
Your encouragement was instrumental in helping me find my way through difficult times and uncertainty.
Oh, dig my shallow grave
I'm still trapped in my own self-destructive patterns and negative thoughts.
Wait, no one said what's lost cannot be found
I'm starting to believe that there's a chance to recover what I've lost or find something new.
You are here to make it safe and sound
I trust that you will provide me with the support and security I need in my life.
Oh we, can make it, out alive
Together, we have the strength and resilience to overcome any challenges or obstacles.
Fate, hath its way when all that's learned is sin
When the only lessons I've learned are negative and destructive, destiny takes control.
Nothing really matters in the end
Ultimately, the struggles and burdens we face in life hold little significance.
As long, as you, are with me, friend
As long as I have your companionship and support, I feel a sense of hope and comfort.
No one can understand me
There's a sense of isolation and loneliness, as no one truly comprehends my inner struggles.
Like you can understand
Except for you, who has a deep understanding and empathy towards my situation.
No one can fill your shadow
There's no one else who can replace the significance and impact you have in my life.
Cause you are all I am
You are the cornerstone of my identity and the most essential part of who I am.
Oh, dig my shallow grave
I'm still trapped in my own self-destructive patterns and negative thoughts.
It's not me you'll save
I don't expect anyone else to come and fix me or solve my issues.
Cause I'm a lost cause
I see myself as someone who is beyond redemption or help.
I'm a lost cause
I strongly believe that there's no hope for me to change or improve.
A lost, lost cause
I'm completely defeated and hopeless, without any direction or purpose.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: JOSHUA FRANCIS MOSSER, ALEXANDER JUNIOR GRANT, DANIEL COULTER REYNOLDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Brenton Johnson
This song is so good and so unknown, they could just re-release it on a new album and it’d be top 3 on the tracklist - and new to probably 90% of listeners
Gabe ramos
Facts
Noah Pickart
I feel like this song would have fit into mercury acts 1 and 2 perfectly
ThatGuy
They're doing that now, how'd you predict it? they're making the same album but different cover art and some songs are remixed
Maxthedogo1023
What is that song called?
Jules Leverton
Thank you for uploading this. Every once in a while, I come back to this song because it hits me like no other. One of their best songs, no one really acknowledges its existence...
Christina R
Agreed
fightingolive23
You somehow described exactly how i feel about this song
Lorelei McHoul
They don’t know what it’s really about.
Its Stemmy
Fr fr