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.
Speak to Me
Imagine Dragons Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Flashing lights and
Let all whispers die
Sixteen colors
I'm so lonley
Let, let the picture dry
And everybody says things rationally
So open up your heart, open up your mind
Speak, speak, speak, speak to me
Let it go
So open up your heart, open up your mind
Speak, speak, speak, speak to me
Let it go
Supressed emotions flying past
And heading out the other end
Our precious love, the daily grind
It's wonderful...
Elastic wasted, rubber ghost
Floating past the midnight hour
We push aside the things that matter most
Wonderful...
Trace the faces
X the places
Where the judges lie
I'm not scared of
All the nothings
Let's let the whispers die
Cause everybody sees things differently
Exciting news, at discount price
And everybody says things rationally
A million opportunities
So open up your heart, open up your mind
Speak, speak, speak, speak to me
Let it go
So open up your heart, open up your mind
Speak, speak, speak, speak to me
Let it go
I-M-A-G-I-N-E-Ohhhh... M-O-V-E-M-E-N-T Ohhhhhh...
I-M-A-G-I-N-E Ohhhh... L-E-T U-S B-E F-E-A-R-L-E-S-S
Cause everybody sees things differently
Exciting news, at discount price
And everybody says things rationally
A million opportunities
So open up your heart, open up your mind
Speak, speak, speak, speak to me
Let it go
So open up your heart, open up your mind
Speak, speak, speak, speak to me
Let it go
Wonderful...
In the song "Speak to Me," Imagine Dragons calls for open communication and honest conversation. The song comes across as a message that we should never shy away from expressing our feelings to each other. In the first verse, the singer urges us to shed rumors and let mysteries die to make way for transparency, authenticity, and honest conversation. The track also features a rhythmic beat that builds into a catchy chorus. The band uses the powerful chorus to encourage people to let go of their suppressions and express their thoughts, regardless of how they may seem.
Throughout the song, the band's lyrics suggest a need for a change of direction, especially in the relationships between people. They suggest that we should make our innermost thoughts public, and as a result, we'll enjoy a more harmonious society where everyone can speak up. The song's unambiguous message is that speaking out is the only way we can find peace and break free from our inhibitions. So, unless we speak out, we will never accomplish anything, and our relationships will continue to suffer.
Line by Line Meaning
Draw a rumor
Start spreading gossip and rumors
Flashing lights and
There is a lot of attention and excitement around
Let all whispers die
Ignore all the rumors and gossip
Sixteen colors
There are many different perspectives and opinions
I'm so lonely
Feeling isolated and disconnected
Let, let the picture dry
Wait for clarity and understanding to emerge
Cause everybody sees things differently
Everyone has their own unique perspective
And everybody says things rationally
People express themselves reasonably and logically
So open up your heart, open up your mind
Be receptive to new ideas and experiences
Speak, speak, speak, speak to me
Communicate openly and honestly
Let it go
Release negative thoughts and emotions
Suppressed emotions flying past
Unexpressed feelings are quickly passing by
And heading out the other end
Emotions are leaving without being dealt with
Our precious love, the daily grind
The monotony of daily life is taking a toll on our relationship
It's wonderful...
Despite the hardships, our love still remains beautiful
Elastic wasted, rubber ghost
Feeling empty and disconnected from reality
Floating past the midnight hour
Time is moving quickly and it feels like we're just going through the motions
We push aside the things that matter most
We neglect the important things in our lives
Trace the faces
Remember the people involved
X the places
Forget about the locations and environments
Where the judges lie
Where people are making unbalanced and unfair judgments
I'm not scared of
I am facing my fears and anxieties head on
All the nothings
All the insignificant things that used to bother me
Cause everybody sees things differently
Many people have varied views and experiences
Exciting news, at discount price
There are many opportunities available
A million opportunities
Endless possibilities exist
So open up your heart, open up your mind
Be open to new experiences and perspectives
Wonderful...
