by The Grammy-Winning Song You Never Knew Imagine Dragons Had: A Closer Look
Imagine Dragons are one of the most popular and successful rock bands of the past decade. Their Grammy wins and nominations are a testament to their impact and influence. However, there is one Grammy-winning song by Imagine Dragons that many fans may not be aware of.
In 2013, Imagine Dragons collaborated with rapper Kendrick Lamar on the song “Radioactive.” This song would go on to win a Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance in 2014. However, Imagine Dragons’ contribution to the song goes beyond just being featured artists.
Dan Reynolds, the lead singer of Imagine Dragons, actually co-wrote “Radioactive” with Kendrick Lamar and several other songwriters. Reynolds helped craft the melody, lyrics, and overall sound of the song. While Kendrick Lamar performs the majority of the vocals on the track, Imagine Dragons’ imprint can be heard throughout in the instrumentation and song structure.
“Radioactive” was a massive hit, reaching #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and helping propel Kendrick Lamar’s career into the stratosphere. The song’s success and critical acclaim led to its Grammy win for Best Rock Performance.
However, many Imagine Dragons fans may not realize that the band actually co-wrote and helped create “Radioactive,” a Grammy-winning song in its own right. The collaboration between Imagine Dragons and Kendrick Lamar resulted in a unique fusion of rock and hip-hop that clearly resonated with both the Grammy voters and music fans worldwide.
So while Imagine Dragons’ own Grammy-winning songs like “Believer” and “Thunder” are better known, their contribution to “Radioactive” shows their range and versatility as songwriters and musicians. The next time you hear “Radioactive” blasting from the radio, think of it as partially a Grammy-winning Imagine Dragons song – one they never fully get credit for.
