Radioactive
Kendrick Lamar Imagine Dragons Lyrics


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I'm waking up to ash and dust
I wipe my brow and I sweat my rust
I'm breathing in the chemicals
I'm breaking in, shaping up, then checking out on the prison bus
This is it, the apocalypse, whoa

I'm waking up,
I feel it in my bones (enough) to make my systems blow
Welcome to the new age, to the new age
Welcome to the new age, to the new age
Whoa, whoa, I'm radioactive, radioactive
Whoa, whoa, I'm radioactive, radioactive

I raise my flags, dye my clothes
It's a revolution, I suppose
We'll paint it red to fit right in, whoa
I'm breaking in, shaping up, checking out on the prison bus
This is it, the apocalypse, whoa

I'm waking up,
I feel it in my bones (enough) to make my systems blow
Welcome to the new age, to the new age
Welcome to the new age, to the new age
Whoa, whoa, I'm radioactive, radioactive
Whoa, whoa, I'm radioactive, radioactive

All systems go, sun hasn't died
Deep in my bones, straight from inside

Bury me alive, bury me with pride
Bury me with berries, that forbidden fruit and cherry wine
Thank you berry much, but tonight's my night and I'm Barry Bonds
Swingin' for the fences, barbaric Kendrick in idle time
Everything in life's subject to change, change whip, change grind
Change clothes, change opinions, right before I change my mind
I don't really know ya' business, been in there since I was bendin' Lego blocks
Now you tell the world about me, dry snitch
Tater tots on my shotgun, now I gotta pop one at the stars
Sky's the limit, I gotta finish as the first rapper on Mars
Mark my word, I'mma make my mark, even when they start their Martial Law
Even when these Martians alienate, my mental state is still at heart
Fuck, look in my eyes, tell me I died, tell me I tried, to compromise
Tell me you love me, tell me that I, don't give a fuck and can barely decide
Wishin' good luck on my enemies, all of my energy go to the almighty God
I could drown in a bottle of Hennessy, fuck your amenities, I'm gettin' better with time, ah!

I'm waking up,
I feel it in my bones (enough) to make my systems blow
Welcome to the new age, to the new age
Welcome to the new age, to the new age
Whoa, whoa, I'm radioactive, radioactive
Whoa, whoa, I'm radioactive, radioactive





I'm radioactive, radioactive

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Kendrick Lamar and Imagine Dragons’ song “Radioactive” takes a hard look at the world that exists after the apocalypse. The opening words “I'm waking up to ash and dust” symbolizes the world of destruction, chaos, and uncertainty that someone is waking up to. The next line “I wipe my brow and I sweat my rust” symbolizes the struggle of surviving in this post-apocalyptic world where everything is damaged and rusty. The lines “I'm breathing in the chemicals// I'm breaking in, shaping up, then checking out on the prison bus” paints a picture of a society where people have to adapt themselves to the environment in order to survive. The society is compared to prison, which leads the character to search for a way out.


The chorus repeats the line “Welcome to the new age," which adds to the notion that the world is post-apocalyptic, and a new era has arrived. The line “I feel it in my bones to make my systems blow” is a powerful line that suggests the need for change. The lyrics also suggest that the new age is going to be different from the previous age, with a lot of changes. The song highlights the need for change in the world, and how the world is moving on from the previous state of existence.


Line by Line Meaning

I'm waking up to ash and dust
Starting the day feeling the weight of destruction and chaos around me.


I wipe my brow and I sweat my rust
I work hard and constantly to improve myself despite the difficulties.


I'm breathing in the chemicals
The toxic environment around me is poisoning me from the inside out.


I'm breaking in, shaping up, then checking out on the prison bus
I'm trying to escape the oppressive system that confines and controls me.


This is it, the apocalypse, whoa
The end of the world as we know it, a time of great change and upheaval.


I raise my flags, dye my clothes
I am taking a stand and making a statement, expressing myself in bold and creative ways.


