MUSIC RECOMMENDATION: Imagine Dragons (3 Songs) 

Band: Imagine Dragons

Members: Dan Reynolds, Wayne Sermon, Ben McKee, Daniel Platzman

Active Since: 2008

What’s It About?

So, we’re doing something a little different in the NTC book club this week – we’ve had all types of recommendations since launching this little group of ours – books, YouTube videos, podcasts and even poetry! – so why not go with a music recommendation this week?

As we know, there are plenty of artists out there whose personal experiences, philanthropy work and albums reflect their personal struggles with mental illness and this group is just one example of that.  

If you haven’t heard of Imagine Dragons, they’re an alternative pop rock group – originally from Las Vegas, Nevada – who rose to fame over 10 years ago with mainstream hits like “It’s Time” and “Radioactive”. In addition to making some banger music, the lead singer (Dan Reynolds) has also been an invaluable ally to the mental health community, not only by speaking out and normalizing issues like depression and anxiety but also by partnering with agencies and programs to advocate for better mental health care for the general public.

While there are many songs to recommend, we’d like to highlight 3 in particular whose origins and designs align quite strongly with the world of mental health. Happy Friday and happy listening!

LOS ANGELES – DEC 14: Imagine Dragons, Dan Reynolds, Wayne Sermon Ben McKee, Daniel Platzman at the “Passengers” Premiere at Village Theater on December 14, 2016 in Westwood, CA

Highlights: 

(1) Radioactive (from the album Night Visions, 2012)

  • ABOUT: One of the band’s first big (commercially successful) hits! With lyrics that are quite general in nature most people hear the song and either (a) don’t think of it in the context of mental health at all or (b) experience it as “quite dark” in tone. In reality, this song was written by Reynolds as he was coming out of a “very dark period of depression” and captures a time when he was finally feeling ready to experience life in a new (more positive and hopeful) way.
  • LYRIC: “I’m waking up, I feel it in my bones – enough to make my system blow. Welcome to the new age, to the new age.”
  • SONG LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3viBe2Q0P8

(2) It’s Okay (from the album Mercury – Act 1, 2021)

  • ABOUT: This song uses a popular mental health slogan for its chorus/refrain – “it’s okay to be not okay”! Definitely more of an upbeat “anthem” vibe (as compared to recommendations #1 and #3), the song literally gives voice to different characters who feel “out of place” in their bodies/lives and intersperses those with messages of acceptance and self-love. Allegedly, the band had the LGBTQ youth in mind while penning this song, but I think we can agree the lyrics and messages are universal!
  • LYRIC: “It’s okay to be not okay. It’s just fine to be outta your mind. Breathe in deep, just a day at a time… baby you’re not broken, just a little bit confused.”
  • SONG LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_yRODJ6kfc

(3) I Don’t Like Myself (from the album Mercury – Acts 1 & 2, 2022)

  • ABOUT: This relatively recent addition to the ID catalogue came on World Mental Health Day in 2022 when band members partnered up with Crisis Text Line (a 24/7 crisis intervention program supporting folks throughout the USA and Puerto Rico) to raise money and awareness for mental health programming. The song (another product of Reynold’s ongoing battle with depression) was released with the simultaneous message that “it’s okay to be not okay” but take care of yourself and seek help when you need it. Reynolds himself has been quoted as saying: “I believe therapy is the reason I am still alive today. If it’s ever a question of whether or not you should go to therapy, the answer is always yes. Stay alive.”
  • LYRIC: “There are times when I don’t like myself – I believe all the things that they say about me. I wanna love myself, just like everyone else… and I’ve got so much more to live for, than what you think of me.”
  • SONG LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iH1YfDu19KM

Caveats:

While the band likes to market themselves as “genre-less” it’s possible that the style may not be for everyone. However, our hope and intention is to shine a light on the messaging and origins of some of these songs, rather than promoting the band itself.

Rating:

Similar Posts