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.
Not Giving In
Imagine Dragons Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm not giving in i'm not giving in
Well, it's time to start the show
I lost my heart and lost my soul
And now it's time that you won't know
I lost my mind and lost my soul
Ooh, I'm not giving in
Ooh, I'm not giving in, yeah
This time
I'm gonna be stronger I'm not giving in
This time, I'm gonna be stronger, no
I'm not giving in
Waste my time which makes things worse
Lost in mine, my love is cursed
Time to make these things feel right
Woah, let's start this show for one last time
Oh, I'm not giving in (Not giving in)
Not giving in (Not giving in)
Oh, not giving in (Not giving in)
Not giving in, oh
This time, I'm gonna be stronger
I'm not giving in, no
This time, I'm gonna be stronger, no
I'm not giving in
This time, I'm gonna be stronger
I'm not giving in, no
This time, I'm gonna be stronger, no
I'm not giving in
Not giving in i'm not giving in
Not giving in, ooh not giving in, ooh
Oh, I've gotta be stronger
Oh, I've gotta be stronger
The lyrics of "Not Giving In" by Imagine Dragons depict a powerful message of resilience and determination in the face of adversity. The song conveys a sense of personal struggle and the refusal to give up or give in to the challenges that life presents. The repetition of the lines "I'm not giving in" throughout the song serves as a mantra of strength and defiance against obstacles.
The opening lines suggest a sense of introspection and reflection, as the singer acknowledges the losses they have endured - their heart, soul, and mind. Despite these setbacks, there is a sense of resolve and a declaration that others will not be able to fully grasp the depth of their internal struggles. This sets the tone for the rest of the song, emphasizing the internal battles and the determination to overcome them.
As the song progresses, there is a shift in attitude towards empowerment and self-assurance. The lyrics express a commitment to becoming stronger and not succumbing to defeat. The repeated declaration of "This time, I'm gonna be stronger" reinforces a newfound sense of resilience and a refusal to be defeated by past failures or hardships.
The chorus of the song serves as a rallying cry for inner strength and perseverance. The proclamation of not giving in is repeated with increasing intensity, symbolizing a steadfast commitment to overcoming obstacles and emerging stronger on the other side. The imagery of starting the show "for one last time" suggests a readiness to confront challenges head-on and make things right, no matter how daunting the task may seem.
In the final verse, the lyrics reinforce the message of strength and fortitude. The insistence on being stronger and not giving in underscores the unwavering determination to push through difficulties and emerge victorious. The repeated exclamations of "Not giving in" and the assertion of needing to be stronger serve as a powerful reminder of the singer's resilience and refusal to be defeated. Overall, "Not Giving In" is a powerful anthem of perseverance and resilience in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm not giving in i'm not giving in
I refuse to give up, I refuse to surrender
Well, it's time to start the show
Now is the time to face what's ahead
I lost my heart and lost my soul
I have lost my passion and essence
And now it's time that you won't know
It's time for me to regain control
I lost my mind and lost my soul
I have lost my sanity and essence
This time, I'm gonna be stronger I'm not giving in
Now, I will build resilience and not give up
Waste my time which makes things worse
Investing time in the wrong things creates more problems
Lost in mine, my love is cursed
Caught in my own thoughts, my love is doomed
Time to make these things feel right
It's time to correct and restore things
Oh, I've gotta be stronger
I have to be resilient and steadfast
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Shaggy Doo
I'm not giving in
I'm not giving in
I'm not giving in
I'm not giving in
Well, it's time to start the show
I lost my heart and lost my soul
And now it's time that you won't know
I lost my mind and lost my goal
Mm, not giving in
I'm not giving in
Ooh, I'm not giving in
Ooh, I'm not giving in, yeah
This time, I'm gonna be stronger I'm not giving in
This time, I'm gonna be stronger, no, I'm not giving in
Waste my time which makes things worse
Lost in mine, my love is cursed
Time to make these things feel right
Woah, let's start this show for one last time
Oh, I'm not giving in
(Not giving in)
Not giving in
(Not giving in)
Not giving in
(Not giving in)
Not giving in
This time, I'm gonna be stronger I'm not giving in
This time, I'm gonna be stronger, no, I'm not giving in
This time, I'm gonna be stronger I'm not giving in
This time, I'm gonna be stronger, no, I'm not giving in
Not giving in
I'm not giving in
Not giving in, ooh
Not giving in, ooh
Oh, I've gotta be stronger
Oh, I've gotta be stronger
Oh, I've gotta be stronger
Shaggy Doo
I'm not giving in
I'm not giving in
I'm not giving in
I'm not giving in
Well, it's time to start the show
I lost my heart and lost my soul
And now it's time that you won't know
I lost my mind and lost my goal
Mm, not giving in
I'm not giving in
Ooh, I'm not giving in
Ooh, I'm not giving in, yeah
This time, I'm gonna be stronger I'm not giving in
This time, I'm gonna be stronger, no, I'm not giving in
Waste my time which makes things worse
Lost in mine, my love is cursed
Time to make these things feel right
Woah, let's start this show for one last time
Oh, I'm not giving in
(Not giving in)
Not giving in
(Not giving in)
Not giving in
(Not giving in)
Not giving in
This time, I'm gonna be stronger I'm not giving in
This time, I'm gonna be stronger, no, I'm not giving in
This time, I'm gonna be stronger I'm not giving in
This time, I'm gonna be stronger, no, I'm not giving in
Not giving in
I'm not giving in
Not giving in, ooh
Not giving in, ooh
Oh, I've gotta be stronger
Oh, I've gotta be stronger
Oh, I've gotta be stronger
Cookie L0ver
I love this so much thank you <3
Lil
bro i like your name XD
Cookie L0ver
@Lil omg thank you!! :DDD
Emmett Francisco
I guess I'm kinda randomly asking but does anybody know a good website to stream new movies online?
Cookie L0ver
@Emmett Francisco soap2day is a good choice they update new movies
Hugo Beckham
@Emmett Francisco i use FlixZone. Just google for it =)
Lil
i love dis song peeps.its just the truth.
Lil
wow dis guy likes all the comments quike.
MaxFI
Wow, they made a cover of the Nakkivene song!