Natural (Imagine Dragons song)

"Natural" is a song by American pop rock band Imagine Dragons, whose 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, serving as 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

Lead singer Dan Reynolds noted 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' embodies 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

"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]

Critical reception

Markos Papadatos of Digital Journal regarded "Natural" as a "well-crafted and well-produced song", writing that "Reynolds' voice is impressive, raw and powerful", and that the song "garners two thumbs up".[9] Sam Tornow of Billboard described the song as "ferocious" and "smash-mouth".[8] Mike Wass of Idolator named the song a "radio-ready anthem", expecting it to be "another smash" following the success of the band's third studio album Evolve (2017).[10] Tiana Timmerberg of Radio.com called the song "energetic and inspiring", deeming it "a feel-good jam with positive and empowering lyrics".[11]

Music video

A music video for the song was released on August 24, 2018. It depicts frontman Dan Reynolds as the apparent owner of a spooky house including shots of a woman in a bathtub, the same woman being pursued by other inhabitants of the house and an abnormally tall man resembling 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 no the house and its inhabitants, along with a clip of a lion mauling a zebra.[12] Its music video has received over 380 million views and 3.8 million likes as of October 2020.

Live performances

On July 19, 2018, Imagine Dragons made a live television debut of the single on Jimmy Kimmel Live!.[13] The performance featured a guitar solo by lead guitarist Wayne Sermon that expanded on the studio recording.[14]

Personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.[15]

Charts

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Austria (IFPI Austria)[89] Gold 15,000
Belgium (BEA)[90] Gold 20,000
Canada (Music Canada)[91] Platinum 80,000
France (SNEP)[92] Gold 100,000
Germany (BVMI)[93] Gold 200,000
Italy (FIMI)[94] Platinum 50,000
Mexico (AMPROFON)[95] Gold 30,000
Poland (ZPAV)[96] 3× Platinum 60,000
Portugal (AFP)[97] Platinum 10,000
United Kingdom (BPI)[98] Silver 200,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history
Region Date Format Label Ref.
Various July 17, 2018
[15]
United States July 31, 2018 Alternative radio [99]
August 28, 2018 Contemporary hit radio [100]

References
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