Music Review: Imagine Dragons "Demons"

Imagine Dragons

Demons

Album: Night Visions

Year:  2013

            Dan Reynolds is haunted by his failures in the vulnerable “Demons.”

             A quivery piano opens the single, setting a foreboding tone. Her eyes had grown wide and she had inched away from him. She had seen something in him she thought didn’t exist. It wasn’t her fault. At his new job, he walks in to a roomful of smirks and empty stares. They are simply waiting for him to be gone. After settling in at his desk, he tries to figure out the claims on the computer. He scans the file up and down, believing it’s correct. Fifteen minutes later, his trainer gives him a stack of mistakes he’s made. He sighs, realizing he can’t do it. Every time the manager passes by, he expects for him to say “let’s have a talk.” He tried being a photographer. That didn’t work out. It was the one dream he wanted, even as a child. But during his brief stint as a photographer, he saw people exploited and cameras shoved in their faces. His boss, whose work he admired, reminded him at every moment he was incredibly lucky to have him as a teacher. However, he was holed up in the office filing and getting coffee than doing any actual photography.  Now, he’s trying to work the standard full-time job and he can’t even manage it. At this point, he doesn’t even care anymore. The only people with humanity and compassion are sculptures. All the pain and disappoint, he’d prefer for not know. She’d worry. However, his temper gets the best of him and she’s not safe from him, despite him loving her more than anyone.  (“When the days are cold /And the cards all fold /And the saints we see /Are all made of gold/When your dreams all fail /And the ones we hail /Are the worst of all /And the blood's run stale/I wanna hide the truth /I wanna to shelter you /But with the beast inside /There's nowhere we can hide.”)

              In the pre-chorus, people will always look out for themselves, either for self-preservation or ambition. He has spent most of life on the defense, avoiding getting to know people altogether. (“No matter what we breed /We still are made of greed /This is my kingdom come/This is my kingdom come.”)

            In the chorus, he explains to her that she will notice his eyes flicker to stay away from him. His hatred of who he is and what he’s become will come out. (“When you feel my heat/
Look into my eyes /It's where my demons hide /It's where my demons hide/Don't get too close /It's dark inside/It's where my demons hide/It's where my demons hide.”)

              In the afterlife, he envisions entering hell. People will be scraggly and weak; using whatever is left of their bellies to get to wherever they are going. When they see him, they will be in costume, reenacting his past sins, giggling at his errors in judgment. If she continues to be with him, she’ll be miserable. However, he can’t pretend to be the happy-go-lucky boyfriend. She has to be aware of his anger. (“When the curtain's call /Is the last of all/ When the lights fade out /All the sinners crawl /So they dug your grave/And the masquerade//Will come calling out/At the mess you've made/Don't wanna let you down/But I am hell bound /Though this is all for you /Don't want to hide the truth.”)

           The pre-chorus and chorus are sung again.  

          In the bridge, he thinks life is pre-determined and there is nothing to change. He’s been made to be a useless person without any skills. She needs someone who will be able provide for her. She is the kindest person he knows, exuding warmth. He takes a mental picture of it. Her face will be the one he will find amongst his many memories, reminding him that goodness is somewhere in the world. He really needs her help to get through his pain. (“They say it's what you make /I say it's up to fate It's woven in my soul /I need to let you go /Your eyes, they shine so bright/I wanna save that light/I can't escape this now/Unless you show me how.”)

              The chorus is sung again to end the single.

                 Reynolds’ grim vocals scour through his emotional damage, unable to find a piece of himself intact for her. He’s trying to do the right thing by her. He doesn’t believe he’s good enough for her or anybody else.

           Brooding guys can come across as self-involved and in love with their wounds. However, he’s remorseful for lashing out at his girlfriend and chooses to push her away, not knowing what he’s capable of in the future. The poor guy needs a hug and an ugly cry with someone he trusts. Hopefully, the girlfriend sticks around and forgives him.

            The lost “Demons” is made of glass, shattering at any expressions of love.