Imagine Dragons are a popular, Grammy-award-winning band that formed in 2008. The band members are Dan Reynolds (lead vocals), Wayne Sermon (guitar), Ben McKee (bass), and Daniel Platzman (drums). Original members Andrew Tolman and Jeff Gilbert left the band in 2009 and 2011
Who writes Imagine Dragons’ songs?
Most of the songs are written by Dan Reynolds, with Wayne Sermon and Ben McKee contributing as well. Daniel Platzman does not usually write songs for the band, but he has co-written a few tracks. The band typically writes together in a collaborative effort.
They were discovered by producer Alex Da Kid. They soon signed a record deal with Interscope Records and released their debut album, Night Visions, in 2012. The album was a huge success, spawning the hit singles “Radioactive” and “Demons”. The band has since released three Smoke + Mirrors came out in 2015. Evolve was released in 2017. Origins was put out in 2018. The band’s latest album, titled Night Visions, was released in 2020.
Related: Do Imagine Dragons Songs Have Curse Words?
Does Imagine Dragons Work With Songwriters?
Yes, the band has worked with several different songwriters over the years. However, they typically prefer to write their own songs. They have co-written tracks with Alex da Kid, Justin Tranter, and Julia Michaels, among others.
One songwriter, in particular, they worked with is Alexander Grant, or Alex da Kid. He helped the band write their song “Radioactive.” He also helped write songs for Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, and Eminem.
Julia Michaels is another songwriter they have worked with. She has co-written tracks like “Believer” and “Natural.” Some other musicians she’s worked with include Selena Gomez, Justin Bieber, and Kesha.
Tranter has written songs for Imagine Dragons, including “Thunder,” “Walk On Water,” and “Whatever It Takes.” He has also worked with Justin Bieber, Gwen Stefani, and Fall Out Boy.
What Inspires The Band?
Imagine Dragons’ music is typically inspired by personal experiences and social issues. Dan Reynolds has spoken about how his faith, family, and mental health have all influenced the band’s music. The band also likes to write songs that will inspire and empower their fans. They want their music to make a difference in the world.
Imagine Dragons Breaks World Record
Their breakout hit, ‘Radioactive’, broke world records. The song stayed on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for a record-setting 87 weeks. It was also the most-streamed rock song on Spotify for four years in a row.
Grammy’s Won by Imagine Dragons
The band has won several Grammy Awards, including Best Rock Performance and Best Rock Album. They have also been nominated for multiple awards, such as the American Music Award for Artist of the Year.
Movies with Imagine Dragons Songs
The band has written songs for a few movies, including “Ready Player One” and ” Transformers: Age of Extinction.”
Songwriting Awards and Recognition
Their body of work has been recognized and awarded distinctions such as admission into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Reynolds also received the Hal David Starlight Award.
What Style of Music is Imagine Dragons?
The band is best known for their alternative rock style, but they have experimented with different genres over the years. They have dabbled in pop, EDM, folk, and more
What is Imagine Dragons Musical Inspiration?
The band has cited numerous musical influences. Their songs span many types of pop music. On Follow You, for example, they use sunny, Beach-Boys-inspired harmonies. Other songs, like Radioactive, sound like Linkin Park. Many of their songs contain elements of dance music.
Still, others are more stripped-down and acoustic. There is really no one type of music that can be pinpointed as their primary influence. Instead, they seem to pull from a wide range of genres to create their own unique sound.
How does Imagine Dragons Make Their Music?
The band uses a variety of different instruments. These include guitars, drums, keyboards, and bass. They often use synthesizers and other electronic effects to create their unique sound.
What are Imagine Dragons’ Most Popular Songs?
Some of the band’s most popular songs include “Radioactive,” “Believer,” and “Thunder.” They have released five studio albums, all of which have been very successful.
Related: How Did Imagine Dragons Get Popular? What Was Their Breakout Song?
Musical Background of the Band Members
Daniel Platzman studied film scoring at the Berklee College of Music. He composed music for several student films before he joined Imagine Dragons.
Wayne Sermon was self-taught on the guitar. He began playing when he was thirteen years old.
Ben McKee learned to play the bass guitar by taking lessons from a family friend.
Dan Reynolds took piano and vocal lessons as a child. He also learned to play the drums.
Origin of the Band Name
The band’s name comes from an anagram of a phrase that actually has never been revealed.
What is Imagine Dragon’s Creative Process Like?
The band interviewed with BMI Magazine and talked about their songwriting process. Dan Reynolds said from that resistance and creating music that has a redemptive and uplifting message. It is at once very personal and universal.
“I wrote ‘It’s Time’ during a very transitional period in my life, It seemed like everything was going wrong. I was trying to decide what I wanted to do with my life, trying to figure out how seriously to take music. I was making decisions about who I was. I’m a pretty young guy and I’m still trying to figure out the answer to those questions.”
Dan Reynolds to BMI
How Imagine Dragons Record Their Songs
The band starts by recording a demo or two of a song band members wrote. They say for an album they will write a hundred songs and choose the ones the band member resonates with the most.
After the demos are chosen, they work on production for a few months. The song is then recorded in a studio and then mixed.
Imagine Dragons Albums
The band has released five studio albums. Night Visions was released in 2012. It was followed by Smoke + Mirrors in 2015, Evolve in 2017, Origins in 2018, and finally Night Visions Deluxe in 2020.
Festivals and Associated Acts
Imagine Dragons has headlined multiple festivals, including Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, BottleRock, and more.
They have also toured with some of the biggest names in music, including Muse, Linkin Park, and 30 Seconds to Mars.
Side Projects
Dan Reynolds and his wife, Aja Volkman, have a side project called Egyptian. They released an album in 2014 called Horus & Isis.
The members of Imagine Dragons also have a side project called TRIDENT. It is a rock supergroup that also includes members of the bands The Killers and Queens of the Stone Age. The group has released one EP, titled Pilgrimage (2016).