Despite the struggles and hardships in life, there is still beauty and joy to be found
Contributed by Mila R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@dalegendary0053
Draw a room of
flashing lights and
let all whispers die
16 colors
i'm so lonely
lets let the picture dry
cause everybody sees things differently
and everybody says things rationally
so open up your heart, open up your mind
speak speak speak speak to me, let it go
so open up your heart, open up your mind
speak speak speak speak to me, let it go
impressed emotions flying past
are heading out the other end
the pressures of the daily grind
its wonderful
elastic waste and rubber ghosts
are floating past the midnight hour
they push aside the things that matter most, wonderful
trace the faces, x the places
where the judges lie
im not scared of all the nothings
lets let the whispers die
cause everybody sees things differently
(exciting news at discount price)
and everybody says things rationally
(a million opportunities)
so open up your heart, open up your mind
speak speak speak speak to me, let it go
so open up your heart, open up your mind
speak speak speak speak to me, let it go
I-M-A-G-I-N-E
M-O-V-E-M-E-N-T
I-M-A-G-I-N-E
L-E-T-U-S-B-E-F-E-A-R-L-E-S-S
Instrumental Break
cause everybody sees things differently
(exciting news at discount price)
and everybody says things rationally
(a million opportunities)
so open up your heart, open up your mind
speak speak speak speak to me, let it go
so open up your heart, open up your mind
speak speak speak speak to me, let it go
(wonderful)
@pera_king3720
Lyrics in portuguese
Letra em português
[Intro]
[Pré Refrão]
Desenhe um boato; luzes piscando e deixe todos os sussurros morrerem
Dezesseis cores, sou tão sozinho(a)
Deixe, deixe a foto secar
[Refrão]
Pois todo mundo vê as coisas diferentemente
E todo mundo diz coisas racionalmente
Então abra seu coração, abra sua mente
Fale, fale, fale, fale comigo
Deixe sair
Então abra seu coração, abra sua mente
Fale, fale, fale, fale comigo
Deixe sair
[Verso]
Emoções reprimidas passando pelo ar
Estão indo para o outro lado
O precioso amor, a rotona diária
É maravilhoso
Elástico desperdiçado, Fastama de borracha
Estão flutuando depois da meia-noite
Eles afastam as que coisas mais importam
Maravilhoso
[Pré Refrão 2]
Trace os rostos, marque os lugares onde os juízes se encontram
Eu não estou assustado de todo o nada
Deixe, deixe os sussurros morrerem
[Refrão]
Pois todo mundo vê as coisas diferentemente
(Notícias emocionantes a preço de desconto)
E todo mundo diz coisas racionalmente
(Um milhão de oportunidades)
Então abra seu coração, abra sua mente
Fale, fale, fale, fale comigo
Deixe sair
Então abra seu coração, abra sua mente
Fale, fale, fale, fale comigo
Deixe sair
[Ponte]
I-M-A-G-I-N-E, oh
M-O-V-I-M-E-N-T-O, oh
I-M-A-G-I-N-E, oh
N-O-S-D-E-I-X-E-S-E-R-D-E-S-T-E-M-I-D-O-S
REALLY COOL GUITAR hehe
[Refrão/Final]
Pois todo mundo vê as coisas diferentemente
(Notícias emocionantes a preço de desconto)
E todo mundo diz coisas racionalmente
(Um milhão de oportunidades)
Então abra seu coração, abra sua mente
Fale, fale, fale, fale comigo
Deixe sair
Então abra seu coração, abra sua mente
Fale, fale, fale, fale comigo
Deixe sair
(Maravilhoso)
@LucasAlves-hi2kx
When you think you've listened to all Imagine Dragons' songs, you always find another one you've never heard of :)
@zubairamrani
+Lucas Alves This always happens to me
@mayaithegg
Same here. Isn't this their first one?
@zubairamrani
+Comet the Kitty Actually its not them, thats only Dan in this song
@haloblackops117
+Zubair Amrani And there is another guy too.
@baconmachette6072
+MrMyriad the other guy is Andrew Tolman. His wife is the girl singer
@buckybrown1048
The best thing about this song is that it feels like organised chaos. It feels so all over the place and I love it.
@jmarkiewicz
They sound so different...Yet still so beautiful.
@CaptainChocolatePig
ImmortalPancakes It's an almost completely different line-up... Dan Reynolds is the only current member that was in this one. I'm really confused on the band name though because it was supposed to be important to the CURRENT members (minus Platzman) but it was still used for this... Me confused.Hi btw
@jmarkiewicz
CaptainChocolatePig Hi lol. And I think we all don't know what this is. Even the biggest of fans lol. Well except if you were there in 2008 which is very unlikely. Mac reynolds doesn't say much about this either except from that it was much different from what it is now.