Dan Reynolds Reveals Unheard Stories Behind Imagine Dragons' Hit Songs
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Since day one, Dan Reynolds has always been a believer.
The Imagine Dragons frontman is a proud LGBTQ+ ally and is continuing to save lives with his powerful music and efforts to help the queer community.
This year, the annual LOVELOUD Festival returns for a fifth year and will be held in multiple cities for the first time ever.
"I'm excited for people to get out and experience the great music, but most importantly, experience a safe place where they can bring their family out. LOVELOUD is about families coming out together to support their LGBTQ+ youth. That's been our goal since the beginning," Reynolds tells PRIDE.
Not only has Reynolds raised millions for LGBTQ+ charities, but he's also inspired countless amounts of people with his iconic songs.
The singer took a trip down memory lane with PRIDE to reveal the memories and stories that created the band's most well-known singles.
Imagine Dragons - Thunder
Imagine Dragons - Thunder
One of Imagine Dragons' most empowering songs, "Thunder," is a fan-favorite since its release back in 2017.
The song peaked at number four on the US Billboard Hot 100 and was even nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.
"Middle school. It was the worst time of my life. I had braces and rubber bands and really bad acne. I played this big saxophone that bigger than me. It was just a bad time and I just hated it. That song is an ode to a middle school kid. I wrote it for myself, if Dan in sixth grade could hear this song, it'll work out and be okay," Reynolds says.
Imagine Dragons - Demons
Imagine Dragons - Demons (Official Music Video)
As the fourth track on their debut album Night Visions, "Demons" is one of the standout songs from Imagine Dragons.
The track spent twelve weeks in the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100 and sold more than 4.1 million copies in just two years.
Reynolds grew up Mormon in Las Vegas and had a faith crisis as he came into his own. He started questioning all of the problematic teachings that were instilled in him at a young age.
"I was very depressed when I wrote that song. It captured a moment in my life when I was really struggling. I was losing all my faith and I really didn't believe in anything. I felt lost, like I had to rebuild from nothing because I had no faith in anything. I spent my whole life feeling like I knew the answers and suddenly in my 20s, I [realized] I actually know nothing."
Imagine Dragons - Believer
Imagine Dragons - Believer (Official Music Video)
Next up, one of the band's most legendary songs to this day is "Believer."
Considered quintessential modern rock, the track is the fifth best-selling song of 2017 in the United States and one of the best-selling singles of all time.
With nearly three billion streams on Spotify, "Believer" is considered Imagine Dragons' most successful song.
"That's my favorite song to play live. No matter where we are in the world, I can rely on that song. I'll look out and I'll see the guy with his girlfriend who doesn't want to be there and the song will come on [and he'll dance.]"
Imagine Dragons - It's Time
Dan Reynolds Reveals Unheard Stories Behind Imagine Dragons' Hit Songs
Serving as the debut single for Imagine Dragons, "It's Time" sent this band into superstardom.
With a cover on Glee and plenty of commercial play, the song was certified Platinum by the RIAA and ARIA. This track marks the beginning of what would be become an iconic legacy for Imagine Dragons.
"I remember hearing it for the first time on Mix 94.1, which was a station I grew up listening to. I was standing in the family room with my mom and my dad. My family was all there. I was emotional! That was a huge moment for me. To this day, we open most of our shows with that song. I love that song. It really is the identity of Imagine Dragons in a lot of ways."
Fans can get tickets to the LOVELOUD Festival on the official website here.
To see the full interview with Dan Reynolds, check out the video to the left.
