Given how much an Anglo-Saxon likes to use the word “billion”, it is a shame that in Spain we have to translate it as “thousand million”. The fact is that every time an artist reaches that figure, whether in their account number or on streaming platforms, it makes the news in Forbes, Billboard or on Twitter accounts that are experts in these things.
Imagine Dragons have done it more often than you might think. They have exactly 11 songs over 1 billion streams on Spotify: to give you an idea, just one less than Taylor Swift. This puts them in the top 10 most successful artists of all time on Spotify, more or less on par with people like Drake, Bad Bunny, The Weeknd, Ariana Grande or Coldplay. On the occasion of the tour that will bring them to large stadiums in Madrid and Barcelona on June 28 and July 1, respectively (pre-sale is today), we review which are those 11 massive hits.
Believer
‘Believer’ is Imagine Dragons’ big hit. It has 3.1 billion streams, making it exactly the 11th most listened to song of all time on Spotify and, as you can see here, it will soon be the 10th. Released in 2017 as part of their ‘Evolve’ album, it contains all the identifying signs of Imagine Dragons. Epic Queen-style choruses, Muse-style stadium-filling rock, and a phrasing at one point that you don’t know whether to relate to Red Hot Chili Peppers or Eminem. In it, Dan Reynolds talks about a type of arthritis he suffers from, as well as other things that have been painful for him to deal with, such as anxiety, depression or facing large crowds.
Radioactive
Long before that, we got to know Imagine Dragons through mass performances full of percussion effects and crescendos, like those projected on MTV or going viral on Youtube from their first album. By 2012, when they released ‘Night Visions’, they already knew how to handle an audience. ‘Radioactive’ opened their debut and has also ended up being one of its key songs. Dan Reynolds already looked ecstatic as the crowd sang along to this song about starting over, which he defined on MTV at the time as “very masculine”. Like himself.
Demons
Non-toxic masculinity, that is. If there is a straight guy who likes to take off his shirt to wrap himself in a good LGTBQ+ flag, it is Dan Reynolds. He has done it many times during the performance of ‘It’s Time’ from his first album. And also from that album came the ballad ‘Demons’, in which he especially showed his vulnerability. The “demons” he speaks of are those that torment us inside, and those he wants to get even with. Of those he is ashamed: “Don’t get too close, there’s darkness inside me.”
On Top of the World
One of the surprises from that debut that has also endured over time has been ‘On Top of the World’. With a brighter character, more tropical percussion, and a more feel-good melody, it consolidated Imagine Dragons on “top of the world” and was one of their “breakthrough” songs. It has always been one of their favorites live as well. Look how happy Dan Reynols looks performing it.
Thunder
Another of the different recordings that have marked a before and after in Imagine Dragons’ career has been ‘Thunder’. After a second album that went more unnoticed, ‘Evolve’ would refocus their career. The second single after ‘Believer’ had a certain air of Katy Perry’s ‘Roar’ and incorporated finger snaps, smurf-like voices and synth-pop elements. In short, a more fun song than some stadium-filling rock bands have been able to do.
Whatever It Takes
Another of the singles from ‘Evolve’ with an unusual certification in the United States for its streams (6 platinum records) is ‘Whatever It Takes’. It is one of the many – many – songs by Imagine Dragons that have been used in sports video games and one of those that most reminds us of Anthony Kiedis in its phrasing. With them, they staged the “adrenaline in the veins” that they talk about, while their video reflected the chaos of the world, flood by means of.
Natural
What to do after having one of the best-selling albums of 2017… and of 2018 with an ‘Evolve’ that lasted in the charts for years? Her fourth album ‘Origins’ (2018) included a bonus single with Kygo, but ‘Natural’ is her most memorable song. Produced by Mattman & Robin, it’s about “finding yourself through adversity”. Metaphorically, one part of the song has some pounding drums, and another is almost a cappella, with just a thread of guitar.
Bad Liar
Another single from ‘Origins’ that has survived among Imagine Dragons’ songs against all odds is ‘Bad Liar’. And I say against all odds because it is one of their most minimalist productions. Jorgen Odegard’s unusual production begins with a discreet keyboard, includes non-abrasive percussions like heartbeats, finally strings and also a credit from Dan Reynolds’ wife, Aja Volkman… right before they split up. “I lie badly,” they wrote together, “so you are free to go.” And they left.
Enemy
The first part of ‘Mercury Act’ (2022), Imagine Dragons’ fifth album, is remembered above all for the inclusion as a bonus of the song they donated to the soundtrack of ‘Arcane (League of Legends)’. If in Alex da Kid’s phrasings and rhythms, there had always been a certain hip hop fondness, here the rapper JID directly accompanies him in what is another of the key songs of his career.
Bones
The second part of ‘Mercury Act’ managed to save face in a way that some of the original songs from the first one had not, thanks to the success of ‘Bones’. One of the recent Imagine Dragons songs that has been best treated by Spotify playlists and by the TikTok generation, where it was originally presented. The song was a reflection on life and death.
Sucker for Pain
Imagine Dragons’ latest track to top 1 billion streams isn’t from their latest album, ‘LOOM’ (2024). It’s their collaboration with Lil Wayne, Wiz Khalifa, X Ambassadors, Logic and Ty Dolla Sign for the ‘Suicide Squad’ soundtrack. But hey, if Coldplay changed the course of their careers thanks to The Chainsmokers and Taylor Swift’s first streaming hit was her song with Zayn, a collaboration with Imagine Dragons will also do… Especially since they have enough of a role in it. Of course, it has rarely appeared in their setlist, usually attached to some other song of their own.
