Released: 2017
Imagine Dragons’ ‘Believer’ is a powerhouse anthem about overcoming adversity and finding strength through pain. The song’s general theme is about transforming struggles and hardships into motivation and resilience.
The song kicks off with the line ‘First things first, I’ma say all the words inside my head.’ This sets the stage for an emotional outpouring. The singer is frustrated with how things have been and wants to express his pent-up feelings.
Next, he declares, ‘Second thing second, don’t you tell me what you think that I can be.’ This line speaks to rejecting other people’s expectations and asserting control over one’s own life. He’s determined to steer his own course.
The line ‘I was broken from a young age, taking my sulking to the masses’ gives insight into his early struggles. Writing poems and sharing his pain became his outlet. This is how he connects with others, turning heartache into art.
The chorus centers around the word ‘Pain!’ and how it builds him up. This repetition emphasizes the transformative power of pain. He embraces it, using it to become a ‘believer’ in his own strength and purpose.
In the second verse, the lyrics ‘I was choking in the crowd, building my rain up in the cloud’ depict feeling overwhelmed by emotions. Despite efforts to drown these feelings, they break through, leading to personal growth and enlightenment.
The third verse shifts to a more spiritual tone with ‘send a prayer to the ones up above.’ This shows a turn towards seeking peace and resolution. The singer acknowledges that hate and hardship have transformed him for the better.
Finally, the song concludes with ‘by the grace of the fire and the flames.’ This imagery represents emerging stronger from challenges. The repeated mention of pain solidifies it as the driving force behind his newfound belief in himself.
