Radioactive

Imagine Dragons

About Radioactive

"Radioactive" is a song by American rock band Imagine Dragons for their major-label debut EP Continued Silence and later on their debut studio album, Night Visions (2012), as the opening track. It was first sent to modern rock radio on October 29, 2012, and then released to contemporary radio on April 9, 2013. Musically, "Radioactive" is an electronic rock and alternative rock song with elements of dubstep that contains cryptic lyrics of apocalyptic and revolutionist themes. The song received positive reviews from critics, who praised the production, lyrics, and vocals, calling it a highlight on the album. Due to heavy rotation on various commercials and trailers, the song became a sleeper hit, peaking at number three on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and becoming the band's first top 10 single as well as being the third best selling song in that country in 2013. It also broke the record for slowest ascension to the top 5 in chart history and currently holds the record for most weeks spent on the Billboard Hot 100 at 87 weeks. The song has also reached number one in Sweden and in the top 20 in several countries including Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, becoming Imagine Dragons' most successful single to date. It has since been certified Diamond in the USA, making it one of the best selling singles of all time."Radioactive" received two Grammy Awards nominations for Record of the Year and Best Rock Performance, winning the latter. This was Imagine Dragons' first time being nominated. During the broadcast, they presented a remix of the song with their Interscope label-mate, rapper Kendrick Lamar. The remix was later released for purchase on iTunes. 


Year:
2012
3:06
106 
#3

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Whoa, oh, oh
Whoa, oh, oh
Whoa, oh, oh
Whoa

I'm waking up to ash and dust
I wipe my brow and I sweat my rust
I'm breathing in the chemicals

I'm breaking in, shaping up, then checking out on the prison bus
This is it, the apocalypse
Whoa

I'm waking up, I feel it in my bones
Enough to make my systems blow
Welcome to the new age, to the new age
Welcome to the new age, to the new age
Whoa, oh, oh, oh, oh, whoa, oh, oh, oh, I'm radioactive, radioactive
Whoa, oh, oh, oh, oh, whoa, oh, oh, oh, I'm radioactive, radioactive

I raise my flags, don my clothes
It's a revolution, I suppose
We'll paint it red to fit right in
Whoa

I'm breaking in, shaping up, then checking out on the prison bus
This is it, the apocalypse
Whoa

I'm waking up, I feel it in my bones
Enough to make my systems blow
Welcome to the new age, to the new age
Welcome to the new age, to the new age
Whoa, oh, oh, oh, oh, whoa, oh, oh, oh, I'm radioactive, radioactive
Whoa, oh, oh, oh, oh, whoa, oh, oh, oh, I'm radioactive, radioactive

All systems go, the sun hasn't died
Deep in my bones, straight from inside

I'm waking up, I feel it in my bones
Enough to make my systems blow
Welcome to the new age, to the new age
Welcome to the new age, to the new age
Whoa, oh, oh, oh, oh, whoa, oh, oh, oh, I'm radioactive, radioactive
Whoa, oh, oh, oh, oh, whoa, oh, oh, oh, I'm radioactive, radioactive

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Imagine Dragons

Imagine Dragons is an American alternative rock band from Las Vegas, Nevada. The band gained exposure following the September 2012 release of their debut studio album, Night Visions and first single "It's Time". more »

264 fans

Written by: Joshua Francis Mosser, Alexander Junior Grant, Benjamin Arthur McKee, Daniel Coulter Reynolds, Daniel Wayne Sermon

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Bluewater Music Corp.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


12 facts about this song

Radioactive" Achievements
Released in 2012 by American band, Imagine Dragons, the song "Radioactive" became a commercial success, peaking at number three on the Billboard Hot 100. It also held the record for the longest stay on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for five years.
Song Interpretation
The song is full of apocalyptic imagery but the band explained it as a symbolic representation of dealing with personal struggles and emerging stronger.
Grammys Performance
It was significantly raised in profile after the band performed "Radioactive" at the 2014 Grammy Awards ceremony alongside Kendrick Lamar.
Accolades and Recognitions
The song was nominated for two Grammy Awards in 2014, winning the Best Rock Performance category.
Best-Selling
It was reported by Billboard in 2015 that "Radioactive" was the best-selling rock song in the digital history.
Multiple Genre Mix
It's noted for its unique blend of different genres, drawing from rock, pop, and electronic music.
Platinum Certificates
The song has not only been certified Diamond by the RIAA, but as of July 2021, it has also been certified 2x Platinum in the UK.
Use in Media
"Radioactive" has been used in several media outlets, including in movies like "The Host" and TV shows like "Arrow."
NBA Affiliation
The song was heavily used during broadcasts of the 2012–13 NBA season, especially during halftime shows and commercial breaks.
Music Video
The music video features puppet-fighting, a pink teddy bear, and actor Lou Diamond Phillips, and has garnered over 1 billion views on YouTube as of 2021.
Not Immediate Success
Despite its eventual success, "Radioactive" didn't take off immediately. It took almost a year after its release for it to hit its peak chart position.
Aimed for Different Sound
The band's drummer, Daniel Platzman, has said in an interview that with "Radioactive," they wanted to use modern and futuristic sounds, aiming to do something they called 'Future Folk.'

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    "Radioactive Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 19 Mar. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/29529623/Imagine+Dragons/Radioactive>.

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    Radioactive

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 2013

    Billboard #3


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