Radioactive

What makes Imagine Dragons' *Radioactive* so special is that feeling of waking up to something new, almost like a rebirth. The lyrics speak of "waking up in ashes and dust," of an apocalypse that, according to Dan Reynolds himself, refers to a profound personal change, to seeing life with renewed eyes, and to not giving up in the face of loss of faith. Musically, the song moves between electronic rock and alternative rock, with touches of dubstep that give it a very particular texture. It's a theme that feels powerful and masculine, as Reynolds said, but at the same time has a depth that invites reflection, even with imagery that some critics have associated with the spiritual.

The recording of *Radioactive* extended between December 2011 and April 2012, and took place at Westlake Recording Studios in Los Angeles. It was part of the band's debut EP with their record label, *Continued Silence*, and was later included in their first studio album, *Night Visions*, released in 2012. The song was first sent to modern rock radio stations in late October 2012 and then to contemporary hit stations in April 2013. Its airing in commercials and trailers turned it into an unexpected hit, reaching third place on the US Billboard Hot 100 and marking their first top 10 single. It spent a record time on the charts, demonstrating its lasting impact. A remixed version with rapper Kendrick Lamar was even released, which also received a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Performance, an award they won.