The band's second studio album Smoke + Mirrors (2015) reached number one in the US, Canada, and the UK. This was followed by their third studio album Evolve (2017), which resulted in three chart-topping singles, "Believer", "Thunder", and "Whatever It Takes", also making them the artist with the most weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot Rock Songs chart. The album reached the top five in many countries. The band's fourth studio album Origins (2018) featured the single "Natural", which became their fifth song to top the Hot Rock Songs chart. The band has since released Mercury – Acts 1 & 2 (2022), a double album featuring the US top 5 hit "Enemy", and Loom (2024), their first album without longtime drummer Daniel Platzman. Despite their popularity and commercial success, the band's music has been consistently met with mixed critical reception.
Imagine Dragons won three American Music Awards, nine Billboard Music Awards, one Grammy Award, one MTV Video Music Award, and one World Music Award. In May 2014, the band was nominated for 14 Billboard Music Awards, including Top Artist of the Year and a Milestone Award, which recognizes innovation and creativity of artists across different genres. In April 2018, the band was nominated 11 more times for Billboard Music Awards.
Imagine Dragons have sold more than 74 million albums and 65 million digital songs worldwide, making them one of the world's best-selling music artists. They have also earned 160 billion streams across music platforms. They were the most streamed group of 2018 on Spotify, the first rock act to have four songs, "Radioactive", "Demons", "Believer", and "Thunder", to surpass one billion streams each, and the only group in RIAA history to have four songs certified higher than Diamond. According to Billboard, "Believer", "Thunder", and "Radioactive" were the three best performing rock songs of the 2010s.
Smoke and Mirrors
Imagine Dragons Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Show me a sign, sweep me away
This is my word heart breaker, gatekeeper
I'm feeling far away, I'm feeling right there
Deep in my heart, deep in my mind
Take me away, take me away
This is my word dream maker, life taker
All I believe, Is it a dream?
That comes crashing down on me?
All that I own
Is it just smoke and mirrors?
I want to believe
But all that I own
Is it just smoke and mirrors?
All that I've known, buildings of stone
Fall to the ground without a sound
This is my word heart breaker, gatekeeper
I'm feeling far away, I'm feeling right there
I'm starting to cave, I'm losing my flame
I wanted your truth, but I wanted the pain
Disappear dream maker, life taker
All I believe, Is it a dream?
That comes crashing down on me?
All that I own
Is it just smoke and mirrors?
I want to believe
But all that I own
Is it just smoke and mirrors?
I want to believe
All I believe, Is it a dream?
That comes crashing down on me?
All that I own
Is it just smoke and mirrors?
I want to believe
But all that I own
Is it just smoke and mirrors?
The lyrics of "Smoke and Mirrors" by Imagine Dragons seem to convey a sense of disillusionment and uncertainty. The singer is questioning whether what they believe is real or just an illusion, something that will come crashing down around them. The repetition of the phrase "smoke and mirrors" adds to this feeling of uncertainty, suggesting that things may not be what they seem. The singer seems to be struggling with a sense of being trapped or stuck, unable to move forward or find clarity.
The imagery of buildings falling to the ground without a sound adds to the sense of looming danger or impending collapse. The singer seems to be searching for a way out, for something to sweep them away from their current situation. However, they are also conflicted, wanting both truth and pain.
Overall, "Smoke and Mirrors" is a powerful meditation on the nature of belief, truth, and illusion. It speaks to the human struggle to find meaning and purpose in a world that can seem confusing and chaotic.
Line by Line Meaning
This is my word, this is my way
My word and my way define who I am and what I stand for.
Show me a sign, sweep me away
I am seeking a clear indication of what I should do, a force that can change my life.
This is my word heart breaker, gatekeeper
My word can be destructive or protective, depending on the situation.
I'm feeling far away, I'm feeling right there
I am both distant and close to my emotions, never sure which one to trust.
Deep in my heart, deep in my mind
My thoughts and feelings are intertwined and powerful, affecting everything I do.
Take me away, take me away
I want to be removed from my current situation, taken to a different reality.
This is my word dream maker, life taker
My words can create unrealistic expectations and also destroy the very things I hold dear.
All I believe, Is it a dream?
I am questioning the validity of my beliefs, wondering if they are just illusions.
That comes crashing down on me?
I fear that my dreams will be shattered, leaving me with nothing.
All that I own
Everything I possess, both material and spiritual.
Is it just smoke and mirrors?
I am questioning the reality of everything I thought I knew, wondering if it is all an illusion.
All that I've known, buildings of stone
Even things that seemed solid and permanent can crumble and disappear.
Fall to the ground without a sound
The collapse of something important can happen suddenly and silently, without warning.
I'm starting to cave, I'm losing my flame
I am struggling to keep going, losing my motivation and energy.
I wanted your truth, but I wanted the pain
I desired honesty and authenticity, even though it hurts.
Disappear dream maker, life taker
I wish for the illusion and the destructive force to vanish.
I want to believe
Despite all the doubts and fears, I still have hope.
But all that I own
Everything I possess, both material and spiritual.
Is it just smoke and mirrors?
I am questioning the reality of everything I thought I knew, wondering if it is all an illusion.
I want to believe
Despite all the doubts and fears, I still have hope.
But all that I own
Everything I possess, both material and spiritual.
Is it just smoke and mirrors?
I am questioning the reality of everything I thought I knew, wondering if it is all an illusion.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Benjamin Arthur McKee, Daniel Coulter Reynolds, Daniel James Platzman, Daniel Wayne Sermon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@GeorgeDemin
How is this one not played at every concert is something that never ceases to amaze me, even after almost ten years
@musicalenthusiast8744
this one's got a strange vibe which can nly be felt alone in solicitation, it's vibe can't match the energy that he brings unto himself at the concerts
@amelinanadira6892
this song comforts me. I glad I went to your concert last year. I think I can die peacefully now.
@DanielLinklater-em4cm
😅
@classicrockmusic.2
We may be strangers, but I hope life treats you kindly and brings you everything your heart desires! 🍀
@AngelaR.24
I love this song. One of my all time favorites. I hope they sing it at concerts this year
@mishi2702
🗣OPEN UP MY MIIIIIND🔥
@BlazingPlayz-d5o
🗣️All i believe!!!
@ΕΦΗΚΩΣΤΗ
Is it a dream!!
@BlazingPlayz-d5o
That comes crashing down on me!!🗣🗣🔥