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.
Thunder / Young Dumb & Broke
Imagine Dragons Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I cannot give you everything, you know I wish I could
I'm so high at the moment, I'm so caught up in this
Yeah, we're just young, dumb and broke
But we still got love to give
While we're young dumb
Young, young, dumb and broke
Young, young, dumb and broke
Young, dumb
Young, young, dumb and broke
Young, dumb, broke high school kids
Just a young gun with a quick fuse
I was uptight, wanna let loose
I was dreaming of bigger things
And wanna leave my old life behind
Not a yessir, not a follower
Fit the box, fit the mold
Have a seat in the foyer, take a number
I was lightning before the thunder
Thunder, thunder, thunder, thun-
Thunder, thun-thun-thunder, thunder
Thunder, thunder, thun-
Thunder, thun-thun-thunder, thunder
Thunder, feel the thunder
Lightning, then the thunder
Thunder, feel the thunder
Lightning, then the thunder, thunder
Thunder, thunder
We have so much in common, we argue all the time
You always say I'm wrong, I'm pretty sure I'm right
They say you're basic, they say you're easy
You're always riding in the backseat
Now I'm smiling from the stage
While you were clapping in the nose bleeds
While we're young dumb
Young, young, dumb and broke
Young, dumb
Young, young, dumb and broke
Young, dumb
Young, young, dumb and broke
Young, dumb, broke high school kids
Thunder, feel the thunder
Lightning, then the thunder, thunder
Thunder, feel the thunder
Lightning, then the thunder, thunder
Oh, yeah
Nah, yeah
Oh, no, oh, yeah
Young, dumb
Young, young, dumb and broke
Lightning, then the thunder, thunder
Thunder, feel the thunder
Lightning, then the thunder, thunder
Thunder, feel the thunder
Lightning, then the thunder, thunder
Young, dumb
Young, young, dumb and broke
Young, dumb
Young, young, dumb and broke
Young, dumb
Young, young, dumb and broke
Young, dumb, broke high school kids
Ya da da da da da da, ya da da da da da da
Ya da da da da da da
Young, dumb, broke high school kids
Ya da da da da da da, ya da da da da da da
Ya da da da da da da
Young, dumb, broke high school kids
The lyrics of Imagine Dragons’s song Thunder / Young Dumb & Broke are about being young, inexperienced, and going through the motions of life without much purpose. The singer in the song is caught up in the moment, being high, and feeling invincible despite not having it all together. The chorus repeats the phrase “young, dumb, and broke” to emphasize the feeling of being lost but still being able to love and connect with others. The singer reflects on wanting to leave their old life behind and dreaming of bigger things while acknowledging their shortcomings.
The song’s chorus repeats the phrase “young, dumb, and broke,” which has become a catchphrase for the millennial and Gen-Z generations. It encapsulates the feeling of struggling to find direction or purpose while being caught up in the moment. The lyrics also touch on themes of self-discovery, independence, and growing up. The line “You always say I’m wrong, I’m pretty sure I’m right” reflects the feeling of being misunderstood and not being taken seriously by elders.
The repeated use of “lightning before the thunder” in the lyrics is an example of a metaphor that compares a person’s actions to a sudden strike of lightning before the roar of thunder. The song contrasts this sudden energy with the slowness of a basic life that the singer finds themselves in. Overall, the lyrics to Thunder / Young Dumb & Broke are a reflection on the common experiences of youth, with their unique struggles in finding an identity and navigating the world.
Line by Line Meaning
So you're still thinking of me, just like I know you should
You still have feelings for me, and I know you do.
I cannot give you everything, you know I wish I could
I wish I could give you everything you want, but unfortunately, I cannot.
I'm so high at the moment, I'm so caught up in this
I am currently happy and excited about my life.
Yeah, we're just young, dumb and broke
We may not have much money or experience, but we are young and enjoying life.
But we still got love to give
Despite our lack of material wealth, we still have love to give to each other.
Just a young gun with a quick fuse
I am young and hot-headed, with a penchant for reacting quickly to things.
I was uptight, wanna let loose
I used to be quite anxious and stressed, but now I want to relax and have fun.
I was dreaming of bigger things
I used to have aspirations for more than what I currently have.
And wanna leave my old life behind
I want to move on from my past and leave it in the past.
Not a yessir, not a follower
I am not someone who blindly follows what others tell me to do.
Fit the box, fit the mold
I don't like being limited or defined by others' expectations of me.
Have a seat in the foyer, take a number
I don't care about being told to wait or be patient by others.
I was lightning before the thunder
I had a powerful presence and energy before anyone else caught on.
Thunder, thunder, thunder, thun-
The sound of thunder rumbling in the background.
Thunder, thun-thun-thunder, thunder
The sound of thunder intensifying.
Thunder, feel the thunder
Experience the amazing feeling of thunder.
Lightning, then the thunder
First, the exciting spark of lightning, followed by the booming thunder.
We have so much in common, we argue all the time
We may fight a lot, but we share a lot of common ground.
You always say I'm wrong, I'm pretty sure I'm right
We may disagree frequently, but I am confident in my own opinions.
They say you're basic, they say you're easy
Others may criticize you for being ordinary or simple.
You're always riding in the backseat
You may not always be leading the way, but you are still enjoying the ride.
Now I'm smiling from the stage
I am now very happy, perhaps from some kind of achievement or success.
While you were clapping in the nose bleeds
You may have been far away, but you still supported me and showed enthusiasm for my success.
Oh, yeah
An exclamation of excitement or agreement.
Nah, yeah
A somewhat contradictory statement expressing both yes and no.
Oh, no, oh, yeah
A combination of fear and excitement.
Ya da da da da da da, ya da da da da da da
Nonsensical syllables added for rhythm and flow.
Young, dumb, broke high school kids
A statement about living a simple, youthful, and financially challenged life.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Joel Little, Khalid Robinson, Mark Orabiyi
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@og.7044
ik am looking at him back.
🔥🔥🔥🔥
⭐|WINNER|⭐
⭐🏆🏆💓🏆🏆⭐
⭐🏆🏆 🏆🏆⭐
⭐🏆 💓 🏆⭐
🏆 🏆
🏆
🏆 🏆
🎉 🎉 🎉
jk i lost
@thevibeguide
Match made in heaven.
@daceyreiamores6099
No, in the factory.
@cunnyxd445
is this a jojo reference?
@jimmyio8494
made in china
@ren5043
The Vibe Guide you mean match made in heathen
@thegreyghost5846
looks at Patrick Stump (falloutboy) and Elton John in "Save Rack and Roll"
@niftygamer7482
Man Khalid could totally win a staring contest.
@aditeji4754
Nifty Gamer exactly
@isaaclevitt8995
I AM STARING INTO YOUR SOUL
@alex-nj3vn
Isaac Levitt lol 😂