It's a revolution, I suppose
The changes that we're making are profound and transformative, with the potential to shift the status quo in a big way.


We'll paint it red to fit right in, whoa
We're willing to stand out and make a statement, even if it means going against the norm and being seen as different.


All systems go, sun hasn't died
Everything is moving forward and we are still alive and thriving despite the hardships.


Deep in my bones, straight from inside
I am unique and powerful, with a strength and intensity that comes from deep within myself.


Bury me alive, bury me with pride
Even in death and defeat, I am strong and proud, and I refuse to be broken or defeated.


Bury me with berries, that forbidden fruit and cherry wine
Even in the afterlife, I will be rich and indulgent, enjoying the pleasures of life to the fullest.


Thank you berry much, but tonight's my night and I'm Barry Bonds
I am unstoppable and unbeatable, like a legendary baseball player hitting home runs with ease.


Swingin' for the fences, barbaric Kendrick in idle time
I am always pushing myself to be the best, even in times when things might seem calm and uneventful.


Everything in life's subject to change, change whip, change grind
Life is always changing, and I am willing to adapt and evolve in order to stay ahead and succeed.


Change clothes, change opinions, right before I change my mind
I am always growing and learning, willing to change my perspective and beliefs in response to new information.


I don't really know ya' business, been in there since I was bendin' Lego blocks
I am focused on my own path and goals, and I don't have time to get caught up in other people's drama or agendas.


Now you tell the world about me, dry snitch
People who betray me or exploit my trust will regret it, as I will not hesitate to expose them.


Tater tots on my shotgun, now I gotta pop one at the stars
Even in times of struggle and frustration, I am determined and able to rise above it and find success and happiness.


Sky's the limit, I gotta finish as the first rapper on Mars
I am driven and ambitious, with big dreams and aspirations that I am confident I can achieve.


Mark my word, I'mma make my mark, even when they start their Martial Law
Even in times of oppression and control, I will rise up and claim my own power and autonomy.


Even when these Martians alienate, my mental state is still at heart
Even if I am ostracized or alone, I am confident and strong in myself and my own sense of purpose and worth.


Fuck, look in my eyes, tell me I died, tell me I tried, to compromise
I refuse to be beaten down or broken, and I will always stand up for what I believe in and what I know to be right.


Tell me you love me, tell me that I, don't give a fuck and can barely decide
I am independent and self-sufficient, and I don't rely on others for my own happiness or validation.


Wishin' good luck on my enemies, all of my energy go to the almighty God
I am focused on my own growth and success, and I don't waste time or energy on petty feuds or rivalries.


I could drown in a bottle of Hennessy, fuck your amenities, I'm gettin' better with time, ah!
Even in times of temptation or weakness, I am working to improve myself and become better and stronger every day.


I'm radioactive
I am powerful and unstoppable, with a unique energy and strength that sets me apart from others.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Daniel Wayne Sermon, Daniel Coulter Reynolds, Benjamin Arthur McKee, Alexander Junior Grant, Kendrick Duckworth, Joshua Francis Mosser

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@VaporMC

Kendrick's verse takes this song to another level.

@SuperRc94

No just killed it

@calamityredgnat9356

Vapor MC yeah and the PERCUSSION TOOOoo. I wish that ID would experiment with their songs a bit more, it won't be long until their songs all start sounding the same imo. Still love them tho ^^

@kcinrolyat3049

300th like

@nonalayasotoalvarojulian1518

@@calamityredgnat9356 just listen to smoke + mirrors or their eps

@hukutka94

Absolutely.

2 More Replies...

@thrashmetaljay666

These guys did what a lot of bands don't do and made their SNL performance epic. This was probably one of the best SNL performances I've seen in a long time.

@liltwerp3418

And then Kendrick’s “I” came along, literally one of the best performances ever on SNLz

@jimmytempleton7910

Are you kidding? When Imagine Dragons and Kendrick Lamar did this on the Grammys, my mind was blown. Thank you for one of those once in a lifetime performances.

@corinanancylupu1720

😂😂😂

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