“It’s Ok” by Imagine Dragons
This song centers on the assertions “it’s okay to be not okay” and “it’s okay to be out of your mind”. As utilized, what these statements are intended to point to is the concept of not fitting in, i.e. being a social outcast, as well as the mental anguish which results from related persecution.
In the first verse, the victim is a female. It is never revealed what makes her different from those around her, but she is apparently the target of gossip and other types of mean sayings.
The second verse is clearer in terms of what in this case makes a male subject different, which is the fact that, in the eyes of his peers, he’s effeminate. And even though it is never forthrightly stated in the lyrics, given the times we live in and all this song does adequately give off the impression that it may be LGBT inspired.
And verily, even though the ambiguity of the lyrics give it a general applicability, Dan Reynolds and co. did have “LGBTQ youth” in mind when putting this track together.
So the premise of this song, as revealed in the bridge, is focusing on people who don’t feel comfortable, let’s say in a gender sort of way, in their own bodies. And the thesis sentiment, on top of espousing the personal acceptance of such despite the associated ‘confusion’, is that such individuals need the support of a concerned person(s) to make it through these ordeals.
Facts about “It’s Ok”
Imagine Dragons’ frontman Dan Reynolds is recognized as the primary writer of this song, stating that he had authored “maybe three years” before its release date on 3 September 2021, thus making it one of the first songs written for “Mercury – Act 1”.
“Mercury – Act 1”, i.e. Imagine Dragons’ fifth studio album, is a product of Interscope Records and Kidinakorner.
Additional credited writers of this song are the other Imagine Dragons – Daniel Platzman, Ben McKee and Wayne Sermon – as well as former bandmate Andrew Tolman.
Goldwiing (Wayne Sermon alongside Andrew Tolman) is recognized as one co-producers of this track, with the other being the Imagine Dragons.
