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.
Release
Imagine Dragons Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Set my sights on the setting sun
Heaven talks but not to me
'Cause heaven knows that nothing good comes free
Desolation tragedy
Is there nothing good in me
Is there nothing good in me
Is there nothing good in me
I've let me down, down, down, down
I've let me down, down, down, down
Petty lies to everyone
In the hopes that I could be someone
Heaven talks but not to me
And now I wonder if it's meant to be
Desolation tragedy
Is there nothing good in me
Is there nothing good in me
Is there nothing good in me
Is there nothing good in me
I've let me down, down, down, down
I've let me down, down, down, down
I've let me down, down, down, down
I've let me down, down, down, down
I'll take your word
'Cause after all you've never lied
Oh not at all
But look at me
Oh what a mess
I get caught up in the things that matter the least
Oh let me have release
I've let me down, down, down, down
I've let me down, down, down, down
I've let me down, down, down, down
I've let me down, down, down, down
The lyrics of Imagine Dragons’ song Release speak about self-disappointment and self-doubt. The song communicates a sense of isolation and loneliness as the singer admits all the failures and disappointments in his life. He sings about being miles away from anyone and setting his sights on the setting sun, hinting that he may be on the verge of giving up. The singer alludes to heaven, seemingly talking to someone who is not him, indicating that whatever comfort he may have had is not there for him. The song highlights the concept of self-worth and it seems like the singer is feeling defeated and worthless. His hopes of being someone important and attracting attention are dashed, and he is left in despair wondering if there is anything good left in him.
The song explores the idea that people give too much importance to things that matter the least. Its lyrics seem to recognize that one's self-worth should not be determined solely by external factors or other people’s expectations. The singer acknowledges that he has let himself down in some way or another and that he wants to be free of this cycle of self-disappointment. His acknowledgment of failure is an attempt to find self-forgiveness and acceptance for himself.
Line by Line Meaning
Twenty miles from anyone
I am feeling isolated and distant from others.
Set my sights on the setting sun
I am chasing after something that may never be attainable.
Heaven talks but not to me
I feel disconnected from any higher power or guidance.
'Cause heaven knows that nothing good comes free
I understand that good things require effort and work to achieve.
Desolation tragedy
I feel deep despair and sadness.
Is there nothing good in me
I question whether I am capable of doing anything worthwhile.
I've let me down, down, down, down
I feel like I have disappointed myself and failed in some way.
Petty lies to everyone
I have been dishonest with others for self-serving reasons.
In the hopes that I could be someone
I have been trying to present a false version of myself in order to gain validation.
And now I wonder if it's meant to be
I am questioning the path I have chosen for myself.
I'll take your word
I am willing to trust someone else's perspective.
'Cause after all you've never lied
I have confidence in this person's honesty.
But look at me
Despite the trust I have in others, I am unable to shake my own negative self-image.
Oh what a mess
I am overwhelmed by the state of my life and emotions.
I get caught up in the things that matter the least
I tend to focus on insignificant details instead of addressing larger issues.
Oh let me have release
I am asking for relief or escape from my feelings of inadequacy.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Daniel Coulter Reynolds, Daniel Wayne Sermon, Benjamin Arthur McKee, Daniel James Platzman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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