Natural by Imagine Dragons Lyrics Meaning – Unearthing the Call of the Wild Within
Lyrics
When every one of them is giving up or giving in? Tell me
In this house of mine
Nothing ever comes without a consequence or cost, tell me
Will the stars align?
Will Heaven step in? Will it save us from our sin? Will it?
‘Cause this house of mine stands strong
That’s the price you pay
Leave behind your heart and cast away
Just another product of today
Rather be the hunter than the prey
And you’re standing on the edge, face up ’cause you’re a
Natural
A beating heart of stone
You gotta be so cold
To make it in this world
Yeah, you’re a natural
Living your life cutthroat
You gotta be so cold
Yeah, you’re a natural
Will somebody
Let me see the light within the dark trees shadowing?
What’s happening?
Looking through the glass find the wrong within the past knowing
Oh, we are the youth
Cut until it bleeds, inside a world without the peace facing
A bit of the truth, the truth
That’s the price you pay
Leave behind your heart and cast away
Just another product of today
Rather be the hunter than the prey
And you’re standing on the edge, face up ’cause you’re a
Natural
A beating heart of stone
You gotta be so cold
To make it in this world
Yeah, you’re a natural
Living your life cutthroat
You gotta be so cold
Yeah, you’re a natural
Deep inside me, I’m fading to black, I’m fading
Took an oath by the blood of my hand, won’t break it
I can taste it, the end is upon us, I swear
I’m gonna make it
I’m gonna make it
Natural
A beating heart of stone
You gotta be so cold
To make it in this world
Yeah, you’re a natural
Living your life cutthroat
You gotta be so cold
Yeah, you’re a natural
Natural
Yeah, you’re a natural
Imagine Dragons, known for their anthemic pop-rock sound, has always had a knack for capturing the zeitgeist in a single melody. Their song ‘Natural’ is no exception, encapsulating a raw and gritty commentary on the human condition. The track dives into the reality of intrinsic survival instincts, juxtaposing the civilized facade we display with the primal force lurking beneath.
Beneath the surface-level catchiness and rhythmic drive, ‘Natural’ is a complex exploration of the themes of resilience, authenticity, and the inexorable costs of living in a cutthroat society. It challenges listeners to look inward, asking whether the price we pay to navigate this world strips us of our innate nature or merely reveals it.
Survival of the Fittest: A Modern Anthem
‘Natural’ hits listeners with a primal force, invoking imagery of a Darwinian struggle in the contemporary world. The song suggests that only those with a ‘heart of stone’ can endure the harsh realities of life. But this isn’t just about physical resilience; it’s about the emotional armoring we don as a form of psychological evolution in response to the challenges we face.
The battle-cries woven through the chorus exemplify the confrontation between vulnerability and strength. As the modern world demands a stony exterior, Imagine Dragons raise a poignant question: does the necessity for emotional fortress make us any less human, or is it simply awakening an ancient part of us?
The Price of Admission in Today’s World
A recurrent theme within ‘Natural’ is the transactional nature of existence in today’s society – the need to ‘leave behind your heart and cast away,’ suggesting that success comes at a cost, possibly of our most cherished human elements. The lyrics acknowledge the sacrifices made to stay afloat in a system that’s unforgiving to the meek.
This message resonates with listeners, echoing the age-old adage that nothing in life is free; everything has a ‘consequence or cost.’ In succinct lines, Imagine Dragons encapsulate the toll taken on one’s identity when forced to adapt and armor up against the world.
The Eerie Glow of Youth’s Lost Innocence
The reference to the ‘youth’ and the vivid imagery of bleeding cuts locates the struggle at the fresh stage of adolescence. The song articulates the pain of a younger generation coming to terms with an imperfect, often cruel world. It’s the maturity that scars, carving out the grooves of hardened adults from the soft clay of children.
The use of contrasting light and darkness in the lyrics conjures the duality of the youthful experience – the simultaneous awareness of potential (light) and the recognition of the overshadowing challenges (dark). It’s in this space that ‘Natural’ crafts a striking image of growing pains as a path riddled with unavoidable truths.
The Hidden Meaning: An Ode to Authenticity
At a deeper level, ‘Natural’ is arguably a rallying cry for authenticity. By labelling the subject of the song as ‘natural,’ it equates the hardened, survival-oriented persona as an intrinsic truth to our nature. It’s an acknowledgement that, stripped down to the core, human beings are complex and multifaceted creatures capable of both great warmth and chilling indifference.
The song’s bridge, haunting with its talk of fading ‘to black’ and taking an ‘oath by the blood of my hand,’ is suggestive of a personal vow to remain genuine – to make it through the darkness without losing one’s self. The repetition of ‘I’m gonna make it’ serves as a powerful mantra for perseverance through authenticity.
‘A Beating Heart of Stone’: Unpacking the Song’s Most Memorable Line
This paradoxical line portrays the core of the song’s message, the stark contrast between life’s vitality and the emotional numbness required to navigate its trials. In a world where sensitivity can be a liability, having a ‘beating heart of stone’ is both an oxymoron and a survival mechanism.
The line resonates with listeners because it reflects a common struggle: maintaining one’s humanity amidst a landscape that seems to reward detachment. As such, it becomes a sobering reminder of the balancing act we all perform, and perhaps, a recognition of the strength that lies in the resolve to stay true to oneself.
