Imagine Dragons is a pop-rock band originating from Las Vegas in the United States of America. The group currently has four members: Dan Reynolds, Wayne Sermon, Ben McKee, and Daniel Platzman. Dan is the lead singer, Wayne plays the guitar, Ben is the bassist, and Daniel is in charge of the drums. Formed in 2008, the band has released five studio albums to date.
Their first album, “Night Vision,” managed to put them in the spotlight, with songs like “Radioactive” and “Demon,” earning high positions on various music charts. Billboard named Imagine Dragons the “Breakthrough Band of 2013”, and the group won the Grammy award for Best Rock Performance for Radioactive. Over the years, the band has continued to earn high praise from both fans and music critics.
Smoke+Mirrors or Smoke and Mirrors is the second studio album and has sold more than one million copies globally. The album managed to get first position in both the UK and US music charts, including US Billboard 200, US Top Rock Albums, and the US Top Alternative Albums. The album had 13 songs, with four new compositions included in the Deluxe version.
Imagine Dragon self-produced this album in collaboration with Alexander Grant, releasing it under the Interscope Records and KIDinaKORNER label. The band released three songs from Smoke and Mirrors, followed by two promotional singles, Smoke and Mirrors and I’m So Sorry.
In this article, we will share I’m So Sorry Lyrics Meaning with listeners to help them understand the story behind the song.
What does the title mean?
The title for the fourth single on the Smoke and Mirrors album is undoubtedly an apology. Through the lyrics of this rock ballad, Dan is either apologizing to himself or his loved ones, especially his parents. The song touches on mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and self-acceptance. The song, penned collectively by the band members, is one of the strongest songs on the album.
In several interviews promoting the album, Dan talks about how he struggled with depression throughout his childhood and school days. He mentions feeling uncomfortable and out of his element until he found an outlet for feelings through writing. Through this head-banging number, the singer seeks an apology and hopes for redemption through I’m So Sorry Lyrics Meaning.
Verse 1 – What does it mean?
About time for anyone telling you
Off for all your deeds
No sign the roaring thunder
Stopped in cold to read (no time)
In the first verse, the singer believes that it’s about time someone started calling him out for all his mistakes & wrongdoings after eventually losing their patience with him. The lyrics can also be interpreted as Dan Reynolds finally coming to peace with identifying and acknowledging his shortcomings.
Despite the floodgates of accusations & complaints, he doesn’t see a roaring thunder in his life. Where everything is calm & orderly, when forced to face the consequences of his deeds in solitude or loneliness.
What does pre-chorus mean?
I get mine and make no excuses
Waste of precious breath (no time)
The sun shines on everyone
Everyone, love yourself to death
In the following few lines, the singer talks about obtaining things in life he deserves or has earned with his hard work while being unapologetic & fearless. According to the singer, offering an excuse or explanation to anyone is simply a waste of his time.
The sun shining on everyone signifies that God views all human beings as equals, giving them equal sunshine, a metaphor for opportunities. And that is why we should all accept and love ourselves as we are without any outside validation.
What does the chorus mean?
So you gotta fire up, you gotta let go
You’ll never be loved ’til you’ve made your own
You gotta face up, you gotta get yours
You never know the top till you get too low
Understanding the I’m So Sorry Lyrics Meaning, in the chorus, the singer encourages everyone to become motivated to work towards their goals in life by letting go of past mistakes and failures. According to the singer, you will never truly experience true acceptance and love from the outside until you have made peace with yourself, focusing on self-acceptance.
In life, we have to work hard for the things we want in our lives without any hopes of getting free handouts. Everything you want is achievable but will require your determination and patience. Also, do not get demotivated by the lows or failures, as they are valuable lessons that guide you towards reaching your highs.
What does the post-chorus mean?
A son of a stepfather
A son of a, I’m so sorry
A son of a stepfather
A son of a, I’m so sorry
The post-chorus is an apology from Dan to his parents. Growing up, Dan gave them a tough time and failed to meet their expectations, disappointing his parents, falling into depression, and developing low self-worth issues. The singer talks more about his relationship with his parents in another song titled, I Bet My Life.
Verse 2 – What does it mean?
No lies and no deceiving
Man is what he loves
I keep tryin‘ to conceive that
Death is from above
The second verse reflects Dan’s opinion on homosexuality, contradicting his Mormon upbringing. According to the singer, a man is free to love whoever they prefer without the restraint of fear or worry. Dan has expressed several times that he is supportive and accepting of the LGBTQ+ community irrespective of his upbringing.
The following lines about death have two interpretations. The first is that God decides when we die, irrespective of who we are or whom we choose to love. As per the second interpretation, the singer could be implying that death is always hovering above your head. Therefore you should live your life to the fullest without any restraints or regrets.
What does the bridge mean?
Life isn’t always what you think it’d be
Turn your head for one second and the tables turn
And I know, I know that I did you wrong
But will you trust me when I say that I’ll make it up to you?
Somehow, somehow?
When learning, I’m So Sorry Lyrics Meaning the bridge talks about how uncertain & unfair life is & how you do not always get the things you want or expect/predict. It discusses how life can be highly unpredictable and how anything can take a new turn within the blink of an eye when you look away for one second.
Next, Dan accepts his failures and shortcomings, asking for redemption from his loved ones. The same emotion is also visible in other songs from the same album and Evolve, the band’s 2017 studio album. He promises to make up for his past mistakes and wrongdoings and asks to earn back their trust.
Conclusion
“I’m So Sorry” is the second promotional single from Imagine Dragon’s second studio album, Smoke and Mirrors. The song touches on the various personal experiences of the band’s lead singer, Dan Reynolds, including his struggles with depression. The song debuted on the US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs Chart at the 14th spot, making it its peak position.
The song landed at the 97th position of the year-end US Billboard Hot Rock Songs Chart. With more than 500,000 certified sales, the RIAA gave the song a Gold certification. Fans and critics have noted the heavy influence from fellow rock band ‘Black Keys’ with the garage blues and R&B grooves elements.
