Natural (Imagine Dragons song)

2018 song by Imagine Dragons

"Natural" is a song by American pop rock band Imagine Dragons. Its members co-wrote the song with Justin Tranter, Klinsmann Lucas S. Bernardo and their producers Mattman & Robin. It was released by Kidinakorner and Interscope Records on July 17, 2018. It was the lead single from the band's fourth studio album, Origins (2018), as well as the seasonal anthem of the 2018 ESPN College Football. It became their fifth number one song on the US Hot Rock Songs chart.

"Natural"
Single by Imagine Dragons
from the album Origins
ReleasedJuly 17, 2018 (2018-07-17)
GenrePop rock
Length3:09
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Mattman & Robin
Imagine Dragons singles chronology
"Born to Be Yours"
(2018)
"Natural"
(2018)
"Zero"
(2018)
Music video
"Natural" on YouTube

Background

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Lead singer Dan Reynolds said that "Natural" is about "finding yourself and being willing and able to stand up to whatever adversity comes your way". He said in a press release announcing the song: "Living in a dog-eat-dog world can bring out the worst in you, and sometimes, the best. It would be a lie to tell you I haven't become somewhat skeptical about some things in the last decade of my life. However, I believe that when you truly learn to love yourself, the judging eyes and hateful words become meaningless."[1]

The song was chosen by ESPN as the anthem of the 2018 College Football season.[2][3] It is the second time that an Imagine Dragons song was chosen, the first being "Roots" in 2015.[4] "'Natural' has the energy, spirit and drama of each team's journey to the College Football Playoff, and that is why it was chosen as this year's anthem," said Emeka Ofodile, ESPN vice president of sports marketing.[5][6] It is also part of the soundtrack for EA Sports' NHL 19.

Composition

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"Natural" is a pop rock song which features a "mix of explosive drums and inspiring lyrics",[7] with "stadium-rocking instrumentation" over the chorus.[8]

Music video

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A music video for the song was released on August 24, 2018. It shows frontman Dan Reynolds as the owner of a spooky house including shots of a woman in a bathtub, the same woman being chased by other inhabitants of the house and a very tall man that looks like Slenderman, a supposed funeral for the woman, Wayne Sermon, Ben McKee and Daniel Platzman fading into dust, Reynolds digging a grave and burying the woman alive, and other shots of the house and its inhabitants, along with a clip of a lion mauling a zebra.[9] Its music video has gotten over 410 million views and 4 million likes as of March 2021.

Live performances

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On July 19, 2018, Imagine Dragons made a live television debut of the single on Jimmy Kimmel Live!.[10] The performance featured a guitar solo by lead guitarist Wayne Sermon that expanded on the studio recording.[11]

Personnel

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Credits adapted from Tidal.[12]

Charts

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Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
Austria (IFPI Austria)[88] Gold 15,000 
Belgium (BEA)[89] Gold 15,000 
Canada (Music Canada)[90] Platinum 80,000 
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[91] Gold 30,000 
France (SNEP)[92] Platinum 250,000 
Germany (BVMI)[93] Gold 250,000 
Italy (FIMI)[94] Platinum 50,000 
Mexico (AMPROFON)[95] Platinum 60,000 
Poland (ZPAV)[96] 4× Platinum 200,000 
Portugal (AFP)[97] 2× Platinum 20,000 
United Kingdom (BPI)[98] Gold 400,000 
United States (RIAA)[99] 4× Platinum 4,000,000 

 sales+streaming figures based on certification alone

Release history

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Region Date Format Label Ref.
Various July 17, 2018 [12]
United States July 31, 2018 Alternative radio [100]
August 28, 2018 Contemporary hit radio [101]

References

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  1. Flaherty, Kevin (July 17, 2018). "ESPN picks pump-up song for the 2018 college football season". 247Sports. Retrieved July 22, 2018.
  2. Joseph, Andrew (July 17, 2018). "ESPN chooses 2018's college football anthem". USA Today. Retrieved July 22, 2018.
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  4. Gartland, Dan (July 17, 2018). "Imagine Dragons Made Another ESPN College Football Anthem to Get Stuck in Your Head". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved July 22, 2018.
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Other websites

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