It's Time (track) by Imagine Dragons

Love this song, loved it even more live

From soundguardian 06/25/2013 06:53

This single has quite a background and context. Between the lyrics, music video release, and interviews with Imagine Dragon's frontman Dan Reynolds (such as the one conducted by Pure Volume), I will succinctly piece together all the pieces.

Las Vegas-raised, as well as Mormon-raised, Reynolds was noticeably pressured or encouraged by his parents and environment to proselytize in Nebraska and attend the LDS-operated college Brigham Young University. Eventually stifled by this collegiate lifestyle, Reynolds sought to reinvent himself without sacrificing his core principles. He aspired to develop as a musician, so he started a band.

The song makes multiple allusions to events in his life. To pursue his music career, he "packed his bags and gave the academy [BYU] a raincheck", thus withdrawing from his Church's most prestigious academic institution. While his parents, other relatives, and friends may have called into question his decision making, he insists that although he ventures into new territory, he hasn't forsaken any of the values that have contributed to his character. He still loves his "city that never sleeps at night [Vegas]", for example. But with this decision come a lot of emotions. "It's time, isn't it?" he nervously realizes, time to begin anew from the bottom up.

"It's Time" features a percussive clap track, which initiates the song and continues throughout. It combines with a jangly indie-like guitar line. These help to establish a brighter mood than the bleak conception of quitting university. Instead, the song embraces an introspection of a person's true aspirations.

It culminates to a bridge in which the narrator realises that such a radical change in life direction is difficult and continues to be difficult - making the analogy of a house that burns slowly to ashes. So too can a dream slowly but surely disintegrate without any amount of fortitude.

Luckily from those ashes sprung forth a successful musical career and a fun band. This piece will remain not only a staple of radio for years to come, but also an anthem of perseverance and optimism.